Reading Age

[laserdude45]

Despite the age in my profile... I'm actually 13. My reading level is around College which I'd say is quite good considering my age

I'd probably have understood that book around the age of 10!

[KaiYeves]

Despite the age in my profile... I'm actually 13. My reading level is around College which I'd say is quite good considering my age
I'd probably have understood that book around the age of 10!

Welcome to BAUT, laserdude. 3dknight, jbryce, The Radiation Specialist and myself are all relative youngsters, too.

[laurele]

My class of Year 10s (aged 14-15 years of age) last year contained a few students who enjoyed reading the book, with one student using it as the basis of her report - on Moon Hoaxes.

This year I've have one 13 year old use some of it as the basis of her report on astrology.

My suggestions for younger readers include - these were suggested by our librarian and involved some looking on the shelves:
The Planets - note that Pluto is still included.
When is a Planet Not a Planet?: The Story of Pluto - very timely!
National Geographic Planets, Stars, and Galaxies: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe
Janice VanCleave's the Solar System: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects (Paperback)
Exploring the Solar System: A History with 22 Activities

(oh - Solar System for the shower... )

I have a problem with the books stating "Pluto is not a planet" as a fact rather than as one point of view in an ongoing controversy. It is a disservice to teach only this view when it is still heavily contested among professional astronomers. It would be great to have a kids' book that presented both sides and then asked them to draw their own conclusions and keep following the latest updates. I'm also disappointed that I can't find any books for my four-year-old nephew that include Eris in the list of planets. Every time we look at books on the solar system (he can't read yet, so it's mostly just pictures), I have to explain that Eris was just found and hasn't made it into the books yet.

[KaiYeves]

Exploring the Solar System: A History with 22 Activities

Just bought that in New Haven back in June. Great stuff!

[Noclevername]

My nephew's two and a half, and he insists I read him his book about dinosaurs. For a few months now, he's been learning about (and saying correctly) the names of dinosaurs that most adults wouldn't be able to name (because they weren't in Jurassic Park). I'll ask him which dinosaur has three horns, and he'll say "Twicewetops! That's my fav'wit!" (He also says that Iguanadon, Stegosaurus and Baryonix are his favorites).

Okay, this was more "bragging uncle" than advice on children's books. But it shows not to saddle a kid with "kiddie" books, just because of their age. The higher you set the bar, the more pleasantly surprised you'll be at how high kids can jump.

[cjl]

Welcome to BAUT, laserdude. 3dknight, jbryce, The Radiation Specialist and myself are all relative youngsters, too.

What are you counting as a youngster?

I'm 17 and a freshman in college

[Gillianren]

According to the Social Security Administration, anyone under 50 is young.

[KaiYeves]

According to the Social Security Administration, anyone under 50 is young.

And according to a speech I heard at the UN, anyone under 25 counts as a kid.

[crosscountry]

I'm 26 and call 20 and 25 year olds kids.

[Sticks]

Well I have ordered for my nephew Gods in the Sky: Astronomy from the Ancients to the Enlightenment

I was told he was into books and had an interest in science and history, so this seemed the obvious choice to me, but I bet my younger sister might still think it is too old for him, just like she said about Phil's book without even seeing it. (It cost £4.92 + £2.75 p&p = £7.67 from Amazon, Although IIRC when it first came out it cost a lot more and that higher price is on the dust jacket )

I now have to find equivelant stationery sets for the other two (nieces)

[ravens_cry]

I learned to read at age 7, but by the next year had a grade 9 reading comprehension level. So yes, I would probably have been able to read the book by then.

[crosscountry]

darn grade 9 Canadians.

[Barabino]

when I was a kid, I learned to read by myself before 1st grade (and being aware that I can't roll my R properly, I used to write "r" in minuscule... )