Book Learning Was Never So Good

Starting this weeks drive to uncover the local news from around the country I find myself starting in Colorado.

Teen book club nurtures student reading

Published December 11, 2008 @ 9:02 am by Amy Hamilton

Whoever said kids don’t like to read has never met the about 20 middle school and high school kids in the Bistro Book Club.

Kids like East Middle School sixth-grader Madison Ragar, who devours at least two books a week in addition to assigned school reading, couldn’t imagine a life without her nose in a book.

“Usually when I get home from school, I sit down and read for a while,” said Madison as she lovingly thumbed through a new book she would be taking home Wednesday. “It’s hard to imagine a person who doesn’t like reading.”

There’s a good reason why many of the kids keep returning to the book club meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month in the library of Grand Junction High School. The club is open to any students including homeschooled ones, who are between 12 and 18 years old.

As an aspiring author I am always glad to see kids reading as they will one day be my likely readers.  While there has always been a core of kids who read and did so voraciously I have to say those of us who like books and like to see kids reading owe J.K. Rowling a debt of gratitude.  Before Harry Potter there was a dwindling interest in books.  Now not only is there a great interest by younger kid in books, there is a renewed interest in writing.  Granted a lot of the writing is fan fiction and not very well written at that, but the fact they have stories they want to tell and are willing to do it provides a place to start.

I like the idea of this book club and wish we had something similar locally for my son.  I also like the fact that much of the literature now being written with teens in mind isn’t campy crap that filled the market in days of old.  I have read quite a lot of it as an adult and enjoyed it as well written stories.  Before  wrapping up I want to take the time to present

What to Read After Harry Potter Book List

• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside by Holly Black (trilogy)
• Uglies, Pretties, and Specials by Scott Westerfeld (trilogy)
• Dragon’s Dawn by Anne McCaffrey This is the first book in the series from a chronological time frame, but not the first book written in the series.  I recommend starting with this one for people not fans of science fiction or fantasy.
• Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld (trilogy)
• Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
• So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
• 1632 by Eric Flint (expanded series with fan fiction opportunities)  This is a great story mixed with historical figures than makes teens think about history by asking what if.
• Gunpowder Empire by Harry Turtledove (extended series: Crosstime)  This is an alternative history series aimed at teens but great for adults, especially the later books.
• Honor Harrington by David Weber This is a series best left to older teens, but a great read for anyone who loves action drama and political intrigue mixed with a great story.  Strong female characters.

This is my list of newer relevant books for teen readers.  If you have something to add feel free.