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RE: Boys and Books
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From: Andrew Smith <andrew_at_ghostmedicine.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:37:54 -0700 (PDT)
________________________________
(sorry if I did this the wrong way... it's the first time I've posted)
I think one of the recurring themes I've seen in these posts from librarians and teachers who get it is choice. We all know that boys are more likely to act out in a negative way when they're uncomfortable, and being uncomfortable because they have no choice in their reading material can really turn boys off to reading.
On the other hand, it's not necessarily fair to presume that boys as a population prefer nonfiction to fiction. That may be anecdotally correct, but studies show that boys have no higher a level of preference for nonfiction than do girls. The journal The Reading Teacher published a study in November, 2009, that showed the characteristics of books that boys like to read. Most of those features have already been described by contributors to this discussion. But there are also some very important environmental considerations regarding the boys-and-reading dilemma.
First of all, it's unfair to label boys -- as a gender -- as being "reluctant." The stigma of doing so is a double edge sword: it communicates to boys that it's okay and "boyish" to veer away from reading, and, sadly, it prejudices teachers and librarians when it comes time to making choices about literacy programs and selection of reading materials. I say these things not out of self-interest as an author of YA fiction that is geared toward male readership, but as a classroom educator with more than 20 years experience.
Among the posts on this topic that I find to be interesting and useful are those from teachers and librarians dealing with younger boys. As a literacy advocate, I see plenty of evidence that shows that when boys begin to enter the age where gender roles become increasingly important elements of identity, that a prevaling lack of male role-models who actually spend time reading (at home, in school, in the community) can cause an association in the minds of many boys that reading, writing, and Language Arts in general are essentially feminine pursuits. We know that having a positive male role model who reads at home is one of the biggest unifying characteristics of boys who are considered to be avid readers, and the evidence in support of gender-segregated classes shows the attainment of dramatic gains (for all-boy, as well as all-girl classes).
I wouldn't begin to automatically assume what a kid should read simply after sizing up and deciding that boy-equals-Rick Riordan or girl-equals-Laurie Halse Anderson, but I do know that there are specific strategies we can employ to encourage higher literacy in boys as well as girls. Many of the contributors here are doing exactly those things. But, the fact that boys' (as a population) literacy scores have been declining in America in the past 20 years shows those of us in education that some of the things we've bought into have actually inflicted damage to our male students, and it's time to rethink our strategies to make them more adaptable to kids, rather than expect kids (and I mean "boys") to adapt to our preconceived notions of what's good for them.
I am very happy that my editor pointed out this listserv to me. I have been enjoying it tremendously.
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith Ghost Medicine (2008) in the path of falling objects (2009) The Marbury Lens (2010) Stick (2011) Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan http://www.ghostmedicine.com
Received on Thu 22 Apr 2010 03:37:54 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:37:54 -0700 (PDT)
________________________________
(sorry if I did this the wrong way... it's the first time I've posted)
I think one of the recurring themes I've seen in these posts from librarians and teachers who get it is choice. We all know that boys are more likely to act out in a negative way when they're uncomfortable, and being uncomfortable because they have no choice in their reading material can really turn boys off to reading.
On the other hand, it's not necessarily fair to presume that boys as a population prefer nonfiction to fiction. That may be anecdotally correct, but studies show that boys have no higher a level of preference for nonfiction than do girls. The journal The Reading Teacher published a study in November, 2009, that showed the characteristics of books that boys like to read. Most of those features have already been described by contributors to this discussion. But there are also some very important environmental considerations regarding the boys-and-reading dilemma.
First of all, it's unfair to label boys -- as a gender -- as being "reluctant." The stigma of doing so is a double edge sword: it communicates to boys that it's okay and "boyish" to veer away from reading, and, sadly, it prejudices teachers and librarians when it comes time to making choices about literacy programs and selection of reading materials. I say these things not out of self-interest as an author of YA fiction that is geared toward male readership, but as a classroom educator with more than 20 years experience.
Among the posts on this topic that I find to be interesting and useful are those from teachers and librarians dealing with younger boys. As a literacy advocate, I see plenty of evidence that shows that when boys begin to enter the age where gender roles become increasingly important elements of identity, that a prevaling lack of male role-models who actually spend time reading (at home, in school, in the community) can cause an association in the minds of many boys that reading, writing, and Language Arts in general are essentially feminine pursuits. We know that having a positive male role model who reads at home is one of the biggest unifying characteristics of boys who are considered to be avid readers, and the evidence in support of gender-segregated classes shows the attainment of dramatic gains (for all-boy, as well as all-girl classes).
I wouldn't begin to automatically assume what a kid should read simply after sizing up and deciding that boy-equals-Rick Riordan or girl-equals-Laurie Halse Anderson, but I do know that there are specific strategies we can employ to encourage higher literacy in boys as well as girls. Many of the contributors here are doing exactly those things. But, the fact that boys' (as a population) literacy scores have been declining in America in the past 20 years shows those of us in education that some of the things we've bought into have actually inflicted damage to our male students, and it's time to rethink our strategies to make them more adaptable to kids, rather than expect kids (and I mean "boys") to adapt to our preconceived notions of what's good for them.
I am very happy that my editor pointed out this listserv to me. I have been enjoying it tremendously.
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith Ghost Medicine (2008) in the path of falling objects (2009) The Marbury Lens (2010) Stick (2011) Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan http://www.ghostmedicine.com
Received on Thu 22 Apr 2010 03:37:54 PM CDT
