Stories of children who became keen readers after age eight

[Meforthree]

Tell me your stories of kids who really got into reading after age 8! I feel like when I look around I can only see stories of kids who are immediate total bookworms as soon as they can read, or else never really get into it. And I’m hoping that’s not true!

My kid is just fine with reading. Loves being read to, will occasionally get into reading a book by herself but not that often… I’m still waiting for the day she gets her nose deep into a series and was hoping it might but this summer but no luck so far. Would love to hear all your hopeful happy read stories!

my niece same good reader above average for her age will she read of book errr no tried everything you can think of so many lovely book sets series etc not least bit interested i cant get my head round it is it a sign of the times?

I've taught plenty of children who haven't found their passion for books at 8. All it takes is one series or book to spark their interest and suddenly they cannot get enough.

I genuinely wouldn't worry she's still very young, 4 years ago remember she most likely couldn't read at all so she still has plenty of time for a love of books to click.

They just need to come across the right author. Terry Pratchett did it for my 10 year old son. Everyone doesn't love fiction though. For some, reading for pleasure remains an unknown concept. As long as they can read when necessary, let them get on with it.

Lottie Brooks changed the dial for my 8 year old and turned her into a kid who loved reading. She’s gone through all of them and I’m trying to find something she loves just as much now

my own daughter now 30 struggled to read but found Harry Potter when she was 9 and was away and still loves reading now as do I what I cant get my head round is someone who is a really good strong reader has no interest in reading a book tried comic books ad all manner of different books both fiction and non fiction but at 8 she had no interest reads all manner of posters and street signs and reads my texts like lightning !!

DS1 was an avid reader. Even before he started school books were his favourite thing. I thought this was normal.

Then DS2 arrived and I had to find a whole other way to keep him quiet!

He never enjoyed reading at school, but by 16yo Waterstones was his favourite place in the world and he now reads everything from Harry Potter to Greek Philosophers.

both of my adult children are very keen readers, but didn’t really get into it until secondary school. Just make sure there are plenty of books about, let them see you (and particuarly their dad) reading. And do not believe other parents about their children’s habits! “Nose constantly in a book” and “reading Harry Potter” are two of the most common lies told in the playground.

DD got into reading at 36

I found books suitable for under 9s really boring, a lot are written very simple and not that interesting to read on your own.

DD was definitely more interested when she was a bit older. She loved having books read to her but reading on her own was less so and when I skimmed her books I found them fairly dull. I mean I am still convinced Rainbow Fairies are written by a computer.
She read a lot more factual books between 6-8.

As long as there is an interest in reading and she sees her parents read and you supply plenty of different materials she may find the bug with books later.

I hate Lottie brooks, she's a snotty rude moaning brat and my DD comes over with an attitude when she's been reading Lottie brooks 😭

Yeah so far my kid doesn’t like Lottie!

This is interesting! (Although my child doesn’t seem ti like reading non fiction on her own much either)? Did yours then suddenly shift at 9 to reading a lot independently? What book moved the dial?

Interesting!

This is heartwarming! What do you think changed it??

So reassuring thank you! I just feel like people talk so much about bookworms from that age (and I was one), so it’s really disheartening ! I hope there’s still time… And what I find weird is she will sometimes say something is good (eg secret seven) but then just not really pick it up unless we all really encourage her to around say bedtime…

I think letting them see you read is key, and finding the right box set or series that acts as a gateway drug! Another subtle way to encourage is to read one of their books by yourself and then bring it up in conversation. Show them that you think their book is worthy of your time in its own right. DD and DH used to tag team reading the same book eg when a new Philip Pullman came out.

We've not really cracked it with my son but as an alternative, we have a lot of spoken word on in the car. So much general knowledge he's picked up from R4 comedy shows alone, especially anything involving John Finnemore.

Mine was 8 (summer after year 3) when she went from being an excellent but extremely reluctant reader to not wanting to stop reading at bedtime.

As others have said, it was just finding the right books (I tried A LOT! 🤣) and I agree, it was more of a struggle when she was younger. Tbh, I would say it's only been the last year (she's just finished year 5) when I feel we're more spoilt for choice and her reading has gone up another notch.

So the first book that "I let" her carry on reading after I'd finished reading to her at bedtime was 'Daisy and the trouble with chocolate'. She devoured the whole series, then moved on to the 'Baby aliens' (Pamela Butchart) series. Both of these series are funny, engaging and very accessible in terms of language and pictures.

In the last two years, she's gone from reading those to reading hundreds of books, from the Harry Potter and Skandar series to Onjali Q Raúf to Lottie Brooks and Tom Gates.

She was greater depth in reading from reception until the middle of year 2, then went down to expected, but as of her year 5 report, has now gone back up to greater depth.

She's got ADHD and dyslexia so sometimes still struggles to initially get into a book (so I often start her off by reading the first chapter).

Her 8-year-old brother is similarly reluctant (and not quite at the reading level DD was) so currently trying to find his gateway books...

Oh and also, for some reason (she's also ASD, so possibly that) DD only ever reads at bedtime, even if she has an ongoing book that she can't put down. So we sometimes go up two hours before to allow her time to read!

I had one who was desperate to read as soon as possible, one who was not interested until 8-10, and one who was resistant until high school.

All three read copiously for pleasure in adulthood.

The worst thing you can do is make reading into a chore. Let your child find books of interest in their own time. Read plenty yourself, keep reading bedtime stories as long as possible (even into early high school if you can) and have lots of books available.

@Namechange444342 one of the Daisy books worked wonders here too. DH and I both picked it up and read it silently to ourselves on the sofa, laughing out loud occasionally. Love Daisy books!

Also it doesn't need to be at the cutting edge of what they can manage. As adults we often enjoy slightly easier reads more, and children can be just the same especially if they're a little older.

My ds hated reading, he is dyslexic which didn't help. I read him the Harry Potter books at bedtime every night until he turned 9 when he decided to read them himself. He is an avid reader now as an adult, mostly science fiction.

Identical with DSS

Yeah, we have one who was totally reluctant and then really got into reading aged around 9. Things that I think helped: Harry Potter! Constant reading aloud (every day and not just at bedtime, especially during the holidays). Reading aloud as a whole-family activity when possible. Choosing a selection of really decent books - unfortunately there is so much dull stuff around that they do tend to need some help to discover really good authors and series. Keeping screen time minimal and within prescribed times so that he knew they weren't an option most of the time and didn't really bother asking. Encouraging (though not insisting on) reading at regular times of the day (e.g. if he was awake early, as well as before bed) which then became a habit.

I got a yoto for my daughter which kicked off an obsession with Enid Blyton books.

I also ‘bribe’ her (if she reads a book a week in the holidays she gets a reward) and let her stay up as long as she wants only if she reads. I also do a variation of the book club idea mentioned above, where I’ll make sure I read the book too so we can talk about it.

I think it’s a combination of ‘trying’ a lot to find something they like, and also forcing them to read enough that they get past that point where it feels like hard work.

And of course reading yourself a lot, modelling that behaviour.

My daughter does not yet ‘always have her nose in a book’ but has gone from hating reading to it being something she chooses to do for herself …

My daughter has only really started reading for pleasure at 13. She is a big fan of Japanese manga books (with slightly odd titles) as she has friends who are also fans of them. She now actively asks for books as a present which didn't seem possible a couple of years ago.

DD hated reading, even through secondary school. The only books she read were the ones she had to for school. As an adult, she now reads all the time.