Mom's view about age appropriate books

When Henry finished first grade he read every Magic Tree House book and the first Harry Potter within the first month of summer vacation.  Then he kept asking if he could read the rest of the Harry Potter series and I said No.

Being the mean mom that I am, I didn't feel that my seven year old was ready for all of Harry Potter on his own, let alone watching the movies that went with them (that's the rule at our house, read the book, then see the movie).  Poor Henry got to read one book every summer until he got a little older and then I let him read two books each summer until he finally finished the seventh in 2010. 

Is it right to hold back my child from reading books he loves?  I think so.  He has enjoyed Harry Potter so much more now than he would have when he was seven, he just gets it better and we can talk more about what Harry is going through.  Plus, here's my favorite part, Henry read many books he wouldn't have read otherwise, because all he would have wanted to read over and over were the Harry Potter books.  We read Spiderwick Chronicles, Magic Tree House, Horrible Harry, all the Bionicle books and others that were more age appropriate.

Having an excellent reader in your home is a blessing and a curse. Some parents don't mind letting there kids read whatever they want and that's fine.  Those parents know their child and what will be best for them. But slowing kids down is also OK. One article that helped me was by Rick Riordan, made me like him even more, called Does age appropriateness still have meaning.  It was a great look at what we are letting our kids read. Poor Henry still has to wait to read the third book in the Eragon series. One of these years I'll let him.

Mom's view of the Leven Thumps series

These are fun books for kids.  Some kid books are fun for adults as well, these were not my favorite.  The story was interesting and magical, but I think what was done in five books could have easily been condensed into three.  Like Henry said, it does feel like Leven is having one misfortune after another and it never resolves, what is the purpose of hardship if it doesn't get the reader a little closer to the conclusion, this felt like hardship for the sake of something to write about.  It is sometimes confusing to figure out what goes where and who is who.  That being said most of the kids I have talked to who have read them love them.  It really is most appropriate age wise 9 and up.  There are some scary parts that I think are hard for 8 year olds to understand, even if they are great readers.

Series of the week!

The series of the week is the Leven Thumps series
It was an exciting series with an innatural twist to human kinds future. A world of dream making, sycophants, and talking toothpicks. Yes, I said talking toothpicks.
I liked the first book, but the second and third were a little if-y. it felt like Leven ,Winter, Clover, and Geth were always traveling.
But, it builds up suspence and I am always eager to read the next book.

Mom's view of The Lost Hero

Like Henry said, Rick Riordan came to Salt Lake City in October 2010.  We surprised Henry and met up with his best friend and went to the signing.  It was a wonderful experience, we were there early, got front row seats, Henry was able to ask Mr. Riordan a question in the large group and was the second kid to get his book signed.  Mr. Riordan was lovely, funny and very kind to the kids there.  We were grateful he was so fun.

Now for my review.  Henry and I read a lot of the same books; it gives us something to talk about.  We have both read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and enjoyed them, but I think this is one of his best books so far.  There are three main characters and the reader goes between each of their points of view.  This is great because you can see the whole story with different eyes, but it can get a little confusing in some spots.  I liked that it wasn't exactly like the Percy Jackson series, but the style was similar and the characters were familiar, which made it fun to revisit Camp Half blood.  As a mom I would recommend this for 9 year olds and up.  Some themes are just a little too much for younger children.

Featured book of the day!

Our book of the day is The lost Hero by Rick Riordan. You might recognize this cover.
The reason I picked the book is because I got this book at a book signing and I got to meet the Author. He signed my book and my shirt. OMG it was so cool!!!!!!!!!!
The reason I like the book is because it had an exciting plot, heart-racing details, and amazing characters.
But everything was kind of confusing, it felt like one event was happening, and then that same event happens all over again. But it was still cool.
Tell me your opinion on it....