Coming back from the grocery store, I made a quick stop into the Goodwill to look at their kids' books. William was suspicious. He's a good reader...he just doesn't do enough of it.
I said, "I think it is a good idea with summer coming up that you have a few books tucked away to read."
I found a ghost story, a deadly animal book, some mysteries, The Tale of Beedle the Bard, and a funny book. He agreed that they looked interesting and that he'd be willing to read them. If he had time.
On the way to the register, I said, "Well, grandpa and I will pay you a dollar for every book that you read this summer."
Wide eyed look. A woman passing by was very enthusiastic. "A dollar a book?!! That is a great deal! If you read a hundred books, you would earn a hundred dollars!"
(God bless her!)
William stared at me. "What would happen if I read a hundred books?"
"You'd make a hundred dollars."
He was a bit dumbfounded by this. To be a 'hundred-aire' at the age of 11 was almost beyond his wildest dreams.
He read on the way home from the store. He read while I was fixing lunch. By the next day, he had earned his first dollar. He's now three chapters into his next book.
I love this. Can we send William a book all the way from Australia? If yes you can use the contact form on my blog to get in touch and I'll have a look for something very Aussie. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful offer. It seems that he will be spending a lot of time with us this summer (how lucky are we?) and it would make a bit of excitement. E-mail sent.
DeleteYou may have started something good. Our grands don’t read even though Danica was a very early reader.
ReplyDeleteWilliam was really caught up in reading for a while, but he's drifted back to passively watching a screen too much of the time. Hopefully, this will turn things around.
DeleteWill he have to undergo a test to prove he actually read them all through???
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing is that he is a chatterbox. So when he's reading a book, he's constantly telling you all about it. No worries there.
DeleteHe may send you into poverty.
ReplyDeleteMoney well spent, I'd say.
DeleteHe is going to be very knowledgeable and a keen reader.
ReplyDeleteThat is the goal, anyway.
DeleteThat's a good incentive to get someone reading!! Arilx
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think so.
DeleteThat's a great idea! Make sure he has a library card so he can keep adding to his reading pile all summer long. My library has a summer reading program where children (and adults too) get prizes for reading books and keeping track of what they have read. It's very popular!
ReplyDeleteIt was a huge deal to him to learn to write his name. As soon as he could sign for his library card, he was taken there to get one. It was a big moment. That's a good idea, Ellen. I know that there are summer reading programs here, as well.
DeleteI wish my kids were back to that stage again. But it stuck and they both have their noses in books as I type this.
ReplyDeleteEd, you don't know how encouraging that is to me!
DeleteYou're a great briber! Reading is one of the best tings kids can do.
ReplyDeleteI solemnly swear to always use my powers for good, not evil
DeleteExcellent incentive! My dad used to give us money for our report cards -- the higher the grades, the more we'd get. He said school was our "job" and we should be compensated for it.
ReplyDeleteMoney is a great incentive for kids.
DeleteRemember the reading program through Pizza Hut where you could earn individual pan pizzas? My kids loved that!! My oldest grand, who is 20, was always a reader. Her younger siblings (9 and 10) not so much. I have high hopes for the almost 3-year-old. -Kelly
ReplyDeleteI think they still have the book-it program. Going to good look right now.
DeleteMoney talks. I was thinking the same thing as I was reading this post. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteMercenaries, both of you! 😃
ReplyDeleteNext time you're at the goodwill make sure you buy some loooong books. Otherwise he may well send you broke!
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to pay the dollar. 2 or 3 books a week, 4 if he gets ambitious. It sounds like a lot to an 11 year old.
ReplyDelete