BOYS READING: How to move them on from 5-8s books to more demanding novels?

[roisin]

OK, as many of you know I'm passionate about children's literature, and children reading.

Both boys became very fluent readers at a very early age. DS1 was precocious and read very advanced literature at a very young age (not necessarily an approach I would advocate.)

DS2 has equally precocious reading age scores, but is very reluctant to read novels full stop (reads endless non-fiction).

I am aware that he has not yet become a lifelong reader and IME if he doesn't get there soon society/culture will take over and he will not become one.

Atm he will not read anything more demanding than the likes of:
Horrid Henry
Astrosaurs
The Grk books
Cressida Cowell
Beast Quest
Ghosthunters

Nothing wrong with any of this I know, but how do we bridge the gap to Horowitz, Charlie Higson, Michelle Paver, Georgia Byng, Jenny Nimmo, etc?

Ah, so he is pretty much the same age as my ds (8 in July).

I've come across that link of Legacy's when googling as well, and should just point out that AH is a particularly pushy north London prep school, so take with a pinch of salt.

How is he on picture novels? Tintin? Asterix?

roisin I read it as boys who are reading, don't worry

My DS1 is a fan of non-fiction too. But lately he has enjoyed Roald Dahl (Fantastic Mr Fox eg); the 100-mile-an-hour dog (can't recall author, sorry); and some cut-down versions of big novels by Usborne (the ones we have are too easy for an 8yo but I think there might be harder ones).

Also Michael Morpurgo

yes roisin have irish in me and my sis name is roisin Not terribly original but roald dahl and lemony snicket.Must say I can t stand enid blyton.

Frogs - I don't know whether he would listen to a CD whilst doing something else: I could try. He tends to chatter away constantly to anyone who will listen, or to himself or his toys if they won't!

But he is quite good at multi-tasking. In his end of year report his teacher was clearly rather exasperated in his ability to fiddle, muck around, appear to be paying no attention whatsoever, and then give the 100% accurate answer to the question just been asked!

Scummymummy - I don't know. Generally his concentration/focus skills are fantastic - when doing piano practice, or he will sit an work on constructing a model for hours at a time. But apparently not when listening to stories.

yet another cross-post! - sorry, didn't mean to presume about the literary value requirement! - Totally agree about wanting your child to have that "ooh I've got a BOOK waiting for me" feeling.

Harry Horse?
Dick King-Smith (although they are a very mixed bag)
No Roald Dahl then? Still very popular with kids I know.

The Edge Chronicles - that's it.

Also read lots of Jacqueline Wilson, he isn't fussed by the pink covers, but they might not be every boys cup of tea.

Oh yes, the Edge Chronicles. By Paul Something and Chris Riddell iirc. Ds really took to those. And I do find that he switches between Famous Five and Anthony Horowitz, actually. The garish colours on the Alex Rider books are a big draw. But I confess I did only discover that the content wasn't really suitable when ds was halfway through the 2nd book, by which time it was a bit late.

Does he really enjoy the books he does read? I reckon that is one the of the keys to lifelong reading.

I think it is partly too about his perception, particularly about the size of books, which is maybe why EB would be a good idea.

e.g. someone mentioned Harry and the Wrinklies - that is a huge thick book, that he simply wouldn't tackle.

Yes, loves graphic novels, cartoons, Asterix, the Beano and so on. Also loves reading First News (children's newspaper)

When I read to kids I give them something to doodle on at the same time. It helps a lot.

ds chose of his own accord to stop on the Horowitz books (at the end of book 4 I think?) - he decided they were getting too grown-up.

Philip Reeve (eg Larklight) - would ds2 read that?

Clary - yes, Wedgiesmum told be about the PGCE. I was looking forward to grilling you about it at the Spa, so will have to look forward to it in 2008 instead!

ScummyMummy - O yes, he loves the books he reads. He was ecstatic in the bookshop today to find the new Cressida Cowell book when we thought it wasn't out yet.

I know what you mean about size. I have had little boys come in holding their fingers 2mm apart saying "I want a book that thick." Hence good old EB proving it is possible. They don't tend to get stuck afterwards to anything like the extent the girls do on those dismal fairy books.

Last suggestion, and I feel supported in this one by knowing that Marina thinks they are genuinely good - the Dr. Who novelisations you can get in bargain batches from The Book People. I imagine that is exactly up ds2's street.

It's a shame he isn't keen on the boy Potter, then. Roisin! The relative thinness of the first couple of books has been a draw for my boys and has hooked them in to attempting the longer ones.

Kerrymumbledore - I love Spud Murphy - one of the best books ever. Ds2 actually read it ages ago - at least 3 years ago. That's what I mean about the fact that he hasn't really moved on and made much progress.

We haven't got Worst boy in the world - is it any good? (Found Captain Crow's teeth rather disappointing).

Sorry- am way behaind. I think if he's estatic about finding a book at 8 you really have a very good chance of having a lifelong reader.

Thanks for this thread, I need the ideas for DS as well...

Have you tried the Caroline Lawrence Roman Mysteries books? They're fattish, but the print is big -- maybe you could point out to him that the fatness of a book doesn't always relate to the amount of writing in it. Again they do get more adult as the series progresses.

How is he on films of books? Might he be motivated to read the book of a film he'd enjoyed?

Sorry- my spelling and punctuation are terrible tonight.