Let's Not Pretend

Rousing reluctant readers with nonfiction

Most attention on reading for children and young adults focuses on novels: Harry Potter and Unfortunate Events and sci-fi and schoolyard drama and wacky humor. When parents think of books to find for their reluctant readers, they usually pore over lists of novels; teachers tend to assign stories, poems or plays as required reading, and expect free-reading selections to be fictional. If all that pretend is puzzling your child, try a nonfiction offering instead. Some children may respond better to the Chicken Soup books than a teen-in-peril soap opera, and to books on science than science fiction. You may feel sad that the thrilling fictional worlds other children lose themselves in are so unappealing to your child, but the most important thing is to find something your child will agree to read. To find good nonfiction at your child's level, consult these lists and manufacturers:

• Young Adult Library Services Association
• Dorling Kindersley
• Capstone Press
• Chicken Soup for the Soul
• New Readers Press
• About Children's Books

You can also browse the (often limited) children's nonfiction section at your local bookstore and look for something in your child's area of interest. Then set up a reading routine and make reading whatever captures your child's interest a regular habit.