Is it ever too late? My older child still isn't reading books!

Is it ever too late? My older child still isn’t reading books!

February 25, 2020

One of the most surprising things that you might hear from successful writers is, “I don’t remember reading much as a kid”. These comments are reassuring for parents of older kids and teens who don’t seem to take any interest in books.

Let’s look at Matt de la Pena, an American writer of children’s books who specialises in books for young adults. He was the winner of the 2016 Newberry Medal for Last Stop on Market Street. Matt speaks about his teenage years, when he played basketball continuously and never voluntarily opened a book.

When he had to visit the school library, he’d browse through sports magazines. Reflecting on this, he realises that he was actually scanning those articles about athletes for stories about life. Where did those athletes come from? How did they make it into the big leagues? Who helped, or didn’t help, them? Those tidbits of information sparked an interest in him, rather than the statistics.

What can we learn as teachers and parents?

Matt’s story illustrates that it’s important to think about all the kinds of reading your older child/teenager does, and acknowledge it as reading. The comics he still peruses, the humourous memes he scrolls through on his phone – admittedly they are not the novel that we are aiming for – are examples of reading. How do we transition from these to ‘real’ reading?

In the pursuit of making them a reader

There are ways that we can interlock their interests with books. Maybe his favourite YouTuber or gamer has written a book (you’d be surprised that many of them do!)? A famous actor or sports star’s memoir might the prizewinner for the male teen.

Teenagers like reading about subjects that matter to them and about their place in the world. Difficult issues such as social justice, immigration, gun laws, poverty and the environment can be dealt with in an age-appropriate and thoughtful way. Angie Thomas’s critically acclaimed YA novel The Hate U Give (also a film) has been followed by other novels about police killings of unarmed black teenagers. Look for books set in today’s world, the future, stories about authoritarian governments, social oppression and environmental problems. These issues resonate with teens who are starting to take a first long, careful look at the world around them.

Make books part of the conversation

Parents, just as you might ask your teen about his day (you may not get a reply, but you still keep asking!) or the latest Netflix series, keep asking him what they’re reading. Talk with your spouse at the dinner table about what they are reading. Recognise your teen’s maturity and sophistication and welcome their input and questions.

Teachers, a great first port of call is the librarian or experienced bookseller for book recommendations. Ask for books that might break through to your reluctant readers.

Resources

The US store Urban Outfitters cultivates a hip, young clientele. If you search their book section you will uncover some treasures such as The Bucket List – 1000 Adventures Big and Small (In addition to amazing travel tales, the book contains advice on some popular goals: how to direct a movie, learn to play an instrument, make pottery, protect an endangered species, name a star, try a new cuisine or learn a new language.) Together with scary and skateboard books, another find was The Very Embarassing Book of Dad Jokes – because your dad thinks he’s hilarious

The final say

“My son is 12 ½ and doesn’t read books. It was not a problem with my other children! Should I wait and let him grow into it, or is something else going on?” – Concerned parent

Let’s say that you’ve tried everything and he’s still not a reader. Maybe he was a reader as a child but is unexpectedly showing zilch interest in reading. Our best advice is simply to be patient but continue to pursue books that you think he might like. It might be a YA bestseller that you heard is going to be made into a movie and features an actor that he likes. Perhaps try some new genres such as futuristic thrillers or mysteries.

Resist the urge to pressure him to read. Instead, model reading behaviour (let him see you read), keep a book-filled home and take an interest in what teens are reading. Parenting adolescents, as you know, is about strategically stepping back so that they can navigate their own way.

However, teachers and parents still play an essential role in providing books for independence-seeking teenagers.

I highly recommend taking the time to check out this interview that is based on the latest Australian research. It reiterates the value of reading, especially for older kids as books compete with social media and other distractions. Grab a cuppa (or wine) and listen to this 18 minute chat with a literacy expert and a teacher-librarian. Great tips for both parents and teachers!