Getting reluctant boys to read

Our son Joshua used to hate to read. Many boys are like him in that respect - they do not want to read, see no purpose in it, and see no reason to read. However, there is hope for parents with resistant or struggling readers.

According to Jeff Wilhlem, associate professor of English education at Boise State, boys need books that are "toolish." By this he means any book that connects to the boy's daily life, something the boy can read for a purpose, use immediately, argue about, talk about, or do something with.

Wilhelm suggests letting boys read pulp fiction, like comic books, or magazines or even formulaic novels, graphic novels, or video game guides. It is something, he notes, that boys will outgrow, but it helps them with developing skills until they are ready to move on.

So, where do you begin? Focus on what he loves. If it is sports, find a sports book. If it is bikes, find books about bikes, bicycling, anything that deals with bikes. Even Lance Armstrong's autobiography, "It's Not About the Bike." Feed his interest.

Try books about how a boy would love to be. Boys will read themselves into a book about a character who seems like them. The Harry Potter series has been popular with boys in part for this very reason - they can see themselves in the main character, who struggles as they do to make sense of the world as he makes his way in the world.

Humor is another winner with boys. We have noted this before from John Sciezska, author of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Even the silly poetry in Light in the Attic will hook some boys into reading because such books are fun. Whatever "non-traditional" book will get them to read, let them read. In sixth grade I would read only science-fiction, period. I eventually outgrew it, but I became a voracious reader because of sci-fi, not because of the books we were supposed to read in school.

The major message to parents is this: "Don't give up." Be patient, offer books that connect to your son's interest. If he finds himself engaged in a book, it will lead to more reading.

Duane Pitts is a retired English teacher now living in Moses Lake. He taught English for 42 years - eight years in Valdosta, Ga; two years in Colfax; and 32 years in Odessa. As a retiree, he serving as a facilitator by helping teachers and principals learn about the new state teacher-principal evaluation project.