An Author's Tips for Hooking Reluctant Readers by Bruce Hale
A while back, I was shopping in the
book section of Costco, a tempting place for a book-lover. While
browsing the latest thrillers, I overheard this exchange between a
middle-school girl and her mother.
Girl: "But why can't I read The Da Vinci Code?" Mom: "It's a grown-up
book, honey. Here, take this one." Girl: "The Hobbit? I don't want to
read that; it's a little kid's book." Mom: "We want you to read The
Hobbit."
At that point, I felt like stepping in and saying, "Excuse me, ma'am,
I'm an author. Step away from The Hobbit. Let the girl read what she
likes."
The truth is, it's hard enough to get some kids to put their nose in a
book. No need to complicate matters by trying to make them read
something they don't like.
Educators, parents and authors all want to keep reluctant readers
reading. But those readers can be finickier than a roomful of felines
at a cat food taste test. Maybe they know what they like; maybe they
only know what they don't like.
I believe that all it takes to create a reader is the right book.
Finding that tale is the trick.
So how do you pick books that will hook reluctant readers? Each child
is different, with very particular tastes. Nevertheless, here are some
key elements that engage child readers, along with some suggested
titles:
HUMOR Whether you hate or love Captain Underpants, you can't deny that
his humor captures readers - especially boys. Kids love to laugh, and
if you can put funny books in their hands, they'll keep gobbling 'em up.
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka
Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe The Chet
Gecko Mysteries by Bruce Hale Mr. Chickee's Funny Money by Christopher
Paul Curtis
SYMPATHETIC CHARACTERS, ACCESSIBLE WRITING Whatever genre the story
falls into, it must have a main character that the reader claims as a
friend. And just as important, the tale must be told in concise,
vigorous writing. Reluctant readers don't have the patience to slog
through lengthy or convoluted prose.
Amber Brown by Paula Danziger Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
The Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver Superfudge by
Judy Blume
FANTASY Kids love books that take a compelling "what if" (what if a
treehouse was a time machine? what if a boy went to wizard school?) and
spin out a story. Alternate worlds, magical happenings,
extraterrestrials - all of these can capture the unmotivated reader's
imagination.
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne Harry Potter by J.K.
Rowling The Bartimeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud My Teacher Is an Alien
by Bruce Coville Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
ACTION With so much competition from movies, TV and videogames, books
must move if they want to entice. Slow-paced stories are fine for more
experienced readers, but reluctant readers need books that hit the
ground running.
Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer The Redwall
books by Brian Jacques Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli Hatchet by Gary
Paulsen
THE PROMISE THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN This is why we all read, to see
what happens next in the story. A book that builds suspense early on
and maintains it will keep kids reading.
Animorphs by K.A. Applegate Holes by Louis Sachar Matt Christopher
Sports Series by Matt Christopher Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
SERIES Series are training-wheel books. They provide familiar
characters in a familiar world that's easier to lose yourself in with
each new title. Series books build literacy skills and create new
readers.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Judy Moody by Megan
McDonald Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan The
Magic Schoolbus series by Joanna Cole
STRONG VISUALS Graphic novels, manga, and comic books, with their
strong visual content, will hook plenty of reluctant readers -
especially boys and ESL readers. These books can serve as a
stepping-stone to longer fiction.
Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai Bone by Jeff Smith Groo the Wanderer by
Sergio Aragones Babymouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
SEEING THEMSELVES Some reluctant readers don't want fantasy; they want
the real world. If we take the time to give them books with
multicultural characters they can identify with, those readers will
respond.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan Bucking the Sarge by Christopher
Paul Curtis Who Am I Without Him? Sharon Flake (YA)
Some say that it's not good to give kids certain kinds of books, that
it's not wise to let them read comic books or escapist literature.
Personally, I'm happy if kids read almost anything - magazines, video
game instructions, cereal boxes, or the writing on the wall - as long
as they're reading.
First we have to show them that reading can be fun. Only after that
goal is accomplished can we offer them more challenging books that will
open up their minds.
If we want to have a literate nation in the future, reaching reluctant
readers now is our first task. (After that, we can focus on playing
"book police" at Costco. Just kidding.)
About the Author
Bruce Hale is the author of over 20 books for kids, including the Edgar-nominated series, The Chet Gecko Mysteries, and the forthcoming graphic novel/fiction series, Underwhere. He speaks at schools, conferences, and businesses across North America. You can find Bruce on the Web at: http://www.brucehale.com.