Getting Children Reading Again

(#1 in a Series)

You might say I’ve become something of an expert in understanding why many children don’t enjoy reading. Ten years ago, I began a research project into why I hadn’t enjoyed reading, even into my adult life. But I became an expert long before my research because I grew up hating to read. In my family of seven children, I was the only struggling, reluctant reader, but in a large family, it was easy to hide it and others not to notice. Ironically, my father wrote over seventy books during his lifetime, and I never read any of them growing up.

I was more interested in doing things, not just reading about them. I noticed that if someone told me how to do something or showed me once or twice, I could do it. But if you gave me an instruction book or technical manual, I was lost. My problems with reading were many. I’m easily distracted, even today, so noise made it hard for me to concentrate. Imagine that in a house of six brothers and sisters, two parents, and a dog!

My dad headed a Christian film production studio. This was a perfect place for a kid like me to hang around and watch. I was attracted to visual communication rather than the printed page. Are there others in your family or circle of friends who face the same problem?

Research

Let’s get back to my research into children’s books. Over a few weeks, I visited bookstores and the library to look through hundreds of books written for children. Here’s what I found:

• Many books were printed on dull-looking, brownish paper.
• Most of the books were obviously written primarily to attract girls as readers.
• Books had large blocks of words, making it easy to get lost on a page.
• There were too many details, in my opinion.
• The same was true for many descriptions.
• Most books didn’t grab and hold my attention on the first page.
• Boys’ books tended to have dark or evil characters, plots, and settings.

I wanted books that were fast moving, exciting, with lots of humor and shorter paragraphs and sentences. If they could be funny, too, it would be even better.

I paid particular attention to some of the national award-winning books. These seemed more adult, and some of the vocabulary did too.

Reading Enjoyment

I realize that I’m talking to homeschooling families here, and I know many personally. These families pride themselves in raising readers who are years above grade level. Their children readily read college prep material. But I believe it’s important to read for pure pleasure and enjoyment, not simply to put another notch on the reading chart.

We’ll talk about that more in the following article. Obviously, parents know their children better than anyone else knows them. Still, years ago, the adventure and mystery started kids down the road to reading for pleasure and entertainment. Serious reading material came later. As a result, the last generation produced more readers than the present. We have to change that quickly because our children’s success in life depends on it.

Check back on Homeschooling Today’s website as I talk more about children and reading. [A new article from Max E. Anderson every two weeks. —Ed.]

by Max Elliot Anderson

Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling reader. After surveying the market, he sensed the need for action adventures and mysteries for readers 8–13, especially boys. Using his extensive experience in production of dramatic motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings that same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. Each book has different characters, setting, and plot. Seven books are published, with an additional twenty-nine manuscripts completed. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like actually being in an exciting movie.

Books for Boys Blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com

Author Web Site:  http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/index_1.html

YouTube Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100#p/u