Comments on: How Can I Get A Young Black Male To Read? by Rambling Raven

By: susan

susan — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:37:09 +0000

Thanks for the mention Purple Zoe.

Does the author have to be AA or the main character?

AA male authors I like and recommend for an older teen:

Walter Mosley
Water Dean Myers
Troy Cle
Colson Whitehead
Aaron McGruedor

Genres

Graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, speculative fiction.

I’d ask him more about what he would read meaning genre or theme. Would he’d be interested in a book by a women that wrote in the genres he is interested in? Is he open to all people of color writers or thinks he only wants AA. What if it were the right genre but white author. Neil Gaiman is a fantastic graphic novel and fantasy writer. He’s British with a wicked, dark sense of humor.

By: Jennifer C

Jennifer C — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:56:49 +0000

Reading through the above comments, I see that my suggestion for you is already listed as far as books. I will just say persistence will pay off. My 9yo is in NY with family now and he tried to con my sister-in-law. He told her if you buy me this toy I will read the book you bought me. Her words to him was if you want anything from me, you better read the book that I bought for you. We don’t give rewards for things you might do after you receive the prize. When our power has gone out because of a storm, my children has immediately turned on the “I’m bored” scratched record. I tell them to pull out the old fashion games and television. I know you’re wondering what’s that…a book. You can never be bored when you live in a house with books coming out of the woodwork.

Keep on him and don’t give up Raven. In the long run it will pay off.
.-= Jennifer C´s last blog ..Stay True to You =-.

By: Dera

Dera — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:25:57 +0000

You got some great suggestions from everyone; I especially liked Patricia’s detailed list. I have to go with those who said to try the graphic novels. And giving them books with themes of what they like, as been said about music and sports. Years ago, a friend saw her son took an interest in the Donald Goins and Iceberg Slim series, so she bought those, then she gave him the Autobiography of Malcolm X and it was on.
I would also try something of a humorous, repitition them such as Langston Hughes Semple books. For nonfiction, the three doctors have written at least two books and as mentioned Hill Harper’s book. Walter Dean Myers is a good suggestion.
I kind of feel you about your nephew being cavalier about reading. My nephew just turmed 18 and graduated from high school and he gave me a flip answer when I asked what he was reading this summer; “I don’t feel like reading as he texted message.”. He could feel me mean mugging him amd quickly said, “Why don’t you suggest some books.” He read voroaciously through middle school and then slowed down as he got more involved in track and basketball. He read some intersting books this last year in his multicultural lit class. The Kite Runner, Namesake by Juhmpa Lahira. He said they were pretty good; it was the fact they were assigned. So, I am going to compile a list for him including some of the suggestions here.

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:32:46 +0000

Once again, great suggestions from all. Thank you very much. I will try them all. I think the bribe thing may work, after all what kid doesn’t like a reward of some kind.

My nephew will be turning seventeen.

By: PurpleZoe

PurpleZoe — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:36:32 +0000

I recommend checking BlackScienceFictionSociety.com and their BlackScienceFictionStore.com for works where underrepresented characters are portrayed in an empowering light. There are alot of speculative authors out there offering quality alternatives that knock down the usual stereotypes pushed upon us by the mainstream.

Also Cailloux Williams started the Ancients & Immortals series after one of the Wayans brothers suggested he put the idea into action rather than keep it in his head. The books can be found at Imajen.com and they’re anything but boring. Perfect for a teenage male.

Also check Ecbacc.com for many black comic books, and if you’re near ATL there’s OnyxCon (in August) which could be a great experience for him.

Troy Cle’s ‘Marvelous World’ was picked up by Simon and Shuster and is available on Amazon. It’s main character is a young black male, and the entire story focuses on empowering the underrepresented youth in a favorable light rather than the usual stereotypical nonsense. I haven’t read it yet but it’s been said to be received well by the younger demographic.

Coloronline.blogspot.com keeps an eye on and announces multicultural works, ExpandedHorizons.net also focuses on stories with empowered characters of color, and my ConsciousInk category at UltravioletUnderground.com and downloadable/print magazine at purplemag.com announce new authors and feature ‘Modern Myth’ that’s empowering and at least pg-15 appropriate and often more tame than that.

There are alot of resources out there not yet announced by the mainstream.

By: Linda Chavis

Linda Chavis — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:33:52 +0000

When I ran my afterschool literacy program, I used bribe: cash or prizes after reading x-amount of books. Also we read with them, either one on one or in a group.

By: Rhonda McKnight

Rhonda McKnight — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:30:01 +0000

Great suggestions from Pat. I used to pay my son $5 a week to read a book when he was 13 and 14. It was the only thing I did that worked. Praise the Lord, now he reads for pleasure. Not as much as I’d like, but at least 2 books a month which I’ll take. He recently wrote a book review for my blog on one of the books Pat suggested, UnSigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison. He enjoyed that book.

I really, really search for things with either sports or music in them, because he likes those things. He loved Stephanie Perry Moore’s series. It’s actually the Perry Skyy series for the young men. The main character was a teenage football player. Each time one was released in the series he read it in a day, so I know if I find something he likes, he’ll devour it. Just so hard to find things, but I’m always on the proul looking.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:30:03 +0000

You did not say how old actually but here are a couple of suggestions (depending on his age):
- graphic novels – there are now a couple of black artist out there that have been getting some play – the Hellblazer series – Mat Johnson wrote one of the series books and if he likes his writing he might want to read one of this other books – Jeremy Love also has done graphic books from adult to children. There are many types of graphic novels – it just a matter of finding one that fits his taste
– Steven Barnes writes sci fi which appeal to young males
- Walter Mosley had an young adult novel – 47
- Males tend to like non-fiction a little more than fiction – the Hill Harper book is good
- if he likes sports there are books that center around the sports of his chice – but Tony Dungy’s book is good
- Brandon Massey writes thrillers
- there are other black mystery writers like Chester Himes

But the key is the first book or two that you suggest for him – have to be right on to get his attention then he will be more willing to accept other suggestions for him when

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:34:17 +0000

I can second Patricia's "Walter Dean Myers" suggestion. My son has long been a fan of his work. Also, if your nephew enjoys sports, that's another angle. Mike Lupica has a series of sports books for young/teen readers. Sports magazines, like Sports Illustrated for Teens, are big in our house as well. .-= Lori´s last blog .. =-.

By: Raven

Raven — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:14:12 +0000

Great suggestions ladies. Thank you for all the detailed info Patricia. I certainly am taking all suggestions to heart. My nephew will be seventeen. I just assummed that he was a reader. His mom reads, I do and so does his other aunt and grandmother. Even his sister reads, she is fourteen. You see, I am listing females because as far as I know his dad, his grandfather and male cousins are not readers. Books are not at all hard to find, I personally have over several hundred from a slew of genres.

We certainly let the ball drop with him. He does well in school and there is no indication that he isn’t reading at grade level. He is socializing more with girls from school. As fas as I know they aren’t readers. I think his interest are with girls and sports, only. I believe because he didn’t take to reading for pleasure earlier it will be a bit more difficult to try and get him to do it now.

There is a really cute teenage girl who is a neighbor of my parents. She is an honors student and reads a lot. She has even borrowed books from me that are in storage at my parents house. I think he should befriend her.

I am going to take him out for a movie and dinner this weekend and purposely make a stop at one of the trendy bookstores in the city. I will tell him he can choose any book in the store he wants, my treat.