A New Holiday: READmas
On December 25th, kids wake at ungodly hours to make a mess of wrapping paper, opening presents from loved ones. They spend the rest of the day playing with their toys, posting pictures and videos to social media. By December 26th and 27th, the newness is wearing off. Parents have done the exchanges and they know which clothes fit. By the 28th, they’re over it all. Therefore I propose a new holiday: READmas!
On December 28th, kids still have some winter break days left to get on your nerves. Before they do, put a book in their hands! Below, I have some profiles of young readers and a book recommendation for them.
The Giggle Monster
Got a five or six-year old who laughs at everything? They’ll have a grand time with “The Perfect Nest” by Catherine Friend and John Manders.
Jack is building the perfect nest because he wants to trick an unsuspecting bird into laying eggs so he can make the perfect omelette. His plan works…kinda. When those eggs hatch quicker than he can cook them, he’s got a whole mess of trouble on his hands!
The Young and Reluctant Big Sister or Brother
Got a five or six-year old who’s used to being the baby and no longer getting their way? Try “Peter’s Chair” by Ezra Jack Keats.
Peter doesn’t like sharing with his baby sister. First, he doesn’t want her to have the cradle he can’t fit. Then it’s the crib. When it comes to the chair, Peter decides to put his foot down.
The Little Sister or Brother Trying to Find Their Way
Got a little one who is looking up to their older siblings and trying to be like them? Get them “Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly” by Alan Madison and Kevin Hawkes.
Velma’s big sisters know how to do everything well: sing, play sports, you name it! Velma can’t figure out her THING until a school trip helps her.
The Headstrong Little Girl
Got a little girl who is totally making her own way? Don’t call her bossy. Instead, empower her! And read any of the “Olivia” books by Ian Falconer.
Olivia believes she can do anything! And she’ll try anything! She’s strong-willed, tenacious, clever, and funny. Little ones will love these books!
The Tween Trying Too Hard to be Cool
Got a 4th or 5th grader who’s been trying a little too hard to impress his classmates? Check out “Save Me a Seat” by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan.
Ravi was the coolest, smartest, most popular kid at school. That all changes when his family moves to America from India. Joe has never been cool. Or smart. Or popular. When Ravi tries to recreate his status by befriending the only other Indian in his class, who turns out to be a bully, he learns a thing or two about friendship and popularity. If possible, get the audiobook. It makes this book even more endearing.
The Kid Trying to Find Their Voice
Got a shy kid who won’t stand up for themselves? Perhaps a powerful story about a brave little girl will do the trick, and “Midnight Without a Moon” by Linda Williams Jackson is one such book.
It’s 1955. Rose Lee, a little dark skinned girl lives in Mississippi with her grandparents and her little brother because her mama just moved north with her new husband his family. There’s nowhere Rose Lee would rather be than school, which is the last place her grandmother thinks she should be. Fed up, Rose Lee tries to figure out a way to get north until a boy from Chicago gets lynched. Now she’s thinking she should stay and help however she can. This isn’t a “girl book.” This is A BOOK and girls AND BOYS should read it!
The Teen Who Shares Too Much on Social Media
Got a teen that’s always on Snapchat, Instagram, Marco Polo, or whatever other social media network they’re hoping we old folks don’t ruin like we did Facebook? Need them to learn the importance of discretion? Have them read “Asking for It” by Louise O’Neill.
Emma is an 18 year old, beautiful girl in Ireland. She’s no angel—she’s promiscuous, doesn’t turn down drinks or drugs, and doesn’t really know how to be a real friend. One night, at a party, Emma has a wild night that she can’t remember the next day. All she knows is that she’s been ostracized until someone shows her the Facebook post of horror. She’s now in a legal fight and her reputation has become her biggest enemy.
The Girl Everyone Thinks is Fast
If you were not that girl, you know that girl. God made her to look a certain way and everyone blames her for the way men look at her without realizing her hips are bigger than her self-esteem. Put “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo in her hands.
Xiomara wishes she could hide. She hates the attention her curves garners, so she’s developed a tough attitude to push people away. But she has lots of thoughts, and she writes them in her notebook she keeps hidden from her pious mother. But when her thoughts become too consuming her best outlet is the slam poetry club at school. She just has to keep this as another one of her secrets.
Bonus: The Weary Teacher
You know a teacher who started counting down to the winter holiday in September. They’re tired. They’re recharging while, simultaneously, preparing themselves to return to work. Non-educators envy their vacation schedules, but don’t realize that even two weeks off isn’t long enough. That teacher may need a reminder of why they do it, and “Fish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt can serve as the motivation to go get through the next semester.
Ally is smart, but she doesn’t know it. She does know that she struggles to read, and she’s fooled enough people to get pretty far in school. When a new teacher discovers the reason Ally struggles, his attention and extra help not only improves her grades but her confidence and self-esteem as well.
So there are a few titles to get you started. Let’s make READmas a thing! And if all else fails, drop ‘em off at the library and yell “JASON REYNOLDS” as you drive off!
