Raising Boy Readers

by Michael Sullivan

Using stories and anecdotes to humanize the research presented, Raising Boy Readers conveys an understanding of the differences that are common among many boys and how these differences affect reading. It provides practical approaches to promote reading to boys, addressing physical differences, such as the different rates of early brain development between boys and girls; psychological issues, such as the outward focus of boys; and social issues, such as stress and confidence. It also looks at the effects of modern schooling and how these can be counterbalanced or supplemented at home. More than 300 boy-friendly books by age group are recommended, and commentary is provided for selected titles. By informing parents what is behind boys’ reading behaviors, the book helps build confidence and lower stress by also suggesting ways to help boys become lifelong readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Education, Professional Development, Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Michael Sullivan (Bachelors of Arts in History, Harvard College, 1989; Masters of Library Science, Simmons College, 1999) is the author of Connecting Boys With Books (American Library Association, 2003), The Fundamentals of Children’s Service (American Library Association, 2005), Escapade Johnson and Mayhem at Mount Moosilauke (PublishingWorks, 2006), Escapade Johnson and the Coffee Shop of the Living Dead (PublishingWorks, 2008), Escapade Johnson and the Witches of Belknap County (PublishingWorks, 2008), Connecting Boys With Books 2: Bridging the Reading Gap (American Library Association, December 2008), and The Sapphire Knight (PublishingWorks, January 2009). He has spoken widely on the topic of boys and reading, and is a former adjunct faculty member at Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Boston, MA. He has been a Children’s Librarian and Library Director in public libraries for more than twenty years, currently as the Director of the Weare Public Library in Weare, NH. He has written several articles for Public Libraries, including “Giving Them What They Want in Small Public Libraries” (May/June 2000) and “The Fragile Future of Public Libraries” (September/October 2003), as well as "Why Johnny Won't Read." for School Library Journal (August 2004). In 2005 he was profiled in Library Journal’s “Movers & Shakers” edition for his work in promoting reading to boys. He is a traveling storyteller and a chess instructor, and once worked at the Boston Museum of Science as part of its overnight “Camp-In” instructional program for children. His chess program at the Parlin Memorial Library in Everett, Massachusetts was honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award in the U.S. Conference of Mayors City Livability Award competition in 2001. He is a former President of the New Hampshire Library Association and was the 1998 New Hampshire Librarian of the Year.

Reviews

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This game-changer of a professional book quickly cuts to the chase: most boys need “to be allowed to read in volume at whatever level is comfortable for them while their brains develop at their own pace.” Sullivan’s cogent, thoughtful observations incorporate refreshing doses of real-world common sense, such as that “…for all that we teachers and librarians try to do, parents and families have so much more effect on developing readers.” While the author refers to boys generally, he’s careful to note that no boy (or girl) is typical, further, the tactics he recommends (e.g., read aloud to children) will work for both genders and that placing stress on a boy to read or overemphasizing reading often backfires. Instead, Sullivan recommends relaxing and modeling reading behaviors. And his advice to parents of good readers is, basically: leave them alone. The author is also eager to point out the importance of nonfiction to boys and is highly critical of America’s “test-and-punish” educational culture (created by governments keen to simply rack up so-called ‘improvements.” Those interested in this topic will also find food for thought in Amanda Ripley’s 2013 The Smartest Kids in the World. Indeed, a concise argument is made that “grade-level reading is a pointless and arbitrary standard and relies on the Brain Lag effect,” wherein boys’ brains develop later and thus they read about 1.5 years later than girls. In addition to five wonderful introductory chapters, Sullivan’s annotated book lists (e.g., Christian fiction, ghost stories, etc.) are priceless. VERDICT Amazingly readable, understandable, and direct advice. Anyone can get a lot from this, most of all teachers and librarians.

Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is similar to Boys and books Boys and books: Building a culture of reading around our boys, and I recommend both. Both discuss boys' attitudes to books, why you have to approach them differently to girls, why they are interested in different books than girls, and give lists of books with boy-appeal.

[Katelyn Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me so much peace about where we (my 8 year old boy and I) are on our journey to becoming great readers.

I highly recommend this book to any mom of boys, especially those moms teaching your boys to read (and even more so, if those boys are surrounded by girls the same age!).

Included is a wonderfully not overwhelming book list. I’ve already order several recommendations.

[Malachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

wish I knew about this book 15 years ago.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read on boys and reading!

[Trever · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed more like a thesis paper (or opinion paper) than a strategy or helping book. Yes students need to select their own books, but all students should be reading or attempting to read pre-k or in kindergarten.

Of course students start losing interest in around 3rd grade that's when teachers and administration start standardized testing. Then they are either made or coerced to teach out of some gigantic reading book. (P.S. All the stories besides a handful all suck.)

And not everyone can teach like Donalyn Miller if a new teacher tried doing something like how she runs her classroom and received lower test scores the administration would make her change to the old ways of teaching or force her out of her position.

Yes it is a cruel education world and not everyone is placed in a perfect environment where the administration helps instead of hinders teachers, but making small changes in the classroom is a reasonable goal.

While I am still on my soap box, girls don't need Danyelle Steele books when the feel romantic and Orange is the New Black when they are dealing with a bully, that doesn't happen. Or at least you have an awful school librarian (that acts like a school counselor.) and boys don't read about Ninja Cats to make sense of their life.

Reading list for boys was short and the second list was just the same list reorganized. For published in 2014 it didn't have a ton of books that I would recommend.

Real world headline: Boys and Girls ARE Different!!

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides excellent strategies for helping boys enjoy books and reading. It brings brain research into the discussion to show how on average boys read 11/2 years below girls of the same age. Boys also tend to learn differently from girls and generally prefer different genres than those used in the English classroom.
Booklists for K-12 are provided and some terrific ideas for boy bookclubs. Citations are provided at the end of each chapter for additional reading.

[Kate Alleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Included some great research about how boys' brains develop differently than girls and how that translates into their reading behaviors. Sullivan does have a bit of a beef with the education system, but explains how teaching for a test, rather than teaching critical thinking skills is detrimental to learning. There are some great recommendations at the back of the book by age level.

[Brooke B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting study on the learning habits of boys and girls. Great references for children of all ages to go and read as well. I just wish they had incorporated younger kids like pre-k and kindergarten reads as well.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book we have been looking for. It has great strategies, reinforces what many of us suspected and gives us some great surprising information. The list of books is terrific and is organized both by rough age range and by topic- i.e. sports. So, so helpful.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the lists in the back, provides for quick reader's advisory.

[Lee Farris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helped me think about reading from a different point of view.

[Katherine Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Youth Services public library assistant, my understanding of the challenges and needs of boy readers was really influenced by this book.