Book Talk

“How To Raise a Reader in an Age of Digital Distraction” 

I’m sure by now you have heard or read about the coming restrictions in primary education regarding screen time. Only last week I came upon an article that discusses the problem of screen time, particularly its adverse impact on young people’s ability to engage with reading and the detrimental impacts on their attention spans, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Two points in the article particularly interested me; the act of reading isn’t innate but a learnt experience that rewires the brain. It is, as the neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf’s research posits, “an unnatural act” that we train ourselves to accomplish. Secondly, that reading is a habit, and active participation is key to creating balance in an increasingly technology driven world. I highly recommend reading the full article to gain new insight on the importance of reading. 

Here is the link: https://lithub.com/how-to-raise-a-reader-in-an-age-of-digital-distraction/  

Below are some of the new books in the library in time for the holidays: 

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni – fantasy (of course!) 

The Boy Maeve by Kai Ash – a coming of age story but not as we know it. 

We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon – a whodunnit – Amy Doak rates it. 

Skating Wilder by Brandon and AJ Dungo – a history of skating as a graphic novel (which seems to be very on brand if you think about it).