Recently, there has been a significant amount of media coverage about how to encourage boys to read more. Some of the concern seems to be centered around the prevalence of video game playing and TV watching. Another issue is the perception that there is a lack of interesting and appealing literature available for boys.
First of all, as a parent of four sons, I have personally witnessed this "slide" in time spent reading as video game play has increased. At times, my husband and I found it necessary to limit the game play in favor of specific time periods of more "sustained" reading for the boys, especially during the summer. It did help that they participated in the local library's summer reading clubs and various community merchants' reading programs throughout the years. It was challenging at times, but I believe we reached a good compromise and balance that benefited our sons.
Secondly, as we approach the mid-summer, I thought this might be a good time to mention a couple of resources that could provide parents with information about good books for boys and how to encourage them to enjoy more reading. Here are several websites that could provide some assistance:
http://www.boysread.org/books.html Transforming boys into life-long readers and lovers of books is this website's mission.
http://guysread.com/ Offers a list of books recommended by the webmaster, children's author Jon Sczieska, and others suggested by visitors to the website.
http://booksandboys.blogspot.com Author and blog writer Max Elliot Anderson was once a struggling/reluctant reader himself but is now a writer of adventures & mysteries for readers 8 - 13. His blog, Books for Boys, is #1 on Google today.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/676 Based on author Jon Scieszka’s own experience as well as input from “Guys Read voters,” the program’s website recommends books that boys say they like. Also discusses important topics such as the the very real literacy gap between boys and girls.
http://www.c-t-l.org/high_school_readers.html Book list for high school boys (Gr. 9-12)
http://www.alanlawrencesitomer.com/ Alan Sitomer's website. He shares a passion for literacy as it relates to adolescents/boys.
http://wowbooks4boys.com/ Deliciously "wicked" books for boys learning to read---Its mission is simple...to get young boys reading! Created and written by Angela Bueti of WOW books 4 boys
In addition, I would like to provide this Parent's Choice book list for the boys in your life. Hopefully, you will find it helpful in encouraging your young men to read more good books this summer---and beyond!
Boys' Book List
Here is the list compiled by Parents' Choice Magazine:
FICTION
Tony Abbott
Realism & Survival
Abbott’s series feature fun and adventure.
Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard (Danger Guys Stories)
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0064420116, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (Secrets of Droon Series)
Little Apple, ISBN: 0590108395, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Avi
Avi writes good solid stories: Poppy is a deer mouse and her tales revolve around other animals in the meadow, while McKinley in The Good Dog is a sled dog torn between his human family and the wild world of Lupin, who is out to replenish his wolf pack.
The Good Dog
Atheneum, ISBN: 0689838247, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Poppy (Series)
Camelot, ISBN: 0380727692, Ages 9 & Up
Michael Chabon
Summerland is a treat where a “less than mediocre Little League player “ is recruited by a mystical 100 year old scout and accepts a mission to overthrow the evil, shape-changing overlord, Coyote. Shades of Narnia and the Hobbit say some. A challenge for older readers.
Summerland
Hyperion Press, ISBN: 0786816155, Ages 9 & Up
Eoin Colfer
Science Fiction
Colfer’s Artemis books are extremely popular and creative! “When a twelve-year old genius tries to demand a ransom, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.”
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl Series)
Hyperion Press, ISBN: 0786817070, Ages 10 & up
Mark Crilley
Science Fiction
Crilley’s Earthling hero, fourth-grader Akiko, joins an intergalactic cast of characters in a mission to rescue Prince Froptoppit of the Planet Smoo.
Akiko on the Planet Smoo (Akiki Series)
Delacorte Press, ISBN: 0385327242, Ages 10 & up
Franklin Dixon
Oldies, but still goodies.
Hardy Boys Starter Set
Platt & Munk, ISBN: 0448416719, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Edward Eager
Time Travel
Knight’s castle by Eager follows four cousins who find themselves back in the times of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe!
Knight’s Castle
Harcourt, ISBN: 015202073X, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Cornelia Funke
Fantasy and Survival
The Thief Lord by Funke is the newest book on this list: an exciting story about 2 brothers who run away to Venice, Italy, their aunt who hires a detective to track them down, and the mysterious thief lord who takes them under his wing.
The Thief Lord
Scholastic, ISBN: 0439404371, Ages 10 & up
Dan Greenburg
The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot (Zack Files Series)
Grosset & Dunlap, ISBN: 0448420414, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Jackie French Koller
Fantasy
Dragonling (Dragonling Series)
Aladdin Library, ISBN: 074341019X, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
Realism and Survival
In Hatchet, a boy is the lone survivor of a plane crash and is stranded in the wilderness with only a hatchet. This gripping tale is by Paulsen, who has written many wonderful stories including Mr. Tucket and Dogsong.
Mr. Tucket
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440411335, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Dogsong
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689827008, Ages 10 & up
Hatchet
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689826990, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Emily Rodda
High Fantasy
The Forests of Silence
Apple, ISBN: 0439253233, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Deltora Book of Monsters (Deltora Quest)
Scholastic, ISBN: 0439390842, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Louis Sachar
Holes was a recent movie written by the talented Sachar; think “curse, desert correctional camp treasure and friends”. This is very different from the humorous tales that occur on the thirteenth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with a classroom on each floor.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School (A Series)
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0380731487, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Holes
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440414806, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Jon Scieszka
Time Travel
See you later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio Series)
Puffin, ISBN: 0142300691, Ages 9-12 yrs
Sam Samurai (Time Warp Trio Series)
Viking Childrens Books,ISBN: 0670899151, Ages 8 & Up
NON-FICTION
A variety for all tastes. Try to pinpoint some of your child’s interests; then browse the non-fiction shelves. It can be awesome! A strong alternate way to present non-fiction might be to use a narrative form, or group by topics i.e., true tales, poetry, biographies, and special interests.
Nathaniel Philbrick
The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex
Putnam Pub Group Juv, ISBN: 039923795X, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Brian Colburn
Triumph on Everest: A Photobiography of Sir Edmund Hillary (Biography)
National Geographic, ISBN: 0792279328, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Mark Stewart
One Wild Ride: The Life of Skateboard Superstar Tony Hawk (Biography)
21st Century Books, ISBN: 0761326669, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
Puppies, Dogs and Blue Northers: Reflections on the Author’s Life with His Sled Dogs (Biography)
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440418755, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Tomi De Paola
The author, creator of Strega Nona, grandmother witch, looks back on his childhood.
Twenty-Six Fairmont Avenue
Puffin, ISBN: 0698118642, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Here We All Are
Puffin, ISBN: 0698119096, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
What a Year (Biography)
Puffin, ISBN: 014250158, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Walter Wick
I Spy Gold Challenger: A Book of Picture Riddles
Cartwheel Books, ISBN: 0590042963, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Seymour Simon
Whales
Harpercollins Juvenile Books, ISBN: 0064460959,
Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Big Cats
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 006446119X, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Danger! Volcanoes
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171813, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Muscles: Our Muscular Skeleton
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0688177204, Ages 7 & Up
Animals Nobody Loves
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171554, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Richard Platt
Eyewitness: Pirate
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466082, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Eyewitness: Spy
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466163, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Jack Prelutsky
Monday’s Troll
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688096441, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688132359, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Douglas Florian
Poetry
Laugh-eteria
Puffin, ISBN: 0141309903, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Beast Feast
Voyager Books, ISBN: 0152017372, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Eyewitness Books
Eyewitness Books stand out in the non-fiction collection. They are bountiful and beautiful, including wonderful photographs along with information. Browsing these gems is a treat. Examples: Sharks, Whales and Dolphins, Islam or Money. The Eyewitness Juniors, which are mostly in paperback, are perfect for lower elementary grades i.e, Amazing bikes, Amazing crocodiles and lizards.
For more great books for boys, look for Kathleen Odean’s Great Books for Boys: More than 600 books for Boys 2-14.
SPECIAL NOTE: Don't worry---next week, there will be equal coverage for girls' books and encouraging their reading! Please check back with this blog!
For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For ADHD focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For ADHD info and support
314-892-3897
Graphic courtesy of: http://www.school-clip-art.com/
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