Studies during the last few years have shown a general alarm over boys struggling with reading. Headlines have called it “The Boy Crisis” and stating “we’ve sort of shifted our gaze away from boys for the last several decades”, calling boys “Reluctant Readers”.
Here is an idea to try – for parents to help their boys overcome obstacles to reading: Boys Book Clubs. A book club just for boys but that are energy oriented with activities and games that relate to boy books.
So how is a ‘Boys Book Club’ different to a regular book club?”. Boy Book Clubs embrace the action-oriented nature of boys and help them make connections with books through their interests. For example, if you are reading a book with sport related themes – have the boys play a basketball game- Then have a free throw contest to see who can make the most free throws. Once you’ve gotten some energy out, start your discussion of the book over pizza. If you need more ideas or examples check out
www.bookclub4boys.com – with free book club outlines that include incentive games to really motivate boys to read.
www.guysread.com is another great resource in finding books that boys read and authors that write just for boys. Boys don’t want to “get in touch with their feelings“, they are also turned off by female heroes. Authors who write for boys understand this and keep their stories packed with action and adventure while teaching them something on the sly.
The most important thing a parent can do to encourage their boy to read is provide books boys like and to stay positive about reading. Even if you have to begin reading the book to your son to get him hooked. The more he is exposed to books the more likely he’ll be to read a book. The more he reads the better reader he’ll be and if he knows a book club meeting is coming up – he’ll be that much more motivated to finish the book.
If you need help starting a book club, need some survival tips on hosting a boys book club meeting – or want to connect with other boys book clubs – check out Bookclub4boys.
Authors who write for boys: Dan Gutman, Gary Paulsen, Anthony Horowitz, Paul Jennings and Dav Pilkey. (what are your favourite authors for boys?)
About the author: Laura Blum is the mother of 4 boys who has tackled this very challenge. After hosting book clubs for her own boys for 4 years, she started a book club for boys website to share her Boy Book Club outlines and other helpful tips. She is proud to announce all of her boys are reading at grade level or higher!
{ 23 comments }
