I think the key is to find things he likes and try to find books in that area.

One of ours went through a phase where they didn’t like to read. We discovered they just didn’t care for the genres they were focusing on in school. W

When we found topics that they were interested in their leisure reading picked back up. Our elementary school librarian reminded us that there are some wonderful picture books that people often ignore once they think their kids are more advanced readers and they were missing out.

1) try different books. Non-fiction, graphic novels, any of the early chapter books at the library. If magic tree house doesn’t hook your kid, try something else. My kids both liked the dragon masters series. Find books that appeal to his interests.

2) read to your kid. Read longer picture books. Read the early chapter books. Encourage him to read a page out loud and switch off with him. When he wants to read ahead in chapter books, let him.

OP I don't have tips but can empathize. I loved reading when I was younger and it was always a default to reach for a book or bring one so I wouldn't be bored.

2nd grade DS has always loved when I read to him. He loves going to the library. He is excited to look at new books. But will he actually sit and focus and make a bunch of progress through a book? Very rarely. Sometimes we find a series that's a hit (usually graphic novels) but it fades after a couple books.

Appreciate this thread and all the tips!

Anonymous wrote:Non-fiction was the hook for many boys I know.

I have one of those boys!

Also, I think it helps to model it. Use it as an excuse to carve out time during the evening to turn off screens, find a comfortable seat, and read a book for pleasure.

The advice to read aloud as a family is good, and to try graphic novels, too. Also, be sure you are modeling reading yourself.

The other thing is to keep books in several places in the house. Go to the library or used book store and get books of different types. Get non-fiction books at his reading level. They may be filed with the adult non-fiction books, or in a separate children’s section. There are so many engaging books for kids on so many topics. Look up favorite sports or books about Legos or animals. Try the Guinness Book of World Records or Ripley’s Believe It or Not books. Look for joke books or Garfield books.

There are also many quality picture books that can be read by kids his age that are fiction. Try picture books by Dav Pilkey or Mark Teague.

Get a couple of plastic dishtubs or nice baskets and fill them with books in different rooms in the house. Keep books in the car and don’t allow electronic devices in the car.

On weekend days that aren’t busy I’d have a family reading block of thirty minutes.

It’s okay to bribe kids to read while you are trying to build this habit. It’s okay for kids to read easier books for pleasure. I’d rather read a magazine than a technical manual in my free time.

The library also has kid magazines that you can check out. Think about getting a magazine subscription like Nat Geo Kids as a holiday gift.

Listen to books on tape while building with Legos or in the car.

Read aloud the first book of a series to build interest to get kids to read the next one. If you read aloud funny books, like Wayside School or Pippi Longstocking, the child associates reading with fun and laughter.

Give kids a book gift certificate as a gift at holiday times and make them choose a book with it.

Keep reading with kids and make it positive. Have books everywhere.

I think you have to make it fun. Which means he gets to pick what he likes, even if it has pictures. My kids love graphic novels, and when my oldest was in 3rd grade he read every single Wings of Fire (graphic, chapter, AND audiobooks) and every Calvin & Hobbes and Foxtrot collection repeatedly. Two years later he devours YA and some (appropriate and easier) adult sci fi and fantasy novels.

I have a second grade girl like this. Last year she had one series she loved and since then nothing lives up. We do all the things like library. She does read in school because she finishes things early per the teacher. But at home she will do anything other than read. She builds a lot of things like homes for animals with magnatiles and legos and draws and writes a lot. Her grades are good, but I keep hearing about other kids reading so much. I was a reader at that age. I don’t want her to fall behind. She’s also not a great speller so I wonder if that’s because she doesn’t read enough.

We are trying establishing the habit of reading in bed even if it’s just 5 minute. I’ve been inching bedtime earlier so she has more time before she’s tired. We also try for at least one family reading session every weekend where we talk about what we are reading.

Anyway. Solidarity and hoping for more ideas from this thread.

Read to him every night, if you don’t already. Expose him to really good book that way, ones that are above his reading level.

Make him read 30 min per day. Non negotiable. He can pick the book- no graphic novels. Graphic novels can be read outside of this time window, if he chooses.

My son was/is like this as well. He is a teenager and I still read to him every night. But I had him read 30 min daily through 6th grade. Around then, I signed him up for online literature classes and some writing classes that got him reading, writing, and talking about a lot of different novels. Unfortunately public middle schools falls short here- so don’t expect much quality reading to happen at school or to be assigned. Reading frequently is tied to success in all subjects, but especially writing.

He scores very high in testing and is doing great. While he still doesn’t read for pleasure- he loves to be read to and does plenty of reading in various AP classes now.

Our kids are older but we used to take them to local library every week and borrowed books to read. I know it’s not cool but try that. And do it like it’s an important part of their life.

Different books. If he wants to read comic books, let him for now until he develops his interests. Some comics are pretty sophisticated...my kids love calvin and hobbes!
I am very lucky that my school employs older teachers with classroom libraries that the kids can browse during enrichment time. Of course the books my second grader has finally enjoyed have all been out of print!
My fifth grader only enjoyed Roald Dahl in 3rd and 4th. Now he is reading some classic fantasy novels that I brought home.
Your kid will be ok! Only allow books for entertainment before bed and he will read something.

Graphic novels are a good crutch. Try the Wings of Fire series.

Make the library a fun place to visit. Go to programs. Emphasize book choice.

Find illustrated non-fiction books or even instruction manuals for science kits.

Trust your mom a bit.

Non-fiction was the hook for many boys I know.

Is it just reading aloud? Or all reading?

Have you tried audiobooks in the car?

Mine went to bed 30 minutes early to read. He does other things and chooses not to read when bored. I can’t make him read but he goes to bed and can read for 30 minutes or go to bed.

I know I shouldn't worry about this as much as I do, but this issue bugs me. I have a DS who is a 3rd grader. He can read. I've heard him read out loud and he can do so with little to no hesitation. He just hates doing it.

He is one of those boys who needs to move all the time. He sits still and concentrates in class. He follows directions and is well behaved in class and in other scenerios such as sports practices. We've talked to his teachers over the years and none of them think he needs testing for ADHD because he can be still and concetrate when required to do so. He does well in school, though he prefers math to reading.

I think this might be a "me" issue rather than a "him" issue but I can't help but feel like he is falling behind or I'm failing him because he refuses to read books that don't have pictures. He refuses to even try. They are reading a "Magic Treehouse" in class and he says he doesn't like it but I haven't heard fromt he teacher he is having any type of trouble reading or comprehending it.

Did any of you have a boy like this mine? How did he end up doing in school? I see that many of his buddies are reading Harry Potter and other books like that and I can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong.

My mom (a former elementary school teacher) tells me that he is just fine and that he is just "all boy" and I need to meet him where he is. I just wish I could encourage him to read.