To want my dd, 12, to read a bloody book!

[Jorah]

She just doesn't read. She's fairly articulate, doing fine in English at school. I can't bear her being on her phone all summer. How can I encourage her to read?? We have a houseful of books.

You force her, she won't read. Some people just don't like reading! Maybe she's one of them.

Have you tried graphic novels and manga? Failing that would she accept being read to? When my 11 year old is in a rut with reading or reluctant to read a book I think she'd love I will read to her and then she always really gets into it.

Read to her
Buy Audio books
Add books to a kindle
Join the library reading scheme

Try cash insentives (or chocolate)

Take her to the theater

I know what you mean about spending all summer on the phone. I want to take a hammer to my son's one already.

I agree about graphic novels. Also, take her out to buy a special interest magazine in a subject she really loves - her favourite sport or hobby or animal, etc. Put audio YA novels on in the car when you have long journeys. But please don't force or bribe her. Reading should be a pleasure not a chore.

Not everyone wants to read for pleasure. Try a different hobby. How about crafty stuff. The painted rocks thing is fun (and gets you out of the house). Or gardening. Or dog walking. Or knitting. Or learning chess. Or the gallizon and one other things out there. If she isn't a fan of reading books (but can read) then meh. No big deal. There's plenty of other things to do.

I dont think a child of 12 will suddenly start reading. its something to be nurtured from a very young age.

She's very active. She's out riding or playing football for a few hours a day. I'd just like her to read! I think it's calming.

Restrict access to phone!

She used to read. She stopped a couple of years ago. She enjoys reading aloud in class she says

So if she's already out for a few hours exercising and being active, she's not on her phone all day. And since she is clearly doing OTHER THINGS she enjoys, why are you so insistent on pushing reading? If she wanted to, she would.

I'm not at all insistant on pushing reading! I haven't mentioned it to her once. I have been thinking about it privately.

lady yes I'm going to do this.

My brother never read a book in his life. I had to be restricted from reading as it affected everything else, I did it so much. We both did the same academically, have similar level jobs etc. If she doesn't like to read, then I don't see the harm. You'll find it hard to make her. And, with respect, she's not you and may not find it calming.

Pay her to read. My friend did that when her ds was saving for pocket money for holidays. He piled the books in a heap as he read them and she paid him on their departuere day. Some of the books were short....very short but she would have been giving him money anyway. He went on to do a degree in English .

OK that's reassuring. I learnt so much from books I'm a bit worried she's missing out. She seems to be doing OK at school so maybe I'm fussing over nothing

I'm not sure I see the point in trying to get a child to read if they don't want to.

I switched off reading for a few years. It drew me back in. I became an English teacher!
Watch films (that were books to start with?!) and get out and exercise. Limit phone use. Don't force reading.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh OP - I've been there is all, from the perspective of the child! I love reading now but it's because I'm choosing to.

I really think restricting her phone access will backfire enormously..

I think I'm going to try a few films. Any suggestions?

YY to Manga, I've been lucky my DD has always been keen to read, but did get stuck in a Jaqueline Wilson downward spiral aged 9. Try Louise Rennison for humour, The Handmaid's Tale (we have been sent good prose).

Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher - a teenage girl has a penpal friend on Death Row
Spontaneous - Aaron Starmer - (Spontaneous combustion strikes high school students.

HTH

Read together, aloud if that’s what she likes. A chapter each.

Depending on how you feel about the content :
The Hunger Games
Divergent series
Maze Runner
Shadowhunters (sooo many books if she gets into these)
Percy Jackson
Have all been massive hits with my 12/13yr old girl.

My dd almost 14 gets 90 mins on phone a day. After that she does all the usual stuff, Mithras me half to death, then when she’s exhausted everything else she finally picks up a book, then tells me how brilliant Divergent/ hunger games books are and that I should read them.

^although she does go on very long rants about how the screen adaptations are different from the books, so prepare yourself if this tactic works.