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Post by PEAcan pie on Jul 22, 2018 18:07:55 GMT
so my son has always shunned reading. I tried everything, he just will not do it. He does not play video games so that is not what it stopping him. I believe it is adhd related.
Anyhow, on our vacation to Jamaica I met a lady from Africa who fled to Canada and she told us her life story and how reading is what got her through the hard times. She discussed with my 14 year old how important reading was etc.
So now he wants a book...Yay! But which one? I need something that will grab his attention and keep him interested. He loves to travel and loves culture.
Any suggestions? Thanks so much
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 22, 2018 18:11:09 GMT
I'd suggest the Rick Riordan books. I can ask my son his favorite of the series when he gets home.
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gorgeouskid
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jul 22, 2018 18:17:04 GMT
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jul 22, 2018 18:19:23 GMT
What about the Harry Potter books? Those are what got my very reluctant son to start reading.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Jul 22, 2018 18:21:18 GMT
I also second Rick Riordan. His Percy Jackson series has adventure, culture, action, etc.
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Post by lucyg on Jul 22, 2018 18:29:13 GMT
I just read a recently-published book for older kids called The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, by Leslie Connor. I thought it was lovely and charming and moving and had something to teach everyone. Really, a wonderful book for any age reader. Highly recommend.
And Harry Potter is totally addictive.
In a more adult vein: how about Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman? They are graphic novels, sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying, that tell the story of his parents' experiences during the Holocaust and his mother's subsequent suicide. So, not pretty, but real, and a good introduction to the Holocaust for teens. My kids read them in high school. You might want to read them, too, and discuss with him.
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Jul 22, 2018 18:34:32 GMT
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Post by redshoes on Jul 22, 2018 18:42:54 GMT
My daughter is an avid reader and Harry Potter seems to be her hands down favorite. I love books like Into Thin Air (Mt Everest climb/accident) by John Krakauer and Stiff, The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Perhaps he would like audio books instead of reading...
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Post by PEAcan pie on Jul 22, 2018 18:51:39 GMT
She was a wonderful lady and great influence on my son and myself. Thanks for all the suggestions...reading all the posts and going to the library to pick two of them. Thank you |
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Post by librarylady on Jul 22, 2018 19:22:32 GMT
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Post by librarylady on Jul 22, 2018 19:26:56 GMT
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 22, 2018 20:05:04 GMT
I was a reader as a child. My son is not, at least not fiction. You need to find out if nonfiction would work better for him. He may never be a reader, that’s okay too.
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SabrinaP
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 22, 2018 21:42:25 GMT
My 13 year old son is not much of a reader, but he really got into The Hunger Games. He read it and then we watched the movie. He has finished his required reading for his advanced Reading class and now needs to choose a new book and he chose to read Catching Fire.
I tried Harry Potter since they are my favorite, but since he’s seen all the movies he just wasn’t interested in reading them.
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PaperAngel
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Post by PaperAngel on Jul 22, 2018 21:57:44 GMT
I suggest allowing your teen to chose a book that interests him.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:42:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2018 21:58:43 GMT
I am going to suggest series that have already been suggested:
Percy Jackson series
Harry Potter
Hunger Games
Also...you might consider a trip to the book store and let him peruse the shelves. It would give him a sense of accomplishment if he gets to choose his own book.
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J u l e e
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Post by J u l e e on Jul 22, 2018 22:30:22 GMT
I was a reader as a child. My son is not, at least not fiction. You need to find out if nonfiction would work better for him. He may never be a reader, that’s okay too. We often forget nonfiction when we search for things to catch the interest of reluctant readers. My daughter has always been a reader, but she is a perfect example. She loves nonfiction and chooses it over fiction more times than not. She loves facts and research and I've learned so much from what she's read and shared with me. If he loves science or animals or music, see if he'd like to check out these things in the nonfiction section. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 22, 2018 22:51:27 GMT
My reluctant 13yo son will only read books written by sportsmen about sports. There are several cricket and football players who write fiction books about.... well..... cricket and football! He's probably about one year older than the age group they're written for, but hey, at least he's reading.
Whilst my son would love the Rick Riordan stories (I used to read Percy Jackson books to him years ago), he would not enjoy reading them himself.
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Jul 23, 2018 0:16:37 GMT
Hatchet by Gary Paulson.
A boy on his way to Alaska when the plane crashes and he survives with only a hatchet.
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Post by stampbooker on Jul 23, 2018 1:29:58 GMT
I was also going to suggest Hatchet. Breetheflea beat me to it! It is a fantastic book about a young boy about 15 years old (maybe younger) who after a plan crash is stranded in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his hatchet. It is one of my favorite books.
National Geographic actually contacted the author because they wanted to interview the boy. However, it is fiction! They thought it was a true story! It also has at least 2 sequels.
Julie
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gottapeanow
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Post by gottapeanow on Jul 23, 2018 1:51:03 GMT
To add to those already listed:
The Book Thief
Boy in the Striped Pajamas
To Kill a Mockingbird
Holes
Lisa
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Post by scrapmaven on Jul 23, 2018 2:04:00 GMT
Harry Potter has opened the literary door for many kids. I would buy book one and go from there.
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Post by hockeymom4 on Jul 23, 2018 2:14:42 GMT
My DD is also a reluctant reader..... how about the book of a movie he has seen....HP, Hunger Games, etc..... I found DD enjoyed the book more if she could picture the characters.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:42:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2018 2:26:55 GMT
My son was not a reader and hated most of the books listed
Except for holes.
Your son will get hatchet, to kill a mocking bird and the book thief and the boy in the striped pajamas in school. He will also get lied of the flies.
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Post by danalz on Jul 23, 2018 2:40:28 GMT
My son read Jurassic Park and lost world by Michael chrichton (sp?). He really enjoyed comparing and contrasting the movie and book.
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SabrinaP
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 23, 2018 3:15:48 GMT
Hatchet is so good! My son really loved reading it last summer.
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camcas
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Post by camcas on Jul 23, 2018 4:16:43 GMT
Urgum the Barbarian
The day my bum went Psycho......it’s a series as well!!
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Post by vjlau on Jul 23, 2018 4:46:24 GMT
My son is a reader, so this may not work...but...
I love spending time with him if we go to the bookstore together. We have a barnes and noble near by and it has a starbucks in it. We often head there together, grab a treat and then look through the books. It might be fun to approach it like that. But perhaps take a few suggestions from here in case he comes up empty.
Another fun thing we often do is read the book, and then watch the movie. Harry Potter is a good one for that. Hunger Games. Lightning Thief. Maze Runner. Wonder.
Make an event out of it. Or even get a second copy and read along together.
My son is 12 now, and much prefers video games to reading. We have "family reading time" every couple of days when we both read. We make popcorn or have a fun snack while we lounge.
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Post by lucyg on Jul 23, 2018 6:54:26 GMT
OMG, I forgot about Holes! That was a huge favorite here (with both the 9yo and me). We watched the movie afterward and that was fun, too. Had to get the DVD from Netflix because they don't have it to stream.
We are currently reading Percy Jackson and enjoying the series.
I've bookmarked this thread because there are so many great suggestions. Thanks, everyone.
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Jul 23, 2018 7:26:14 GMT
PEAcan pie Since you mentioned you were going to the library I thought I'd share what a teacher I knew once told me. Her son was a reluctant reader, she got him a ereader and found he really took to it. He could read what he wanted without comment from others and could alter the font to suit too. It also allowed him to check what new words meant. I would also consider audio books, especially since story telling through the centuries was mainly a shared audio experience.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jul 23, 2018 11:46:12 GMT
Thanks for posting this. My 13 year old doesn’t like reading. It’s a struggle. When he does have to read for school, he picks nonfiction usually.
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