Teaching Chinese at Home

[MandyMummy]

Hi, parents, any good Chinese books (novels/short stories/poetry/comics) to recommend to 12/13 year old to read?

Thanks.

[Serendipity]

tamarind:

Actually both my kids attended Berries, once a week, since they were 4 years old. I only discovered the 四五快读 books when my girl has completed K2 in Berries. My kids' oral skills did not improve by attending Berries, in fact, the teacher kept telling me that I must speak more mandarin to them at home. I actually did not read Chinese books with my kids before K2. After my kids completed the 四五快读 books and continued to read Chinese story books out loud to me, their oral skills improved very quickly.

So the reading aloud did help more than the enrichment class! But I think your consistent efforts in getting them to read aloud is also key. :udawoman:

[tamarind]

MandyMummy:

Hi, parents, any good Chinese books (novels/short stories/poetry/comics) to recommend to 12/13 year old to read?

Thanks.

Hi MandyMummy,
I highly recommend books by 沈石溪.

最后一头战象
斑羚飞渡
狼王梦
黑熊舞蹈家

The standard of Chinese in his book is very high, probably about upper secondary level in Singapore. Some of his short stories are used in the textbooks for upper primary in China. His writing is superb, and his stories are breathtaking. He writes about animals and the cruel reality of survival in the wild. Though he writes minimum dialogue and mostly description, his stories are very fascinating and exciting. I think that his books are excellent for improving creative writing skills.

Another good author is 张之路 who writes highly imaginative stories. His books are easier to read compared to 沈石溪, but more difficult compared to 杨红樱. I have scanned some pages from one his book in my blog:

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2011/08/progressing-from-picture-books-to-long.html

For girls age 12 to 13, I highly recommend 魔女宅急便, a series of 5 novels. These books have inspired a wonderful 宮崎駿 movie but the original novels are absolutely delightful. It is about a 13 year old witch girl learning to live on her own and has to work to support herself.

Another must read book for both boys and girls are 佐贺的超级阿嬷.

[MandyMummy]

tamarind:

MandyMummy:

Hi, parents, any good Chinese books (novels/short stories/poetry/comics) to recommend to 12/13 year old to read?

Thanks.

Hi MandyMummy,
I highly recommend books by 沈石溪.

最后一头战象
斑羚飞渡
狼王梦
黑熊舞蹈家

The standard of Chinese in his book is very high, probably about upper secondary level in Singapore. Some of his short stories are used in the textbooks for upper primary in China. His writing is superb, and his stories are breathtaking. He writes about animals and the cruel reality of survival in the wild. Though he writes minimum dialogue and mostly description, his stories are very fascinating and exciting. I think that his books are excellent for improving creative writing skills.

Another good author is 张之路 who writes highly imaginative stories. His books are easier to read compared to 沈石溪, but more difficult compared to 杨红樱. I have scanned some pages from one his book in my blog:

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2011/08/progressing-from-picture-books-to-long.html

For girls age 12 to 13, I highly recommend 魔女宅急便, a series of 5 novels. These books have inspired a wonderful 宮崎駿 movie but the original novels are absolutely delightful. It is about a 13 year old witch girl learning to live on her own and has to work to support herself.

Another must read book for both boys and girls are 佐贺的超级阿嬷.

:thankyou: Tamarind, you are a wealth of information. Thanks for taking time to type out your recommended books. I'll be sure to check it out on dangdang and the NLB.
If I come across good books, I will come back and share.

[phtthp]

Tamarind is a gem ! :rahrah:


i love Tamarind!

[tamarind]

phtthp:

Tamarind is a gem ! :rahrah:


i love Tamarind!

It's my pleasure to share

[tamarind]

MandyMummy:

:thankyou: Tamarind, you are a wealth of information. Thanks for taking time to type out your recommended books. I'll be sure to check it out on dangdang and the NLB.
If I come across good books, I will come back and share.

Hi MandyMummy,
I am looking forward to your sharing I intend to expand my home library now that I am moving to a bigger place

[Brenda10]

tamarind:

I highly recommend books by 沈石溪.


最后一头战象
斑羚飞渡
狼王梦
黑熊舞蹈家

The standard of Chinese in his book is very high, probably about upper secondary level in Singapore. Some of his short stories are used in the textbooks for upper primary in China. His writing is superb, and his stories are breathtaking. He writes about animals and the cruel reality of survival in the wild. Though he writes minimum dialogue and mostly description, his stories are very fascinating and exciting. I think that his books are excellent for improving creative writing skills.

Hi Tamarind,

I have a copy of 狼王梦 and I do agree the that standard of this book is very high.

Think may be I should read through myself (perhaps need to check dictionary too) before pass to it DD in next few years.

[tamarind]

Brenda10:

tamarind:

I highly recommend books by 沈石溪.


最后一头战象
斑羚飞渡
狼王梦
黑熊舞蹈家

The standard of Chinese in his book is very high, probably about upper secondary level in Singapore. Some of his short stories are used in the textbooks for upper primary in China. His writing is superb, and his stories are breathtaking. He writes about animals and the cruel reality of survival in the wild. Though he writes minimum dialogue and mostly description, his stories are very fascinating and exciting. I think that his books are excellent for improving creative writing skills.

Hi Tamarind,

I have a copy of 狼王梦 and I do agree the that standard of this book is very high.

Think may be I should read through myself (perhaps need to check dictionary too) before pass to it DD in next few years.

Hi Brenda10,
May be you can just leave the book around and entice her to read it. Though there are many difficult words in the book, it should not affect her understanding of the book.

I remember that when I first read 金庸 novels in secondary school, I only knew 80% of the words but I could not put the books down

[Brenda10]

tamarind:

Brenda10:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]

Hi Tamarind,

I have a copy of 狼王梦 and I do agree the that standard of this book is very high.

Think may be I should read through myself (perhaps need to check dictionary too) before pass to it DD in next few years.

Hi Brenda10,
May be you can just leave the book around and entice her to read it. Though there are many difficult words in the book, it should not affect her understanding of the book.

I remember that when I first read 金庸 novels in secondary school, I only knew 80% of the words but I could not put the books down

[/quote]Hi Tamarind,

Just read this story and find the 母狼 just like the 人类, 望子成龙，望女成凤！However her 执着 and different coaching to her sons and daughter have caused her to pay for the heavy price as 事与愿违！ Her ending is very 凄凉悲惨。

Nevertheless, there are a Lot of beautiful phrases and I encourage DD to read this book after PSLE and think this will help her to handle the secondary school CL much more comfortable.