Judy Freeman's Page

Having been a school librarian for more than 25 years, I’ve had the stimulating and satisfying job of turning kids on to books and watching thousands of them grow as readers, from preschool through sixth grade. "Have you read every book in the library?" my students would ask incredulously. Or, "You read these books?" a new kid would ask, amazed that a grownup would admit to loving books meant for children. I think of librarians and teachers as the Gods and Goddesses of Great Books.

Dawn Sardes, a young adult librarian from the Euclid Public Library in Euclid, Ohio, was recently describing her new teen club for Stephenie Meyers’s Twilight books. She writes: “This one girl has been resisting reading the books, but I got into such an animated discussion with a couple other kids in the room, that the Twilight resistant girl suddenly said, "I have to read this now. Look what you did, Miss Dawn. You know what you are? You're nothing but a...a...BOOK WHISPERER!!!"

The first Book Whisperers in children’s lives are those moms and dads who read to them every night, choosing books that become family treasures, and sharing them again and again. We parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians make a huge difference in the reading lives of our children, which is exactly why James Patterson founded and funded and crafted this extraordinary website, ReadKiddoRead.

James Patterson’s mission is to get kids hooked on unputdownable books that will lead them to other unforgettable books that will launch them as lifetime readers. Naturally, to become a reader, you need to be surrounded by good books. There are more than 5,000 children’s books published every year. How on earth do you figure out which ones are the best ones to read to or share with or recommend to your children? That’s where ReadKiddoRead can help.

We’ve tried to help make your job easier with this website, culling a select list of cutting edge books we believe your kids will love. We couldn’t review every exemplary book out there, so included with each title is a list of more treasures (If You Loved This Book, Then Try) on the same theme or subject or by the same author, that will keep kiddos reading and exploring.

Will every single book listed here ring your child’s literary bell? Well, no. That would be impossible. Children’s book tastes are far-ranging, just like yours are. So, we’ve gone through thousands of books to come up with an eclectic mix, balancing historical, hysterical, drama, fantasy, contemporary, mystery, suspense, animals, fictional, fact-ional, and then some. We think it’s a compelling assortment of titles that will really pop. Some are more for girls than boys, or vice versa; others are more universal in theme.

I like to tell kids, “Everything you read makes you smarter and makes your brain grow. But if you always read the same type of book, your brain will develop an unsightly bulge. You need to try a bit of everything.”

Do you know which country is number one in children’s literacy worldwide? Finland. In a 2003 international survey of 32 countries, Finnish schools came in first. Finland? That’s right. Finland, where children don't even start school until they're 7. And what’s their secret for success? Lots of testing? Phonics drills? Plenty of worksheets? Nope.

“Experts cite several reasons: reading to children, telling folk tales and going to the library are activities cherished in Finland. Lastly, children grow up watching television shows and movies (many in English) with subtitles. So they read while they watch TV.”

As the Book Aunt in my own family, I give bags of books to all the kids every time I see them, including my first grand niece, Talia. My niece, Myra, can’t get over how much fun she’s been having when she reads to her baby every day. Even at six months, Talia knows her favorite books and squeals with pleasure when her mom and dad read to her. That kid will be a reader, I have no doubt.

We hope this site will be helpful and fun to use, and that you’ll love reading these titles as much as your children do. As one Book Whisperer to another, I’d love to know the best books and activities you’ve tried with your own children and their reactions to the titles reviewed on ReadKiddoRead. Books are best when shared. Happy reading!