Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Hunger Games at Our House

A few years ago, when K-boy was in third grade, he started getting more into chapter books. Like a good mom, I would listen to him read aloud and correct any mispronunciations. It was good, quality time spent together.

Eventually, around fourth grade, he went looking for more exciting books packed with action and drama. He found a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at the library and quickly became engrossed in it. I wanted to make sure that he was comprehending what he read, so when he was done with a chapter, he would pass it on to me to read, and then we'd have lovely discussions about the plot and characters. We moved through the whole series this way. Soon it became an established pattern with us. Whenever he read something he wanted me to read it too, because he welcomed my opinion.

Fast forward a to the present time. K-boy is twelve, and still an avid reader. M-girl, at eight has discovered the wonders of chapter books too, and much of my time is spent reading with her. D-boy is entering first grade, and is in the early stages of literacy (again time-consuming for me).

I'll admit I haven't been able to keep up with K-boy's reading lists for me. I've got a stack of books on my nightstand that I've fallen behind on. To be honest, when he brought home, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins I was less than enthusiastic. I'd heard the hype, and frankly the thoughts of reading about a futuristic, distopian society did nothing for me.

To give K-boy credit, he finished it in two days and urged me to read it. I procrastinated. It wasn't until I was renewing library books online the other day and I realized that I couldn't renew the book that I finally decided to read it. I figured I ought to talk to my adolescent son about any disturbing imagery in the book.

I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I spent the last couple of days speed reading about the adventures of Katniss and Peeta, returned it on time, and now I want more.

Here's the thing. K-boy has managed to get into the good graces of a librarian (imagine that, a librarian who likes a kid who reads) and secured a highly in demand copy of the next book, Catching Fire. So I suggested to my sweet son that seeing how we've both read the first book now, wouldn't it be sooo much fun to read the second book like we used to? Share after every chapter?!

He said no with a smirk on his face. He knows how much I want to read it now.

Well, tonight he happens to be out of the house. While I was putting laundry away in his room I may have happened to glance around to see if I could find the book. You know, to see what page he's on. This is what I found.


When my hand accidentally knocked aside those papers on his desk...this was revealed.




Yes, he hid it! From me, his mother! It's like he doesn't trust me or something!

Well, heehee! Two can play at this game. I'm going to read the first chapter while he's gone. Then I'll leave it on my nightstand. Let the games begin, K-boy!

linking to:  Finding the Funny

18 comments:

  1. LOL!!! That is too funny!

    I read the books first (as I am a hyper fast reader) and then my 12 year old read them after me. We had some AWESOME discussions about the trilogy and I still need to let him see the movie...I hope it comes back to the cheap theater so he can see it on the big screen.

    I still need to sit down and write "our" review. Even though my husband did not read the series, he read the "cliff notes" version on Wikipedia and between the three of us and a few different articles...wow, there was some very deep conversation happening. :)

    I look forward to seeing a post about how you like the whole thing. DON'T read my review until you are done and I WILL have spoilers. Have a great day! :)

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    1. I will be sure to ignore your review post until we're done reading the series. I think the fact that I was so opposed to reading it helped to keep me in the dark about the outcome. I just wasn't paying much attention to all of the talk!

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  2. Good Job Dear! i enjoyed seeing it,

    Mwaks!


    If you have a minute, please check out my blog and follow me if you liked it. I'll appreciate it so much! Thanks!


    Blow a Rainbow

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I'll be sure to check out your blog too!

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  3. When it comes to games you are quite a player.

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    1. Motherhood has definitely sharpened my skills. You've got to have fun with your kids, right?

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  4. Don't these kids know yet that we moms have super-sonic senses and can find anything?

    I haven't read The Hunger Games yet but my mom who is 69 has and said it was a great trilogy! She's going to pass the books onto my 15 yr old son who is the only other reader besides me in my household :-(

    He liked Rick Riordan books. Maybe check out his web-site.

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    1. I think they write us off because we need their help with technology!

      My son loves the Rick Riordan boods too! He's gotten me to read them all so that we can discuss them.

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  5. Bahahaha!!! I love that he loves to read like that. My son (13) is reading the last one right now, but I have to remind him to read everyday.

    I'm more fascinated by the "Men of Middle Ages" book your son has in his pile. Quite the intellectual, huh?

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    1. That's actually part of his history curriculum. It's his favorite subject, so he'll go back and and reread it for pleasure. I was a history major in college, so it's all good with me!

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  6. I haven't gotten to read Hunger Games yet... The waiting list at the library is a mile long! I love hearing that you will be reading it with your son - even if he doesn't know it yet! :)

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    1. The waiting list is terrible at our libray too! K-boy waited for months to read the first one. Now that I'm hooked, I may have to break down and buy the last one so we don't have to wait so long to find out what happens.

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  7. Don't you love it when kids get hooked on reading? My daughter read the books and loved them! I have heard that once you start, those books are impossible to put down! Have a lovely week! Angie xo

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    1. I'm fortunate that all of mine have turned out to be bookworms. It's fun when they're old enough to read and discuss interesting books. I just finished the second book tonight, and I can't wait to get the third!

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  8. Amazing! I can understand his thinking though--these books were awesome and if I had another reader of them in the house I might be stashing them too! :)

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    1. My cousin told me that at her house it's called "double-reading". She frowns on it, but her husband can't resist picking up her books as soon as she puts them down!

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  9. Great story. What an amazing relationship you have with your son. I love it.

    We actually had to buy the books. I have a 13 year old and an 11 year old and the three of us together were going nuts over the library waiting list. :) Ellen

    #findingthefunny

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    1. I think I'm going to have to break down and buy the third book as I can't wait to find out what happens. I'm lucky to have such a good relationship with my son. I think reading and discussing books together makes it natural for us to talk about (and kid about) just about anything.

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