Thinks Like a Big Kid, Feels Like a Little Kid
There is a 100% chance that I am completely unprepared for that which is this child.
From the sparkles she throws around everywhere she goes to the swagger she somehow possesses, she is just ... too much.
So much.
All of the things.
But The Thing that recently has been proving my incompetence over and over and over again is That Thing where she can read far beyond her age group.
If you've got your panties in a wad over me complaining about her being a good reader, simmer down for a second and hear me out. The Thing about having a kid who can read well early is that they can read things they just shouldn't. For example, Alexis is SUPER interested in history, so she has made it a habit to check out books from the library that tell her things about Lincoln's assassination, the sinking of the Titanic, King Tutankhamun, etc.
Guess which kid wasn't emotionally prepared to learn that women and children were pretty much the only ones who survived the Titanic? Guess which kid had nightmares for weeks about being aboard the Titanic and losing her parents and soooooooooob waaaaaaaaah soooooooooooob? She very seriously cried for over an hour one day because she couldn't stop thinking about how sad it would be to watch your family members sink to their deaths.
We all lost sleep over it, just as we did when she was worried that there was an assassin walking the streets of Pittsburgh, just waiting for theater-goers to be seated so he could shoot at will.
My point is that I don't know how to keep the bookworm adequately challenged, but emotionally OK. I mean, she's *my* kid, so she's going to end up emotionally scarred, but I would prefer that it be from the damage I cause and not because she's reading stuff she's not old enough to handle just yet.
So, internet, help me out here. The kid can read books like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Secret Garden (her current favorites), but she should be reading things like Elephant and Piggie. She loves history, but gets super pissed off if she encounters a lot of words she doesn't understand. Suggestions? Titles? Favorite books?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Reader Comments (55)
Im linking my fiance to this...he might have some good ideas :)
I love her appetite for reading, I was the same way.
Maybe the Ramona Quimby books or Little House on the Prairie books. It's been many moons since I've read those though to remember if there's anything traumatic in them.
D'oh!
How could I forget one of my favorites?!
The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye
( http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Princess-M-Kaye/dp/0142300853 )
also, second on Ramona and the gang :)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern!
One of my favorite authors is Tamora Pierce. She is a young adult author. Most of her books are rated at a 6th grade level though. I'm currently 24 and I still love her books just as much now as I did when I discovered them in middle school. She has several quartets revolving around different characters but still set in the same world. I like the books set in Tortall better than the Circle of Magic ones but they are also a good read. Her books do have a fantasy/magical basis if Alexis finds that interesting. The main character(s) in each quartet are female. They are depicted as being strong women/young women that are independent and do not need a man to rescue them.
Otherwise, I remember being in love with the Laura Ingalls series when I was younger.
I second the Laura Ingalls books- I read those when I was around her age and at a similar reading level. I also adored the Redwall series- not sure how she feels about fantasy, but there are a ton of those books and some of them may or may not still be on my shelf. If she does okay separating fact from fiction, maybe A Series of Unfortunate Events- the kids are orphans that have a bunch of misadventures, so that might freak her out, but it's clearly fiction and actually pretty funny (also books that I still read). If she likes history, she might like the My Name is America journals. I was never as in to those but I remember girls in my class loving them in 4-6 grades. I'll keep thinking, I was always a huge reader and also ahead of grade level (though I read tons of things I wasn't ready for- Gone With The Wind at 8 = bad idea).
The Little Princess (same author as Secret Garden). I'm guessing she's tried the Magic Treehouse series; my son lost interest after a while because the formula becomes just too evident, but the author does a nice job incorporating history that's not too graphic. Have you tried audiobooks from the library as an alternative? My son is in 2nd grade and reads beyond his level as well but also really enjoys the chance to listen to books that would get frustrating because of the vocabulary (which he understands but can't always sound out on the first go). Some of his favorites have been Dragon Rider, Hoot, The Castle in the Attic, all of the How to Train Your Dragon series (yes there is a theme here) - and many of the classics. There have been so many that he's loved I can't think of them all right now. I also find the librarians at the Sewickley Library to be really helpful in picking out challenging books that are also not too advanced in terms of subject matter.
Anne of Green Gables? At least the first few books in the series should be okay.
Seconding (thirding?) the Little House series.
Any of the Ramona books, or maybe the Babysitters Club or their Little Sister spinoff.
Erin's fiance here. I've talked to my mother (a former elementary school teacher) and my sister (a former 6-year-old girl). They both recommend the Nancy Drew series and Beverly Cleary's Ramona series. Mom also suggests the American Girl books. Louis Sachar's Wayside School books are really funny, and probably age-appropriate.
If you're open to graphic novels, Jeff Smith's Bone series is a great fantasy adventure, but some of the later volumes may be a little too intense. Jimmy Gownley's Amelia Rules! books may be perfect though. They're about an elementary school girl who moves after her parents get divorced. It tackles some deep topics in a very funny way, specifically composed to talk to kids about these growing-up themes without being scary.
What about the American Girl books?
Oldies.but goodies : Anne of green gables, Nancy drew, bobbsey twins, hardy boys, trixie belden, boxcar children, cherry Ames, student nurse....all are older characters but "relationships" are barely more than friends...in fact most have no boyfriend/girlfriend at all...one or.two.have one.in name only.
Have you asked your local or school librarian? What about her teacher...or teacher of an older grade?. I have an online friend who is an elementary librarian....and coworkers daughter is librarian so I will send out requests. Both helped me.with my niece who was in same boat. The suggestions then were for the Ramona series, babysitters club (?) And magic school bus. Sideways school, too.
I had that issue as well (was reading at a 6th grade level by 1st grade when they first did testing, and was at 12th gr level by 4th gr). I don't really remember all that I read at that age, (I can ask my mom though). I do remember reading the dictionary a lot, and my parents had just gotten brand new encyclopedias, so I also read those a lot.
When did the babysitters club books come out? 1990? 89? So I was around 9-10 when I was reading those, and I remember walking 2 miles to the library when I was 12 and taking out armfuls of books each week.
I also recommend Nancy Drew, maybe Judy Blume (the Fudge series is fun), the mouse on the motorcycle books, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Skip "Where the Red Fern Grows." Makes me bawl every. single. time. Even now.
I had so many books when growing up, my mom said there must be at least 3000 (yes thousand) books in the attic. I still devour them now, just in digital format, and a bit slower, since kids take up more of my time and I can't stay up all night reading a book any more or else I pay the next day!
I loved the Anne of Green Gables series, Emily of New Moon and any Lucy M. Montgomery book I could get my hands on. The Bobbsey Twins, The Boxcar Children, The Babysitters Club books.... I didn't read the Sweet Valley Twins as I was too old, but I loved Sweet Valley High when I was older, so maybe the Twins series might be better. The original Mary Poppins series.
My 11 year old nephew recently let me borrow FableHaven - I highly recommend that one. I loved the retelling of the Peter Pan story in "Peter and the Starcatchers" and the rest of the series because it takes characters you know (Tink, Peter, Captain Hook, and Smee) and gives them a backstory. Also it's co-written by Dave Barry...
Check out this site... I found it on Pinterest: http://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/top-read-alouds
And I also found... http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Books-for-Girls-Kids-Reading-List
and because I'm an equal opportunity reader... Oprah even has a category list: http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Kids-Reading-List-Books-by-Category
Hope these help!!
The Wizard of Oz books. I remember reading ALL of them the summer between first and second grade. I will also second Tamora Piece and the Little house books.
I sympathize I was the kid who read "The Scarlet Letter" in fifth or sixth grade, I wouldn't recommend that one...
But Anne of Green Gables, The Babysitters Club (and Little sister books), anything Judy Blume, maybe the Saddle Club if she's into horses, Animal Ark (I think that's what its called, its about a couple of kids who's parents are vets).
I also enjoyed Caroline B. Cooney's books but you might want to read them first to make sure they wouldn't be too much for Alexis to handle. (I recently reread one called "Flash Fire" and was amazed that I didn't have issues with it as a kid b/c its about two kids who get trapped in their house during a forest fire)
Anne of Green Gables -- the whole series
The Little Princess
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards
Boxcar children
I know they're not exactly literature... But I grew up DEVOURING Baby Sitter's Club and Sweet Valley Twins books.
Ohh, ALL of the Roald Dahl books: the twits, Matilda, the BFG, Danny the Champion of the World, James and the Giant peach, the witches, Charlie and the chocolate factory, etc.
She's old enough to start reading the Harry potter series. My daughter started the first book in first grade. I've held off on letting her read the last half of the series until this year (4th grade) because some parts were too scary.
Try to stick to fiction. It will be easier to separate herself from the difficult stories that she may come across. I have found some women of history books for kids that she might like called the Royal Diaries series. The Penderwicks is a fun series. We likes the Spiderwick chronicles. The Sisters Grimm series are fun. Louis Sacher is fantastic and hilarious, especially his Sideways Stories series. I insisted on reading that one out loud with her because it was so funny. We go to half priced books a lot and find things like "500 history facts" or "Egypt" (current fascination). They also have a good science section if she likes info about space, geology, etc.
Others good fiction: Harriet the Spy, From the mixed up files of Mrs Basil E frankweiler, a wrinkle in time, the Ramona series.
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norman Juster.
The Anna Hibiscus books, by Atinuke.
The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit.
The Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web by E.B White.
Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh
Maybe some of Heinlein's young-adult books, like Red Planet, The Star Beast, Have Spacesuit Will Travel....
Second the above votes for classics like Babysitters Club, Anne of Green Gables, Judy Blume...
A lot of my childhood favorites might still be about scary for her, though, depending on her fantasy/reality line. Narnia, The Princess and the Goblin, the Hobbit, The Neverending Story.
I don't know how you feel about Oprah but her reading lists are usually pretty good...
http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Kids-Reading-List-History-Books
Others have already mentioned them but I would second (or third) the Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne, Nancy Drew, the Bobbsey twins, the boxcar children.
It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
Doctor Doolittle by Hugh Lofting
101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith
The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley
My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara
Summer Lightning by PG Wodehouse
French Leave by PG Wodehouse
The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander (the Black Cauldron series)
The Ferret series by Richard Bach
Sherlock Holmes
The Dragonback Series by Timothy Zahn
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot
All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson series)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Three Investigator Series
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Invention of Hugo Cabaret by Brian Selznick
anything Roald Dahl would be top of my list, but they are sort of short. The Babysitting's Club has a ton of books, but some of the content might be a bit mature (boys, drama, etc.). I would say Chronicles of Narnia - it's advanced reading & a great series!!
I second a lot of the previous posters (Roald Dahl was a fan favorite in my house. Encyclopedia Brown is fun, too.) I'd add "Holes" and the "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" series by Louis Sachar and "The Mysterious Benedict Society" series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Costco also has some amazing non-fiction "discovery" books.
I would also second the Bobbsey Twins - I remember getting a box of all 22 from an aunt who was cleaning things out of her attic. I banged through those books. I would also recommend a series called the TimeWarp Trio - my son, who also likes history, loved those books and their slightly goofy humor. I was an advanced reader and would cruise the stacks at my local library - I always loved Little Women, Little Men and Jo's Boys - any of the classics - and most definitely the Little House on the Prairie books. I also remember devouring books that my grandmother had that were written for kids about great authors - I was fascinated by Robert Louis Stevenson's life.
I nearly forgot - The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler - LOVED that book! Also, my sister is encountering the same thing with her six-year old. The teacher has pulled out the small group of very advanced readers and is working on vocabulary and reading comprehension with them. Maybe get her a couple of vocabulary workbooks so that she can be building her vocabulary at the same time.
My absolute favorite book when I was that age was "Harriet the Spy". I think I read and reread that book a hundred times!
I was also an advanced reader at a young age, so I can sympathize with what Alexis is going through. To this day, I can remember going to the school library and having the librarian push books on me that, while I was intellectually capable of handling, I wasn't emotionally capable of handling.
Like others, I highly recommend Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nancy Drew. I would devour those books as a child. Plus, I absolutely LOVED Anne of Green Gables. So much so, that I actually traveled to Prince Edward Island just to see the setting for the stories. I truly cannot recommend this particular series enough for Alexis.
I echo the recommendations for L. M. Montgomery books (Anne of Green Gables plus all her other wonderful books). Tamora Pierce is great too. Patricia Wrede has some neat alternate universe homesteader books, starting with the Thirteenth Child and her Enchanted Forest Chronicles are fun too, very silly in some places. I really enjoyed reading the WondLa books recently to my five year old (by Tony DiTerlizzi). The James Herriot books are wonderful and I love them still but I have to say I cried a lot and if Alexis loves animals as much as she seems to, you may want to wait on those.
On a side note, I was reading at an 8th grade level as a first grader and read all kinds of things that were age-inappropriate but I turned out ok (I think?) I actually own some of the L. M. Montgomery books, and a number of the Tamora Pierce books and would be happy to send them up to you as long as I can get them back in a year or two when my munchkin might be ready for them.
Reminds me of me. I was obsessed with animals, and by the time I was 8 yrs old I had read every book in section 636.1 (domesticated animals) in our local library. And began completely embarrassing my older brother by discussing reproduction at age 6 or 7.
I'm blanking on ages, but some of my favorite books growing up were:
The Saddle Club series
The Neverending Story
Chronicles of Narnia
Good luck!
I think people hit most of these....but Ramona, Nancy Drew, Laura Ingalls Wilder (and if she likes the original series, I also really enjoyed the many spin offs about other women in her family when they were little), and the American Girl books (though quality may vary on the more recent ones, idk). Boxcar Children.
Maybe hunt down some Babysitter's Club--brain junk food (and super super 80s/early 90s), but they're fun.
Actually, if she likes any of these--let me know because there's boxes of all of those in my room at my parents' house and they'd be thrilled for me to clear them out. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I may show up on your doorstep with a trunk-full.
Chiming in about the Magic Tree House books. They cover tons of historical stuff, but in an age-appropriate way. They also have supplemental fact books that provide more information about specific subjects.
I really remember liking books from the Dear America series. They are fictional diaries of girls who lived during America's history. They depict what life was like during certain times such as The Revolutionary War or Women's Suffrage. I'm not sure if the writing would be above/below her level. I just remember really liking these books because they had a historical element to them. I don't really remember them containing adult themes or anything too dramatic.
p.s. here's a link for one of the books in the Dear America series
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Courage-Suffragette-Kathleen-Washington/dp/0590511416/ref=sr_il_1_20?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358437519&sr=1-20&keywords=dear+america
I would recommend Laura Ingalls as well. I was advanced reader as well and devoured those books over and over. Ben is only slightly advanced in reading level and he loves the "Sideway Stories from Wayside School" but he does read it very fast.
I was passionate about reading when I was little. I still love it, but just don't have as much time to read. Here are some of my favorites.
The Boxcar Children
The Babysitters Club
Shiloh (might be too sad)
Anything Shel Silverstein
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Beverly Cleary Ramona books
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
I read all of the Sweet Valley High Series, but I think that would be too old for her.
She might enjoy learning about Helen Keller, I found several kids books about her. Maybe some books about early American History. You could look for a book about all the Presidents. The Lewis and Clark expedition might be interesting to her. I've heard the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is good. Harry Potter is very popular. You might search for some books about women with important roles throughout our history.
My daughter (who is 15 now) has never been a really advanced reader, but I read books to her at bedtime until she was about 10, and she has always listened to audiobooks. When she was Alexis' age, we read Anne of Green Gables, The Black Stallion, the Narnia books, the Magic Treehouse series, anything by Marguerite Henry, the Julie of the Wolves books (and other Jean Craighead George books), the Unicorns of Balinor series. She also listened to the whole Harry Potter series on cd when she was not much older than Alexis, so if Alexis is reading at that level, she might like it. Finally, the American Girl books -- not only the girl/doll books, but the history/mystery series are really good. They're historically accurate, and the girls are always the heroes!
M- you have some AWESOME suggestions here! I read nearly every book that's been suggested! I was also WAY into history and reading. I swear I was SUCH a bookworm. My summers were spent holed up reading for hours on end. I also read "the Gold Dust Letters," and "Afternoon of the Elves." You'll be a fan of these--fairies and elves in the garden :)
ALSO-- my teacher in 6th grade would read to us in the afternoons-- these were great, about Williamsburg (and I don't recall anything too scary).
http://www.amazon.com/Burden-Christian-Heritage-Williamsburg-Years/dp/1561795178/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358443095&sr=1-1&keywords=Christian+Heritage+Series%3A+The+Williamsburg+Years
Has she read Charlotte's Web or Stuart Little? I loved those books as a kid. Also read every one of the Little House books - granted some sad things in there but overall they were favorites of mine growing up.
I would definitely say anything by E.L. White - Mouse & the Motorcycle, etc... kid friendly but feel like big-kid books!
My girl isn't at the same reading level but I've read her all of the Little House on the Prairie books and she LOVED the historic aspect of them. Pitfalls are: the general negative attitude toward Native Americans. And in one of the last books Pa performs in blackface. So prepare for those. Otherwise, the books are pretty tame.
As a kid I love all of the American Girl books. They may be below her level (I've been reading them aloud to my kid and each book only takes 2 nights). But, they have some good, pretty age-apprporate footnotes about what was happing in that time period.
The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, the Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia (sorry - SNL poisoned that for me), Anne of Green Gables, The Borrowers, Harriet the Spy, James and the Giant Peach, My Father's Dragon, The Phantom Tollbooth, Pippi Longstocking and Treasure Island are all on my "to read" list for my girl.
My then-3rd grader read the Harry Potter series (he was NOT advanced for his age at the time. Now in 4th, he is), and I haven't seen that suggested. Otherwise, I definitely agree with Magic Treehouse. And, just because we ALL laugh our butts off when Mr. MOTH reads them at bedtime, Geronimo Stilton.
Oh man. I saw someone mention the Trixie Beldon books, and I have to agree! Those were some of my favorite books when I was reading above my age level. Luckily my mom had most of her set from when she was a kid. I also agree with the Redwall series, they're captivating. Definitely Anne of Green Gables.
Other suggestions: What about A Wrinkle In Time and the rest of the Time Quintet? Caddie Woodlawn is another of my favorite YA novels.
I only skimmed the comments, but I think a lot of people have hit everything I would have. I feel her pain!
Fudge & Superfudge are great books.
Ramona & Beezus are awesome.
American Girl
Narnia series
Harry Potter series (it has a 9+ age recommendation)
The Phantom Tollbooth (I still love reading this one!)
A Wrinkle in Time
ENJOY! I love reading. :)
I also loved history when I was a little girl and really enjoyed Lois Lowry's "Number The Stars." It deals with being Jewish in WWII Europe, specifically Denmark, in a really poignant and sensitive way. Another good option is "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," by Eleanor Coeurr.
Oh yeah, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Ok, So since I grew up on the other side of the world, some of my favorites are different. My favorite book of all time as a kid was the enchanted wood by Enid Blyton. She has a whole bunch of series.
I also would suggest Roald Dahl, he was my absolute favorite, and I also find I enjoy his books on a different level as an adult. Matilda was my favorite, and I still have my battered copy.
If you end up compiling a list, please post it! I considered pinning this whole post with comments, but then the only picture I could pin was one of Alexis, and that would be kind of creepy...
Try the Magic Treehouse series. They might be a little simple for her, but they're great for history-lovers.
Erin's fiance here. I've talked to my mother (a retired elementary school teacher) and my sister (a former 6-year-old girl) and they both recommended the Nancy Drew series and Beverly Cleary's Ramona books. Mom also suggests the American Girl series, and Louis Sachar's Wayside School stories.
If you're open to graphic novels, Jeff Smith's Bone series is a great fantasy adventure, but some of the later volumes may be a little too intense. Jimmy Gownley's Amelia Rules! books, though, may be perfect. They're about an elementary school age girl who has to move after her parents get divorced. It tackles some deep topics, but it does it in a funny way. The books were specifically written to talk to kids about some of these growing-up themes without being scary.
Okay, so you've got a lot of great suggestions in the comments. And you've got a lot of "Oh no, definitely don't give that to her...yet" suggestions on here. After reading your blog post it seems like Alexis is an advanced reader in an academic sense, but she's a super sensitive child who maybe shouldn't be reading things that are gonna send her emotions charging. And lots, lots, lots of the books suggested here are going to hurt her little heart. Or send her into history that she may not know enough yet to full grasp and understand.
I would definitely suggest the Little House books and The Magic Tree House books. They might be a little easier for her to read, but they are going to handle history in a way that is gripping for her age. Also, there are tons of them, so she will have a lot to read for a long time. The Magic Tree House books even do non-fiction companion reads, so she'll have all the knowledge she could ask for.
I think a lot of Roald Dahl books would be great for her too. She'll love their imagination, but she may also want to know why the adults are always so mean.
Beverly Cleary, check. A great author for her. Judy Blume (Super Fudge, not Forever), yes!
Classics like Misty of Chincoteague, Encylopedia Brown, even the Boxcar Children (though I personally can't stand them). I'd honestly stay away from Cherry Ames (too dated) and only a sprinkle of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys (there are too many of them, often are too dated). But if she has to read for AR points every since ND and HB is like an AR goldmine.
In general, I'd stay way (for now) things like Number the Stars, Wrinkle in Time, and a few other things mentioned. They really deal with some things that even a smart girl like Alexis might not be quite ready for. She may not have had the exposure in school to historic context, she already has nightmares about people dying on boats, and well, you may not be quite ready for her to read about people making out and alluding to more, which is always a caution when a young child has to read upwards.
Do you guys read aloud to her at all still? If so, I'd second the Anne of Green Gables. But I wouldn't hand that to her quite yet to do it on her own. Reading up is so much easier if you're reading aloud with parents (taking turns reading pages, chapters, etc.)
And if you still need some guidance, I'd suggest talking to your local librarian. The school librarian would be a good place to start too, but the public library is going to have waaay more options and have a librarian who has a broader collection. I'm pretty sure I know the librarian in your neck of the woods. Or you know, you could always send a DM, to one you might know through Twitter. Always happy to help with recommendations.
But at the end of the day, only you and Alexis will know what is right for her. I'd just be wary of throwing "all of the advanced books." Which is why you were asking for titles anyway.
Good luck and happy reading!
I remember enjoying the All of a Kind family books as a kid.
My Daughter (a capable but reluctant reader) really enjoyed a book by author Mike Venezia that was a short (32 pages) biography of Marie Curie. He has a ton in the same format in composers, artists, scientists and inventors, and presidents that get good reviews on Amazon. We have been meaning to get some from the library to try them out.
I can't believe no one has mentioned Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell! It's still one of my favorites - I've read it at least a million times. Loved the Trixie Belden series. Harriet the Spy. The Fudge books from July Blume. Charlottes Web. The Ramona series. They have a "young" Nancy Drew series out now too. I've never read them, but I loved the original Nancy Drews and I'll bet these would be a little more age appropriate for her. So much fun stuff out there to read. When I was a girl my dad made a deal with me: when we went to the store or mall, I was not allowed to ask for ANYTHING - and if I didn't, then he would buy me a book. I would spend forever trying to pick out just the right one, and I would start reading it as soon as we got in the car to head home.