4 Kids | Interview With a Reader

So I'm trying something a little different today. I'm interviewing a reader. And full disclosure: it's a reader I've known since the day she was born. It's my 12 year old niece, Madeline. I thought I would get Madeline's take on some great books. So here goes!

Me: What are you reading right now?

Madeline: Starlight by Erin Hunter. (That's Book 4 in Warriors: The New Prophecy series. It's the story of when the warrior cat Clans arrive at their new home and set about exploring and fighting over the unfamiliar territory.)

Me: Are you loving it, liking it, or not sure yet?

Madeline: Liking it.

Me: Do you read for fun everyday?

Madeline: Um, no.

(At this point I fainted (almost) and had to get a grip before continuing. The niece of a librarian not reading every day? What would people say? So I took a few deep breaths, and continued with the interview.)

Me: (hopefully) Every other day?

Madeline: Well, every once in a while.

(She must have heard the pain and despair in my voice. She quickly added.)

Madeline: I've been really busy raising my dog.

(Ok, truth be told, Madeline is a huge animal lover, and takes really great care of her animals. I'm going to let her slide on the not reading every day thing.)

Me: What is your favorite book ever?

Madeline: The Lost Heir by Tui Sutherland. (That's Book 2 in The Wings of Fire series. Here's the blurb from our library catalog: Overjoyed to be reunited with her fellow ocean-dwelling dragons, Tsunami the SeaWing continues efforts to end the war for Pyrrhia in spite of a dangerous assassin who is threatening all their lives.)

Me: Why is that your favorite book?

Madeline: "Number one, it has dragons. Number two, it has battles. And number three, it's about family."

Me: What's your favorite subject in school?

Madeline: History.

Me: Not English or Language Arts?

Madeline: History.

Me: Are you sure?

Madeline: History.

(I figured I needed to move on before angering my interview subject.)

Me: Off the top of your head, recommend a book to me that you think I will love. (I think I already know what the answer will be.)

Madeline: "Warriors, 1st series, book 6. I can't remember the title." (That's The Darkest Hour, by the way. And here is the blurb about this book, also from our library catalog: ThunderClan's darkest hour is upon them and Fireheart, the warrior cat, must protect his clan from a threat unlike any the forest has ever seen, as the time comes for prophecies to unfold and heroes to rise. )

(By the way, most of these books are in the teen section of the library. However, my niece isn't the first "pre-teen" who has read and loved these books. And funny thing, "Erin Hunter" is actually a pseudonym for several authors, one of whom is Tui Sutherland!)

Me: Why is reading important to you?

(I was rather thrilled that she didn't hesitate at all when answering this question.)

Madeline: It's helps me get lost, takes me out of my mind and whatever I'm thinking about. (I LOVE this answer!!)

(Worrying that she probably had animal duties to attend to, I thought I should bring this interview to a close. I already had quite a few books added to my "to read" list. I hope you do too! And I am totally looking forward to talking to her about them when I finish. But one more question.)

Me: Who's your favorite aunt?

Madeline: (giggling) That's hard to say. I can't decide.

I could have changed that last answer. I thought about it. But that's Madeline. She's so kind and so fair. And I'm so very, very proud of her.

So there you have it: recommendations from a (wonderful) 12 year old reader.

Happy Reading!