| By fatema,
on 11-09-2005 21:14
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Views : 1752  |
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Published in : , Articles |
Summer Is Hot, Reading Is Cool
School is out, summer is here and children are happy. But many Muslim parents aren’t nearly as excited. The summer months can be a real challenge for parents, especially working parents. An easy way to supplement those blocks of boredom that kids slip into throughout their day is books. Yep, books! Teachers and other educators have long complained that many students reading skills take a nose dive during the summer. An easy fix for that is for children and teens to continue to read during their vacation.
Many schools and local libraries provide summer reading lists that are age appropriate. If your school or local library doesn’t provide one, don’t fret. With just a click, a quick search on the internet will yield several hundred reading lists from many different literacy organizations, on-line libraries, schools and colleges. Another place to find age appropriate summer reading lists is at major chain bookstores like Barnes & Noble.
For those parents who prefer their kids to read more Islamically themed books, no problem. Muslim bookstores have a lot to offer as well and I’ve found that even if they don’t have an official summer reading list, many such as NoorArts, will be happy to provide you with a suggestion of books suited to the age group of your request.
In the past, older Muslim teens didn’t have a lot to choose from when it came to Muslim authors. Books were limited to “See Aminah Run.” or “The Rulings on Salat and Siyam.” This is no longer the case. With a new wave of fresh Muslim authors like sisters Umm Zakiyyah (If I Should Speak) and Jamilah Kolocotronis (Echoes) offering novels with young multi-dimensional Muslim characters handling real conflict, to brother Amir Sulaiman (Dead Man Walking) and sister Najeelah Nur (Jewels for Your Soul) who have spun the urban spoken word genre to create popular and conscious urban Muslim poetry books and compact discs, the Muslim reading selection is becoming as flavorful as often picky teens need it to be.
Muslim kids don’t have to sweat out another hot summer while lounging around the house playing their X-Box or PlayStation all day. With a little direction and encouragement from parents this summer our youth can take a trip to Makkah, live with another Muslim family, or even learn how to cook an exotic meal. The possibilities are endless and the bottom line is reading can be cool.
Last update : 11-09-2005 21:14
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