By Ahtiya Liles (@BookinItWithAhtiya)
Reading for fun or personal enjoyment has long been proven to be one of the most beneficial habits in which we can indulge, especially for children. Not only does it expand the imagination, broaden capabilities for empathy, and reduce stress, reading also improves vocabulary and memory; strengthens writing and reading comprehension abilities; and builds analytical and communication skills. These benefits multiple exponentially when reading for fun is instilled in children early on and remains a habit during years of adolescence. For those hoping to encourage resistant or hesitant children (ages 8-18) to read, here are 3 tips from my time as middle school teacher that might help and 6 books (3 Middle Grade & 3 Young Adult) to get them started:
*Note: Middle Grade (MG) are books about and targeted for children ages 8-12; Young Adult (YA) are books about and targeted for children ages 13-18.
Tip #1: Expose the soon-to-be-reader to books with a variety of storytelling methods: graphic novels, comics, novels told in verse, manga, etc. As a former teacher, it would always hurt my soul to hear parents dismiss certain types of books (usually graphic novels and comics) as less than traditional prose or as “not real reading.” All reading is valid, no matter the way in which the story is told. Plus, shaming a child because of their reading tastes or preferences very rarely leads to them wanting to read “actual books,” but rather shun the practice of reading altogether.
Middle Grade Rec #1: Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca is a novel told in verse/poetry about an Indian American girl trying to balance feeling stuck between two cultures while also gripping with the shocking news that her mother is battling leukemia.
Young Adult Rec #1: Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys is a coming-of-age graphic novel centering a Black girl who discovers she has telepathic powers when she tries to save her brother and must resist nefarious forces that are trying to take over her neighborhood and take advantage of her abilities.
Tip #2: Use the genres and topics your soon-to-be-reader already loves as an entrypoint for potential reads. Often our interests and likes overlap mediums. For example, if a child loves Star Trek or has a curiosity about space? Maybe encourage them to explore the science-fiction section. Do they gravitate towards sitcoms or dramas? Point them to the contemporary reads and let them browse. Are they interested in politics or social topics? Look up and recommend books with similar themes that draw their eye. There are books out there for everyone and dealing with every interest, and when new readers discover and become familiar with their favorite literary niche, they’ll eventually branch out on their own and begin searching for books themselves.
Middle Grade Rec #2: The Rhythm of Time by Questlove & S.A. Cosby is the start of a science-fiction series following a Black boy who, after using the handmade cell phone his genius best friend gives him, is thrown back to the 90s and befriends the young version of his own father!
Young Adult Rec #2: A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney is an urban fantasy reimagining of the world of Alice In Wonderland that follows a Black girl trying to rid her city of Nightmares and cure her sick friend.
Tip #3: Pick up a book yourself and model the behavior you want to see! If you have regular interactions with the future avid reader, talk to them about a book you’ve recently read or are excited to read. Recommend a favorite series or author of yours, or even suggest a buddy read where the two of you read and casually discuss a book of their choosing. Excitement is infectious, and children are more tapped into what the adults in their lives are interested in than they want to admit.
When I was teaching, I did two specific things to foster an environment of reading in my homeroom. Firstly, I cultivated a classroom library from scratch by donating a ton of my own books that I was already planning to donate elsewhere while also periodically purchasing new releases for the classroom library. The students watched me bring in the books on certain mornings and fix up the shelves, and they became super excited once they realized it was something new and just for them. The second thing I did was read in their presence, especially during the first 15 minutes of Homeroom, which was our designated Silent Readingtime.
If I had a free few minutes while they were copying down notes or if I was on my lunch break, I would whip out a book or my ereader, and I would read. The students witnessed this, and you know what happened over time? Soon, even the students who were super resistant to reading at the start of the year were excited to read books from the class library (and tell me about them!) or would pull out a book and begin to read once they finished a task instead of talking to their neighbor or causing distractions. Children mimic the behavior of the adults they trust, so give them a positive habit to mimic.
Middle Grade Rec #3: Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barbra Higuera stars Mexican and Chinese Lupe Wong, who needs A’s in all her classes in order to meet her hero. The only thing standing in her way is the one thing she despises: P.E. square dancing!
Young Adult Rec #3: True True by Don P. Hooper is a contemporary fiction following a Black boy who begins fighting systemic racism at his new private school using the lessons from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War after he gets into a racially instigated fight during his first week.
Bonus Tip: Audiobooks count as reading and provide great accessibility to readers on all levels, especially those with learning challenges or other disabilities.
Reading should be enjoyable and allow avenues for self-discovery and self-care, so don’t stress if your future avid reader doesn’t take to the hobby right away. Give them time, grace, and a plethora of options (this is where public libraries come in clutch!), but most of all: show them your love and genuine support.
If you enjoyed this article and would like more BIPOC bookish content, please make sure to check out my Instagram/TikTok and YouTube channel @BookinItWithAhtiya and support my content creation with my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.shop/BibliophilesUnite Happy Reading!
