Get your boys to read!

1. By Tim Brennan, Northwood High School Get your boys to read!

2. PBS Home Video (introduction): Raising Cain: Exploring the Inner Lives of America’s Boys hosted by Michael Thompson, Ph.D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI5L_3r0WLk . Video warm up

3. “It’s critical not only in the sense that Language Arts is a core component of the curriculum for elementary school children, but also in the sense that every area of the curriculum starting in elementary school depends on fluent reading.” (www.childrenof thecode.org and Evidence Based Education Science and the Challenge of Learning to Read)- Dr. Grover (Russ) Whitehurst TESTING-poor readers can’t even figure out what is being asked of them! Take a moment…why?

4. Some background From ‘reading at risk: A survey of literary reading in america’ (2002)….

5. Between 1992 and 2002 the number of boys reading plummetted from 59% to 43% There is a 16 point reading differential in reading scores when compared to girls “Curriculum may in fact be contributing to the problem…Boys prefer adventure tales, war, sports and historical non-fiction” “The evidence is accumulating that by the time they go on to high school, boys have lost their interest in reading.” “Girls read; boys don’t.” Key points from ‘reading at risk’

6. More challenges from “Reading don’t fix no chevys” by michael smith • Boys read less than girls • Boys don’t comprehend narrative as well as girls • Boys take longer to learn to read • Boys are less likely to talk about or respond to reading • Boys resist reading stories about girls (2%)

7. On the plus side (michael smith)… • Boys like to read about hobbies, sports • Boys are more inclined to read magazines and newspapers • Boys are more inclined to read comic books and graphic novels • Boys also love CHOICE

8. alSo…Add more and leave these around! • Multiple copies-gaming, boarding, bikes, cars… • Some in cafeteria

9. Add graphic novels… • Boys love them and they are GREAT for grabbing reluctant readers and improving circulation • Starting/expanding-this text gives great reasons why they should be used: vocabulary, reluctant readers, BOYS, multiple intelligences, and circulation…

10. According to rick lowell “One media specialist was grilled by her supervisor as to why she allocated 20% of her budget for graphic novels. As a result, she ran the circulation reports and it turned out that everysingle graphic novel had gone out 8 times this year. That’s almost once per month on everything. If everybook was checked out once per month, every month, circulation would be through the roof.” (page 93-italics provided)

11. Non-fiction: Biographies and group bios: Wu-Tang Clan, Eminem, Tupak, Biggie Smalls…

12. Never say “Reading is cool” They like action, humor, adventure, almost anything disgusting, sports and non-fiction Give them LOTS of choice, which we will do by using graphic novels, magazines and newspapers plus novels.. Now come the novels-some oldies but goodies Groups of authors & subjects Fresh meat Points to remember in getting guys to read…

13. First-some oldies but goodies!

14. Staying fat for sarah burns by chriscrutcher • One of the most poignant and moving YA books of all time • ‘Mobe’ • Weight, swimming, best friend Sarah has horribly scarred face from a cooking spill • Mean spirited father • High drama and mind-blowing revelations cause a crescendo of plot that will not be forgotten

15. Hatchet by garypaulsen • A must have! • ‘Brian’s Winter’ is BEST of the sequels

16. The last book in the universe by rodmanphilbrick • Terrible title & weak cover • Evocative family epic about a lonely boy risking his life to visit his younger sister • Drugs, gangs and a different kind of hero

17. Trino’s choice by Diane gonzalesbertrand • Caught in cycle of poverty • Pressure from friends and need for protection

18. Redwall by brianjacques • A little younger, but still very popular • Great action, characters • Many good sequels!

19. Smackby melvin burgess • Starts out normal enough-parents have issues, too many rules and restrictions.. • Boys often laugh off the idea of addiction • Gripping first hand account of how a normal person becomes a heroine addict.

20. Son of the mob by Gordon Korman • VERY funny main character • Anything ‘Soprano-like” is a HIT • Perfectly absurd plot..

21. Candyby kevin brooks • Girl on the cover!!! • …the girl is a hooker • ..and is addicted to heroin • Again, in this context, the romance is very acceptable and the slow realization of the depth of trouble is very believable

22. Now, some great series & authors…

23. Joey pigza series by jack gantos • VERY funny • Lots of action, adventure and disgusting behavior

24. Will hobbs Adventure, danger and survival-a modern day ‘To Build A Fire’ Ultimate journey/saga leaving NYC for Alaska and tons of GOLD! *Jack London Cameo* Modern day reform school-forestry camp Gripping journey for survival from Mexico to the US

25. Dan gutman Also use Gutman’s many ‘Million Dollar’ titles (Kick, Goal, Putt, etc…)

26. Anthony horowitz- alex rider

27. James patterson’sMaximum ride series

28. Heatby mike lupica • Incredible voice, laced with great humor • Great baseball action • Great family story • There’s even a GIRL • Others: ‘Summer Ball’, ‘Travel Team’, ‘The Big Field’ plus the ‘Comeback Kid’ series for YOUNGER crowd

29. Now for some fresh meat…

30. Repossessedby A.M. jenkins • Perfectly executed fantasy about a ‘fallen angel’ • We feel his wonder and awe and appreciation to the Creator when he gets human sight and senses • Soon decides to check out physical sensations

31. Autobiography of my dead brother by walter dean myers • Achingly vivid story in words and pictures • Powerful images by Myers’ son • Two best friends (blood brothers) who are ripped apart by street violence

32. Skullduggery pleasant by dereklandy • Compelling and original • Unique character • Manages to be very creepy AND very funny • Sequels to come!

33. Gym candy by carldeucker • Powerfully written • Great characters • Feel the allure of steriods and physical success on the field…

34. EPICby Conorkostick • Ultimate teen boy fantasy* • Future America-all of society decided by the game ‘Epic’ • Game is controlled by the government (council) • Sequel ‘Saga’ already out

35. Little Brother by corydoctorow • Kids outsmart the adults • Supreme hackers tale • Revenge on the intelligence agency

36. Alabama moon • Great action/adventure • Great main character • Reminds me of ‘Holes’ • Evil sheriff, kindly attorney, and plenty of misfit buddies to round out the cast

37. The absolutely true diary of a part-time indianby shermanalexie • Wickedly funny • Me against the world • Fantastic illustrations sprinkled throughout give it a Vonnegutesque feel

38. Ralph Lauren Shirt--------------- --------Kmart t-shirt Ergonomic Backpack (with cell phone)---------- -----Sears blue jeans (2 pairs for $19.99) Timex watch------------- -----No watch ----Glad garbage book bag Tommy Hilfiger Khakis--------- -----Canvas tennis shoes (purchased in aisle 7 of Safeway supermarket) Latest Air Jordons--------

39. Mason by thomaspendleton • Intense horror tale-not for faint of heart • Brothers-highly intelligent/mentally handicapped • Cruelty, drug dealing and revenge

40. Bonus books!

41. http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com/- has excellent listings of SAFE graphic novels and core collections listed http://www.teenreads.com written mostly by teens themselves with updates and entries every month http://www.nypl.org/teenlink- use “Books for the Teen Age” Some websites I like…

42. Quick review on video… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9e-XKoEiP8&feature=related