READING THE READER

By Dan Miller
August 22, 2007

In case you've forgotten, there's a strong emphasis on reading in third grade.

My 8-year old daughter McKensie is now a third-grader, and I'm pretty sure -- when it comes to reading -- she's ready.
This summer she spent hours immersed in, and enchanted by, books.

In fact -- summer or not -- whenever there's an opportunity to devour a book, she'll do it.
She's a regular at the library.
She and her mother read every night in bed before lights out....
She'll read while riding in the car.... on a stool in our kitchen....
even on an airplane flying across the Atlantic.

I asked my wife how many books McKensie read over the summer, and the answer took me by surprise.
"At least 50 or more" she answered.... "how many did you read?"

"Uh, a bit fewer than that" I said.... "maybe 48 or 49 fewer."

McKensie especially enjoys reading out loud to her mother, and often to me.
As she reads, she'll ask -- from time to time -- whether I'm following the story.
I assure her that I'm hanging on every word.

And I am.

I hear the words, and I hear the names.... Junie B. Jones, Strawberry Girl, Pippi Longstocking, Cam Jansen and others.... but, truthfully, I might not always follow the plot and the character development.

It's not because I'm not interested.
She has my undivided attention.....
It's just that I'm usually focused on the reader, not the story.

I watch her little facial expressions as she reads....
I marvel at her surprisingly accurate inflections, and how she can sound out, and solve, the mystery of complicated pronunciations.
She'll chuckle at the funny parts....
She'll express genuine concern about any trouble confronting the characters....
And, without hesitation, she'll ask for definitions of words she doesn't know.

As I listen and watch her, I always think the same thing....
Wasn't it just a few days ago when this little girl was crawling around on the floor making goo-goo sounds?
Can this be the same person, reading almost anything put in front of her with an impressive level of comprehension?

There's no doubt that reading a book can stir up wonderful adventures for a child.
And for a grownup nearby, it can be a wonder to behold.

Here's my advice.
When a child reads to you.... follow the story.... but not so much that you're distracted from the best part.

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