Comments on: Do boys need more encouragement than girls?

By: Ian Newbold

Ian Newbold — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:59:24 +0000

Thanks for stopping by a reading our stuff, and for the links. Good luck with the republishing in 2010.

By: Ian Newbold

Ian Newbold — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:33:37 +0000

Thanks for that link Caroline, and I agree, books that engage are a must regardless of what you hope someone may achieve by reading them.

By: Caroline Lennox (Learning Parade)

Caroline Lennox (Learning Parade) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:36:47 +0000

I think you need to find books that interest the individual, then the challenging read is worth it! High interest level = motivation to read more difficult material.

Ian, I also found this report on the influence of gender on children’s reading that may be of interest to you:
http://www.standards.dcsf.co.uk/research/themes/English/reading/children'sreading

By: Max Elliot Anderson

Max Elliot Anderson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:21:58 +0000

It’s so important to draw attention to reading, and attract reluctant readers to it,especially boys. In fact, I’ve recently completed a feature magazine article on this subject that came out in October, “Help for Struggling, Reluctant Readers.”

I grew up as a reluctant reader, in spite of the fact that my father published over 70 books. Now I write action-adventures & mysteries, especially for tween boys, that avid boy readers and girls enjoy just as much.

My blog, Books for Boys http://booksandboys.blogspot.com is dedicated to drawing attention to the importance of reading. And my new book, Lost Island Smugglers – first in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series – is coming out in June. Contracts are also signed for Captain Jack’s Treasure and River Rampage.

Keep up your good work.

Max Elliot Anderson
PS. My first 7 books are going to be republished by Comfort Publishing later in 2010

By: Ian Newbold

Ian Newbold — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:10:34 +0000

I can only really speak from my own educational experience, I just like reading what I like, but I must say if I found something a challenge it had to very, very engaging.

But from you experience do you think it is better to push those boys, or better to allow them to read ‘within themselves’?

By: Caroline Lennox (Learning Parade)

Caroline Lennox (Learning Parade) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:53:50 +0000

I think that this was a very interesting article! It reflects what I witness all the time in the classroom – often the majority of boys are happy to stay in their comfort zone, perhaps they enjoy feeling as though they are successful readers, rather than being knocked back by a more challenging read?