Getting Yr8 boy to read fiction

[bombula]

hi

I am trying to get my yr8 ds to read fiction for fun, this has been an ongoing battle since yr5 as he will only read non-fiction as "he reads for information". He will occasionally read the odd fiction book and only makes the effort to read any set books from school, this summer his set text is "To kill a mockingbird" which they have discussed in class already and he is fairly interested in reading.

I have downloaded some classics on audible including some which are under 2hrs in the hope of sparking an interest but i would like him to read at least 2 books in addition to set book which is real not asking a lot as he 8weeks off.

Any book ideas to try ?

[PatriciaHolm]

DS is the same!

He enjoyed Roald Dahl's biographies (particularly the second where he goes off to war), and has now got into the Sharpe series (more war)....

[Ggirl27]

No suggestions unless you can find fiction that relates to some of his other interests. Are there are any films he loves or games that he plays which derive from books? If he is reading non-fiction at least he is reading. Does your local library take part in the summer reading challenge? summerreadingchallenge.org.uk. I feel your pain, this was a losing battle in the long run with my son I'm afraid...

[RedSkyAtNight]

DS has liked the Time Riders series by Alex Scarrow and Remade/Reborn by the same author.
He's also got into reading books that films he liked are based on.

Every time I go to the library I pick up something I think he might like and sometimes it sticks. Imposing "phones off" 30 minutes or so before bedtime has also helped (he reads because nothing else to do ...)

Y8 are too old for summer reading challenge ...

[Seeline]

The Hunger Games trilogy got my DS back into reading at about that age.
I wouldn't have thought 'classics' would be too encouraging for a reluctant reader though.

How about some of the Young Bond books by Charlie Higson?

What are his interests?

[bombula]

He's interested in rugby, electronics, spies. read couple Alex Rider, not interested in Young Bond, reads autobiographies and rugby books.

I was just thinking short burst of something via audible books may help to generate more adventurous language for essay writing

[totalcontrol]

Hmm.How important is it really? The general push now is away from flowery writing.Clarity and precision of meaning is more important in nearly all subjects

[cloudtree]

I'm not sure downloading classics is going to get him going...

Try:
The knife of never letting go series
divergent series
hunger games series
Gone series
etc Teenage boys are more likely to be interested in dystopian fiction than the classics.

[Weezol]

Artemis Fowl, Ender's Game, Young Sherlock spring to mind. What about Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman?

[anotherpersona]

A broad vocabulary will never go out of fashion.
BBC classic radio sci-fi
My family & other animals
Spellslinger
Holes

[CramptonHodnet]

He might like Holes by Louis Sachar. I've just read it and DD will be reading it, too. But it is definitely one that will appeal to boys.

Maybe also The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- time by Mark Haddon.

[TheMagnoliaTree]

Why don't you read to him?

That way he isn't just reading but you can talk about the characters and make sure he has an understanding of the book.

Both my sons are avid readers but you have to find something they like. Ds2 read a huge amount of factual books but loves Trudi Canavan books on magicians which are fiction. They both read supernatural books in the young adult category, so Kelley Armstrong The Summoning. It is about necromancers, witches, sorcerers, werewolves etc

[MinaPaws]

I agree Holes woudl be a brilliant one to try. How about another Alex Rider if he liked those? They got DS1 into fiction when he couldn;t see the point of it.

How about some Stephen King short stories if he likes scary stuff, or some terry Pratchett, Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole or Hitchhiker's Guide if he likes comedy. He's at a good age to try a wide variety of stuff.

[blackeyes72]

I have the opposite, e.g. 12 year old son loves fiction and won't read anything else, 13 year old Y8 DD1 only reads "non fiction".

I honestly think there isn't much I can do. We had this problem like you for years, I tried everything from library trips, treats, encouragement, different styles, rewards, punishments and just plain leaving it. I have left it now for 1 year and she has not touched a fiction book apart from the ones she was required to read for school.

[HardAsSnails]

He's reading which is the main thing! Perhaps get him watching a wide variety of films as a way of broadening his cultural capital?

[CramptonHodnet]

Another one he might like is Mortal Engines. DD hated it but boys who love adventure, post apocalyptic worlds and sci fi will love it. There's a film based on it too.

[bombula]

hi

Thanks for all the suggestions will take him to library & Waterstones at the weekend to look.

One problem I have is that he doesn't read series eg Alex Rider read first 2 then complained that they were the same thing in following copies. He hates fantasy and sci- fi which makes it hard, I am planning to introduce him to Asimov in the hope sees them as technology books.

I am hoping to get him to choose 2 books at the weekend to read in addition to "To kill a Mockingbird"

All book suggestions welcome as I'm compiling a list of ideas. :)

[bombula]

he doesn't like being read to that's why I'm trying the audible approach as he will listen to audiobooks as introduced to this in art/form time in juniors. We do read a book together at the same time so we can discuss the story but still he then just leaves fiction in favour of fact.

[BarbaraWarpecker]

I wouldn't have thought 'the classics' would tempt a reluctant fiction reader in Yr 8.
Robert Muchamore and Chris Bradford are popular with my boys. Nothing too worthy... and I wouldn't worry if it seemed 'young' to you. Just find something he enjoys - Middle School series?? the old chestnut Tom Gates???? Or some boys that age love Terry Pratchett. Fantasy, sci fi, steampunk???
I salute you for taking a proactive approach. Your son seems to read much more than many of his peers, but it really is a danger age for dropping reading altogether.... They have to spend more time on studying/ homework at that age, so when they get free time, they mostly want to do sport, hang out with friends or play computer games...

[HRTpatch]

My ds stopped reading fiction in yr 5.
I don't think he has read a book since and he is nearly 20. I read 6 books a month.

[Frogscotch7]

Z For Zachariah, can’t remember the author. Excellent, mind blowing, no nonsense fiction. And a quick read.

Also try any historical fiction by eg Henry Treece or Geoffrey Trease.

Agree that Holes is a great book.

He may also enjoy books by Chinua Achebe or Kazuo Ishiguro for something meatier.

[RedSkyLastNight]

If you want classics, how about Lord of the Flies?

[CramptonHodnet]

I found this list for recommended KS3 reading which might have some further suggestions.

[cloudtree]

DS1 loved ready player one. I didn't think he'd enjoy it since the 80s references would largely go over his head but the 80s is very popular atm. The book is different to the film

[anotherpersona]

John Grisham has a young adult series Theodore Boone.
For something completely different have a look at Flush by Carl Hiassen. Environmentalism & humour (written for young adults).

[MilkRunningOutAgain]

I’m envious. My DS has not read a book for pleasure since he finished Biff, Chip & Kipper in yr 2. He’s 15. He has read his GCSE texts twice each this year, & has always read the few books school requires, but that’s it. TBH I gave up on this a while back. I love reading.