Students who read do better in school. They know more, are able to keep up in class, have a higher vocabulary, and can write and spell better. Students who enjoy reading probably don’t like textbooks. They like pleasure reading. Teachers need to give students more interesting books to read if they want all their students to become avid readers.
What is a "Home Run" Book?
A home run book is a book that is so enjoyable that it creates a reader. Stephen Krashen describes it as “the one book that got you into reading.” The positive experience of reading a great book motivates students to continue reading on their own.
In Ujiie and Krashen’s study of "Home Run Books and Reading Enjoyment", they surveyed 266 fourth and fifth graders. They found that 82% of the students had home run book experiences, but only 58% enjoyed reading. Home run books didn’t guarantee a reader, but it greatly increased the chances.
Choosing a Home Run Book
Children who enjoy reading know what they like. They know how to choose their next book. They will scan the book jacket, read books by the same author, or recommendations by friends. They also know it’s okay to stop reading a book if it’s boring.
Children who don’t enjoy reading don’t necessarily know how to choose the correct books. They may choose books by the front cover or that are too difficult for them to read. Teachers and librarians are crucial in helping students find their home run books.
Books That Create a Home Run Experience
Students need access to lots of books. Each student will like a different book. In the study with 266 students, 19 liked Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling [Arthur A. Levine Books, 1997], 11 liked Goosebumps by R.L. Stine [Scholastic, 1996], 11 liked The Three Little Pigs, and 6 liked Dr. Seuss. That leaves more than two hundred other books that created a home run experience.
In order to provide a home run book for every student in the class, teachers need to provide a wide variety of books. If classroom space is an issue, choose one or two books from each author and a sampling for each category.
Classic Children’s Books
The Three Little Pigs proves that classics are timeless. The stories reach out to children of all ages. Cinderella is the perfect example of a story that crosses cultures. Include a collection of Cinderella stories from different countries to compare in class. Folktales also have many variations that students from different backgrounds can identify with.
Banned Books
Harry Potter and Goosebumps are among some of the most challenged books, yet kids love them. Many of the books included in the list are required readings in high school or college. Two elementary school classics that made the list include Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White [Puffin, 2008] and Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne [Methuen, 1926]. By including banned books in their classroom, teachers can teach students about Banned Books Week, which takes place this year from September 26 through October 3.
Books in a Series
Books that are part of a series are great for reluctant and struggling readers. If it happens to be a home run book, students don’t need to worry about where to find their next book. They already love the characters and the style of writing. All they need to do is pick up the next book in the series and start reading. They already have the background information, which makes reading the next book easier than the first. Include one or two from each series and students will find the next book in the series on their own. Kidsreads.com provides a list of juvenile books in a series along with a short summary and the recommended age.
- Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon [Archway Paperback, 1988]
- Geronimo Stilton by Geronimo Stilton [Scholastic, 2004]
- Judy Moody by Megan McDonald [Candlewick Press, 2006]
Award Winners
It’s always best to include award winners. These are the kinds of books that principals, teachers, and parents want children to be reading. Award winners aren’t necessarily going to be home run books. Children’s Book Awards are given from the perspective of an adult.
Comics and Graphic Novels
Comics and graphic novels are perfect for second language learners and reluctant readers. Pictures are less intimidating than pages full of words. For concerned parents, teachers can limit comics to once a week or once a month.
Non-fiction Books
Most people associate pleasure reading with fiction, but non-fiction can also capture students’ interest. Boys who love sports would enjoy biographies on their favorite ball players. Science books provide information for an aspiring astronomer, scientist, or paleontologist. History buffs could read about famous battles, and students who love a challenge would be absorbed in math puzzles.
Including a wide variety of books in the classroom library will ensure students find books that will turn them into avid readers.
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