Tuesday, August 18, 2009

BOOK TITLES that HOOK BOYS on READING

Parents, Home Schoolers and Teachers. . .
Today I bring you 3 books with built in HOOKS.

If your boy (or girl ) reluctant reader hides when you suggest they read,
or when the teacher assigns a home reading project, don't despair.

First, make sure they do not have a genuine reading
disability, like dyslexia, or a need for glasses.

Once that hurdle is cleared, your main
problem is finding books that
have a plots and characters
that interest them.


Bland and cute will not cut it with these finicky readers.

Try wild adventure, outer space, quirky wimps that mature fast, or a character with the same interests as your child. If they love computers, racing cars or horses, then search for author who bring these elements into their stories. With your librarian's help, point your reluctant reader in the direction of of books that involve the things they are passionate about. Look for fast action, cool situations and dialogue, plus wacky adventures.

Below are 3 examples of books that have "boy baited" hooks:



Storky: How I Lost my Nickname and Won the Girl -
by D.L. Garfinkle


Partial Review From Booklist - American Library Association:
Gr. 8-11. High-school freshman Mike Pomerantz is tall and too skinny, with bird legs and wiry hair. He has an unrequited crush on fellow smart-kid--beautiful, popular Gina--who scorns him. Mike confides his troubles to his computer journal, with wry humor and deliciously bitter caricatures.

* Available from Amazon

**********************

Stuck in the 70s by D.L. Garfinkle


From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—When Tyler walks into his bathroom in the middle of the night and sees strange, but gorgeous, Shay taking a bubble bath, he thinks he's dreaming. She thinks it's an elaborate joke. One minute she's in 2006 and the next minute, the dorky guy who won't stop staring at her is telling her it's 1978. All Shay wants to do is get back home. Tyler wouldn't mind if she stayed a while and maybe helped him improve his science-geek reputation. They strike a deal. She will help him out at school if he'll figure out how to send her back to her own time.
Because it is WAY out-of-the-box, teens (boys and girls) will be hooked on this one.

* Available from Amazon

**********************

A sneak peek at Max Elliot Anderson's Blog told me about this book:

Bran Hambric - The Farfield Curse - by Kaleb Nation,

Part Synopsis:
Bran Hambric was found locked in a bank vault at six years old, with no memory of his past. For years, he has lived with one of the bankers, wondering why he was left behind -- until one night, when he is fourteen, he is suddenly confronted by a maddened creature, speaking of Bran’s true past and trying to kidnap him. Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created…and one that her former masters are hunting for him to complete. Haunted by the spirit of his mother’s master and living in a city where magic is illegal, Bran must undo the crimes of his past...before it is too late.

This is another book reluctant teen readers will devour.

* Want to preview the first 4 chapters for free?
Click here to download.



**********************




My Website - Manuscript Critiques
Margot's BOOKS for KIDS + Writing News
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and
receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!
Soft cover - CD - Download

Monday, August 17, 2009

e-BOOKS are COOL - Try them on your RELUCTANT READER.

"E-book Sales are Finally Taking Off -
With or without Kindles and Readers!"

This is the title of an article, written by Peter Svensson
for the Associated Press - read it HERE

The Oregonian Newspaper today printed this fascinating article about e-BOOKS and their growing popularity. Now they are available on iPhones, Kindle, Blackberries, book readers, as well as the good old computer screen. This makes it easy for an e-Book story, or newspaper article, to while away that s-l-o-w "wait" time: for adults and kids alike. YEA!

And if you have a reluctant reader, or a boy who hates to read, try him with an e-Book. The button pressing and new technology will get him interested, and the right story will do the rest. By "right story," I mean something rough, tough, action packed and macho!


Other sections on this blog offer
"Boy Friendly" titles and authors.

E-books are Green, Save Trees, Environmentally Friendly and Much Cheaper than their paper versions. You don't have to buy a book reader or a Kindle - not until they came WAY down in price anyway. Your PC or laptop screen works just fine.

It is only a matter of time before book readers are able to show color, and can be bought for well under the $100 mark. Imagine several dozen books downloaded into a light, hand held reader that is no heavier than the average library book. Or, use your Blackberry or other device to hold a great book or two. This will help you while away those spare minutes.

This Will Happen!
The interest and upsurge in e-Book Interest
has already begun!


Kids today are teckno savvy, mates.

There is a time and a place for books of all types -
both in paper, and those that are downloaded.

The future will embrace both paper and electronic books.
Reading pleasure for everyone!


**********************


My Website - Manuscript Critiques
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and
receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!
Soft cover - CD - Download