I've always loved reading to my kids. Typically, I pick the books we read together.  Recently, the Adventurer (age 10) has been diligently (okay, compulsively) reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on her own. She asked me to join her. 

I took me awhile to convince myself to set aside time to read these books, but I'm not sure why. Young Adult Fiction is quite good these days and I'm not embarrassed to admit that I enjoy the genre. Once I got into the story (which took about three minutes) I was hooked on the constant action and clever references to the original myths. A modern day demi-god, Percy Jackson makes Hercules look like an insensitive meathead with big biceps. You can't help but love this little hero.

The Adventurer checked in with me daily over the next five weeks. She would come running over when she spotted me reading, "Where are you in the book?" And I would tell her. "Oh," she would say, "You are so close to my favorite part!" Or she would get a serious look and tell me, "Things get really good soon." Then she would chat with me about her favorite character, ask me who I like best or if I cried when so-and-so died.

We've discussed the original stories of the Hercules, Achilles, Cyclops, Circe and countless others. We've discussed at length that she is not ready to read the story of the Trojan War (The Iliad) in the original (not watered down) version. It's way too harsh. She is now half way through her second book of classic Greek myths and loving every minute of it.

I completed the five books in the  series just in time for the movie release on DVD this week. The book was better by far, of course, but the movie gave us a good reason to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy it together.

I have every intention of making this a habit. I think reading "what they're reading" offers a great opportunity to connect and discuss things that may not come up otherwise. It gives us common ground to stand on.

Looking for an opportunity to read alongside your child, but don't know where to start? The Brookfield Library is having several parent/child reading clubs this summer. Also check out their adult summer reading suggestions and commit to reading a few titles yourself this summer.