Reluctant Readers

 What do you do with reluctant readers? Like you, I want them exposed to the classics.  This year, the Composition class has five reluctant readers.  Every. single. teen.  Dyslexia is rampant in my family.  Often, learning differences are the source of the problem—but, not always.  I am focused on solutions.  A friend just asked me about graphic novels.  I don’t care if the kid is reading the back of the cereal box as long as he is reading.  Let your teen read graphic novels.  The Great Illustrated Classics and Illustrated Classics are examples.  They are classified as adaptations.  These books have the story, but are easier to read.  Another simplified series are the Longman Classics series.  Could you use Cliffnotes or Sparknotes?  You could.  I think it’s better to read the story—even abridged.  Let your teen listen to the audiobook.  Often the child comes away with a better understanding of the novel.  I’m dealing with teens who also have trouble remaining on task.  They’ll listen to shorter novels; Little Women has been a slog.  Three of the boys have started to listen to the novel, but are having trouble persisting.  On to abridged copies!  I pulled out Longman!  In addition to classics, such as Treasure Island, many modern classics, such as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Giver, The Chosen, and A Wrinkle in Time, are available as graphic novels.  These are still books!  Another tip is to let your teen watch the movie first.  Sometimes, it helps to understand the plot.  Guess what?  Usually, the kid will learn that the book is better!  If I come up with any more solutions, I’ll let you know.