Encouraging a reader to read different things?

[Mkrop]

Ok teachers and parents:

DS9 has been reading since he was 3, he has a real gift and can read anything, very bright, has a fabulous grasp of facts. Here is my issue if he had his choice he would read nothing but sports all the time, the sports page, SIKids, fiction sports books(Matt Christopher) and nonfiction books about teams or biographies about sports figures. Sports, Sports and More Sports

I love that he loves to read but I would like him to expand his horizions just a little. I planned on doing this with the suggested summer reading list that came home from school and have him alternate between sports and these.

Now when I mentioned this to a friend of mine, she said that I should just be happy he reads anything and let him choose. Now her one son struggles with reading a lot, so I know she is thrilled when he does chose to read or she can get him to read something without a fight. And since she has 2 close in age she has the same rule for both, they can read whatever they want.

I worked wiht my son's class in library this year and suggested some books that he did not pick himself like Charlie and the Choclate Factory and he really enjoyed them esp since he had just seen the movie. But when I didnt another sports book came home.

So should I stick with my plan and have him alternate between reading sports and something else or just let him read what he chooses?

 

[ksumn1]

I think you should continue to encourage him to read things other than sports books. As he gets older, he will be required for school to read things he probably would have never picked on his own. If he can learn now to enjoy or tolerate other types of books, it will make it easier for him in school. Like you said he may find other series or types or books he likes along the way.

I love to read...anything at all. So I never had a problem with any reading assignments in school, beacuse I thought it wasn't really work having to read since I loved it so much. I would let him pick what he wants most of the time but maybe for every 4 he chooses, you get to choose one also. This way he has a good fun reading to mom reading ratio in place My DD 8 loves to read and DD 4 loves to be read to (she can't read yet) and I am so glad. I really feel thet reading is such an important part of school from grade school through college that an enjoyment of reading really make it sooo much easier.

 

[Tikicampers]

I think it's a good idea to have him alternate between sports and other kinds of books. If he were struggling, I'd say to just let him read what he wants to get experience, but since you say he's a good reader, I'd try to get some different topics in there.

 

[bookgirl]

As a former teacher and now a librarian I second alternating his reading. Kids read one subject or series and then when it runs out they lose interest in reading. Help them broaden their horizens, but I would say one new book to two of his favorites to start out then work your way to one on one switch. Good luck.

PS check with your librarian they should have a computer feature called Novelist k-8. This can help kids find books with similarities. If he likes books with sports, boys, and dogs. It will find you other books with keywords alike then you just eliminate the sports keyword and find books with other keywords he likes.

 

[barbmouse]

I would suggest other books that are also movies since he loved Charlie. Some that we have read and enjoyed are Holes, Eragon, Hoot, and Stormbreaker. Have him read the book and then rent the movie. All of these books are excellent!!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Same trouble here with my 8 year old. He can read anything, but it is usually fantasy. He has read Eragon, the first three Harry Potters (that's as far as I will let him go), all the Narnia books, and much more!

I am making him read other things this summer. He actually got into a George Washington biography. He also liked Escaping the Giant Wave, about a boy on vacation when there is a tsunami.

I say stick with your plan! Our library trip today was two fantasy, one realistic, and a fiction book with pirates, not sure the name but it is a Hoosier Book Award so I figured it should be okay.

My son also enjoyed Holes and Hoot. We'll have to try Stormbreaker.

 

[Kat77]

My DS9 (will be 10 next week!) LOVES to read. I also suggest strong fantasy based books for kids this age.

The series Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters and and Titans Curse by Rick Riordan is wonderful! The books are greek mythology based and so much fun. I even reread Homer because of the series. I know way too many halfbloods- more than any mere mortal ever should!

Also suggested (for strong young readers):
Neverending Story by Michael Ende
Artemis Fowl series by Eion Colfer

My son loved Narnia as a preschooler but always insisted we change the childrens names to his self and siblings. We have four children

 

[perdidochas]

Ok teachers and parents:

DS9 has been reading since he was 3, he has a real gift and can read anything, very bright, has a fabulous grasp of facts. Here is my issue if he had his choice he would read nothing but sports all the time, the sports page, SIKids, fiction sports books(Matt Christopher) and nonfiction books about teams or biographies about sports figures. Sports, Sports and More Sports

I love that he loves to read but I would like him to expand his horizions just a little. I planned on doing this with the suggested summer reading list that came home from school and have him alternate between sports and these.

Now when I mentioned this to a friend of mine, she said that I should just be happy he reads anything and let him choose. Now her one son struggles with reading a lot, so I know she is thrilled when he does chose to read or she can get him to read something without a fight. And since she has 2 close in age she has the same rule for both, they can read whatever they want.

I worked wiht my son's class in library this year and suggested some books that he did not pick himself like Charlie and the Choclate Factory and he really enjoyed them esp since he had just seen the movie. But when I didnt another sports book came home.

So should I stick with my plan and have him alternate between reading sports and something else or just let him read what he chooses?

IMHO, alternate.

 

[barbmouse]

Just thought of another great book!!

A Dog's Life by Ann Martin is great especially for animal lovers. It is sad a times but a great read.

I agree with a pp Escaping the Giant Wave is awesome!!

My dks have both read all of the Unfortunate Events books and loved them too.

Keep the ideas coming! This is a great thread!!

 

[wiggles02]

As a Children's Librarian, one of my most challenging jobs is recommending books to boys. Some that I have had success with are:

The Lightning Thief byRick Riordan
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Landry News by Andrew Clement
Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Children of the Lamp -The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr

As I always tell parents, you are responsible for what your children read. If you are concerned about content, read the book yourself first.

Happy Reading!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi,
Everyone has great suggestions so far, but I had one more I would like to add. As both a teacher and the parent of an 8 year old who loves to read mysteries, one series at a time, I would like to suggest reading some of those alternate choices with your son. I know he is a great reader, so is my son, but it is my experience that kids love to be read to long after they become good readers. This way, he can still have his sports books, and you can broaden his repertoire while spending some quality time together. My son loves this. We try to do this after my 4 year old has gone to bed for maximum peace and less jealousy.

 

[Mkrop]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I am going to take your lists to the library. I pulled his summer reading list, he is going inot 4th grade

Required Reading:

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverely Cleary (which he read in 1st grade, oh well)
Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume (I thought if he likes this I could get him Freckle Juice)

Suggested Reading (this list stinks, I just looked up most on Amazon and a lot look girlish)
Matt Christopher Books (no problem there)
Roald Dahl books (I think I will get him to read James and the Giant Peach)
The Cricket in Times Square by George Sleden

I had him read the first Narnia book when I started this "mom picks one' thing so I may continue there.

I also want to get him a book on Egypt and King Tut since the inlaws are taking him to see the King Tut exhibit later in the month!

 

[Keara'sMom]

My dd loved Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing--as well as all of the related books. My dd10's favorite book is The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (she wrote Dragon Rider as well, another favorite). It's not, by any stretch of the imagination, a girly book!

On a side note, my dd was an early reader as well and has always been a very strong reader, but she doesn't really read much, aside from just before bed! I'm trying to encourage her to read more and am brainstorming ways to do so... If you have suggestions, I'm open!

I do agree with the other posters to encourage variety, and it sounds like you're doing just that by having you pick a book and then having him pick one. That's a great strategy!

 

[cheapi86]

I was an early reader and always a strong reader. I read so much when I would get in trouble as a kid, my parents would restrict my free reading!

I honestly think you should just let him read what he wants to read (as long as it's age appropriate). If this is his free reading, then it should be something he enjoys. When I go to the library with the kids I nanny for (I'm a college student), I see so many parents force their children/trying to persuade their children to pick out certain books. The kids get so frustrated and honestly it just not fun!

Maybe you all could read a book together (like a family book club)? But other than that I would let him read all the sports stuff he can find.

Everyone goes through reading fads. When I was about 8 I became obsessed with The Babysitters Club series and read everyone that was out. Then I became obsessed with books about the Amish (of all things!) and so on.

Just like everything else, he will grow out of it.

 

[Mkrop]

My dd loved Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing--as well as all of the related books. My dd10's favorite book is The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (she wrote Dragon Rider as well, another favorite). It's not, by any stretch of the imagination, a girly book!

On a side note, my dd was an early reader as well and has always been a very strong reader, but she doesn't really read much, aside from just before bed! I'm trying to encourage her to read more and am brainstorming ways to do so... If you have suggestions, I'm open!

I do agree with the other posters to encourage variety, and it sounds like you're doing just that by having you pick a book and then having him pick one. That's a great strategy!

Can you sign up for any reading incentive programs at the library or book store? Or you could create your own, print out a calendar page and for X amount of books she reads she gets a Book Dollar or even just tickets (buy some at Staples) (or Disney Dollar!) and at the end of the summer she can "cash" them in for something cool.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree with cheapi86. It is Summer. Let him read what he wants as long as he is reading. Now I think it is fine to ENCOURAGE him to read other things and you have gotten some good suggestions here in doing that.

My favorite idea is one that I STILL do with my now 15 year old and that is to read together. He too was a early and strong reader reading the 1st Harry potter book in 1st grade. I had always read to him since day one and contined long after he read well on his own. After the 1st harry Potter book he was hooked but I was a little concerned as the following books got more scary and marture. I suggested we read the 2nd one together and now it is a tradition. He has now gone back and read them all on his own but we ALWAYS read the new book the first time together. We have even done the midnight run for the new one and stayed up all night reading. WE are so excited about the new release this month.
So.... Try to interest him in something you like and read together.

Good luck

MsSandra

 

[grlpwrd]

I also think it's good to let him read what he wants to read within reason, of course. My 3 older dd's are the same way.

Yes, we read together, too. Now I just try to read my selections to them for story time because I want them to broaden their horizons. I am reading H.G. Wells to them now.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I have always let my son read what he liked. I found that though he could read harder books, the content was above he maturity level. Now at age 11 he reads alot of historical fiction, has read the Hachet books and anything he can find by its author. Since my son is guided in the books he reads at school and giving many differant kinds of books to read - I let him pick when he is not in school.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I am going to take your lists to the library. I pulled his summer reading list, he is going inot 4th grade

Required Reading:

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverely Cleary (which he read in 1st grade, oh well)
Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume (I thought if he likes this I could get him Freckle Juice)

Suggested Reading (this list stinks, I just looked up most on Amazon and a lot look girlish)
Matt Christopher Books (no problem there)
Roald Dahl books (I think I will get him to read James and the Giant Peach)
The Cricket in Times Square by George Sleden

I had him read the first Narnia book when I started this "mom picks one' thing so I may continue there.

I also want to get him a book on Egypt and King Tut since the inlaws are taking him to see the King Tut exhibit later in the month!

If he likes the Fourth Grade Nothing book, there are 3 more "Fudge" books that follow! Even if he doesn't want to read them, they are a hoot to listen to on road trips, or family reading. I was reading them with a younger guy, too, so I skipped a couple of parts, re. Santa.

 

[Kat77]

Suggested Reading (this list stinks, I just looked up most on Amazon and a lot look girlish)

By all means, gently let the teachers know this and offer up some suggestions. Many teachers are young females.

Roald Dahl books (I think I will get him to read James and the Giant Peach)

Ooh, Dahl is so much fun to read together! Try Georges Marvelous Medicine it is a short book and darn hilarious.