As a young mom sending my first son to school, I met Christine Virgin. Our boys hit it off. Little did I know that eight years later, she would become an author and advocate for inspiring reading among young learners. Christine wrote The Beautiful List to encourage tween girls to believe in their innate worth, but as you’ll read below, the book transcends its middle grade status. We recently connected for a Q & A about her debut novel, as well as how books can be a teaching tool for parents and caregivers.
The book’s back cover states: “The Beautiful List is a timely conversation starter for middle grade girls longing to know that they are worthy just as they are, as well as a great resource for parents, teachers and caregivers…” Can you elaborate on the importance of this story at this current time?
I do believe the present is an extraordinarily difficult time to grow up, especially for girls. I think we can see the evidence of the statistics in the news, and the strain our kids have faced more recently due to the isolation caused by the Pandemic. But knowing it’s there and doing something about it are two different things. In 2018, I began searching for resources. While I found some great non-fiction materials, I saw a void in the fiction world. I wanted to create a story girls could enjoy on their own that would teach them they are not alone in their confidence struggles. But my secondary goal was to challenge moms and caregivers to assess what they are teaching the girls in their lives. I included a discussion guide at the end to help women and girls talk through uncomfortable but necessary discussions.
What is your advice about how to use novels as conversation starters with children about real-life topics?
I think there is a trend to provide ancillary resources to middle grade fiction books that include life lessons. Resources like these help when we read what our kids are reading. Sharon Draper’s Out of My Mind as well as the follow-up materials created for R. J. Palacio’s Wonder come to mind. Additionally, you can often find bonus materials for books on the author’s website. But realistically, we can’t always read what our kids are reading. One way to learn more about the lessons or themes in a book is to search for it on commonsensemedia.org. It provides age-appropriate recommendations and can be a launchpad for conversations. Open-ended questions that our kids can’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no” are best. And the car is a great place to have these discussions because our kids are trapped. HA!
Any suggestions to help reluctant readers fall in love with reading?
My first suggestion is to read to them. My kids are 14, 12, and 9, and I still read out loud to all of them. If your child is reluctant to read, do not freak out about it. A battle of the wills over reading is a good way to develop a hatred for it. Rather, remember that ALL reading counts, whether it’s a book, the back of a cereal box or the cards in a board game. I also think that when we want to recommend books to our kids, set them out in plain sight but say nothing about them. When kids think it’s their idea to read and not yours, that ownership helps. And finally, take them to the library and let them check out any books that interest them.
Christine’s novel The Beautiful List is available wherever books are sold. For more information about the book, head to www.thebeautifullist.com, and for more information about Christine, head to her website, www.christinevirgin.com, where you can subscribe to her blog. You can also find her @christinevirgin on Instagram and @ChristineEVirgin on Facebook.
Happy Reading,
Lori Solovey
Owner, LS Tutors