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PERRY
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There's a question of what constitutes a suitable level of vocabulary in a novel so as to neither bore nor patronise a child reader of thirteen or so.
Of course this depends on the literacy factor - but assuming that the child has been a reader for some time, and is still interested in reading novels, rather than frying their brains in front of games, then the required reading on a Children's Literature course I recently took might be of some help.
There's rowling. There's Pullman's Dark Materials, Little Women, Treasure Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, Peter Pan, and the increasingly popular Manga for examples. None of these involve the baby talk someone suggested should be utilised.
How do you talk down to a thirteen year old? Treat the child like they're not trying to prepare for a rigorous study regime for O levels while dealing with the complexities of hormonal puberty and the psychological maze of a new level of relationships, while figuring out how to circumvent the vagaries of teacher power-plays and peer pecking-order.
That would pretty much achieve that goal.
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rosefitzrobert
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Quote: PERRY, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 11:56There's a question of what constitutes a suitable level of vocabulary in a novel so as to neither bore nor patronise a child reader of thirteen or so. Of course this depends on the literacy factor - but assuming that the child has been a reader for some time, and is still interested in reading novels, rather than frying their brains in front of games, then the required reading on a Children's Literature course I recently took might be of some help. There's rowling. There's Pullman's Dark Materials, Little Women, Treasure Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, Peter Pan, and the increasingly popular Manga for examples. None of these involve the baby talk someone suggested should be utilised. How do you talk down to a thirteen year old? Treat the child like they're not trying to prepare for a rigorous study regime for O levels while dealing with the complexities of hormonal puberty and the psychological maze of a new level of relationships, while figuring out how to circumvent the vagaries of teacher power-plays and peer pecking-order. That would pretty much achieve that goal. Mark Twain: Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were things we read in (American) school around that age, as well as things like The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and stories by Jack London, The Old Man and The sea by Hemingway etc. Also, Oliver Twist and Tale of two Cities - that's all I can remember. It was a long time ago Meanwhile, out at the lunch of middle school (12-13 year olds) someone had gotten a copy of a trash bestseller with sex scenes. But all this stuff is from another generation. I think 13 year olds nowadays are even more sophisticated than in previous times.
This post was last edited by rosefitzrobert, 21 Jan 2012, 13:48
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chickin
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Quote: PERRY, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 11:56There's a question of what constitutes a suitable level of vocabulary in a novel so as to neither bore nor patronise a child reader of thirteen or so. Of course this depends on the literacy factor - but assuming that the child has been a reader for some time, and is still interested in reading novels, rather than frying their brains in front of games, then the required reading on a Children's Literature course I recently took might be of some help. There's rowling. There's Pullman's Dark Materials, Little Women, Treasure Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, Peter Pan, and the increasingly popular Manga for examples. None of these involve the baby talk someone suggested should be utilised. How do you talk down to a thirteen year old? Treat the child like they're not trying to prepare for a rigorous study regime for O levels while dealing with the complexities of hormonal puberty and the psychological maze of a new level of relationships, while figuring out how to circumvent the vagaries of teacher power-plays and peer pecking-order. That would pretty much achieve that goal. Baby talk?
I deleted my sig.
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chickin
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This is probably incredibly bad form (eh, what) but I can name a very popular 'teen' book which I think is very patronising to young people. Not sure I should though.
I deleted my sig.
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Blueberry
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Quote: rosefitzrobert, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 13:45Quote: PERRY, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 11:56There's a question of what constitutes a suitable level of vocabulary in a novel so as to neither bore nor patronise a child reader of thirteen or so. Of course this depends on the literacy factor - but assuming that the child has been a reader for some time, and is still interested in reading novels, rather than frying their brains in front of games, then the required reading on a Children's Literature course I recently took might be of some help. There's rowling. There's Pullman's Dark Materials, Little Women, Treasure Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, Peter Pan, and the increasingly popular Manga for examples. None of these involve the baby talk someone suggested should be utilised. How do you talk down to a thirteen year old? Treat the child like they're not trying to prepare for a rigorous study regime for O levels while dealing with the complexities of hormonal puberty and the psychological maze of a new level of relationships, while figuring out how to circumvent the vagaries of teacher power-plays and peer pecking-order. That would pretty much achieve that goal. Mark Twain: Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were things we read in (American) school around that age, as well as things like The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and stories by Jack London, The Old Man and The sea by Hemingway etc. Also, Oliver Twist and Tale of two Cities - that's all I can remember. It was a long time ago Meanwhile, out at the lunch of middle school (12-13 year olds) someone had gotten a copy of a trash bestseller with sex scenes. But all this stuff is from another generation. I think 13 year olds nowadays are even more sophisticated than in previous times. Hi there, I'm just catching on to this posting stuff, and some of you guys are hilarious! And insightul, eloquent, and seemingly intelligent as well. Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I was reading everything I could get my hands on since I was able to get through a whole sentence alone. One of my favourite books was THE DICTIONARY. I loved to learn new words, and I can still remember the first time I had to look up 'deshabille'. I thought I was SO sophisticated, and it also fed my desire to learn French. Young kids today usually don't even have to climb up onto furniture to get their hands on one of those heavy tombs. They just let their fingers do their magic, and the world's theirs.
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PERRY
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Indeed, all the more reason why we shouldn't be patronising. Yes, I remember going through the dictionary at that age too, looking for risqué and naughty words. I was also writing to pen friends in their own language and translating theirs, then switching about. That got to be too much bother very quickly for all of us - exams loomed. Pity. Anyway ... Quote: chickin Baby talk? . Not you, chickin. Read the first page of Rob's chapters and you'll know what I mean.
This post was last edited by PERRY, 21 Jan 2012, 16:29
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kazmojazz
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Quote: chickin, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 14:16This is probably incredibly bad form (eh, what) but I can name a very popular 'teen' book which I think is very patronising to young people. Not sure I should though. Is is also the name of a kids game you play with a pen and paper?
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PERRY
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Quote: kazmojazz, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 16:29Quote: chickin, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 14:16This is probably incredibly bad form (eh, what) but I can name a very popular 'teen' book which I think is very patronising to young people. Not sure I should though. Is is also the name of a kids game you play with a pen and paper? Now you've confused me, kaz.
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rosefitzrobert
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Quote: Blueberry, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 15:49Quote: rosefitzrobert, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 13:45Quote: PERRY, Saturday, 21 Jan 2012 11:56There's a question of what constitutes a suitable level of vocabulary in a novel so as to neither bore nor patronise a child reader of thirteen or so. Of course this depends on the literacy factor - but assuming that the child has been a reader for some time, and is still interested in reading novels, rather than frying their brains in front of games, then the required reading on a Children's Literature course I recently took might be of some help. There's rowling. There's Pullman's Dark Materials, Little Women, Treasure Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, Peter Pan, and the increasingly popular Manga for examples. None of these involve the baby talk someone suggested should be utilised. How do you talk down to a thirteen year old? Treat the child like they're not trying to prepare for a rigorous study regime for O levels while dealing with the complexities of hormonal puberty and the psychological maze of a new level of relationships, while figuring out how to circumvent the vagaries of teacher power-plays and peer pecking-order. That would pretty much achieve that goal. Mark Twain: Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were things we read in (American) school around that age, as well as things like The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and stories by Jack London, The Old Man and The sea by Hemingway etc. Also, Oliver Twist and Tale of two Cities - that's all I can remember. It was a long time ago Meanwhile, out at the lunch of middle school (12-13 year olds) someone had gotten a copy of a trash bestseller with sex scenes. But all this stuff is from another generation. I think 13 year olds nowadays are even more sophisticated than in previous times. Hi there, I'm just catching on to this posting stuff, and some of you guys are hilarious! And insightul, eloquent, and seemingly intelligent as well. Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I was reading everything I could get my hands on since I was able to get through a whole sentence alone. One of my favourite books was THE DICTIONARY. I loved to learn new words, and I can still remember the first time I had to look up 'deshabille'. I thought I was SO sophisticated, and it also fed my desire to learn French. Young kids today usually don't even have to climb up onto furniture to get their hands on one of those heavy tombs. They just let their fingers do their magic, and the world's theirs. Hi Blueberry, welcome to the funhouse, or madhouse, depending on the day  Are you from Canada?
This post was last edited by rosefitzrobert, 21 Jan 2012, 16:36
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kazmojazz
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Oh, dear. Well, I may be wrong, Perry, but I read a well-known, published book for young teens by a very respected children's author. I felt it was patronising in the extreme - hitting tham (oops! edit: them) over the head with its message - but then I'm not a young teenager.
This post was last edited by kazmojazz, 21 Jan 2012, 16:37
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Children's Fiction
21 Jan 2012, 11:56
