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.

But, if she doesn't take to it, don't worry. Plenty of articulate, successful people don't read much and vice versa.

If you want nice films I suggest Studio Ghibli ones. Absolutely beautiful. And some are based on classic books (Arrietty is based on The Borrowers, there's When Marnie was there, Howl's Moving Castle, Tales from Earthsea). Or just enjoy the films. They are amazingly beautiful.

Hunger games is a good one.
Anything a bit grown up! Get it for you and say you're not sure she should read it.

My (just turned 13) daughter loved "The Fault in our stars" by John Green, and has since watched the film loads. Also Hunger Games, Divergent series, all made into films. Does moving into the "Teen/Young Adult" section hold any cachet? There's always the Twilight series 😬

Is the issue that she is spending too much time on her phone or not reading enough? If the first then restrict use. E.g between certain hours only or a limit amount of hours per day. There is aa great app called ScreenTime that helps monitor use. The nasic version is free. My daughter is an avid reader but will nearly always choose her phone over reading. If her phone is taken away then she will read or do other stuff instead. If she just does not like reading then forcing her will not help. Not sure bribery is the way forward either. Reading should be for pleasure not a chore. Try audio books or graphic novels or magazines. Are you a member of the library? If not then join and go with her so she can see what is on offer. Do you read? There is also a great new mag out called Teen breathe that might appeal. Or subscribe her to a magazine related to a hobby or activity she is interested in.

Mine is also very motivated by what her friends are reading as they discuss it together.

Does she love any particular genre? Like going to the library at all? A no pressure trip might help if you say you are going to get some yourself?

We've got Screentime too, @okeydokeygirl, well worth the money, though we only use it for bedtime limits these days - as soon as the phones are blocked, suddenly the books come out, the guitar playing begins, skateboard practice starts, etc. The neighbours must love us 😂

And as per PP would also recommend The Hunger Games, Divergent series Maze Runner and Percy Jackson. They are exciting and quite fast paced. You could read together then watch the films.

DS2 never read for pleasure. He loved the texts he did for English at school but was never motivated to read for pleasure. Didn't stop him getting A star at GCSE and A at A level for English.

But I did fret an awful lot about his lack of any desire to pick up a book at home.

Ladylove. We did the free 2 week trial of Screen time but have not suscribed. Bur I can monitor what she is doing.and how long she is on her phone or if breaches the rules and also what apps she adds. I would not hesitate to suscribe if phone use becomes a problem as it is a brilliant app.

Take her to the library, and get her to choose a few books from the Teens section.
Would also second graphic books/novels, and audio books.

P. S. Thanks for the Teen Breathe rec, okeydokeygirl, it looks right up DD's street, I'd never heard of it.

Teen breathe is a lovely magazine. Not many people have come across it for some reason. Some WHSmith stock it as do some supermarkets. My only complaint is that it is clearly marketed to girls. They did do a special boy version a couple of months ago. I would say that all the articles are good for boys and girls. It is the artwork that is quite gendered. But it is lovely artwork. There is also an adult version just called Breathe. Hope your DD enjoys it.

We have watched most of studio gibli but she's not seen when marnie was there, good shout. She doesn't really like anything too scary - this was an issue with dd1 who went through a phase of refusing to read after something in th hunger games shocked her .

She does like memoirs and true life stories, and did start the teen version of the malala book and seemed to be enjoying it but didn't finish it.

I'm deffo removing rh phone for a bit during rh day, she's always happy for me to do this!

You are not alone. My almost 12 year old DD is the same. We are all book lovers and have a house full of books. She has loads of books in her bedroom and if I ever do a clear out she never let's me get rid of books But she doesn't really read.

After much cajoling she has read a couple of things this summer (we've already been off for 4 weeks). It seems like the older books and the books set for her age are turning her off. She likes to have pictures. So she is reading through Tom Gates at the moment.

Any suggestions for books with pictures?

It is sad to see a person who loved reading for years have that ruined by the fast food of the screen addiction. It is not about A*s or about doing well in any other way. The depth and subtlety of a great book is something that isn't replicated by anything else. Films and magazines are great for other reasons.

My daughter is the same as yours OP, and I find that the only time she reads for pleasure is when there are no screens available for a sustained period.

Actually she does like Tom Gates. Im privately a bit sniffy about them but I will buy one today. Not sure which ones she's read though!

I find A Mighty Girl really helpful for book recommendations. They have lots of different lists, this is just one I picked at random:

www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14990

Some lists are v N. America centric as that's where they're based, but there are lots of very useful ideas.

If she likes Tom Gates then Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries are similar. 12 is an iffy age. For every 12 year old that is reading Hunger Games or Jane Austen or Animal Farm then are the ones that are still hanging on to their Rainbow Fairies books. If she isn't ready for YA or 'proper' books then don't force it.
Jacqueline Wilson has done several historical books. The Hetty Feather series is really good and it has the linked books Clover Moon and Rose Rivers. I just bought and read Rose Rivers for myself and I am waaaay older than 12. Opal Plumstead is also by JW and is good. Her contempary books are good too - especially Katy. I am a big Jacqueline Wilson fan and the authors Cathy Cassidy and Jean Ure are very similar. But like I said in my earlier post - not everyone will enjoy reading for pleasure. Don't force her if she isn't interested. There are other relaxing things to do. I like sewing kits from Hobbycraft and grown up colouring books (and as I said I'm waaaay older than 12).

Also the library is your friend jorah. Don't go and buy a new Tom Gates - the library will have them.