I've tried buying her books on and off, and she generally doesn't get around to reading them. What's a book that might spark an interest in reading?
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The main differentiating interest of hers outside of "usual" teenage interests is her interest in marine life and animals. Her dream job, which has held steady for years now, is a marine biologist.
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She has read a few graphic novels over the years (I probably shouldn't have discounted those), but nothing steady. I will say that she seemed to have more interest in those over standard books.
by ScrollingOaks88
29 Comments
Start with audiobooks gradually then shift to book like one page a day don’t force make it fun so he can enjoy as well as learn
Everybody seems to love Harry Potter
Kinda need more info.
What have you tried? What are her interests?
Did she enjoy books when she was younger?
Might be worth seeing if she has any interest in graphic novels. Which ones might be good are really entirely dependent on what genres of entertainment she has gravitated to in other forms.
I know it’s probably not what you were envisioning, but reading is still reading after all!
Do you think she would be interested in graphic novels? My son really got into reading around age 7 with graphic novels. He is now almost 11 and still loves them. Lots of words but also pictures which help some people try to imagine how the book is if they struggle with just words.
Give graphic novels a try! I read them all the time as a teenager, I liked them because they were easy reading, aesthetically pleasing, and still had good stories. Some of my favorites at the time were Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol, Nimona by ND Stevenson, and The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins.
What is she into? Does she play video games? Science fiction movies? Bridgerton series for tv or reality tv? Does she do well in history class. What are her favorite forms of entertainment basically. Does she watch baking stuff on tiktok or dance stuff. These things will help us narrow down what she will be most interested in book wise.
I’m also going to suggest trying audiobooks. Kids tend to want to multitask. that’s just the way this generation is.
Does she enjoy creating things? Maybe some books with creative ideas or instruction?
I’m there with you but, sadly, nothing has worked. And I think my pushing it has made her more resistant 🙁
Pushing reading on kids who don’t want to read does not make them appreciate reading more.
I’d take her to the library and have her talk to the librarian about some of her interests. They are there to help!
What does she like to do? Is she in to fashion? Hair? Horses?
Find her interests and buy books in that genre.
Need to know her interests to pick something that scratches that itch. Favorite TV shows and movies?
I remember reading about a school librarian who rec’d books based on favorite tv shows, like “if you like The Bachelorette you should try “The Selection”.
What tv shows does she like?
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Some Stephen King maybe? I loved his stuff as a kid.
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Read it with her or at the same time so you can talk about it. It’s a beautiful book.
Your kid is reading all day, just not long-form. Long-form reading is really boring when you’re not used to it. I’d start with short-form content, like a collection of short stories in a genre they like in other mediums.
Get her field guides. Petersons guides are awesome for animal lovers.
You buy her books. Are they books on things she like? Are you buying her books instead of things that she enjoys? Are you buying the books and then guilting her into reading them? There’s a lot of missing things in here.
I don’t know if you’ve ever tried audiobooks, but sometimes I try it with my kids and then once they are hooked, I have them the paper book to continue reading it. Good luck, OP!
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
Blueback by Tim Winton
Sy Montgomery’s The Soul of an Octopus – The Good Good Pig is also great, but not marine.
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
I recommended this to a friend who hated reading when we were in middle school. She now has her PhD in English!
Eragon
Anything by Tamora Pierce! My favorite book series at that age was The Immortals. First book was “Wild Magic”.
Harry Potter turned my kid into a reader, but he was 20 when he started that. I always read books to him that were a level or two above him, and would do a lot of discussion on comprehension. It’s a bit late for that now, but I would find a movie or series she likes that is based on a book. Then get the book. My kid was really interested in the differences between the 2 ,and we discussed how film can’t give you the full meaning of the stories like the book can.