Introduction:
Knowing about my passion for boys and literacy, my mother-in-law cut out this great article called “Reading is a Superpoer Indeed” by Bruce Cameron in the Rocky Mountain News. Thanks Joyce!
Summary of Article:
In his brief article, Bruce uses humor and witt to remind us all how important magazines are in the lives of boys. He discusses ways that magazines and comic books spark vocabulary – ways that many adults do not realize..
Two Important Issues That he Addresses:
1) Society’s incorrect view that magazines and graphic novels aren’t a respected form of literacy
2) Forcing kids to read stuff they don’t like
My Favorite Part:
"My parents seemed pretty shocked that a kid who spent all his free time devouring books would be so illiterate, but was there any wonder I had trouble with my native tongue? I was taught to read by a guy from Krypton!"
Questions to Discuss:
What are some magazine titles that you know are of interest to boys?
What memories do you have that relate to magazines?
Ann
Most people do not take into consideration that many graphic novels such as Captain Underpants have the same reading lexile as some of the more lengthy and wordier novels. When a child loves what they read, they will read more. When it comes to finding something that your child will love, I don’t believe any avenue should be overlooked especially when it comes to boys. My son showed no interest in many of the same book series that my daughter did. It took many creative venues including graphic novels to get him reading.
Jackie Burhans
Just spent last Sunday in bed with family reading Sunday comics. All reading is good! When my son first started to prefer to see a video to reading a book I put on sub-titles to give him *something* to read. Still do but now its mostly about my hearing getting poorer
. I was ok with first Pokemon gameboy games because he had to read the characters’ words and game instructions (however a friend of his happily played without reading any of the hints–didn’t do as well but could not be slowed down, oh well). Besides reading first success at enjoying drawing was by taking a cartooning class. All goodness.
Lynette
One thing I can say for sure about my son – he loves action. Some books that go on and on about relationships (and don’t even get him started about anything love-y dove-y in a book)bore him. Most graphic novels, on the other hand, are jam-packed with action, both in the drawings and story line.
Regarding not taking magazines and graphic novels seriously as a form of literature:
I remember when the graphic novels Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: A Survivor’s Tale: And Here My Troubles Began, by Art Spiegelman http://bit.ly/NKKo were published back in the 1980s. I read a lot of criticism at the time about Speigelman addressing the serious topic of the Holocaust with the medium of the graphic novel. However, I think that the graphic novel format is very versatile and absolutely should be taken seriously. Spiegelman employs an unusual method to describe the indescribable.
Not only can the graphic novel be a thoughtful means of expression for the author, but clearly the very format is accessible and appeals to some readers more than others.
Ann
I was shelving some books at my daughter’s middle school. A boy and his paraprofessional were in the library at the same time. The boy went to grab a Garfield book, but the para scolded, "Put that back. Remember, your mom does not want you to read those, she wants you to get a book." I cringed. I wanted to ask the para to talk to this boy’s mom. Explain to her, that in her good intentions to get her son to read what she perceives as a ‘good book’. She is squalshing her son’s love of reading. My guess is her book choice will sit open while the boy day dreams about other things and never truly get read. While the Garfield book would be read cover to cover.You need to start with what they love and eventually, that love will spill into other formats. However, if you begin with something of no interest to the child, reading will be a constant battle.
I stayed silent because it was not my place to speak up, but it still makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.
Barbara Radisavljevic
I had the same kind of experience while putting on a school book fair. The young man wanted a nonfiction picture book about snakes, but his mom insisted he get a “real” book — fiction.
My own son was luring into independent reading with Boys Life. He gained the practice through its high-interest articles to be able to handle more substantial books.
Anonymous
In many of the articles the men speak of stories they or their sons like but what interest one person boy or girl will not necessarily interest another. The first book a teacher read that I liked was Ann of Green Gables. My twin sister in the same class did not like the book. We read together Black Beauty but she didn’t like it. Today she will only read factual books with the occasional biography. I still like fiction and fantasy books in both adult and children’s books. A male friend of mine I was surprised to discover he liked Romance books which are usually read by women so don’t assume that what most boys like to read all boys will want to read. I do agree that most non readers seem to like comic books and magazines. If the boy or girl doesn’t like books these are a excellent alternative for them to read.
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Igor
many of us have got the same problem. We are lack of educaten sometimes. when we really need it. But online editing is a way to avoid some further troubles.
Rose
Other than Manga, my boys also read Archie and comic strips in the newspaper. They love the weekend newspaper more because it’s colored. I believe boys are more visual than girls are. That’s why pictures and graphic novels appeal to them most.
zemlene
I saw most of my students specially the boys reading comics, with all the drawings of robots and Manga. I think this is more popular to them. I even confiscated one of the comics on class because he just busy reading with the mag and not listening to my lesson. I said to him that it is okey to read other reading materials as long as it is their free time.
Well , he is sorry though.. after that incident, he behaved in my class and just saw him reading in the hallway during their free time with his comic mags.
samanthajr
Some magazine titles where I am that are popular is Wizard and WWE. That is what I see most of. I know that here most of the boys are deeply into comic books. They love them. I think that they help them to get interested. Also, now some television shows are helpig them to get interested in books.
acapulong
my brother totally loves marvel comics! his comic books collection would sum up to thousands of dollars! he also reads fantasy novels from warhammer, magic, fantasy realms, etc. at first i thought he wouldn’t get past these type of literature. but boy was i surprised when i caught him reading new york times bestsellers about u.s. politics and life in general. i think his love for these comics and novels ignited his passion for reading. i could also say that his extensive vocabulary (admittedly better than mine) was developed through reading these novels. and oh, we was also hooked on dan brown novels. i think his novels would be great for teenage boys. ^_^
p.s. archie comics were really a hit with the boy during my time. haha!
ayoubmarket
I like this idea *Forcing kids to read stuff they don’t like* this is the first thing that make the boy hate and run away from the book, because if the boy taught that he HAVE to read he will hate all readings not only novels or classics, so we have as a parents & teachers work together to teach the kid how to be friend with the book.
I know some titles my cousin is interested in like :
Boys’ Quest
Boys’ Life
Ranger Rick
National Geographic Kids Magazine
Debby1
Ah, the Sunday Comics..not only does it bring back memories of my childhood but keeps me smiling on Sunday mornings. We do not even get the paper in the door and the two boys are at our heels bantering over who will be the first to read the comics. The funny thing is this is an every Sunday morning routine, “I’m reading them first, no I am!” after a few minutes of this they ALWAYS end up reading them together. Talk about routine!
vanessa_cruz0615
Archie comic strips, is one good example…Marvel Super hero comics will also got their attention..It shows more pictures and graphics.
Chuck
As a requirement in high school, I was able to read “To Kill a Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee. I took me so much time reading it. It was painstaking! But I finished it and I was surprised I liked the story.
At the same time, when I was in high school I loved reading comic books, and like vanessa I also read Archie comic books. It was such a breeze reading comic books. It was indeed a pleasure. I was also surprised because I was able to learn new words because of the illustrations.
Let us not underestimate the power of reading comic books.
Mike McQueen
Wow, I didn’t know how popular Archie is. I know that growing up, I was very much interested in watching superheroes on TV. I think that there was a missed opportunity for me growing up — TV superheroes with comic books would have engaged me and helped me become more of a reader.