Do any of you moms out there have a child(ren) who absolutely HATES to read?? I do. And I worry!
I've never been much of an avid reader, myself. But I read the Twilight series, no problem! (Couldn't put those books down to save my life!)
I have a 10 yr/old boy that just will NOT pick UP a book to save his life. It's as if he thinks books are some kind of a poisonous serpent that he cannot touch. I've read to him his whole life, and he loves being read to. He just refuses to read on his OWN.
After reading Twilight with no problem, I've been thinking that just maybe if my son had some books that were just as captivating to boys his age as Twilight was for me... Just maybe he would enjoy reading on his own??
Please!! I need suggestions, ideas, anything!! Please leave a comment if you can help!!
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My boys aren't his age so I can't give you advice as to what they like but I can tell you that I loved the Artemis Fowl series of books by Eoin Colfer. Boy genius and a fairy world (a rather cool one actually) and some good adventures. I was going to say there are 6 books in the series, but the 7th has just come out (I have got to get me that one!!!) The author also has other books that I have enjoyed and I think it's safe to say that the books are geared towards boys. Hope that helps. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI would try the 39 clues. I have read all of them and I think boy/girls at 10 and older would like them. They are filled with danger and suspense. The two main characters are 14 year old girl and her 11 year old brother. Also you could try comic's as a short read.
ReplyDeleteMy boy is the same age and has the same hatred for reading. It's a fine balance between encouraging him to read and forcing him (which I would like to do sometimes!). He actually found a series of books that he likes, and he's read every single one of them. They are the Alex Rider series. (Skeleton Key,etc.). While he still doesn't love to read, he is reading these, and he no longer hates it. I really think the trick is just encouraging him to find a book or series that he enjoys. I see no harm in making it a part of your daily schedule to just sit down and read. I tell my kids 10 minutes, but once they start reading, they don't worry about the time at all. It's worth a try! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy son will be 10 soon Angela and he doesn't care for reading either. He doesn't hate it but doesn't love it. So far he has NOT liked most of the books the other commenters have mentioned. 39 Clues was too detailed for him. He gets lost in the details and doesn't have the best comprehension. He LOVES Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I got those for him when he turned 9 and it was the best gift ever. Those books are what got him excited about reading. If you want to you can borrow one to see if you will like them. Also try nonfiction that he is interested in. My son loves to read about nonfiction subjects that he likes.
ReplyDeleteMy son is 9. He really loved the Percy Jackson series.
ReplyDelete39 clues, Percy Jackson, Fablehaven. I think one thing that helps my kids, is if they see my husband and I reading them. than we can talk with them. It becomes a game of who has the book we are all trying to read. We have heard Charlie Bones series are good, my son also read the Eragon and the Peter and the Starcatcher series. They are big book series and I would wait to see how he likes the other series. My kids also love the warriors series.
ReplyDeleteSomething that we did with my kids when they fought us a little on reading was we paid them one penny for every page they read. I now have two kids who read non stop, in the car, wherever. The leave reading.
"Summer of the Monkey's" is such a great classic book. I read it this summer and thought that any little boy would probably love to read about Jay Berry and his monkey hunt. :) The moral message is beautiful too. I love books that teach. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat works for me & my 8 year old son is WE pick books that he can relate to. Then I let him stay up with me after his siblings have gone to bed & we read together for 1/2 hour. We take turns, I read a page then he reads a page to me, stopping for questions like "what does ....mean".
ReplyDeleteAnother thing is that we pick books that there are movies about. They don't have to be the BIG books either, they make smaller book versions of movies that are already out. We read the book together, then make a big deal over watching the movie together (w/treats) either at the theater or the DVD. Then talk about how the book was different from the movie, what we each liked and disliked, and what we each wished they had put in the movie and didn't.
I find that when you make it about the time you spend alone with just the two of you (or their Dad)rather than the reading it makes him the one excited about it. With any luck he will find the love of the story along the way and want to read on his own.
The "How to Train your Dragon" books along with the "Whimpy Kid" books really hold my son's attention.
ReplyDeleteMy 10yrold reads at a much higher level but it's the story of these that just right for him.
Hi. I have a 10 year old who for the first time, read A TON this summer. It will just happen. Don't stress. My guy doesn't like a lot of words so we discovered something new, ask your librarian about GRAPHIC NOVELS. They are like comic books but so much more. We go to all the local libraries looking for them and they have them in all themes. Just got some Indiana Jones and Star Wars ones. Good luck. Let me know what you think. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to my Dad about this when we were home and he told me he wished he would have made it more of a priority. He suggested giving them 1 penny for each page they read. But I do think boys are harder to get motivated to read than girls are. Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteTanner is not a reader either, but when he finds a good book, he will read it no problem. He loved the Diary of the Wimpy kids books, Gregor the Overlander series, Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, and I am going to let him read the Hunger Games this year. If they have a good enough book that they enjoy, they will learn to love reading!
ReplyDeleteWow ladies! A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have [and will] comment on this post!! I'm SO glad I posted this, and asked you gals for help. I appreciate ALL of your various answers and ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe have 2 of the Wimpy Kid books and my boys HAVE enjoyed them. I guess I better go get the rest of them. I will also try some of the others that you all have suggested. Great ideas and insight!!
Thank you AGAIN! I really appreciate all of your input!! {hugs to all} :o)
Can't recommend the Gregor the Overlander series enough, such a great series my kids have read them TWICE through! Rangers Apprentice series, Levin Thumps, yes on Fablehaven, Airborn series, The Last Apprentice. I will keep thinking...but, another idea is to get him a magazine subscription that he is interested in. It is important to get him to enjoy reading, and there is no need to make it a big battle over novel reading, especially if you are reading to him out loud. Make it fun. I also make my kids earn their computer/video game time with reading and that is extremely motivating to my 11 yo boy! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI just finished teaching 5th grade. We read all of the books mentioned above. The class favorites: Percy Jackson series, Candy Shop War (by Brandon Maul), Ranger's Apprentice and Hunger Games. (Not very many kids liked Gregor- the first book, but they LOVED Hunger Games by the same author). Of course I did "force" them to read a few classics. One of their favorite books of choice is definitely Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I would always only read the first book in a series and the kids that really enjoyed it would read the rest of the series. These would be my choices for reluctant readers.
ReplyDeleteDiary of a whimpy kid is an absolute hit with my son. Also The Great Brain series. I have always read to my son and at first he didn't want to read on his own but if you think like a silly nine or ten year old boy and what they would think was fun there are some good books that will get them reading try Pond scum by Alen Silberg, Sir Fartsalot hunts the Booger by Keven Bolger, The mouse and the motorcycle series by Beverly Cleary, the Fudge series by Judy Blume and Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman. These were the books that got my son from not wanting to read unless read to, to Mom can I just have five more minutes to finish this chapter!!! Hope this helps =)
ReplyDeleteI have an 11 year old that loves reading and a nine year old that hates it. ONe thing that has worked really well for us is audio books. He reads along while listening to the book on cd - we get them at the local library.
ReplyDeletehere is a second shout out for graphic novels. this is what i've used w/ my son!
ReplyDeleteI think I saw someone mention it, but short stories or comics to get him started. Also going to the library and have him find a book he is interested in. Also the books on cd to follow along and read with.
ReplyDeleteTry the books where they get to choose the ending. There's like 2 or 3 different ending they can choose from.
ReplyDeleteAlso the Lemony Snicket books are great for boys.. Whe my nephew was 10 they couldn't get him to read
so I bought him the first 3 for Christmas. Grandmom ended up having to buy all the other books cause he fell in love with them..
Another thing that might help is have a weekly book club meeting where everyone in the house is reading the same book and week you meet and talk about the book and what you like so far in the book...
Good luck and fingers crossed that you get him to love reading...
How about Hardy Boys (he might be just a bit young yet) but also try The Door in the Woods series...I've been reading to my kids that one, and my 7 year old is dying to keep going. Percy Jackson too!! Really though, let him pick a book he's interested in.
ReplyDeleteHere our school has an AR program where they earn points and once then get to the next step--usually 3-6 points they move...one year it was Olympic sports, once it was schools in Oregon, then when they get to the 21 points, they get a prize. Maybe try something like that?