If you’ve ever wished for more attentive kids during reading time, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a reading secret that I wish I had discovered sooner: you can get kids more interested in reading, help improve their comprehension, and expand their vocabulary just by using a few simple active reading strategies.

Active reading isn’t just about reading the words on a page in a seamless beginning-to-end flow — it’s about deeply engaging with the material, with frequent breaks to explore the meaning behind the words and pictures.

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I wish I’d learned this in school?” As a parent of middle and high schoolers, I’ve noticed how many real-life skills never make it into the classroom. To help bridge the gap, I recommend these ten books for your home library. From managing credit cards and sewing on a button to cooking simple meals and preparing for emergencies, they offer the basics kids need for independence. These books top my list for ensuring teens feel confident and ready to face “real life” after graduation.

One common parenting struggle is dealing with tantrums, moody teenagers, or just feeling at a loss on how to help sensitive kids through big emotions. Starting at a young age and extending through the teenage years, there are a number of books that you can read to kids that will help them strengthen their emotional intelligence and develop stronger emotion coping skills. This list recommends five books to have on hand in your home library to help kids to navigate their feelings, develop empathy, and increase their emotion coping skills.