mamafox Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 My 13 year old son hates to read!!!! I'm trying to get some books that will really hold his interest and make him laugh. I feel like I have failed him because I have not "forced" him to read but I think the time has come. He has been a classic "Better Late Than Early" so far and I'm hoping that if I give him some good books he will see that reading can be fun. I would love any suggestions!!!!! Thanks! Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferLynn Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 When I was in jr. high, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card was a favorite of boys that otherwise didn't really like to read. I finally read it as an adult and loved it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 So far my 12yo has most enjoyed books that come alive for him or really get him to think: -My Side Of The Mountain we ended with a camping trip after learning survival skills throughout. -The Giver and anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix are just weird. -Looking for Marco Polo took us on a walk through Venice. -Treasure Island had us at the ocean every day up on the rocks. -any of the -ology style books because it's bitesized information. -fantasy fiction. Talking animals, strange worlds, all that. The ones he has not liked much are the straight up historical fiction that have great writing but not very relevant to his life (usually the Sonlight picks). He endures them, but doesn't love them. He did read the Three Musketeers on his own and did like that, but not so much for things like A Single Shard or The Bronze Bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 My older boys liked the Maximum Ride series and there are like 4-5 books in the series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinD Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 If magic doesn't offend you then the Xanth series by Piers Anthony (I believe the first one is A Spell For Chameleon). Otherwise, how about Farley Mowatt's books? My brother especially loved The Dog Who Wouldn't Be at that age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Not great literature, but the Percy Jackson books had my son on the edge of his seat. He is addicted to them, in a good way. He actually was tracking on their website when the next one would be released. For better quality he liked Graveyard Boy a lot, and LOVED Ender's Game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 My 13 year old son hates to read!!!! I'm trying to get some books that will really hold his interest and make him laugh. I feel like I have failed him because I have not "forced" him to read but I think the time has come. He has been a classic "Better Late Than Early" so far and I'm hoping that if I give him some good books he will see that reading can be fun. I would love any suggestions!!!!! Thanks! Debbie Artemis Fowl series? Ranger's Apprentice is a great boy series Lightning Thief series is humorous Just found this site, might be helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Does he read well but just not like it? In other words, does he read at a seventh grade level? What are his interests? What does he like to do with his free time? What is he doing during times of the day that he might otherwise be expected to be reading? I have a son the same age as yours who reads like crazy, so we have a LOT of boy-type books in the house. If you could tell me a little more about your son, I'll ask my son to brainstorm some ideas for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I get good ideas from Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook. I figure if a book moves fast enough for a good read aloud, then it will also be good for silent reading. (Oh, and if you are not familiar with Jim Trelease, his book is not just for little kid reading.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 My boy is much younger than yours so I don't really have any of my own personal advice to give ;). I would however recommend reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. Check if your library carries it. It is a great resource for figuring out how to approach children and how to help them become readers based on their own interests. I hope this helps you somehow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Alex Rider? Maximum Ride? Horrible Histories? What's he into and what level does he read at? Might he like nonfiction more than fiction? I could suggest a lot of things, but more information please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nscribe Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I wonder why he hates it. Does he say what it is about reading that he hates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Not great literature, but the Percy Jackson books had my son on the edge of his seat. He is addicted to them, in a good way. He actually was tracking on their website when the next one would be released. For better quality he liked Graveyard Boy a lot, and LOVED Ender's Game. These were two series that my ds actually read. He struggled for years in ps, and is still not an enthusiastic reader. He also loved The Giver. I think I'll be handing him Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series next. Also, don't forget to try non-fiction. Biographies etc. Ds likes these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 How about The Mysterious Benedict Society? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kile529 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I'm in the same boat with ds (8). I ordered him Boys Life magazine - which is put out by the boy scouts. I'm also planning on ordering Sports Illustrated Kids soon as well. I came across this website not long ago: http://www.gettingboystoread.com It's got some really neat ideas specifically for boys. My oldest ds is a big reader....he likes 39 Clues and is currently on book one of Left Behind series (adult version). I hope this helps some! I'll be reading all the posts too b/c I need help for my other ds! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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