The studies are done, the results in -- our college-educated students don't read very well. This isn't as big a problem in homeschooling circles, but there is evidence that we have plenty of room for improvement.

In days past, children as young as their early teens read Shakespeare and other classics -- for fun!! Not for school. Teenagers read classic works of great scientists, historians and linguists. There were no dumbed-down versions of books to make it easier.

This is not something that's out of reach for today's young people. Nor is it something they need to labor over for years on end to perfect.

Take a look at some of these ideas and resources for improving your child's reading level and finding appropriate books.

How to Read a Hard Book by Mortimer J. Adler
This truly excellent article provides common-sense approaches to tackling new and challenging material. Try applying it to textbooks as well as "real" books.

Honey for a Teen's Heart by Gladys Hunt & Barbara Hampton
This will take you to a review and places to find the book.

The Book Tree by Elizabeth McCallum 
Lists and reviews of fiction and non-fiction from a Christian perspective for all ages.