Reluctant Readers discussion

Hello!
I'm currently researching 'how to get reluctant readers reading' for my next blog. I've been a member of this forum for some time and would love to see more discussion on this topic. I'll start the ball rolling - I really hope you'll join in.

How to get reluctant readers reading:
- The trick is to pick something that they are interested in - comics, non-fiction, graphic novels, horses etc.
- Books need to match their reading age and be appropriate for their actual age.
- Read to them.
- Make reading fun (not a task).
- Lead by example.
- Illustrated books / pictures interrupting the text are less intimidating.
- Start with short stories, myths and legends, joke books, comics etc with instant rewards and build up.
- Humour is often a strong draw.

Can you suggest anything else? Please feel free to disagree with me! (I really want to understand this issue).

There seems to be very different views on whether reading lists are helpful or not. What do you think?

I hope to hear from you.
Many thanks
Kim
http://electrikinc.wordpress.com/about/

I grew up as a reluctant reader and my adventures & mysteries are intended to help others who may struggle with reading today. http://booksandboys.blogspot.com

Thank you to the people who have contacted me by email.It's much appreciated!
I've now started putting information on how to get reluctant readers reading on my author page. You'll find two guest blogs on the subject by teachers. All very interesting!
Kim
http://kimdonovanauthor.wordpress.com/

I'm pleased to see more and more people are paying attention to the issue of ' reluctant readers'. I'm a professional author, and two of my books were written for this group. There are some more 'technical' things that can help, which haven't been covered by your other comments.

It's well known that boys make up the majority of reluctant readers, and that they often prefer to read non-fiction. This is a neglected side of publishing for children, but if you make an effort to explore it, you'll find that there are specialist publishing companies and authors who write books that are designed to help these struggling readers.

What makes these books different from any other book that is written to engage children? Well, for a start reluctant readers are often reading at a level that is below what is expected for their age. This means that the books they CAN read, they don't want too, as they are too 'babyish'. So, books for reluctant readers will have a 'reading age' of say, 8 years, but an interest level of say 14 years (this is the group I write for). This means they stay engaged with the text, but without getting stalled by language that is so challenging, they discard the book. This is quite a challenge for the author, as it means making the books read in a more adult way in terms of tension, plot, character etc, but using simple language in a manner that is not patronising, or too obviously 'simple'

Secondly, there are a range of other techniques I use to ensure the reader stays with he book. It's about walking a fine line between challenging them enough so their vocabulary grows, but not overwhelming them. Choosing each word carefully, so that more difficult words can be 'sounded out' easily is one of the things I do, or using short sentences.

These books, as they are aimed at children in their early teens, or even later, are ideal, as it's impossible to tell from the front cover that the book has simpler language inside. The topic is age appropriate, and, for specific ranges, designed to appeal to boys. For books of this type, try looking at the specialist publisher Barrington Stoke (whose books are printed in a typeface and on a colour of paper that is also designed to help dyslexic readers): www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/alexandra-p... and my own e-book imprint for reluctant readers: http://moriartypress.blogspot.co.uk/
Alexandra Pratt
www.alexandra-pratt.com

I just found an interesting YouTube video on choosing books for reluctant readers. It's from TV Ontario. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu5nt...

I just read Heather's post and I watched the same youtube from Ontario. Great input from the panel. I agree with the comments above. It is imperative that reluctant readers be seen as two groups. One, for whom reading is a challenge and one group that includes the dis-interested reader. Many of the youth I work with will say they don't see themselves in the books - they can't relate to the characters. So they may be readers and still not pick up a book.

Covers that grab teens, and books that keep them engaged from page one on, are great for the reluctant readers. I just finished my third book for ORCA publishers in Victoria, BC and I am happy to say they are a publisher who truly 'gets' the reluctant reader. Check out their books in both the Currents and Soundings Series. I know so many students who say these are the first books they ever picked up and finished. If we can turn them on to reading, we are one step closer to making them life-long readers!

http://www.orcabook.com/client/client...

These high-interest, low reading level novels deliver a lot of story. They remind me of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books I devoured as a kid: nonstop action that really keeps you turning the pages, but with a very contemporary feel.

The teen characters usually figure out how to fix things independently, without help from their parents, just like Nancy and Joe. But they're grappling with the same complex contemporary issues many of their readers face. That makes the characters authentic and relatable.

I like Orca's offerings for reluctant readers. There's nothing condescending about them, and they're definitely not a junk-food read. :)

I agree, Heather!