How to inspire your teen to read

3 minute read
Published 7:46 AM EDT, Tue April 5, 2016
In the junior high library, "Go Ask Alice" was surely listed under the author "Anonymous." In reality, it was published in 1971 by therapist Beatrice Sparks in the form of a diary of an unidentified teen who becomes addicted to drugs.
Books that changed young adult lives —
In the junior high library, "Go Ask Alice" was surely listed under the author "Anonymous." In reality, it was published in 1971 by therapist Beatrice Sparks in the form of a diary of an unidentified teen who becomes addicted to drugs.
courtesy simon and schuster
Long before young adult literature grew into its own genre, "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott was the classic coming-of-age tale of the four March sisters -- practical Meg, strong Jo, gentle Beth and artist Amy.
Books that changed young adult lives —
Long before young adult literature grew into its own genre, "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott was the classic coming-of-age tale of the four March sisters -- practical Meg, strong Jo, gentle Beth and artist Amy.
from penguin
"Sirena," Donna Jo Napoli​'s retelling of two tales from Greek mythology, is the bittersweet story of Greek warrior Philoctetes and the siren who defies her mythological mandate by falling in love with him.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"Sirena," Donna Jo Napoli​'s retelling of two tales from Greek mythology, is the bittersweet story of Greek warrior Philoctetes and the siren who defies her mythological mandate by falling in love with him.
Scholastic Press
American author John Bellairs was best known for his Gothic mystery novels featuring young protagonists Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday and Johnny Dixon. Many of them, including "The Chessman of Doom," were accompanied by creepy cover art and illustrations by artist Edward Gorey.
Books that changed young adult lives —
American author John Bellairs was best known for his Gothic mystery novels featuring young protagonists Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday and Johnny Dixon. Many of them, including "The Chessman of Doom," were accompanied by creepy cover art and illustrations by artist Edward Gorey.
Dial Books
In "Both Sides of Time," the first book in Caroline B. Cooney's Time Travelers series, teenager Annie Lockwood is a romantic living in the wrong century. After traveling back in time to the Victorian era, she becomes trapped between two worlds with disastrous consequences.
Books that changed young adult lives —
In "Both Sides of Time," the first book in Caroline B. Cooney's Time Travelers series, teenager Annie Lockwood is a romantic living in the wrong century. After traveling back in time to the Victorian era, she becomes trapped between two worlds with disastrous consequences.
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing
"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" jump-started author Judy Blume's prolific career and changed the way a generation of readers learned about menstruation, masturbation and sex.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" jump-started author Judy Blume's prolific career and changed the way a generation of readers learned about menstruation, masturbation and sex.
Courtesy Random House, Inc
In "Shadowland," the first installment of The Mediator series, author Meg Cabot introduces high schooler Suze, a "mediator" who helps ghosts put unresolved issues to rest.
Books that changed young adult lives —
In "Shadowland," the first installment of The Mediator series, author Meg Cabot introduces high schooler Suze, a "mediator" who helps ghosts put unresolved issues to rest.
Simon Pulse
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is the fictional travel guide at the heart of Douglas Adams' comic science fiction series. Originally a radio series that aired on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it became an international phenomenon that was adapted into several mediums, including novels beloved by readers young and old.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is the fictional travel guide at the heart of Douglas Adams' comic science fiction series. Originally a radio series that aired on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it became an international phenomenon that was adapted into several mediums, including novels beloved by readers young and old.
Random House
"The Chronicles of Narnia," a series of novels by C.S. Lewis, are set in a magical realm of nobility and talking animals where a battle between good and evil unfolds over seven books.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"The Chronicles of Narnia," a series of novels by C.S. Lewis, are set in a magical realm of nobility and talking animals where a battle between good and evil unfolds over seven books.
HarperCollins
Louise Fitzhugh's "Harriet the Spy" follows the adventures of an 11-year-old aspiring spy who documents the activities of friends and neighbors in New York City -- and runs into some trouble (and a few delish tomato sandwiches) along the way.
Books that changed young adult lives —
Louise Fitzhugh's "Harriet the Spy" follows the adventures of an 11-year-old aspiring spy who documents the activities of friends and neighbors in New York City -- and runs into some trouble (and a few delish tomato sandwiches) along the way.
Random House
Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" and the four books that followed in the "Time Quintent" start with nerdy teen Meg Murry's quest to find her scientist father, then crosses time to explore what comes later for the Murry family.
Books that changed young adult lives —
Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" and the four books that followed in the "Time Quintent" start with nerdy teen Meg Murry's quest to find her scientist father, then crosses time to explore what comes later for the Murry family.
from macmillan usa
Bette Greene's "Morning Is a Long Time Coming" picks up where "Summer of My German Soldier" left off, with teen protagonist Patty Bergen traveling to Europe to find the family of the German soldier she harbored until he was caught and summarily executed.
Books that changed young adult lives —
Bette Greene's "Morning Is a Long Time Coming" picks up where "Summer of My German Soldier" left off, with teen protagonist Patty Bergen traveling to Europe to find the family of the German soldier she harbored until he was caught and summarily executed.
from speak
"The Color Purple" won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for writer Alice Walker's stark depiction of the lives of women of color in the South in the 1930s. Though not originally intended as a book for young readers, it became required reading in many schools.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"The Color Purple" won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for writer Alice Walker's stark depiction of the lives of women of color in the South in the 1930s. Though not originally intended as a book for young readers, it became required reading in many schools.
courtesy Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
"The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier is the classic tale of resistance -- related through a high school chocolate sale.
Books that changed young adult lives —
"The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier is the classic tale of resistance -- related through a high school chocolate sale.
Photos: Young adult books that changed our lives

Story highlights

As children get older, reading can be seen as work

Graphic novels are now respected literary works that can inspire your teen to read

Parents know how to inspire a love of books in babies and toddlers: Just put ‘em on your lap, and start reading. But as kids get older and go to school, reading can be seen as work rather than fun – and kids, especially teens, may stop reading for pleasure. Here are nine ways to get teens reading, either again or for the first time.

Find the “why” in YA.

YA (young adult) novels tackle the edgy issues teens struggle with, from peer pressure and romantic longing to grief and trouble at home or school. Whether they’re personally grappling with these issues or seeking vicarious thrills, teens gravitate toward subject matter that’s relatable. Check the YA bestseller lists and our book reviews for ideas.

Related: 5 teen lit books parents should read

Merge movies with books.

Hollywood is turning to teen lit for ideas more than ever. Offer your teen the print version to read before or after a big film adaptation comes out, and talk about the similarities and differences between the two. Check out our list of Books to Read Before They’re Movies in 2016.

Get graphic.

Gone are the days when graphic novels were dismissed as comic books. Now recognized as literature, they may be the key to getting some teens hooked on books. They’re available in a wide range of genres – from adventure and fantasy to historical fiction, memoir, and biography – so certainly there’s a graphic novel out there to suit your teen’s taste. See our editors’ picks for Graphic Novels and Graphic Novels That Teach History.

Related: How kids’ and teens’ reading rates are falling and what you can do to help

Lure ‘em with adult books.

Find nonfiction titles on subjects your teen’s curious about, such as climate change, race, political corruption, or true crime. Check adult nonfiction bestseller lists to see what’s catching fire. Funny adult books also work (by David Sedaris or Tina Fey, for example), as do horror (Stephen King), mysteries (Agatha Christie), thrillers (James Patterson, John Grisham), fantasy (George R.R. Martin), science fiction (Isaac Asimov), and sports (Michael Lewis).

Try poetry.

Novels in verse are a popular trend. All that white space on the page makes them easy to read, and the spare, lyrical approach can really pack a punch. Try Sarah Crossan’s One, Stasia Ward Kehoe’s The Sound of Letting Go, or Ellen Hopkins’ Rumble. Memoirs in verse are taking hold, too; check out Marilyn Nelson’s How I Discovered Poetry.

Related: My teen reads so fast I don’t think he’s absorbing it. What should I do?

Let them listen.

Spark teens’ interest by getting an audio book to listen to on the way to school or on long drives. Let them download audiobooks to their smartphones. (They won’t risk looking uncool, because they’ll be under headphones or have their earbuds in.)

Model reading.

Read at home where your teens can see you. Talk about what you’re reading, and express your enjoyment. Always take a book or magazine along when you go to the beach or face waiting in a long line. Send your teen the message that reading is a pleasure, not a chore.

Related: 10 book series for parents and teens to binge read

Keep reading material around.

Kids who grow up with lots of books around tend to read more. Stock the bathroom, car, dining table – wherever there’s a captive audience – with comic books, graphic novels, and magazines geared to your teens’ interests; first books in hit YA series; or classic sci-fi and mysteries. There’s nothing wrong with “micro-reading.”

Give the gift of reading.

Hand your teen a gift card to your local bookstore. They’ll discover the treasure-hunt fun of looking for a good book.