tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post3808713915470474110..comments2023-07-14T06:12:32.093-07:00Comments on Kirby's Lane: A Place for Readers and Writers: Boys Will Be Boys, But Will They Be Readers?Kirby Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-53673900001672581002009-09-13T18:31:56.594-07:002009-09-13T18:31:56.594-07:00Thanks to all for the interesting comments.
I fee...Thanks to all for the interesting comments.<br /><br />I feel like I've come to the party late, but I could add that I had more boys by far in my Title One reading program. These 9th and 10th graders were interested enough in reading when they had a story that appealed to them. Touching Spirit Bear was one of the top picks. All of Paulson's books were devoured. But, everything was different if the book was not loved. Love it or leave it. Eyes bugging out or eyes falling to sleep. That's how it seemed to play out. Paulson, more than any other author, had a style that appealed to the boys in my class. What can we do? How about a list of books that boys love so that they, their teachers, and their parents can help them find the right books. Beyond that: advertise the list!!!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984572932841489282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-81456188635355854532009-09-08T09:10:39.811-07:002009-09-08T09:10:39.811-07:00Thanks, everyone and David and Max please keep us ...Thanks, everyone and David and Max please keep us posted on what you two discover.Kirby Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-62849110842373860562009-09-08T04:56:00.041-07:002009-09-08T04:56:00.041-07:00I have Betsy Bird to thank for cluing me into this...I have Betsy Bird to thank for cluing me into this, and it's fabulous. More than fabulous, it's actually close to the topic I'm scheduled to give as part of my graduating residency at Vermont College in January! Specifically, I'm looking to address the very idea of what writers can do to make books more boy-friendly.<br /><br />Great stuff here!david elzeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16653215150526146224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-68839232694419275362009-08-27T13:16:26.780-07:002009-08-27T13:16:26.780-07:00Thanks, all, for joining the conversation. I know ...Thanks, all, for joining the conversation. I know this made me rethink what counts as reading, that's for sure, as I have tended to be a fiction snob.<br /><br />Thanks for all the genuine, lively and courteous discussion. Look at all we've explored sans shouting and firearms!Kirby Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-40876974622027504652009-08-27T08:40:09.015-07:002009-08-27T08:40:09.015-07:00This is a very interesting discussion, and what an...This is a very interesting discussion, and what an articulate panel! My daughter (8) and I were discussing a book yesterday that I thought would interest my son (6). I asked if that should be our next read-aloud. He said, "No, that's a girl book." It stopped me in my tracks, but I calmly said, "What makes it a girl book?" He said, "It's about a girl." So I said, "Is my book a girl book?" referring to my novel-in-progress, which he loves but which has a female protagonist. "No," he said, "in yours she's always doing something, so it's okay." (He LOVED Joni's, too, btw). I think boys are just more interested in reading about action and adventure and challenge rather than character and relationships and growth. A good book should have all of those things, and will, therefore, appeal to both girls and boys.<br /><br />I think another part of this discussion is what we consider reading. My husband doesn't read much fiction, yet he reads constantly: the newspaper, the Internet, geek tomes and other nonfiction. Some might label him a non-reader because of the lack of interest in most fiction, but I think that would be ridiculous. My son loves books (thank goodness), but he also spends a great deal of time decoding his trading cards, gaming handbooks, video game instructions, eBay listings of his favorite toys, etc. To my mind, it's all reading, and at his age, at least, I'm glad of it.<br /><br />Can't wait to read more of this thoughtful discussion. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-32111967766027930152009-08-27T08:17:19.317-07:002009-08-27T08:17:19.317-07:00Interesting discussion and one that is close to my...Interesting discussion and one that is close to my heart as an editor of books based on Dungeons & Dragons. Our audience is primarily boys--and we certainly do have a lot of readers. But that said, I think Jon makes a really good point: ("Graphic novels, science fiction, non-fiction, and humor should be seen as real reading.") <br /><br />One of the biggest problems I see is that society devalues the kinds of books that boys like to read, as Tyler said (HALO licensed books etc.) Reading research tells us that the more frequently kids read, the better and more sophisticated readers they will become. So who cares WHAT they are reading? But when your parents or your teachers or the librarian is telling you that the books you like to read aren't really books or are BAD books and you need to be reading award-winners or more "worthwhile" books, well, I can see why you'd just give up on it. There has been some progress made on that front, mostly with all the great teen and kids librarians out there, but I think there could be more done to change perceptions. Nowadays I think people have accepted that high action, adventurous series books (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson etc.) are "real reading" but there is still prejudice against licensed fiction.Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11594059497354958255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-76960708952037873972009-08-26T22:53:38.403-07:002009-08-26T22:53:38.403-07:00Fan freakin Tastic! I love this. Thanks so much, K...Fan freakin Tastic! I love this. Thanks so much, Kirby, for rounding up the troops on this. Good work!jesse joshua watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14441261515223503565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-67009722661639847152009-08-26T20:32:29.723-07:002009-08-26T20:32:29.723-07:00Great discussion!
I have two boys. Holden (age el...Great discussion!<br /> I have two boys. Holden (age eleven) has been an avid reader since he was five. His bed is covered in books all of the time. Some of his favorites include Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, The Chronicles of Narnia, and he's working on the Hobbit now. He did read my Little House books from my childhood collection and told me he liked Farmer Boy best. :) Liam (age nine) hasn't found many novels he likes. He told me he gets bored. He is more inclined to read comics and humor books though his reading skills are high. It's interesting to have two very different readers in my house. <br /><br />I think part of is based on their learning styles. Holden has always been fascinated with words, and Liam is more interested in art (like his dad).Michèle Griskeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712656798778223475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-6440272359294849792009-08-26T19:41:44.968-07:002009-08-26T19:41:44.968-07:00Thanks for the fascinating discussion and viewpoin...Thanks for the fascinating discussion and viewpoints. From my experience writing what is considered a "boys" fiction series, I know that boys DO read, and that they can be just as voracious in their reading and passionate about their favorite books as girls. Boys tell me that sometimes, they lose interest in reading if the story isn't fast-paced, full of action or humor, and well-illustrated (the visual elements of a book can really draw them in). <br /><br />I also write nonfiction books on topics such as extreme weather, inventions, science, and animals. And boys are among my biggest readers. The key, I think, to getting more boys to read is to give them lots of options, encourage through example, and always make reading fun!Trudi Trueithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10505633674651501284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-39459400471835789902009-08-26T18:51:32.033-07:002009-08-26T18:51:32.033-07:00great post, everyone. i was stunned by jon scieszk...great post, everyone. i was stunned by jon scieszka's report on the 60/40 graduation discrepancies between girls and boys, the greater numbers of boys in special ed and suicide statistics.<br /><br />how much has this changed since, say, 1980? before video games became the addictive creatures they are now? <br /><br />and i really think grand theft grandma mugging might be better as a graphic novel.i, chihuahuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06747514587542586267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-6262599809024781382009-08-26T17:33:28.190-07:002009-08-26T17:33:28.190-07:00Have you guys read EVERYTHING BAD IS GOOD FOR YOU?...Have you guys read EVERYTHING BAD IS GOOD FOR YOU? It talks about the addictive nature of games. To summarize: getting to the next level or what have you stimulates our pleasure centers. Good stories can be like this, and to Joni's point that action needs to be brisk, we writers need to deliver nuggets of satisfaction frequently enough that readers keep turning the pages. What are those nuggets? Goals achieved, unexpected connections made, impossible setbacks... there are probably many more, but that's what comes to me now.Martha Brockenbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00921299935406060841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-14818448598225053302009-08-26T17:21:23.614-07:002009-08-26T17:21:23.614-07:00Who, that is a lot of thinking. My head is spinnin...Who, that is a lot of thinking. My head is spinning, in a good way. Thank you, everyone!Jeannine Atkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10136763515106821320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-63587239766186008002009-08-26T15:06:06.520-07:002009-08-26T15:06:06.520-07:00Very interesting discussion. It was my father who ...Very interesting discussion. It was my father who was the reader in our house, not my mother. To this day, he reads books, as do my sister and I. <br />One thing I've wondered about is the books children must read in school. I love classics and think kids should have well-rounded educations, but if they are not excited about reading do we lose them as life-long readers? Perhaps, curriculum should allow for more contemporary, popular fare to entice them. Just a thought.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-52557739740887341832009-08-26T14:50:27.751-07:002009-08-26T14:50:27.751-07:00Great discussion Kirby. I'm lucky enough to al...Great discussion Kirby. I'm lucky enough to already have an autographed copy of Hattie Big Sky so I'm happy to be your SECOND commenter! <br /><br />I have two sons, ages 9 and 7. The first was such a a voracious reader (finished the Harry Potter series in second grade) that I was suprised to see my younger son much more reluctant to read.<br /><br />I'm still trying a variety of techniques to get him to enjoy reading, but we're taking it slow. I try to mix up the chapter books he says he wants to read, but doesn't have the focus to finish, with easier picture books that give him a sense of accomplishment. <br /><br />I still read aloud to both boys. The Westing Game was our favorite this summer so far and they're enjoying Fudge-o-mania right now. <br /><br />I've also given in to the pull of the video game based books - Bakugan and Pokemon. Interestingly, neither really held his interest despite the fact that he loves the games.<br /><br />I think we're lucky there are so many choices out there for boys and girls alike - so many different genres, topics, etc. - we're quite lucky today compared to the past. <br /><br />Back to revising my book... The main character is a 12 year old boy, but I hope it will appeal to boys and girls!Erika Parker Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06119196521678539041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-14086985523408644002009-08-26T14:00:50.465-07:002009-08-26T14:00:50.465-07:00Natalie! You win a book. Please email me your snai...Natalie! You win a book. Please email me your snail mail address.Kirby Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362445818834966589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901961103520079693.post-55325284319247566042009-08-26T13:09:43.076-07:002009-08-26T13:09:43.076-07:00Wow, great discussion! I think Ben makes a big poi...Wow, great discussion! I think Ben makes a big point about video games—very addicting. It's really easy for parents to put their energetic boys in front of the tube to get a few hour's peace. Books take more effort both from parent and child.<br /><br />Ultimately, I think parents play a big role for kids reading in general. We need to encourage our boys and girls to read. My son (3) loves to read so far, much more than his sister. Always has. I try to encourage that constantly by seeking out books I think he would like...even if I am gosh darned tired of reading about dinosaurs.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.com