Getting Boys to Read

As I was looking over my formal reading data (my district uses SRI and DIBELS), I noticed that of my 24 students, the majority of the students reading below grade level were boys.  This lead me to find the article Me Read? No Way! A practical guide to improving boys' literacy skills.  This 61 page document was full of facts, figures and ideas on how to improve literacy for boys (and girls).  I found the following list about how to select books for boys very helpful as I was evaluating my library on it's "boy-friendliness" (is that a word?!).

Boys like to read:

• books that reflect their image of themselves – what they aspire to be and to do;

• books that make them laugh and that appeal to their sense of mischief;

• fiction, but preferably fiction that focuses on action more than on emotions;

• books in series, such as the Harry Potter series, which seem to provide boys with a sense of comfort and familiarity;

• science fiction or fantasy (many boys are passionate about these genres);

• newspapers, magazines, comic books, baseball cards, and instruction

manuals – materials that are often not available in the classroom.

Interestingly, when they read these materials, many boys do not consider themselves to be reading at all, precisely because these materials are not valued at school.

Some of the books that my kiddos love that fit the above criteria are:

These books by Andy Griffiths are absolutely HILARIOUS!  I read one section for a read aloud and had tears running down my face as I was reading.  All of the books in the Just... series are great for your reluctant boys that like short stories and enjoy gross, funny stories.

                            

While not as disgusting or hilarious as Andy Griffiths' books, my boys (and girls) go crazy for Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  These books are pretty easy to read, include some cartoons, and talk about the angst of being a pre-teen boy. 

 I had an all-male literature circle just complete this book and they were so excited to get their hands on the follow up book, The Scorch Trials.  This book meets the science fiction criteria and had its fair share of gore, mystery and suspense. 

Once my boys read the first book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, they were quickly hooked!  Most students flew through the series and were super-excited to get their hands on The Lost Heroes of Olympus, which was just released in October. 

  If you haven't picked up a comic recently, may I suggest starting with the Simpsons.  They are pretty funny and have a pretty good storyline (much like the television shows).  At times the words ass or hell might appear, but I'm fairly certain most students hear worse on the school bus.  I do my best to black out the "offensive" words, but at times they slip by me.  My students know that the author used the words for a purpose and they are not to use them in our classroom.

  While I haven't read this series, I know I have a small group of boys that are huge followers of Jeff King's series.  Again this is a graphic novel format, and most boys really enjoy this genre. 

If you really want to hook a reluctant boy reader, lend them one of the titles listed above.  Just be prepared to get more copies, as the word spreads about the texts!

(Moloney, 2002)