Okay, I’m sure you have a lot better things to do besides trying to figure out which one is me in the picture. This is my 5th grade class at Wolf Lake School near Muskegon, Michigan. The year was 1956…you do the math.
Oh, I’m the second one from the right in the top row. By the time this picture was taken, I had firmly become a reluctant reader. Back then, there wasn’t the same emphasis on reading as we have now. Yet today, reluctant reader boys continue to be a significant problem.
My point is, it’s important, both in our homes and schools, to identify the reluctant reader as early as possible.
Even back then, I would read about things that interested me. The problem was, no book ever did. When it came time to do a book report, I’d read the first chapter, something from the middle, and the last chapter. Then I’d talk to my friends and ask leading questions about one or more characters. From there I could write a report that must have seemed like I’d read every page. Remember, kids can be clever.
As a child, I hated large blocks of type on a page. I always lost my place, and was easily distracted. Some books seemed to take for…EVER to get to the point. I really hated all those details.
So, those elements have been eliminated from my action-adventure and mystery books for boys. My books are fast-paced with lots of humor and dialog, and each chapter is short. I continue to hear from boys, and their parents, about how my books have made a breakthrough for the very first time. To me, that’s pretty exciting.
I just became aware of a site called Bookclubforboys that might also interest you. http://www.bookclub4boys.com/keepyourboyreading.htm There are ideas to help get boys reading. Maybe a book club for boys in your area or school would work.
If you have a reluctant reader, try my books. If you do, you’re likely in for a big surprise.
Author web site http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/
Nearly 50 pages of reviews http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Oh, I’m the second one from the right in the top row. By the time this picture was taken, I had firmly become a reluctant reader. Back then, there wasn’t the same emphasis on reading as we have now. Yet today, reluctant reader boys continue to be a significant problem.
My point is, it’s important, both in our homes and schools, to identify the reluctant reader as early as possible.
Even back then, I would read about things that interested me. The problem was, no book ever did. When it came time to do a book report, I’d read the first chapter, something from the middle, and the last chapter. Then I’d talk to my friends and ask leading questions about one or more characters. From there I could write a report that must have seemed like I’d read every page. Remember, kids can be clever.
As a child, I hated large blocks of type on a page. I always lost my place, and was easily distracted. Some books seemed to take for…EVER to get to the point. I really hated all those details.
So, those elements have been eliminated from my action-adventure and mystery books for boys. My books are fast-paced with lots of humor and dialog, and each chapter is short. I continue to hear from boys, and their parents, about how my books have made a breakthrough for the very first time. To me, that’s pretty exciting.
I just became aware of a site called Bookclubforboys that might also interest you. http://www.bookclub4boys.com/keepyourboyreading.htm There are ideas to help get boys reading. Maybe a book club for boys in your area or school would work.
If you have a reluctant reader, try my books. If you do, you’re likely in for a big surprise.
Author web site http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/
Nearly 50 pages of reviews http://maxbookreviews.blogspot.com/
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1 comment:
Great stuff! Keep up the good work. Marlene Pearson
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