Boys and Reading: Is There Any Hope?

[alice wellintown]

If we’re to counter this tendency and encourage reading among boys who
may collectively resist it, boys need to be approached individually
with books about their fears, choices, possibilities and relationships
— the kind of reading that will prick their dormant empathy, involve
them with fictional characters and lead them into deeper engagement
with their own lives. This is what turns boys into readers.

Robert Lipsyte received the 2001 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the
American Library Association for lifetime contribution to young adult
literature. His most recent Y.A. novel is “Center Field.” His memoir,
“An Accidental Sportswriter,” was published in May.

About their fears? Choices? Relationships? Jesus! Are we talking about
boys or girls? Robert Lipsyte doesn't know anything about why boys
read or don't read books. He doesn't even know much about boys. How
does this math problem make you feel?  How does this biology lab
change how you think about your relationships? I know why the caged
bird can't sing. Because he or she reads bad poetry taught by
uninspired lazy and stupid teachers who suck up stupid psychobabble
about how and why kids read.