Connecting Boys With Books 2

by Michael Sullivan

Overview

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Sullivan shows how to reinvigorate the sense of excitement that boys felt when they first heard a picture book being read aloud.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838909799
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	12/15/2008
Series:	ALA Editions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Michael Sullivan is the author of several books, including Raising Boy Readers, Connecting Boys with Books: What Libraries Can Do, Connecting Boys with Books 2: Closing the Reading Gap, and Serving Boys through Readers' Advisory. He has spoken widely on the topic of boys and reading as well as library administration and the place and power of children's services. He was a children’s librarian and library director in public libraries for more than fifteen years and taught public library administration for five years at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Five Years on the Front Lines 1

Chapter 1 A Blueprint for Boys and Reading 5

Chapter 2 The Reading Gap 14

Chapter 3 Boys and Girls Are Different 24

Chapter 4 Read for Fun, Read Forever 36

Chapter 5 Exposing Boys to Story 47

Chapter 6 Honoring Boys' Literature 59

Chapter 7 Promoting Reading to Boys 73

Chapter 8 Creating the Culture of Literacy 87

Conclusion: Boys and Reading-What the Future Holds 99

Bibliography 105

Index 111

Editorial Reviews

Sullivan makes a clear case for his belief that what boys like to read and what we think of as "good literature" are not the same thing. His premise is that if we are to close the reading gap between boys and girls, the female-dominated professions of teaching and librarianship need to embrace boy's literature, boy-friendly formats, and programming. This second volume builds upon the work Sullivan has done since the first volume was published in 2003. He states that while a lot has changed in five years-"people are not only willing to talk about boys and reading, they are eager to do so"-ultimately all this recognition must translate into action. He describes a successful "Literary Lunch" program he implemented. Other programs are included, along with ideas on how to expose boys to story, promote reading to them, and create a culture of literacy in order for them to succeed. The author gives a clear definition throughout the book of the differences between boys and girls and how to apply this knowledge to closing the reading gap. A must-read for all librarians and media specialists.-Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY

School Library Journal