Comments on: Links: Boys don’t read? http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/05/16/links-boys-dont-read/ A School Library Journal Blog Wed, 15 May 2013 20:46:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Kat Kan http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/05/16/links-boys-dont-read/#comment-65964 Kat Kan Wed, 18 May 2011 17:56:32 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/?p=6031#comment-65964 For years, as a YA librarian in public libraries, I booktalked lots of nonfiction because I knew boys tended to prefer nonfiction. I started getting comics into the libraries back in the mid-1980s for the same reason. Then I had sons of my own, and they also prefer nonfiction and comics. How do we as librarians and teachers get out of the "rut" of equating reading with only fiction? I've been trying for almost 30 years! For years, as a YA librarian in public libraries, I booktalked lots of nonfiction because I knew boys tended to prefer nonfiction. I started getting comics into the libraries back in the mid-1980s for the same reason. Then I had sons of my own, and they also prefer nonfiction and comics.

How do we as librarians and teachers get out of the “rut” of equating reading with only fiction? I’ve been trying for almost 30 years!

]]> By: Snow http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/05/16/links-boys-dont-read/#comment-65715 Snow Tue, 17 May 2011 14:20:21 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/?p=6031#comment-65715 My husband is an excellent example of this. When we met he told me he didn't read. Once we were married, I discovered that he does read, it's just that he never thought to consider Maxim, cookbooks, whiskey guides, the newspaper, and books about woodworking to be reading. He's even read a graphic novel series: Oishinbo, which is about Japanese cuisine, something he loves. My husband is an excellent example of this. When we met he told me he didn’t read. Once we were married, I discovered that he does read, it’s just that he never thought to consider Maxim, cookbooks, whiskey guides, the newspaper, and books about woodworking to be reading. He’s even read a graphic novel series: Oishinbo, which is about Japanese cuisine, something he loves.

]]> By: Katherine Dacey http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/05/16/links-boys-dont-read/#comment-65710 Katherine Dacey Tue, 17 May 2011 13:44:54 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/?p=6031#comment-65710 You won't get any argument from us, Danielle! We're always trying to recommend comics that we think will encourage boys to read. I don't know if you've seen Zenescope's <i>10 Top Deadliest Sharks</i>, but that's a great example of what you're talking about: it's non-fiction, it focuses on a big, powerful animal, and it's jam-packed with the kind of information that kids find interesting. If I taught third graders, I'd have several copies for my classroom! You won’t get any argument from us, Danielle! We’re always trying to recommend comics that we think will encourage boys to read. I don’t know if you’ve seen Zenescope’s 10 Top Deadliest Sharks, but that’s a great example of what you’re talking about: it’s non-fiction, it focuses on a big, powerful animal, and it’s jam-packed with the kind of information that kids find interesting. If I taught third graders, I’d have several copies for my classroom!

]]> By: Danielle http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2011/05/16/links-boys-dont-read/#comment-65602 Danielle Mon, 16 May 2011 22:00:45 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/?p=6031#comment-65602 It is true. Boys like non-fiction material, such as dinosaurs, cars, astronomy, etc. I find nothing wrong with this. They are still learning. It is true. Boys like non-fiction material, such as dinosaurs, cars, astronomy, etc. I find nothing wrong with this. They are still learning.

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