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August
First Time Poster
Username: August
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 03:12 pm: | 
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Good afternoon, all. I often read the posts here and enjoy the lively discussions but this is my first time posting. I'm participating in a mentor program for young girls and I was wondering if anyone had any good book suggestions for a 12yr old (almost 13) girl who doesn't like to read. How can I get her interested in reading and bring her reading skills and grades up (Cs, Ds, Fs)?? I love to read so it's hard for me to understand someone who does not. When I was growing up, my escape was the library but times have definitely changed. I thought of books like the Coldest Winter but I'm also thinking that the content may be too adult for her...but then again, she can tell me more about male/female relations than I can tell her! I just don't want to steer her in the wrong direction or upset her parent. All the books that I can think of or that I enjoyed when I was her age, she would likely consider too "corny" as she is a child who has grown up in the hip hop generation and her attention span is very short. How do you judge what material is "too adult"? I recognize that Zane is definitely too adult but what about some of the other urban authors. I want her to read and enjoy it but still gain insight and knowledge..something that gives her a thirst for reading. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 1868
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 11:43 pm: |
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Wow, August, it's hard to come up with suggestions for an adolescent black girl whose reading skills aren't that great and who thinks anything other than hip-hop is corny. The only book I can think of that she might be able to get through and relate to is one that I disliked: "Flyy Girl" by Omar Tyree. And, of course, there are the "Harry Potter" books. Not! LOL |
Crystal
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 160
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 01:31 pm: |
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How about some mysteries? Eleanor Taylor Bland has a series with Marti MacAlister as a detective and Valerie Wesley has a series with Tamara Hayle as the star. How about some Walter Mosley – Black Betty is my favorite. |
Reppskearn
Newbie Poster
Username: Reppskearn
Post Number: 10
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 08:19 pm: |
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Perhaphs you should consider The Skin I'm In and Money Hungry by Sharon Flake; I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson; and Like Sisters on the Homefront and Every Time a Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams-Garcia. REK |
August
Newbie Poster
Username: August
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 06:40 pm: |
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Thanks, those were good suggestions. I'm going to check out the mystery books and the books by sharon flake and jacqueline woodson. I think Flyy Girl is too fly for this girl--she may miss the message and get caught up in the hype and glamour instead! I read it several years ago and have a copy at home so we'll see. |
B_ball
Newbie Poster
Username: B_ball
Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 07:32 pm: |
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I also recommend "Skin I'm In" by Sharon Flake. Have you looked at any of Virginia Hamilton's books? Or maybe "I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This" by Jacqueline Woodson or "Make Lemonade" by Virginia Euwer Wolff? |
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