Riveting Reads: Boys into Books 11-14

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< What's the background? What do boys want? >

Isn't it too late by Key Stage 3?

It’s true that boys’ views of reading will have been heavily influenced before they reach secondary school. It may be that their primary school has not had enough books that appeal to them, and few if any male role models.

Liaison with primary colleagues (e.g. transferring data about boys’ reading habits, and their views on reading; sharing a visit from a male author, arranging for boys to visit partner schools in the summer transition term) can strengthen links at transition, and prepare you both for building on boys’ strengths, and for catching any weaknesses early.

Amongst your other transition strategies, the public library’s Summer Reading Challenge (http://www.readingagency.org.uk/projects/children/reading_challenge.html) is a valuable way to keep boys reading over the summer break. The challenge aspect of the scheme, plus the accompanying stickers, badges and incentives, gives it particular boy appeal.

This year, there’s a unique opportunity to boost Year 7 reading with the planned Booked Up distribution of free books. Make the most of this initiative, with events to celebrate the choosing of books, and lots of follow-up about sequels, and other titles to try. You can capitalise even further next year, as 2008 sees another National Year of Reading. Lots of publicity will be available soon, and it’s a perfect time to launch books-based initiatives.

Riveting Reads: Boys into Books 11-14

Start | Foreword | Introduction | Browse Booklist | Download PDF | Appendices

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< What's the background? What do boys want? >

Isn't it too late by Key Stage 3?

< What's the background? What do boys want? >

Boys Into Books

Introduction Overview