Allegra writes: My sixth-grade English teacher made reading a strict and laborious affair: we were told to read what was “on the list” (even though this list did not necessarily correspond with the state and national requirements). If we were reading something not listed on this seemingly random collection of works, we were urged to either read it on our own time or not at all.
Reading in and out of school, or homeschool, in this case, shouldn’t have to be like this. When selecting books for the teacher/parent and student to read together, try to find books within the requirements that your child is interested in. For example, if your student likes wilderness adventure stories, choose something by Jack London to read together. If he or she is interested in the medieval world of knights and dames, pick up Howard Pyle’s The Story of King Arthur and His Knights.
For individualized reading (the student reading alone outside of “school”), let the student read what he or she likes. However, you should encourage your child to read a few things from the list provided in state curriculum frameworks.
A note to students: All of the dusty old classics listed in the state requirements may not appeal to you. That’s okay. Your parent/teacher will probably be familiar with some of them, so ask your mom or dad about books you might enjoy.
Outside of the classics, there’s plenty to read. Many contemporary, up-to-date retellings of myths, legends and fairy tales are available. Here are some of my favorites:
· Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine-- This is a retelling of “Cinderella” and is also a winner of the Newbury Medal.
· Fairest by Gail Carson Levine-- A complex and absorbing retelling of “Snow White” by the author of Ella Enchanted.
· The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler-- A quick and fun retelling of the fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.”
· The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale-- One of my all-time favorites, this is a retelling of the fairy tale by the same name.
· Rapunzel’s Revenge and Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale-- This pair of graphic novels tells the rewritten tale of Rapunzel and Jack of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
· Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan-- A fast-paced and humorous collection of adventure stories based on Greek and Roman mythology.
· Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman-- This little yarn isn’t strictly a retelling of mythology, but it incorporates many characters and events from Norse legend.
· The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White--This book is an older but entertaining tale of the legendary King Arthur’s life before he was crowned.
· I am Morgan le Fay by Nancy Springer-- This retelling of Arthurian legend gives the villain’s side of the story.
· Fairest by Gail Carson Levine-- A complex and absorbing retelling of “Snow White” by the author of Ella Enchanted.
· The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler-- A quick and fun retelling of the fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.”
· The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale-- One of my all-time favorites, this is a retelling of the fairy tale by the same name.
· Rapunzel’s Revenge and Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale-- This pair of graphic novels tells the rewritten tale of Rapunzel and Jack of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
· Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan-- A fast-paced and humorous collection of adventure stories based on Greek and Roman mythology.
· Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman-- This little yarn isn’t strictly a retelling of mythology, but it incorporates many characters and events from Norse legend.
· The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White--This book is an older but entertaining tale of the legendary King Arthur’s life before he was crowned.
· I am Morgan le Fay by Nancy Springer-- This retelling of Arthurian legend gives the villain’s side of the story.
