Mom: Hey, I noticed that you are reading [insert book title here]. How is it?
Son: Fine. [insert silent pause here]
Mom: Do you like it?
Son: Yes. [insert silent pause here]
Mom: So, what do you like about it?
Son: I don't know. [insert silent pause here]
If this sounds familiar to you, you're not alone. Certainly, some questions encourage a better discussion than others. Here are some possible dinner-table questions to start some interesting discussions (and possibly some heated debates.)
Would you rather go to Hogwarts or Camp Half-Blood? Have you daydreamed about spending a day in Chewinswallow from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?
A lot of kids today read books that are part of a series and many include the classic cliffhanger ending. Do you love this or hate this? If you have to wait for the next book to come out does it make you enjoy it more or does the anticipation ever make the next book a disappointment?
Is the movie ever as good as the book? What makes it good or bad? The music? The animation? Who plays the characters? Might you want to skip a movie because you love the book so much? Are there movies that can be appreciated even if they are completely different from the book? Is there a book that you think would make a good movie that has been overlooked?
Again, is it he-who-must-not-be-named or Hades? Sauron? Darth Vader? Maybe it isn't a guy afterall? The wicked step-mother? The White Witch? What about someone who starts off as the "bad" guy, but you change your mind by the end? (Mr. Darcy, anyone?)
Why? What qualities or talents or experiences do you have in common? What differences are there? Would you like to be their friend?
Post a comment below and share your own family's tips, tricks, and mishaps in talking about books.
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