How to get boy past "diary of a wimpy kid" into more substantial books?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We seem to have topped out here. Reading was progressing nicely- until the "transitional readers" stage, i.e. longer books w/ fewer illustrations, such as magic tree house, humphrey hamster, literally dozens of similar-stage books. I know this is a critical juncture for readers - moving onto longer, more meaty books. How can we help? Or is this where it ends? He is not competitive so I am not sure book-reading competitions would work. TIA

we'd been trying for almost a year to no avail yet this past Fri he brought home a really big book 'The Story of Neptune' or some sort by Rick Riordan which many suggested on here. he told me he's reading another book in the same series assigned by his teacher in class.

i'm sure he'll still read the wimpy kid books but what i'm trying to say is it'll happen just give it time. g/l.

[Anonymous]

Check out this website. It is specifically focused on books that would appeal to boys. He has a series of books out called Guys Read Mysteries, action ect. They are mostly short pieces done by popular authors. If he finds he likes any specific author, go look for those books.

http://www.guysread.com/

Also read a few more challenging books like Treasure Island with your son. The key is to keep them engaged in the idea of a story as they work through the difficulty building reading skill.

[Anonymous]

You might also want to try Choose Your Own Adventure books or something like that to start reading together. That way it starts the reading process. Each time you make a new "choice" you switch readers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the great suggestions here! We have always read together--longer, more advanced literature of course- and now I think i will try requesting that he read from his book for 30 mins or so before i read to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check out this website. ...

http://www.guysread.com/

looks like a great website. thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd bring DS to the library and get him engaged in finding books with your assistance. You may get a better idea of wbat appeals to him. I agree re the nonfiction suggestion - some kids are just not fiction readers. Also think about his interests. My DS is not interested in fantasy either which eliminates many of the popular series, but he likes sports and humor. Books he liked include Dan Gutman's sports books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/Superfudge/etc., Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Johanna Hurwitz books like Class Clown. He also likes mysteries like Capitol Mysteries and, as dated as they are, the Hardy Boys mysteries.

+ 1

Spend an hour or two browsing together at a library or a bookstore with a knowledgable staff, then check out a few things together and have a "family read" for an hour....

[Anonymous]

My 8 year old DS likes the Warriors series by Erin Hunter.

[ThatSmileyFaceGuy]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd bring DS to the library and get him engaged in finding books with your assistance. You may get a better idea of wbat appeals to him. I agree re the nonfiction suggestion - some kids are just not fiction readers. Also think about his interests. My DS is not interested in fantasy either which eliminates many of the popular series, but he likes sports and humor. Books he liked include Dan Gutman's sports books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/Superfudge/etc., Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Johanna Hurwitz books like Class Clown. He also likes mysteries like Capitol Mysteries and, as dated as they are, the Hardy Boys mysteries.

+ 1

Spend an hour or two browsing together at a library or a bookstore with a knowledgable staff, then check out a few things together and have a "family read" for an hour....

Another vote for taking him to the library or bookstore and let him browse as much as he wants

[Anonymous]

Perhaps he isn't reading as well as you think? Your kid is pretty young yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8 year old DS likes the Warriors series by Erin Hunter.

My son is 9 and started reading those last year. He also just finished the first one in the new dog-centric series, Searchers (?).

There are dozens of titles under that author. some of the books are even the comic book style, might be a good start, and focus on other animals.

[Anonymous]

This was my son about a year ago as well (same age) - until he discovered the book series by Tom Angleberger -- The Strange Case of Origami Yoda -- is the first one. He proceeded to pick up all kinds of books after that, including a few Harry Potter books. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Yup. I read my 8 year old books. He reads on his own too. But reading gets him engaged in more complex books than he would read on his own. He's a big reader though so have not had an issue getting him to move beyond younger kid chapter books.

Did find some series books that were beyond the usual sets but still had kid themes: thinking William Steig chapter books, Kate d Camillo, Tomi diPaola's 256 Fairmount Avenue books.

[Anonymous]

OP, heed the words of 22:20 + 9:59.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the great suggestions here! We have always read together--longer, more advanced literature of course- and now I think i will try requesting that he read from his book for 30 mins or so before i read to him.

Personally I think it's really not a good idea to make it into a chore or task. The goal is to keep finding stuff that makes him want to read, and if it's graphic novels for a couple of years, while you read him more complex stuff that is just fine (one my kids favorite series at that age was the lunchlady series, and the old scrooge mcduck comics).

[Anonymous]

I think Harry Potter is too advanced as the "next step" from Wimpy Kid. My son's next step from Wimpy Kid was 39 Clues. He loves the books-eats them up!-possibly more than Wimpy Kids. And series books are great because it isn't as challenging for them to get into each book as the characters and context are similar for each one.