My son has never really been into reading, but I was hoping that it could help break up the time he spends on his PC. No matter what book we pick up, he's not interested. What kind of book might he like? He enjoys football and gaming.
by No-Yogurtcloset3002
21 Comments
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Where the Red Fern Grows if he’s a dog lover.
The Percy Jackson books, the Hunger Games, Ready Player One, The Martian – those are all good books, popular, and there’s a movie/TV show you can watch with him afterwards
If you’re a progressive parent, leave a copy of The Valley of the Horses laying around. It’s a great story about finding yourself and being confident in who you are set in prehistory so there’s lots of survival stuff and cool ancient animals. There’s also a fair bit of sex (with a strong emphasis on consent and female pleasure). I’ve tricked many a teenage boy into reading eight hundred pages because they were hunting for the sex scenes
He’s old enough for Harry Potter – and I’ve seen a lot of kids get really into the whole series.
The brilliant sportswriter Mike Lupica has also written tons of young adult novels, mainly sports-themed. Perhaps your son would like something like that?
[Mike Lupica – Official Website](https://mikelupicabooks.com/)
What about a book about the games he plays?
If he wants something easy to read, my 7 year old loves the dragon masters and it’s for 2nd graders so it’ll be real easy to read. Might get him started in liking reading then can branch out to books on his reading level.
Graphic novels might work well too – pictures help keep their interest
What about looking for books based on the games he plays? Sometimes they make novels of them. Or a graphic novel?
*Private Owens: A George Owens Novel*
Sharing his favorite games can also help people get book ideas.
Ready Player One. Percy Jackson series. Manga.
Hoot by Carl Hiassen
The Hobbit;
Journey to the Center of the Earth;
20000 Leagues Under the Sea.
I know a young man like that. The only book he likes is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.
In addition to the suggestions already posted, maybe try a graphic novel or a manga? My friend did this with her daughter and now she’s devouring several mangas a month. It’s not books, but at least it’s some reading and some off-device time.
I know a lot of people with think it inappropriate, but buy him both the Master Chief Collection on his PC and some of the old halo books: The Fall of Reach is a great one.
I loved these games and books growing up and was younger than him when I started playing them and I am fine now. Would be a great way to tie his interests together
Little Brother by Cory Doctotow. A 17 year old boy saves his city from Martial Law with his Xbox.
If he likes football, Now is the Time for Running is a good read. I’ve had reluctant boys engage with it in my classes. It’s about a boy escaping a coup in Africa, who just wants to play football. You might want to check themes if he is sensitive to discussion around death and war, but it is overall uplifting.
Start with very VERY low expectation. Reading is a skill. It gets better the more you read. Start with very easy illustrated books. Like dogman, or cat kid. Establish a routine. Don’t force it. Be engaged and enjoy the book with him.
I would NOT recommend any chapter books such as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Those books are for advanced readers.
Graphic novels. Encourage the kid to read cartoons instead of watch them, then maybe you’ll convince him to read something else. Or maybe he just becomes a comic book kid and that’s fine too. People don’t need to read novels.
Would he like graphic novels? Not sure what kind of games he enjoys but that would be a clue to the kind of story/adventure he likes.
If he likes Minecraft, look at Dustin Brady’s series, Cube Kid snd Trapped in a Video Game.
Wings of Fire and Warriors are super popular among his age group, and the reading level on them isn’t super high. He can also start with the graphic novels for both series!
Hobbit! Amazing memories I had with that book from that age.