Tweens & Teens: Read a book or listen to it?

Remember the three R’s – Reading, (W)riting, (A)Rithmetic? In this digital age, our educational system has redefined how we learn how to “write” and changed “arithmetic” to mathematics. But reading has remained the same; comprehension, knowledge base, concentration and vocabulary are still its hallmarks.

And as technology continues to evolve, reading skills is as important as ever. But with all the activities that our tweens and teens are involved, it is so hard to get them to read. Luckily, technology is our ally on this one.

With the rise of mobile devices, “reading” is just a swipe away. And yes, teens and tweens are constantly texting but that is just conversation. To improve their reading skills and hopefully titillate their imagination, reading books are a still the best way to build up their comprehension and vocabulary.

Again, thanks to technology, it is easier to encourage young people to read today because they can “read” or “listen,” even “read and listen” at the same time using their mobile device.

With Whispersync for Voice technology, one can switch between reading and listening to Kindle books with the simple tap of a button. Just pop in headphones, tap the button and keep the story going. And the best thing, it will help teens and tweens build up their knowledge base because they can read the words while being spoken. It helps reinforce the learning process.

Now, the next step is to choose what they want to listen to. Find a story that interests them. There are many YA books out there that resonate with your child’s interest.

Steelheart

Do they love superheroes? Brandon Sanderson’s The Reckoners series introduces a new kind of superhero that is not from Marvel or DC. It begins in “Steelheart” which is set in a futuristic world where some humans gained superpowers due to an entity called Calamity. The awed public called these superhumans Epics.

But, like what English Catholic historian John Dalberg-Acton had philosophized, “All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The Epics had become like the dictators of old. They ruled Earth like absolute monarchs.

A young boy named David saw his father killed by the Epic Steelheart ten years ago. He wants revenge! Now a young man, he joined a shadowy group called The Reckoners whose mission is to kill Epics.

A coming of age story, “Steelheart” will steal your heart. David is a survivor in a world that had gone wrong. You want him to succeed, but it also breaks your heart that it might cost him his life.

“Steelheart” will be a good read for both male and female, but don’t be surprised if your tween and teen sons be drawn to it more than their sisters.

You’d Be Mine

Speaking of young girls, Erin Hahn’s “You’d Be Mine” will instantly grab your teen or tween’s interest. Karen M. McManus, New York Times best-selling author had described it as “”witty and charming, with an off-the-charts, irresistible blend of romance, humor and characters who steal your heart from page one.”

It’s “A Star is Born” allegory with a twist – good girl (Annie Mathers) meets bad boy (Clay Coolidge). Both are famous on their own right, though they reached it differently.

Annie Mathers was born to fame; her parents were country music legends who met a tragic death when Annie was just a little girl. She did not want to step into the limelight, but music is in her soul.

Clay Coolidge was just a regular country boy until he went on stage. His charm and considerable talent made him an instant country music superstar. But something happened in his past which made him act like a total jerk at times, hence the label bad boy.

They’re young, they’re beautiful and falling in love was inevitable. But, was it right?

You’d Be Mine is YA, so aside from being a romance, it is also a coming of age story. Annie and Clay will tug at your heartstrings. You will laugh, you will cry and then you smile as these two young people find their place in this world and in their hearts.

These two books are just examples of what is out there for young people. YA subgenres includes Bios and Memoirs, Fiction and Literature, Health & Sports, History and Historical Fiction, Mysteries & Thrillers, Myths & Legends, Religion and Spirituality, Romance & Friendship, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Series, Social Issues, Study Guides & Language Learning.

In short, whatever the Adults have, the same subjects are written for the YA audience.