Apparently, reports of the death of reading among boys have not been exaggerated. According to Guys Read, self-described as “a web-based literacy program for boys, ”research shows that boys are having trouble reading and that boys are getting worse at reading.” The problem is one of image. Reading, an erstwhile hairy-chested, two-fisted pastime, is viewed by today’s (male) youth as an irrelevant activity for girls. Boys would be voracious readers if books didn’t seem so contemptibly lacking in vigor.Apart from Guys Read, where should a librarian performing readers’ advisory work for boys turn to find gravel-in-the-gut, grit-in-the-eye free voluntary reading material? As it happens, there are a number of print and electronic resources to aid in readers’ advisory work. These resources include:
- Best Books for Children by Catherine Barr and John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
- Historical Fiction for Young Readers by John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
- The Big Book of Children's Reading Lists: 100 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Educators, Librarians, Parents, and Children by Nancy Keane. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
- A to Zoo by Carolyn and John Lima. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
- Best Books for Boys: A Resource for Educators by Matthew Zbaracki. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
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