My teen used to adore reading before she got a phone. She used to devour books like candy. After phone use went up, reading went way down, and the only thing that worked to increase the reading was setting severe restrictions on screen time

We found books that became TV series or movies and told our DC ‘if we read the books then we can watch the shows/movies’. My kids LOVE tv and we only let them watch on weekends so they were excited. Examples : Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events, Ender’s Game, Roald Dahl movies, Hunger Games, The Hobbit and now that they are in late HS, Game of Thrones. Good Luck !

My teen DD loves romance/romantasy. My teen DS is particularly drawn to graphic novels, and there are a lot aimed at teens these days. When I was a teen, I loved Stephen King. Just a few ideas to try. Also could try having non-book reading material around the house. My DS likes to Atlantic and New Yorker.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not an essential life skill. I have not read a book for pleasure since elementary school. Maybe middle school. I have college degrees and a career.

Yes, but it will help immensely with the ACT and SAT.

DP - I also have a kid who also stopped reading books for pleasure in middle school. He did quite well on the ACT. He's just graduated college and working. It's one of my hobbies but not his. And that's okay

That's wonderful, but speaking generally.. before you get to the age of actively prepping for the SAT around 10th grade, the only thing you can really do to improve your ability to succeed on the exam is read. A lot. Take with that what you will.

My 8th grade boy took a while to find his reading niche because everyone assumes that all kids like sci-fi or dystopian stuff. Even the YA books are pretty bland compared to what we read in 8th grade back in the day (Clan of the Cavebear or Go Ask Alice, anyone?). Eventually a few more in-tune teachers suggested books that hit him more (like Kitchen Confidential) and he started to read more nonfiction related to his interests. Then he discovered some fiction genres better suited to him.

We have always had certain screen-free times and places (meals, bedroom) and I think that also kept him reading for a few years prior to now even though he would just reread Diary of a Wimpy Kid most days.

Modeling is also important. I recently started reading a lot more myself and he will often come sit next to me to read with me.