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

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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

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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.

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Margot's BOOKS for KIDS + Writing News
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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!


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

Max Elliot Anderson - Author of BOOKS BOYS WILL READ

Today, I want to introduce you to

Max Elliot Anderson and his Blog,
BOOKS and BOYS

If you want your boy to stop being a reluctant reader, you need to search out authors who know how to write about things boys find cool, fun, and slightly dangerous. Max Anderson is one such author. Boys eat up his wildly adventuresome plots and characters.

WHY? Because Max's characters do things
all boys long to do.

His characters dig deep, and find the courage to act in ways that make boys feel good about the end result. Boys find it easy to root for and identify with what his main character feels and does. His books reach a chord within young boys that appeals to their macho image of themselves, without overdoing it. And his books are FUN!

Max Anderson's Blog, BOOKS and BOYS is the place
to go if you want to discover books your boy
will read, and then beg for more.

To give you some idea of how this great writer thinks, plus synopses of some terrific adventures for boys, click on the links below. Also read pertinent links to articles on how to write for boys.

• The Dillinger connections
• Authors Share Tips on How to Hook Boys on Books
• Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational...
• Announcing new Blog - Cool Guys Read
• School Library Journal & Books For Boys

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Read Max's fascinating interview for the
Stories for Children magazine

Here's another Author Interview with Max Anderson,
where you can score BIG for your
reluctant reader.

Click on the link above, and add a comment on that blog,
and you could WIN one of Max's books!

These links below start you off on the Max Elliot grand tour:

Books for Boys
Cool Guys Read
Books for Boys by Max Elliot Anderson
Action-Adventure & Mystery Books for Boys
+
Background on Max Anderson

And if you CLICK HERE you can link to ALL the rest of Max's Blogs.



Hey, what can I say. The man's a dynamo!




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My Website - Manuscript Critiques

BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and
receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!

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"Virtual" SUMMER ZOO CAMP - Fun for ALL Kids!

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The Reluctant Reader Lair is all about WRITING
"Books That HOOK Kids on READING,"
+ helping PARENTS FIND BOOKS their
Reluctant Reader will love.

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What better way to HOOK BOYS and GIRLS
on READING, than zooming them to
"Virtual" Summer Zoo Camp!

+
a cool book about
ZOO ANIMALS.

Calling all parents, teachers and caregivers with children
between the ages of 5 and 8 - Do you need some fun,
educational activities for your children this summer?

Can't afford to send them off to a zoo camp?
We have the answer.

Starting July 6, 2009 we are holding a
Virtual Summer Zoo Camp.
It's online and it's totally FREE.

All you have to do is sign up
RIGHT HERE

Then mark these dates on your child's calendar:
Eight Weeks of Zoo Animal Fun!

July 6-12 Meerkat Mania
July 13-17 Leaping Lizards
July 20-24 Virtuous Vultures
July 27-31 Fascinating Frogs
August 3-7 Observant Okapis
August 10-14 Playful Penguins
August 17-21 Slithery Snakes
August 24-28 Amazing Antelope

There will be Games, Animal Trivia, Arts and Crafts and all kinds of Puzzles. So what are you waiting for? Hop over to Zebee's Summer Zoo Camp and sign up today.

Joy Delgado had this delightful ZOO VISIT inspiration, and it fits perfectly with her Bi-lingual children's book, all about a bevy of cute, and oh-so-cool zoo animals -

ZooprisePartyFiestaZoorpresa

Available from Amazon

Then there is
Laughing Zeber Children's Books
and Going Beyond Reading

Educational summer fun for YOUR kids - reluctant reader or NOT!


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* Critiques - Writing Help - Books:
* Books for Kids + Writing News

BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and
receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!

HOOK KIDS on READING at Robin Falls Kid's Story Time

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The Reluctant Reader Lair
All about writing "Books That HOOK Kids
on READING," + helping PARENTS FIND
BOOKS their Reluctant Readers will read.

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Tomorrow morning,
June 24th, at 8am Pacific time,
tune in to regular weekly Summer fun for kids,
on
Robin Falls Kid's Story Time -
Blog Talk Radio.

I will be a guest tomorrow, at 8am, to chat
about writing books for boys, and read from
my latest book,"Rattlesnake Jam" - a sure fire
reluctant reader pleaser!

Other guests will follow, + give aways,
and you and your kids can ask questions
at the end of the show.

Please phone in your questions or comments
here: (646) 649-1005

OR
Go to Robin Falls Story Time on
Facebook for more details

I will also be very happy to answer any e-mail
questions you or your child send me.
( mfinke@verizon.net).

FREEBIE: Everyone who e-mails me tomorrow, or phones in a question for ME and leaves their name and e-mail address, will receive a link to me reading one of my stories, PLUS the fun illustrations.

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Critiques - Writing Help - Rattlesnake Jam
+ 7 Book Series: fun and educational

Margot's Books for KIDS + Writing News

"Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind"
C-O-M-I-N-G Soon!

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The RELUCTANT READER LAIR goes on Robin Falls Kids Story Time - Blog Talk Radio

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The Reluctant Reader Lair
All about writing "Books That HOOK Kids
on READING," + helping PARENTS FIND
BOOKS their Reluctant Readers will read.

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Hey there, mates. On June 24th, at the very early hour
of 8am Pacific time, I will be a guest on the
Robin Falls Kids Story Time -
Blog Talk Radio Show.

I get to chat about how to write books for reluctant readers - especially boys, and then read from my latest book, "Rattlesnake Jam," a boy friendly rhyming story if there ever was one.

I even sneak in a plug for my next book from G.A.P,
"Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind."

Ruthie is not a boy, but if I'd named her Stevie, the Hippo and her freak-out fits would fit Stevie, right down to the mismatched pair of socks! Stevie and the Hippo's Fat Behind would definitely hook small boys.

BONUS OFFER!

Everyone who leaves their e-mail address, when they phone in or leave a comment, receives a FREE AUDIO of me reading one of my rhyming kid friendly stories + the illustrations

So, phone in here -(646) 649-1005
OR
Go to Robin Falls Story Time on Facebook




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"WILD and WONDERFUL"
my 7 book rhyming series -
Fun facts about animals from the US and Australia.


Visit Down-under Fun or Wild Us Critters
for extra information about the animals in these books

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HOOK KIDS on READING with the RELUCTANT READER LAIR!

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The Reluctant Reader Lair
is all about authors writing "Books That Will HOOK Kids
on READING," and parents who are happy
to find and buy them.

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Do You Worry Because Your Child
Doesn't Like Reading?

I have discovered that more reluctant readers are boys.
As a writer of children's books, I find this
shocking and unacceptable.

However, I'm betting it's because girl genes swoon over
frills, pink, cute puppies, playing house,
and dress-up.


On the other hand, boy genes go for fast action, frogs,
yucky stuff, dirt, shooting guns and practicing
gross underarm noises.


Who writes kid's books anyway?

More women than men write books for children, so it stands to reason that they tend to lean toward things that appeal to kids of the female persuasion: not always mind you, but quite often. Lady writers know what little girls (and not so little girls) like - right! So, with the profusion of story choices offered to them, about topics they think are cool, it's no wonder girls read more than boys.

Now that I've dragged this dirty little secret out in the open, what can writers do about fixing this, so our boys will also have a ready supply of books they love to read?

First off, female writers have to go discover the other side of the gene pool - the Testerone Mystery! What makes it tick? What interests those it inhabits? How can we entice a "testerone flavor of the month" into the books we write for boys?

YIKES!!
It's beginning to sound like a banned book!
NOT SO, mates.

My son David was a reluctant reader. Short of my gluing a book to his hands, and threatening dire consequences, he would not read. Not sure about you, but I was certain this was not the way to get him HOOKED on BOOKS!

"It's boring, Mom."
"Can I stop now?" - after 5 minutes.
"I'll read it later - promise!"
"Laura liked it ( his sister), so it's gotta suck."
"But a lady wrote it!!"
"Aw Mom, the team will flub without me."

Just A few of my son's wiggle-outa-reading excuses. Books should be a can't-put-it-down-till-I -finish, kinda fun - not a gun-at-the-head torture. How could I hook this kid of mine on the pleasure of reading, the thrill of that magic carpet ride to fascinating and far away places, of intriguing characters, and boy targeted adventures.

Then I found him the Hardy Boy's Series. Not great literature for sure, but who cares: These books GOT DAVID READING. No nagging, no excuses. After reading the complete series of umpteen books, he asked for more of the same. Now that I knew his reading needs, it was no problem to provide my son with the sort of macho page turners he loved.

That's when the answer hit me right in the face. . .
WRITE ABOUT WHAT INTERESTS BOYS.

Forget the frills and the fashions. Dump the giggles and the whispered secrets. Think mini-male.
Give boys a scaled down version of what their Dads, Uncles and Grandfathers enjoyed reading.

*An humorous action mystery
*A fast paced wild country adventure
*A school bully fed his own medicine
*How to survive ( macho man style) in an all female household.
*A bordering on gross holiday adventure - fast and funny!
*Fantasy and Sci-Fi dudes on the rampage.
*Tales about winning team sports.
*Bring on the dinosaurs!

Keep girls to a minimum and the DIALOGUE ALL BOY!
Let the yuck factor rule - especially with humor.

Get the picture. . . sorry, I mean BOOK?

Begin by researching what the boys you know and love like to do. When they gather to watch TV, sports, or play computer games, SPY ON THEM! Listen to the way they talk, their current interests, the food they crave. Note what they think is cool, and what they hate. Get a feel for what tickles the junior male funny bone!

Now, go to the library and read everything they have that was written with boys in mind.
Depending upon the age you want to write for, look for books written by:

Max Elliot Anderson
Gary Paulson
Steve Young
Louis Sachar
Lemony Snicket
Bruce Colville
Jeanne duPrau

Or, go to Michael Sullivan's Website
BOOKS FOR BOYS

There you will find a plethora of books written with macho in mind - from picture books to young adult, from fiction to non-fiction, and everything in-between. More than 99% of them written by men. Come on ladies, we can't let men keep this side of writing all to themselves!!

If we want young boys to start reading, we as authors have to write books that have boy appeal.
And parents need to understand that little Andy and sister Jillian might look a lot alike, but this does not mean they want to read the same sort of books. Andy will want macho man stories, while Jillian will probably go for girlie stuff.

RELUCTANT READER BOYS CAN BE HOOKED!

Authors need to WRITE BOOKS BOYS want to READ
And then. . .
Parents can buy books that HOOK their boy's interest.


a
Slam-dunk, Mates!


MORE NEXT TIME


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My Website - Manuscript Critiques

BUY any Autographed Book from my website,
and receive a FREE LINK to me reading that book -
all reluctant reader friendly!

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