Teenagers are spending free time on the phone, the Internet, listening to music --often all at the same time. Once, you could put your child on your lap and read classic children's books and award-winners, but it doesn’t work anymore.

So how does a parent get a teen to read teenager books for pleasure? 

Give Your Teenagers Books That Interest Them

“Look for books that spark your child’s interest, whether it’s a sport or activity,” said Sandra Frank, part-time librarian at the Ossining, New York Public Library. “If he’s interested in basketball, then get him a book on basketball.”

But the world of reading goes beyond books. It’s a good idea to keep current periodicals and newspapers in the house. They should appeal to teenagers and cover a variety of topics.

Don’t dictate what he should read. Even if he reads a magazine such as "Car and Driver," his vocabulary will be expanded and he will be interested in the subject. Give your teen his own subscription to such age-appropriate magazines as "Teen People" or "Sports Illustrated." Then he will think of written material as a gift.

As a parent, you're in the unique position of personalizing your child’s reading program. You can build on his interests.

Make sure to give him a well-designated bookcase or shelf and a quiet place to read. Organization allows more free time for reading and less time hunting for the book buried beneath a mound of dirty laundry! 

Card-Carrying Family Member

If you haven’t already done so, get a library card in your teen’s name and one for yourself. Show how important books are to you by checking some out for yourself. Ask the librarian about special programs for teens such as mother-daughter book clubs that include group discussions. 

“Monkey See, Monkey Do”

Researchers have discovered that parents who read newspapers or books in front of their children set a powerful example in reading’s importance and pleasure. Your children will realize that you read for enjoyment and to get needed information.

Read with your adolescent every chance you get, even if it’s just part of a newspaper at the breakfast table.

Better yet, make reading a family affair. Discuss what you read afterwards. Reading with a parent is non-judgmental; away from a school setting, it’s not stressful.

Ask your teen to read to a younger sibling. Similarly, a babysitting teen who reads to kids will enhance his popularity with the youngster who will look up to him. Reading aloud provides entertainment and knowledge and builds an interest in language.

In fact, The U.S. Commission on Reading examined more than 10,000 studies and issued a landmark report stating “the single most important activity for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” 

Limit Television

If you restrict television to two hours per day, the quota recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, you will allow more time for reading and writing.

But you don’t have to rule out television entirely! According to a 1996 Roper Youth Report, the kids who watch television are more likely to read books and newspapers. Try to emphasize programs with educational content such as public television.

Even better: If you watch television programs together, discuss what you view. If the program has sparked your teen’s interest, then encourage follow-up reading on the subject. 

On the Web

Similarly, “parents need to monitor the use of the Internet,” warns Brian Deutsch, a special education teacher in White Plains, New York. “It can be educational if used properly.”

For example, Deutsch, executive director at Sylvan Learning Center, refers his students to a free interactive web-based incentive program called Book Adventure. This Web site, sponsored by Sylvan Learning Centers, Barnes and Noble and several other major corporations, helps parents and students (up to age 14) find books of interest to them. 

After reading a book, the student answers five to 10 questions about the book and gets points for correct answers. The teen can then use those points for prizes which are available through the Web site. 

Other Distractions for Teens

Pleasure reading competes with interests of school, sports and friends.

Deutsch cautions parents to have their teenagers focus on one or two activities at the most. “Kids nowadays are over-booked. Sports and socializing should be rewards for good academic work, not just given to the children.”

“The teen whose school schedule does not permit him a minute to read is going to find summer reading just another overwhelming assignment,” says Jeannette Jansky, Ph.D., educational director of the Hirsch-Robinson Reading Clinic at N.Y. Medical Center, New York. 

Look to Librarians

Take the guesswork out of which book is suitable for your adolescent. Your librarian can assist you in finding good reading material. Editors who review the latest books can save you a lot of time searching for a book. These organizations publish lists of children’s books.

Request them directly from:

American Library Association *
Publications Order Department
P.O. Box 932501
Atlanta, GA 31193
Telephone: 1-866-746-7252

*American Library has Quick Picks for the Reluctant Young Reader on its web site.

American Library Association
Karen Muller
Librarian & Knowledge Management Specialist
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Toll free: 1-800-545-2433, extension 1-5031
Or (312) 280-5031

International Reading Association
800 Barksdale Road
P.O. Box 8139
Newark, DE 19714-8139
Telephone: (302) 731-1600

Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF)
Publications Department
Smithsonian Institution
600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20024-2520
(202) 357-2700

RIF’s main address:
1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009
Telephone: 1-877-RIF-READ ( 743-7323)

Recommended Reading: 

  • "Best Books for Junior High Readers; Best Books for Senior High Readers;" and "Best Books for Young Adult Readers," published by R.R. Bowker (1-888-269-5372). These recommended books list and index books by subject and genre. Available at most libraries and bookstores. 
  • "High Interest Easy Reading: An annotated booklist for middle and senior high school." By Patricia Phelan, 1966, 7th ed., Urbana, Il.: National Council of Teachers of English.


 

Wesley Davidson is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping and American Baby magazines.