Photo from The Art of Manliness
Is there something about summer that brings out the reluctant reader? The temptations of the pool and camps and just running around being crazy seem to make curling up with a book even less attractive than normal for my two reluctant readers (Dark Omen continues to drain the new fiction shelf faster than they can fill it).
I loved Kyle’s analogy (at The Boy Reader) between enticing a reluctant reader and picking the right lure for fly fishing. Matching readers to the right books is exactly what Ink Spells is about, and I think that idea goes double for reluctant readers.
But what kinds of books do those reluctant readers like? Although I believe every kid is unique, there certainly are some trends, and Sydney at The Mixed Up Files asks kids directly: What do you like? Their answers include action, adventure, and humor. Not surprising, I suppose, and these elements are found in abundance in The Red Pyramid, which has spent an amazing eight weeks at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.
But you don’t have to be a bestseller book to lure a reluctant reader – indeed some bestsellers are large fantasy books, which may be popular with avid readers and adults, but may be too intimidating for the reluctant reader. Fortunately, Pragmatic Mom has an extensive list of picks just for reluctant boy readers, and it is rife with great stories like The Far Side of the Mountain and How to Train Your Dragon and Secrets of Droon as well as many I didn’t know. If those aren’t enough for you, there are even more over at The Art of Manliness – the top fifty books for boys and young men, to be exact.
It’s well worth the time to lure those little fish into the world of reading. Off I go, to hook my own little trouts once more . . .
My son reads a lot–but not books. He reads encyclopedias and maps and instruction booklets for putting things together and operator manuals for using everything from the Wii to the Honda.
The only fictional thing he's been reading lately is poetry. But as long as he's reading something, I'm a happy camper!
Great info, thanks Susan! I have two daughters who are already voracious readers but my nephew is getting to the age where he is going to learn to read soon. I can't wait to get to encourage him about books.
Today's guest blogger is Guinevere Rowell!
I'm trying to write books that will appeal to reluctant readers. If, one day, one child gains a love of reading because of one of my books, I will have succeeded.
Ooh, I'm going to go check out Pragmatic Mom. Sounds like a great list. Thanks, Susan. So true about pairing the 'right' book with each reader.
@Vicki Not only does the non-fiction reading totally count, but it's fantastically self-directed. The boy knows what he likes and how to get it. Amazing life skills there. ๐
@Matthew I loved your little story about your wife and nephew! I wish my brother was closer to be a larger part of my boys' lives!
@Rick And a fine job you do of that, sir! Especially when you need math into it! ๐
@Sheri I feel like a detective sometimes, trying to find that "right" book. I forgot to mention that enlisting the aide of teachers and librarians is key! ๐
Thanks for mentioning me. I spend my year trying to find the perfect book for kids. It is even a bigger challenge for the reluctant reader. My best day during the school year is the look on a face when they no longer feel they are a reluctant reader.
Vicki I agree reading is reading. Too many teachers don't let boys read what you listed becasue it is not "real reading". If they want to read it let them!
@Kyle Sigh. Wish all teachers were like you. ๐
I have a reluctant reader that is 15yrs old. I purchase books he likes (horror books) and we take turns reading them.
Comic books are great for getting them hooked in the summer. Once they're in the habit of readin, mine pick up books on their own.
@LM Alternate reads is a great way to pull them in!
@Myrna My boys love reading the comics too. And thanks for sharing your story on C. Lee's blog! ๐
I'd add magazines, graphic novels and appropriate websites (fan sites, eBooks), as well.
Melissa
I love Discovery Toys because they have books, that come with a c.d. and interactive toys that go along with the book, like building blocks, or finger puppets.
A friend of mine pretended that an area in her playroom was a library and her kids "checked out books" and then they read them. I think this helped motivate them to read some more! I thought it was a great idea!
Big Fat Mama
You're welcome. I want to win your book. :o)
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Susan, take a look at the latest post on our new blog, Boys Rock, Boys Read! It's run by Bill and Zack and me. (Bill and Zack were laid off in April and we wanted to start our own independent blog) The post is called "Books Every Guy Should read" and you're sure to find something there. Check out the blog at http://boysrockbr.blogspot.com/
Alos, take a look at the list of Links on the Boys Rule! Boys Read!blog. There are several links for boy reading. Jon Scieszka's site is particularly good.If you can't find the right book there, you ain't looking!
@Carl (aka Iron Guy) Thanks! I will definitely check it out!
I just read Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta. It's awesome for a reluctant reader, ages 9-16.
Pragmatic Mom
Type A Parenting for the Modern World
http://PragmaticMom.com
I blog on children's lit, parenting and education
Relunctant boy readers, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, I know right here in my own home. My son has been a relunctant reader since early on and this was way before he was ever introduced to video or computer games. In fact, my son wouldn't pick up a book unless you held a gun to his head. Okay…that's stretching the limit, but it would have been nice if a good bribe with a chocolate chip cookie would do the trick. However, that didn't work, either.
What I did discover along the way was it's best to leave him along while providing him with lots of good reading material. The results were far more favorable than not.
He's now 16 years old and while reading doesn't rank #1 with him, he doesn't pull away from it altogether. I don't worry about it so much as I once did, especially when I find his nose stuck in a technical manual for remote control car repairs or something along that nature. I know he'll be alright.
@Cathy Reading the tech manual completely counts! And bless him for being able to understand those things, they are SO badly written.
And you're absolutely right about not pushing too hard – it's a fine line to walk, but works wonders when you can hit that sweet spot between pushing and giving up. One trick I discovered recently with one of my reluctant readers was stocking the bookshelf in his room with about 20 books he hasn't read … and saying nothing more. They're just there, staring at him every night when he goes to bed. Slowly, he's started to pick up one, then another. Suddenly, he's raving about a book that I have been trying 6 mos to get him to read (because I knew he'd love it). Why does parenting have to be so hard?