blog : Getting Books in the Hands of Kids

09/30/2010

Much has been written about the powerful impact of student choice in reading. When students are given the opportunity to choose what they will read, they will more likely read. This is particularly important for our reluctant readers. Oftentimes these readers have difficulty connecting with text because they see the reading of literature as an arduous task. Consequently, they see reading as an arduous task, rather than enjoyable.

How do we make reading more enjoyable and engaging?

We need to provide books that will peak interest in all readers, including the reluctant ones. Reading success and ability is directly correlated to how students read recreationally. The bottom line is the more students read, the better at reading they become.

Why aren’t kids reading?

By the time many readers reach middle school and high school, they equate reading with ridicule and failure. Many of these reluctant readers view reading as something that is done at school, not for enjoyment. One solution to this problem is to encourage students to read a wide variety of books.

Here are some tips about books that appeal to reluctant readers:

1. Appealing covers and larger print.
2. The format is visually appealing. The artwork and illustrations are realistic, interesting and are diverse.
3. The text is written clearly without long confusing sentences and sophisticated language.
4. Strong literary quality.
5. The opening of the novel is exciting and draws in the reader.
6. The characters are realistic and the reader can relate to them.
7. The plot should be interesting and appealing to young adult readers. Plot is also developed through dialogue rather than long narrative descriptions.
8. Choose literature that explores the lives of other teenagers.
9. Humor is present.
10. There is one point of view and the books is often written from the first person point of view.

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