Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Getting Boys to Read—Part One


If you’re trying to get the reluctant young male reader in your life to read more often—or read at all—you might already know it can be a challenging feat. According to a national survey conducted by the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2001, boys (average age of 14) who weren’t interested in reading pointed to the following reasons:
  • boring/no fun--39.3%
  • no time/too busy--29.8%
  • like other activities better--11.1%
  • can’t get into the stories--7.7%
  • I’m not good at reading-- 4.3%

So how can a parent/guardian, teacher or librarian overcome these challenges? One way is to pay attention to what boys are reading. Smith and Wilhelm, authors of Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys: Literacy in the Lives of Young Men, say boys differ from girls in the choices they make of reading material:
  • Boys are more inclined to read informational texts,magazines, and newspaper articles.
  • Boys are more inclined to read graphic novels and comic books.
  • Boys tend to resist reading stories about girls, whereas girls do not tend to resist reading stories about boys.
  • Boys like to read about hobbies, sports, and things they might do or be interested in doing.
  • Boys like to collect things and tend to like to collect series of books.
  • Boys read less fiction than girls.
  • Boys tend to enjoy escapism and humor, and some boys are passionate about science fiction or fantasy.

With those points in mind, here are some tips that can help encourage boys to read:

Tips and Strategies
  • Model reading. Studies show that when parents read and have books around, both boys and girls are more likely to be readers.
  • Give your boy a book. Giving books as gifts shows young people that books are special, valuable and important.
  • Read aloud. Reaching out loud has been called the single most important activity to building success in reading.
  • Make reading social. Invite boys to talk about something they’ve read—a book, newspaper article, or a story on the web. Encourage the social connection. People like to talk about what they’ve seen, done, experienced, and boys are no different. The right book can give boys something to connect with their friends about.
  • Encourage men to read with boys.

“Studies show that 90 percent of elementary school teachers are female,” says Michael Sullivan, director of the Weeks Public Library in New Hampshire and author of Connecting Boys With Books: What Libraries Can Do. “Seventy-five percent of high school teachers are female.” Most people who boys see connected with reading are female, he says, but boys identify with men. (to be continued tomorrow in Part Two)

Getting Boys to Read, copyright 2008 and 2011 by Just Us Books, Inc. All rights reserved.
For permission to reproduce please contact Rights & Permissions, Just Us Book Inc.
e-mail: justusbook@aol.com http://justusbooks.com 973.672.7701

African American Daily Quotes for Kids

Knowledge is like an ocean;
no man's arms can embrace it.

—Swahili

Few (are) too young, and none too old,
to make the attempt to learn.

—Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery


Monday, August 29, 2011

Remembering the Historic March on Washington, 1963

The March on Washington

Written By James Haskins

Award-winning author James Haskins turns his attention to the historic March on Washington in this timely look at one of the pivotal events of the Civil Rights movement. Haskins skillfully traces the history of the movement and details the planning, progression, and outcome of that momentous march.

Reading Level: 9-12; Paperback: 98 Pages


http://www.justusbooksonlinestore.com/products/JAMES-HASKINS-SERIES-%252d-THE-MARCH-ON-WASHINGTON.html


African American Daily Quote for Kids

"The tortoise is the wisest. He carries his own home."
—Bambara

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Getting Boys to Read


Look for this four-part series starting September 1, 2011.


African American Daily Quote for Kids

Take courage my soul, and let me journey on.
For the night is dark and I am far from home.
Thanks be to God, the morning light appears.
The storm is passing over...Hallelujah!
— lyrics, African American Spiritual

Friday, August 26, 2011

It's Back to School!

“The role of the teacher remains the highest calling of a free people. To the teacher, America entrusts her most precious resource, her children; and asks that they be prepared ... to face the rigors of individual participation in a democratic society.” —Shirley Mount Hufstedler

For picture books, chapter books, biographies, series, books for young adults, classroom activities and resources that reflect our nation’s diversity visit http://justusbooks.com/ and http://www.justusbooksonlinestore.com/.

25% Discount

on all orders during the Month of September!

WE SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS!!!

JUST US BOOKS, INC. MARIMBA BOOKS

356 Glenwood Avenue East Orange, NJ 07017

(973) 672-7701



African American Daily Quote for Kids

"Love is the most durable power in the world.
This creative force is the most potent instrument available
in mankind's quest for peace and security."
—Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

IN THE NEWS

Margo Sorenson, author of the picture book Aloha for Carol Ann, published by Marimba Books, will be a featured author at the Duarte Festival of Authors on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Westminster Gardens in Duarte, CA. Margo will also make an appearance by Skype at the 3rd Annual Literacy in a Multicultural World Conference at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania on Monday, October 10.

Wade and Cheryl Hudson will be among 500 African-American History Makers who will participate in the 2nd Annual Back to School program on Friday, September 23, 2011. The program is sponsored by the History Makers, the nation’s largest African-American video oral history archive. The African-American history makers will visit schools across the country, sharing personal and professional stories that they hope will motivate and encourage students as they begin a new school year. Among those participating include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former Ambassador Andrew Young, actor/rapper Common, singer/actress Melba Moore, Broadway choreographer George Faison, poet Nikki Giovanni, actress Marla Gibbs ("227," "The Jeffersons"), Ambassador Carol Mosely-Braun, actress T’Keyah Crystal Keymah ("In Living Color," "Cosby" and "That's So Raven") and poet/author Sonia Sanchez. Wade & Cheryl will visit a school in East Orange, NJ.

Wade and Cheryl will also attend the Virginia Library Association Annual Conference on October 27 and 28 at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, VA.

On Sunday, October 30, the Hudsons will speak and autograph books at the Douglass Park Elementary School in Portsmouth, VA from 2:00 to 4:30. The event is hosted by the Gamma Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha , which sponsors an annual bookfair or author event with Just Us Books every year. The event is free and open to the public.

African American Daily Quote for Kids






"It takes a whole village to raise a child."
—West Africa