CONFIDENT READERS (4
th grade+) Boys this age can often read well but prefer more action-oriented activities. Even though they
can read, some boys still choose not to read. Hosting a book club will motivate them to plug-along in their book and meet a deadline- their next Book Club! Another fun idea is a
Book & Movie Club. Boys who love movies will be able to connect with the characters, the plot, and the setting, so they will be less intimidated by a longer book.
Click here for some favorite Book/Movie combos to try with your own Book & Movie club and help boys extend the adventure they love in the movie by reading the book!
Who should I invite?Sit down with your son and make a list of who he might like to invite. Brainstorm with him, thinking of friends from school, church, sports, the neighborhood, etc. Explain that you will ultimately narrow it down from this "wish list."
Survival tip: I limit the size of the club to how many can comfortably sit at my table. Sitting at the table helps eliminate the inevitable silliness that happens when boys are on the floor or even on the couch. When every boy has his own space, there is less elbowing, poking, pinching and rough-housing in general. Sitting at the table is the way to go!
When and where should our book club meet?Now you get to decide if you want to rotate homes or if the book club will always meet at your house. If you plan on rotating homes, set up a meeting with the involved parents to plan a rotation schedule. Now, decide when you will meet. Whether you meet in the evening or right after school, the key is to keep it consistent and keep it to a specific time, e.g., 5 PM – 7 PM on the first Friday of every month. Having a set time is helpful for parents, and it keeps the book club focused on being a “special club” instead of just hanging out at someone’s house.
What are we going to read?
We have many great book recommendations that your boys will love! Remember, it
doesn’t matter what they read, just that they read. The more they read, the more they’ll like it, so look at your son’s interests for clues about books that may interest him. See our
Book Club Outlines for ideas that may interest your son.
Survival Tip: Once you decide what book you're reading, the most important thing is to GIVE THE BOYS THE BOOKS! At the end of each club meeting, take a few minutes to introduce the new book. You might watch a short movie clip (if there is one) or read the back cover summary. Brainstorm together what the boys already know about the general topic to help with comprehension. These boys have just had a lot of fun at book club and are geared up for the next new adventure; having enough copies to give every boy the next book is key to keeping the momentum going. Do not squash their enthusiasm by having to wait until they get to the library, or the bookstore, or their friend’s house to borrow a copy. Have the books ready to hand out and your book club will be a success!
What makes a Book Club 4 Boys more fun than other book clubs?
BookClub4Boys is about DOING activities and games that relate to the book; talking about what they read and extending it into games and interactive play turns reading into something FUN for boys of all ages.
Survival tip: I ALWAYS start my Book Club doing some kind of physical activity. They come excited and full of energy (as usual), so the discussion and activity portion of the club will go much more smoothly when you get that burst of energy and excitement out first. Wearing them out with a solid 20 minutes of play is not only fun, but also a great way to stall as you wait for all the members of the club to arrive.
What else have you learned along the way that will help me?Call reinforcements! There are other parents in your book club so make sure you use them for support. Delegate, make a rotation and share responsibilities to keep one person from getting overwhelmed. You are not alone! Do what works best for you and your boys: maybe the hostess orders the books and prepares the activities, and the other parents bring the food and gather supplies for the games.
Survival tip: I’
ve tried just assigning the book and letting the parents get the books on their own. This has never worked. Inevitably, some parents plan on getting it from the library and it was checked out or there
weren’t enough copies. Boys have a hard enough time finishing the book on time for a meeting; don’t let “getting the book late” become another excuse.
Is hosting my own Book Club For Boys going to be expensive?No! Most books cost less than a movie ticket these days, and the benefits last much longer! When you organize your club, figure out monthly dues from the beginning. These dues will cover the cost of the book plus supplies. Check out our
(BookClub4BoysBookstore), where books are available that match our FREE, parent-tested book outlines!
How can I make my Book Club For Boys more exciting?You can do anything you'd like! All of our outlines involve a variety of activities and provide a fun, detailed starting point, but adding your own ideas is where the fun really begins! Tailor your book club to match the boys in your group. A few things we've enjoyed:
The
Chat & Chew Book Club!
The
Movie Book Club!
Field Trip Book Club!
What do I do with the book(s) when we're done?You might think, “Gee, that is a lot of books that my son will only read once! I don’t want to have them around collecting dust.” Personally, I love having books around! They are like old friends and when I see them, I remember the story and re-visit the book in my mind. Your son may enjoy having the books around and could even re-read some of them! If you don’t want to keep the books around, donate them! If everyone in your club agrees with you, you can donate the set in a special Book Club Bag and start a collection that can be checked out at the public library. This is a fantastic service to your community! There are many libraries around the country that have these book club bags already organized. You can also donate the books to the Boys and Girls Club, or have your son pass the book along to a friend who might like it. There are many things you can do with a good book!
My son has a hard time with books. How else can I help him keep reading?There is much more to read in the world than just books! In fact, your son might be reading more than you realize. Just because he doesn't dedicate himself to reading a lengthy novel doesn't mean he hates reading. Some other ideas to "spice things up":
Kid-friendly magazines. Magazines are less intimidating for reluctant readers because they have lots of pictures and shorter articles. If your son loves animals, he's sure to love Ranger Rick. Sports fans will enjoy Sports Illustrated for kids.
Recipes. Get him helping in the kitchen; he'll find it hard to refuse the invitation when he knows he'll be rewarded with a warm, gooey cookie afterwards!
Computer games with written dialogue. Look for games that require reading to play.Directions. Print out road directions and let your son navigate!
Computer game/ cheat guides. If your son has a favorite game, see if there is a guide that reveals hidden secrets and "cheats". What better way to practice comprehension? Your son has to apply what he has read to get the reward while playing his game. (Remember: it doesn't matter what they read. The trick is to get them to read.)
Joke books provide hours of entertainment for boys, who often end up laughing so hard they don't even realize they're reading!
Magic trick booksScavenger hunts, treasure hunts...when you start getting creative, you'll find that everyday reading opportunities are endless!
What if my son has lower reading skills?Older boys with lower reading levels may get frustrated; they don't want to read "baby books" that are closer to their reading level, but often the books that interest them are just too hard to read. One of my sons had this problem until a family member gave us a subscription to Ranger Rick. He loved the articles, which were short enough that he could read them without getting frustrated, and all the great pictures kept his attention. Check out our side bar: Our Book Club Book Store lists some great kid friendly magazines!
Book Club Outlines and Book Reviews for Independent Readers!
Click on our Biggest BELCH Award to find a list of Boys Books that are very Satisfying! In my search for our Book club- I've come across some really great books boys like- but seem to go unnoticed. (No gold sticker, no metal of honor) While these books aren't going to bring World Peace or solve World Hunger... and yeah, they haven't made a big contribution to the Art of Literature they are solving a pretty serious crisis: Poor Literacy Among Boys. And those kind of books, the ones reluctant readers will pick up and read, deserve some kind of award! (I update this monthly! So visit often!)
"Boring/No fun"? Our outlines are packed with activities, so fun is the focus!
