Raising Strong Girls to Be Strong Readers

September 14, 2009 by Administrator
Filed under Activities & Fun

By: Pam Allyn.

iStock_Girls reading

In researching my new book What to Read When, I was struck by how many books depicted girls in a very one dimensional way. And reading is more than a journey for our children: it is a way for them to shape their identities and find themselves in the lives of the characters they read about. Therefore, it is all the more important that we stock their shelves with books that represent a whole and healthy view of girlhood.

There are some amazing books for us to read aloud to our daughters or to suggest they read on their own, books that reflect a multidimensional girl in a multidimensional world. Themes of courage and friendship, independence and creativity are all valued and illuminated. Books provide an opportunity to talk about the stories and characters but also to dig a little bit deeper and talk about the images of girls in the pages of these books. Our daughters need many models of what it is to navigate the world and the stories here provide some of those models.

Two to Four Years Old (2-4)

Sheila Rae the Brave by Kevin Henkes (HarperCollins: 1996)

Sheila Rae the mouse is fearless. She steps on every crack that she sees on the sidewalk and rides her bike with her eyes closed. One day, she even decides to find a new way to walk home from school. But as she braves the new walk, she finds herself very lost and very scared. With help from her sister Louise, Sheila Rae learns that courage comes in many forms.

Four to Six (4-6)

Emma’s Rug by Allen Say (Walter Lorraine Books: 1996)

Emma was given a very special rug when she was born. From the rug, Emma found the courage and inspiration to become a very talented artist. So when the rug is washed, Emma is convinced that she will no longer have any of her former creativity. However, when she puts her crayons to the paper, Emma learns a very important lesson about where creativity really comes from.

Six to Eight (6-8)

The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, pictures by Marla Frazee (Hyperion Paperbacks for Children: 2007)

Clementine learns that the third and fourth graders are going to have to put on a talent show to raise money for the big spring trip. Clementine wants to do anything but participate in the show, since she is sure she has NO talents. As the night gets closer, Clementine tries her hardest to avoid participating. Will Clementine ever be able to find her special talent?

Eight to Ten (8-10)

Allie’s Basketball Dream by Barbara E. Barber, illustrated by Darryl Ligasan(Lee & Low Books: 1996)

Allie has always loved playing basketball and she has dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. Allie can’t wait to use the brand new basketball that her father gives her. As they walk toward the park, Allie loves the way that the basketball sounds as it bounces on the sidewalk. But when Allie arrives at the basketball court she discovers that all of the player are boys and they are very good. Will Allie be able to face her fears and practice using her brand new ball?

Ten to Twelve (10-12)

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan (Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.: 2007)

Naima is a very talented painter. She loves painting Alpanas, or traditional painted patters and wins the Alpana painting contest in her village every year. Naima wishes that she could find a way to help her family earn more money. After three years of schooling, Naima had leave school even though she really loved it so her sister could attend school for several years. Naima’s father drives a ricksaw and Naima wishes that she were a boy like her best friend Saleem so she could learn to drive her father’s ricksaw. When Naima decides to dress like a boy and earn money for the family driving the rickshaw, she badly damages the vehicle, her family’s only livelihood. As Naima struggles to find a way to repair the rickshaw, she finds a unique way to use her talents to help support her family.

Twelve to Fourteen (12-14)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Penguin: 2008)

Lily Owen’s personal struggle to overcome her neglectful father and her guilt at accidentally killing her mother leads her to encounter the Calendar sisters who take her in and help her find the strength she needs. Set in the south in the 1960s, Lily also learns to help those she loves despite the overwhelming forces of racism.

Fourteen to Sixteen (14-16)

El Bronx Remembered by Nicholasa Mohr (7/8 Grade)

This delightful collection of short stories opens a window into the world of El Bronx from 1946-1956. Whether telling the story of a Puerto Rican girl who celebrates Passover with her Jewish friend in “The Wrong Lunch” or the story of a hen named Joncrofo (after Joan Crawford) in “A Very Special Pet” these stories capture a unique moment in the life of El Bronx.

Sixteen to Eighteen (16-18)

Unbowed by Wangari Maathai (Knopf: 2006)

Wangari Maathai’s memoir depicts her journey to become an environmental activist and the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. Maathai grew up in Kenya, attended school, when most girls were not educated and obtained a PhD. She used her powerful voice and unending determination to bring about sustainable change to the landscape of her native country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

am Allyn is the author of The Complete 4 for Literacy, a guide for educators, and coauthor of the six-book series The Complete Year in Reading and Writing. She is also the author of What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read With Your Child – and All the Best Times to Read Them. Pam also founded and leads the renowned literacy initiative for foster care children, Books for Boys. She is the recipient of several awards for her commitment to childhood literacy. Pam is widely known as a motivational speaker on the subject of raising lifelong readers and writers. It is her personal quest to bring literacy to every child stems from a deeper desire to bring dignity to every child, and to empower children to read and write powerfully, effectively and with passion and delight. Her hope is that all children will grow up able to fulfill their dreams and leave their positive imprint on the world. Pam has started a not-for-profit, LitWorld International, Inc., to further this vision.

You can find out more about Ms. Allyn and purchase her books at the following sites: What to Read When and LitLife.