May sound off-topic, but... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 06-19-2007, 01:12 PM

I have to say that I can't see The Hobbit or Farmer Giles being appealing to a contemporary 12 year old. Many boys (and indeed men prefer factual reading) and I think finding stuff with subject matter that already appears is the key.

On the fiction side, I remember a not very academic boy cousin being addicted to the Lemony Snicket "Series of Unfortunate Events" at 12. They are nice and dark and introduce and explain a lot of vocabulary. It takes a while to build the stamina and the ability to get in to longer books so I would suggest going for page turners with that aim in mind even if they are not "great literature" . Another cousin read all the James Bond books at about that age. I read most of Agatha Christie in my preteen years and developed an addiction to detective stories.

Finally I wouldn't try to "make" him to read - youngstock are notoriously contrary beings. Try raiding the library for books that might be possible and forbidding him from reading them on grounds of unsuitability.....

alatar · 06-19-2007, 01:29 PM

Do you read? Are there books littering your house? Kids pick up on those things.

So far we haven't encountered that problem (it's funny seeing the little one on the couch with a book). Heard that taking turns reading a book of interest can get things going - you read a page, then he reads a page.

We've provided Star Wars (mostly) picture books - literary masterpieces to be sure

- to keep things going, and then added a few science books as kids like things that are 'dangerous,' such as lightning, volcanoes and sharks.

Can't wait for any of them to pick up the Hobbit.

Good luck!

06-19-2007, 01:12 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I have to say that I can't see The Hobbit or Farmer Giles being appealing to a contemporary 12 year old. Many boys (and indeed men prefer factual reading) and I think finding stuff with subject matter that already appears is the key. On the fiction side, I remember a not very academic boy cousin being addicted to the Lemony Snicket "Series of Unfortunate Events" at 12. They are nice and dark and introduce and explain a lot of vocabulary. It takes a while to build the stamina and the ability to get in to longer books so I would suggest going for page turners with that aim in mind even if they are not "great literature" . Another cousin read all the James Bond books at about that age. I read most of Agatha Christie in my preteen years and developed an addiction to detective stories. Finally I wouldn't try to "make" him to read - youngstock are notoriously contrary beings. Try raiding the library for books that might be possible and forbidding him from reading them on grounds of unsuitability..... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

06-19-2007, 01:29 PM	#2
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Do you read? Are there books littering your house? Kids pick up on those things. So far we haven't encountered that problem (it's funny seeing the little one on the couch with a book). Heard that taking turns reading a book of interest can get things going - you read a page, then he reads a page. We've provided Star Wars (mostly) picture books - literary masterpieces to be sure - to keep things going, and then added a few science books as kids like things that are 'dangerous,' such as lightning, volcanoes and sharks. Can't wait for any of them to pick up the Hobbit. Good luck! __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

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