Kindle a good reader

[SEA333]

Just my opinion, but my kids have enough distracting video games, phones, , tablets, etc to play on. A Kindle is a Kindle for reading, not for playing games on.

We avoided the Fire and went with the regular Kindle because we wanted to preserve *some* semblance of respect for traditional book-reading. It's going to be a sad day for me once libraries start closing because nobody uses them anymore - I at least want to show my kids that once-upon-a-time people would hold a paperback copy of their favorite novel in their hand and read it.

I do have to admit that I LOVE my Kindle. I really hesitated getting one because I LOVE to read and there is just something about holding a book in my hands that I enjoy. However, we came across a GREAT deal on a used Kindle, so I bought it for the kids for Christmas and pre-loaded their favorite series' on there as part of the gift. My boys are less than impressed with it, but DD loves it as much as I do.

Here is what I love:
1. I was reading the first book in a series while waiting for my DD's cheer practice to be over. I finished the book on the kindle, and was able to purchase/download the 2nd book in less than a minute!! (I think that is the moment I fell in love with the Kindle! LOL)

2. I do not have to find a place to store my hundreds of books, or spend $25 on a new one. I can get it on the Kindle for free or less than $10.

3. I do not have to find room in my already packed tight suitcase for books when I travel on business anymore! My Kindle has enough books loaded already to get me through the boring airports, lonely hotel rooms, and downtime at my meetings.

For kids reading chapter books, a traditional Kindle is fine. Oh, and...if your daughter likes animals, she might like the Warriors series by Erin Hunter....my daughter started reading those at about the end of 2nd grade and LOVES them. They are harder reads than AG or any of the beginning chapter books, but interesting enough to hold their attention.

 

[crisi]

For kids reading chapter books, a traditional Kindle is fine. Oh, and...if your daughter likes animals, she might like the Warriors series by Erin Hunter....my daughter started reading those at about the end of 2nd grade and LOVES them. They are harder reads than AG or any of the beginning chapter books, but interesting enough to hold their attention.

Second the Warrior books, those lasted my daughter probably a year (there are a ton of them) at around that age. by the time she was done with them, it was Harry Potter.

 

[laurafergie]

Second the Warrior books, those lasted my daughter probably a year (there are a ton of them) at around that age. by the time she was done with them, it was Harry Potter.

Third the Warrior Cats. Then along with Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson books are huge around here.

Don't be afraid to push your DD a in her reading choices. If she consistently reads above her grade level and reads a book that she enjoys, as well as challenges her, her comprehension and vocabulary level will soar. All her schoolwork will reflect this.

We have two kinds of books, fun books lke American Girl and Wimpy Kid, and then what I call the real books. I help her choose and push the classics. (that are free btw, because they are in the public domain) DD10 just found out the the Wizard of OZ series is awesome, for example.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I am the opposite of many on here, lol! I read all the time and have over a thousand books I have read over my various Kindles. I have an HDX currently, and my kids are sharing my HD.

I don't read outside, so the sunlight/glare isn't a problem for me. You can adjust the background into 3 different colors (white, black, and sepia) and adjust the light contrast for brightness to your desired level. For reading in my room at night I switch to black and white and decrease the contrast. My husband is snoring away next to me without being bothered.

I am not a very technical person, but it was super easy to figure out how to use it and adjust the brightness. I allow my kids to use my HDX on occasion, so I do have some kids books and puzzles on for them. Plus, with Free Time, I can log them into their account and they can only use what I have on their profile.

I also have a password to block any purchases of books or games, or in ap purchases. If any of the kids want a book they have to bring it to me for it to happen. If the content is not what I would want my little's to see, it goes into their Free Time account. I have an almost 16 year old, an almost 14 year old, an almost 6 year old and a four year old (as of last weekend!). Interests are varied, but I can make sure they are sorted in proper places. manga isn't okay for my small kids but my older kids can read.

I am a fan of Fires, in their many incarnations.

 

[crisi]

Don't be afraid to push your DD a in her reading choices. If she consistently reads above her grade level and reads a book that she enjoys, as well as challenges her, her comprehension and vocabulary level will soar. All her schoolwork will reflect this.

If you are a library family, you can push her by setting limits - she can check out say four books a week - but one has to be - 200 pages or more - whatever is appropriate for her and whatever it is that will take her longer than running through the AG books or Magic Treehouse as fast as she can. Then the other books can be "popcorn" reading below reading level. She'll read the popcorn, then go looking for the other book to read. Pretty soon, she'll stop with the popcorn and move up - you'll make a lot fewer library trips. She won't know its about reading level - its about "having to track and lug home a lot of books."

 

[cgncga]

(the search function is not working so here it goes...)

My DD7 reads too much (what a problem I know !) I can't keep her in library books - so I am thinking it might be really helpful to get her an e-reader.

I was looking at the Kindle Fire HD - it is $130 at Best Buy (I really don't want to spend a LOT).

Are checking books difficult? Currently I do not have Amazon Prime. And, if I can only check out a couple at one site, that won't work very well because she reads about 2-3 books a day (depending on the size of the book of course...)

My 10 year old probably does about 90% of her reading on either a Kindle or a Kobo because of her vision. Using an ereader or an ereader app on her IPAD allows her to read books that are at her actual reading level (about 2 grades ahead of her chronological age) rather than reading books several grade levels behind her age that have a larger print. We are in Canada so may not have access to as many ebooks as those of you in the US do, but we have found the selection for kids rather limited--especially in the libraries. I have been able to purchase quite a few books for her (including the Warrior series that others have mentioned), but I probably spend $30 - $60 per month on ebooks for her. While there are some free books available, most of the books she reads cost between $3 and $12 a book so that adds up fast considering that she will read 10 - 20 book a month--and a lot of these books are 300-600 pages (on paper) long.

Catherine

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.... We are in Canada so may not have access to as many ebooks as those of you in the US do, but we have found the selection for kids rather limited--especially in the libraries. ....

Actually, you have access to free books we don't have in the US, because copyrights last longer here. For example, it's legal to download the Little House on the Prairie books for free there, not so in the US:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43722

mobileread.com is just one good source for free ebooks.

 

[vicki_c]

It's going to be a sad day for me once libraries start closing because nobody uses them .

I use my library about 1000% more now, but the elibrary. I always have the maximum books in my hold list and usually have 3-4 checked out at any time. And our library system has SO many kids' ebooks. Tons, including all the popular kid series. I don't think the libraries are going anywhere in most places, ours is doing a great job of adapting to ereaders and technology. They have a blog, they tweet, have a Facebook page, etc.

All that said, I agree with folks who said to get the Paperwhite or a basic Kindle. I really like the Paperwhite because of the light.

 

[TLuvsD]

I love my Nook, read indoors and outside. I have the Kindle app,so I can read both formats.

That being said, look for more challenging reading material. Our D liked series, so Little House, Ann of Green Gables, original Dr. Doolittle, original Oz series. You might look at the kidsreads.com site--lots of reviews. Or get a copy of "Some of My Best Friends are Books", it's likely the library has a copy. Great resource.

I have no problems loading library books on Nook. It's easy. If your local library doesn't have a large e-book selection consider joining the Free Library of Philadelphia. It's $50 a year for non-residents, but they have a huge selection of books. (I'd try the local library first.)