Event encourages teens to read for fun
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Friday, October 10, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
For the Herald
Chippewa County teens will be reading for the fun of it during the eleventh annual Teen Read Week, Oct. 12-18, 2008. They join thousands of other libraries across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year’s theme, “Books with Bite at your library.”
Teen Read Week is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association. This year’s theme encourages teens to read a wide variety of books and graphic novels, from animals to vampires to cooking, just “for the fun of it.”
“Today’s teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have,” said Jennifer Smith, Cadott Community Library Director. “That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read.”
Literacy is a topic of both local and national concern, and falling test scores and lower graduation rates among teens today are a serious issue.Studies show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency and area librarian Sharon Shepard of Cornell Public Library agrees.
“One of the most important ways teens acquire the habit is by watching adults they respect,” Shepard said.
Being around adults who are avid readers can counteract the latest statistics from The Nation’s Report Card, which indicate that in homes across America the number of different types of reading materials has decreased, and a smaller percentage of 17-year-olds saw adults reading in their homes.
Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week at home. Chippewa County librarians offer these ideas:
- Visit your local library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
- Set aside time each night for the family to read.
- Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
- Share your favorite book with your teen.
- Surf the Internet with your teen to learn about new books or authors.
- Join a book discussion group at the school or public library.
- Teen Read Week is held annually during the third week of October.
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