The document discusses strategies for engaging boys in reading. It notes that boys tend to prefer visual texts, nonfiction, comics/graphic novels, and genres like action and humor. Boys often view reading as less fun than other activities and value visual elements and quick plots. The document provides tips for selecting texts that appeal to boys' interests, such as fast-paced stories with relatable characters, visual elements, and series they can collect. It also recommends websites with books appealing to boys.

1. Boys and Books Bringing the two together October, 2007 Christian Denise

2. What are you reading? Circle only three starred references in each category. If you check “other”, please tell what reading material you are think of. Add other type of reading material if you think of them and they are not on the list.

3. Survey Results What did you learn about yourself or your own reading selections? How can you relate this to how or what you teach in the classroom? How does this impact the boys in your classroom?

4. True or False? Boys around the world read more for information and less for enjoyment then girls. Girls tend to comprehend narrative text and many expository texts better than boys because they are more verbal.

5. True or False? Boys increasingly consider themselves to be “nonreaders” as they get older; very few designate themselves as such early in their schooling, but nearly 50% make that designation in high school.

6. True or False? Boys like to collect things and so get more interested in collecting series books also give them a “known quantity”…once they’ve finished one book in the series, they are familiar with the next books and feel confident about reading them.

7. True or False? Boys require more teacher time in coed settings. Boys are slower to develop fine motor skills needed in writing and other literacy skills.

8. True or False? Boys are twice as likely to have a learning disability than girls and receive Ritalin 4-8 more times than girls. Boys are less likely to go to college and less likely to graduate; 133 women get college degrees for every 100 men that graduate.

9. True or False? The male brain is better at storing single-sentence information (even trivia) than the female brain. The male brain holds a visual advantage in working with lists.

10. Research Says… Boys value reading as an activity less than girls do; boys of an average age of 14 listed their top obstacles to reading: Boring/no fun 39% No time/too busy 29.8% Like other activities better 11.1% Can’t get into the stories 7.7% I’m not good at it 4.3% Source: YA Library Services Association in 2001

11. Girls…. prefer character driven stories and can be more verbal. are more inductive in their reasoning. prefer stories that revolve around relationships. have more flexibility in their thinking. depend more on visuals and words.

12. Boys… prefer stories about things they might be “doing.” are more deductive in their reasoning. prefer the genres of nonfiction, graphic novels, escapism and humor. tend to be more concrete in their thinking, reading and friendships. depend more on visuals for learning new things.

13. Once Upon a Motorcycle Dude The following read-aloud is an excellent example of the differences between male and female students and their thinking process and preferences.

14. What Boys Like Fast plot, “clear-cut” characters, a well-defined problem and a satisfying conclusions A “Quick Hook” Conflict Quick Resolutions Characters they can relate to Things that are visually appealing

15. What Boys Like Text that is EASY to visualize. Combination of pictures and words to tell a story. Edgy subject matter. Text that is similar to other texts they have read. (series) Puns, word games and everyday language.

16. Boys and Nonfiction Research shows boys are drawn towards nonfiction text. However, providing quality nonfiction text is key. “ Ten Tests for Nonfiction” adapted from Eyeopeners: How to Choose and Use Children’s Books about Real People, Places and Things by Beverly Korbin, Penguin, 1988, pages 59-64

17. Website Resources http://www.guysread.com http://www.storylineonline.net http://www.booksforboys.com http://www.davpilkey.com http://www.dangutman.com http://www.rickriodan.com http://www.lemonysnicket.com http://www.planetesme.com

18. Comics and Graphic Novels Comics: a story told with words and pictures, usually part of a series. Graphic Novels: a story told in comics format and packaged like a novel, generally standing alone and not needing a series of support.

19. Comics and Graphic Novels Benefit… Students who have trouble visualizing as they read. Reluctant or unmotivated readers. Visually dependent readers.

20. Why do readers like comics and graphic novels? Humor Everyday language tempered with puns, word games, etc. Characters they can relate to Reading for FUN, not “studying” Visually appealing Kids OWN comics, with little validation from educators

21. Questions and Browsing

22. Questions and Browsing