Go ahead, open that book you've been wanting to read. You might just be amazed by how much emotion and suspense you will find in those written words. Today technology has taken so many young people away from the written word and given them new ways to entertain themselves. I truly belive that reading is still one of the best ways to open your mind and enjoy a good adventure. Yes, I know, you might be saying " Watching movies or playing video games keeps kids attention better because of the visual aspects" and you wouldn't be all wrong.
Here is what I am trying to get so many people to understand. If you open that book, relax, and read, you can actually see in your head what is going on. There are so many places you can visit and so many exciting adventures you can go on with out ever having to leave the comfort of your home! Fly along with Eragon and Saphira as they battle the Empire, help Harry Potter in his fight against Voldemort, ride along with Alex Cross as he works to catch a serial killer. Meet Huck Finn and his friends, enjoy life with Penelope Keeling in the Shell Seekers, the possibilities are endless. Look around you, there are books written on just about any subject you can imagine. Tried reading before and couldn't get involved? Maybe it was the author, or the genre. Try something else. My husband never liked to read until he picked up one of James Patterson's Alex Cross books. Now he reads whenever he gets the chance. My dad and brother started reading more after reading Jurassic Park. The most exciting thing for my right now is that my oldest son, who complained every time he had to read, has developed a love for reading and is now hooked on Harry Potter! I have always said that I am addicted to the written word. I always have to have something to read and am usually reading 2 or 3 books at any given time. I have found several books that could not hold my interest. For instance, I loved Eragon, but Eldest could not keep my interest, I finally finished it several months after starting it, now I can say, with out a doubt that Brisingr is the best of the entire series so far.
There are authors that I truly love to read and buy just about everything they publish, and others who I enjoy but I can live without their books. A great author is one who can capture your imagination and draw you into the story, leaving you breathless and wanting more when it ends. I believe that it is very important for kids to learn to read and enjoy books. It is not enough for them to read it as an assignment for school and then forget everything they read. I think more kids would read if they could read books that capture their interest and keep them wanting to read until the end, and still be able to say, " WOW! What a ride!"
So go ahead, pick up that book, encourage your kids to pick up that book, and come along for the ride!
