It's (teenage) story time

Bedtime: pajamas on, teeth brushed, we gather for stories. Instead of small bodies snuggling and a stack of picture books, hairy legs sprawl on too-small twin beds as we continue our journey with Lewis and Clark up the Missouri in Stephen Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage. Welcome to teenage story time.

Years ago a co-worker assured me that once my kids got old enough to read for themselves, they wouldn’t want me to read to them. Just one more reason not to listen to the resident know-it-all because seventeen years later we still read together almost every night. Together we have progressed from Curious George and the Little House books, to Harry Potter and The Hobbit, to Willa Cather and David McCullough, with dozens of other books along the way.

Reading aloud to your children has many tangible and intangible benefits, and that goes for older kids as well. According to the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College, reading aloud with teenagers will “build background knowledge, increase their vocabulary, make more meaningful connections to thoughts and ideas as well as associate reading with pleasure.” What studies can’t quantify is how pleasurable reading aloud can be for the adult as well. Not only is it a relaxing ritual for all of us at the end of the day, but I’ve also loved sharing some of my favorite books with my kids as well discovering new ones.

The Children’s Books Committee has great hints and book suggestions for successfully reading aloud with teenagers, but here are my own tips for keeping your teens engaged and eager for “story time."

• Know your material. Nothing is more mortifying than coming upon words or scenes that you aren’t comfortable reading aloud. I learned this the hard way with Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis. In my memory it was a delightful romp with a kooky aunt; in reality sexual innuendoes and appalling racial stereotypes were rife in the first chapters. A little skimming ahead of time would have alerted me to this.
• Try voices. I’ve had a lot of fun over the years using different accents and dialects. Of course my Monsieur Poirot is très horrible and my faux British accent not much better, but my kids are very forgiving - they just appreciate the effort (or maybe they’re just being kind!)
• Have fun. Let’s face it, some perfectly marvelous books just don’t lend themselves to being read aloud (yes, Shane, I’m referring to you). If it’s a slog for you to read and the kids are dozing off, set it aside and choose something else. There are plenty of other books in the library!
• Be flexible. Just because you are reading to a teen doesn’t mean your book choice has to feature a teen. The same goes for gender: don’t assume boys won’t be interested in female protagonists and vice versa. Both my boys really enjoyed Christy by Catherine Marshall and Giant by Edna Ferber but Little Women did admittedly go over like a lead balloon.
• Don’t forget nonfiction. We spent a great summer reading Truman and 1776 by David McCullough. Well-written nonfiction on a subject of interest to your teen can be just as compelling as fiction.

Children outgrow so many things, but reading aloud doesn’t have to be one of them. At an age when we all seek the elusive quality time with our teenagers, sharing books together is the perfect answer!