Let teens choose books that appeal to them

Although it seems reluctant readers don’t like reading, I often find these readers are really searching for the right book to satisfy a particular need – usually the need to fit or feel some semblance of achievement because they are struggling in school or life.

This week, we look at more books that suit the needs of reluctant readers and indeed all young readers from Standard Four through Forms Three. These books are edgy, and they explore areas of existence that adults are often reluctant to talk with children and teenagers about.

Young readers – especially reluctant readers — appreciate adults who are not condescending to them.

They want adults to treat their reading needs as important tools to deal with life. They don’t want saccharine literature that treats them like babies.

If you want to cultivate reading in your reluctant readers, you’re going to have to learn to take some chances with these high interest/ low reading level books that will appeal to teenagers even though the reading level is geared towards ten-yearolds.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park – Two children in Sudan walk for hours in their own personal quest for survival. One searches for safety and the other searches for water. In their lives nothing is taken for granted.

This short book makes students consider everything they take for granted in their lives.

Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska – Monolo is only three-years-old when his father, a famous bull fighter dies.

Growing up, everyone expects Monolo to follow in his father’s footsteps, but Monolo is afraid of bull fighting.

What does it mean to follow in your father’s footsteps? Should children feel compelled to do this? While teaching in YTC and Port-of-Spain Prison, I have heard many heart-wrenching stories of children who are pressured to become parts of gangs or follow a life of crime. This book will help students to deal with many of the emotional issues that children face when family and society puts unfair – not to mention illegal—demands on them.

A Million Shades of Gray by Cynthia Kadohata – This story of a Vietnamese boy’s quest to find his path in life will hit home with most of the students we are targeting today. When the never-ending, succession of wars finally end in Vietnam, this boy must face the fact that his family’s skills in training elephants for war are no longer needed.

Smiler’s Bones by Peter Lerangis – This is one of the most horrific stories I have ever read, and it is an important story for students to consider.

In 1897, the famous explorer Robert Peary took six Eskimos to become living exhibits in the American Museum of Natural History.

Readers follow the stories of the Eskimos and the quest from one who tried to get his dead father’s body returned to him. Students will explore issues of fairness and unfairness and become aware of cultural insensitivity while reading this book.

The books on this list will stay with young readers forever.

Remember, you can suggest books, but you must always let children and teenagers choose which books that appeal to them