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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 10 2010 at 3:41pm | IP Logged
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I have just been reading all the old threads for Jotham's Journey.
I have it and have started to read it with my dc, but I am having doubts...
The opening pages when he tries to split his own head open with a rock to fool his parents... that did not sit well with me. 
We have read about 20 pages or so, and it has not grabbed my dc's attention. I am thinking about abandoning this ship.
Opinions?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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ekbell
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As a general rule I advocate abandoning read-aloud books if after a fair trial the child (or for that matter the reader) isn't interested in them. The only reasonable exception is for books that contain information that must be known and even then I'd look for a more appealing option.
If the book is meant to for entertainment, or inspiration there's no point if the child isn't interested. The child will either suffer the fierce boredom of paying attention to something disliked (a killer of enjoyment and most inspiration)or simply actively fail to pay attention (and be the happier for it).
If it's a book that you really want to share with the child, it's worth waiting and seeing if the child likes it better later, it's also worth seeing if the child would prefer to read the book his or her self (my oldest much prefers to do her own reading)
There's also little point if the reader doesn't like the book as it's very hard to read a disliked book well. Besides it defeats the purpose of having an enjoyable *family* activity.
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JodieLyn
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It just depends on your kids.. we read it and I would read into the next days' reading to come to nicer stopping places vs the cliff hangers they used. I think it's very obvious that he's misbehaving and learns a hard lesson from it.. so I didn't worry to much about that. We haven't done it in a number of years and aren't dong it this year.. but we did enjoy the story when we read it. And I've kept it to do again with this next group of younger kids.. maybe next year.
This year I'm planning on reading A Christmas Carol.. we all know the story (and I'm very impressed with how well The Muppets followed it.. that's my favorite movie version).. and I think the kids will enjoy seeing how close it is too.
right now we're in the middle of one of the Harry Potter books though.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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JennGM
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The book never grabbed me when I preread it at the store, so I have never bought it. Part of it to me is that it felt contrived. I am not saying I only choose Catholic books, but this one doesn't feel like how I like to relate religious truths.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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kingvozzo
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Interesting...this is our first year using it, and the kids are really enjoying it. It is a bit contrived, but so far it's seemed to be done in rather a charming way.
They like the cliffhanger aspect of it as well. It's kept their attention, and this includes the 12 y/o, 9 y/o and 7 y/o. They 3 y/o is a bit oblivious 
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Noreen
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Erin
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Melinda
Our oldest was about the same age as your ds the first time we read it. I do remember dh wasn't thrilled, he felt the suspense was too much and it was too violent in parts. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for sensitive child.
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Erin
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 11 2010 at 6:37am | IP Logged
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Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I believe I am going to put this one aside for now. As Ekbell pointed out, it is not being enjoyed here at the moment. My ds is very sensitive, Erin- thank you for mentioning that. I believe that is part of why he doesn't like it. But I don't enjoy reading it, either.
There are so many other choices that we are going to move on. We are just finishing up The Father Christmas Letters as one of our read alouds, and the kids are HUGELY enjoying the story and the pictures. I guess Jotham can't stand up against Tolkien  . I would also rather revisit The Trees Kneel at Christmas this year, which is such a wonderful story and well loved last year.
Ah, so many books, so little time.... 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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fsuadamson
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We have read the Ytreeide Advent Triology for several years now. Our kids really enjoyed them and now they stay in our Advent reading basket for those kiddos that want to re-visit them during this season.
This year we have been reading Destination Bethlehem and we are really enjoying it!  At the end of each nights reading there is a wonderful description about the way people traveled or ate or where in the bible that particular event took place. This might be a nice alternative for folks.
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Leslie
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cathhomeschool
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We had similar feelings about it, Melinda. We have friends that have just loved it, but we picked it up years ago and I felt it too violent for us at the time and the kids weren't captivated. I thought we might try it again this year but didn't. Maybe next.
My boys *loved* The Father Christmas book! Nicholas went off on an art and story-writing rabbit trail because of that book.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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JodieLyn
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I'm on pins and needles waiting to see if this book from this thread is the package waiting at the post office.
but there's one other thing it might be so it still might not be here but it should be soon anyway.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 13 2010 at 4:28pm | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
| We are just finishing up The Father Christmas Letters as one of our read alouds, and the kids are HUGELY enjoying the story and the pictures. I guess Jotham can't stand up against Tolkien . |
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Seastar wrote:
Ah, so many books, so little time.... |
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I feel the same way.. I looked at the Tolkein Father Christmas one and well.. so many books.. so little money.. and ended up getting other things this time. But I think I need to be sure and get that in my wish list for another time 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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Topic: Opinions on Jotham's Journey
