#ronroy

Elliott adores these books and so we took a brief respite from the classics to read a few of them for our nightly reading ritual. We've read a few in the last few weeks because they take only a few nights to get through. (Elliott's favorite was The Missing Mummy.)

They are written by Ron Roy and each book features three plucky grade-school sleuths: Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose. Elliott likes to pretend he is Josh -- the goofy one with the freckles -- and will ask, "Did I just find that clue?" or "did my character just get into trouble?"

Sometimes there are logical explanations for the mysteries. And sometimes there are true bad buys gracing the pages. 

Elliott asks a lot of questions while we read...often related to issues of morality: Why would someone want to steal? Why would people lie? What makes someone a bad guy/gal?

So, we have good mini-philosophical discussions. And moments where I can ask him, "What would YOU do?" Then for days after we are done reading, Elliott acts out mysteries in his bedroom and calls himself ELLIOTT MYSTERY SOLVER. 

Mysteries are powerful tools to build critical reading skills -- making predictions, discussing red herrings, character motivation. When I searched for chapter books to read to my 5-year-old, I was faced with list after list of picture books...and very few bona fide chapter books. Kindergarteners aren't expected to sit and listen to the joys of a longer story? Nonsense. 

I'm finding that I should forget the lists -- we are making our own. Whether it's a classic text or a newer series, Elliott is falling in love with stories. He loves a good mystery; a mouse on an adventure; an indian that comes alive. He's learning about siblings, parents, how to treat other people.

March is almost over and April will soon be here. We will be in 1/3 of the way through this year of reading together and already I can see the growth in him. Whether he's asking questions, pondering an ending, or rewriting the book with his own interpretations, Elliott is learning that reading isn't a passive activity.