Give Away Winners!

Congratulations to

Amanda Sellers

book club starter kit!

Patti Barker

$40 Amazon Card

GWEN KEEBLE

wins the KINDLE

to claim prizes please email me your

mailing address at bookclub4boys(at)yahoo(dot)com

by October 7th, 2011.

Back To School-- Give Away!

Here's a chance to win a free Kindle!
You heard correctly!

WIN A FREE KINDLE!
and other cool book club things....

I bought a kindle a year or so ago- hoping it would help my reluctant readers.
Here are just a few of the benefits, I found, to using a Kindle over a traditional book.

It is a great tool for kids who get intimidated by THE SIZE of the book.
(with kindles you can't tell if it is a 500 page book or 100 page book.)

It is great for kids who get caught up on unfamiliar words! (you can move your cursor over the word and a definition pops up!)

It is great for helping kids learn to pronounce new words!
(there is a read-aloud function.)

It is great for kids who need help... plowing through the "boring parts".
(Turn the read aloud function on... and they can listen and follow along.)

Now I don't want Kindles to ever replace REAL books. There is nothing like curling up with a good book.. and turning the pages... but

for some kids, especially reluctant readers, having an electronic book- helps them get past some of their "hang ups". And once they get past their reading hang-ups... they will be hooked to stories contained in those great books on your shelf!

Kindles are also great for those kids who LOVE books. Most classic books are free! Your child can read as much as they like... without having to pay for late fees at the library. (And without having to collect thousands of books. Which sounds heavenly for me-- but not practical.)

Especially if you have a child who is sensitive to dust... Kindles are great!

So in celebration of BACK to SCHOOL and back to BOOK CLUBS for our family--- I am having a giving away!

Prizes are:

1. (one) Book Club starter Kit!

(A book, item for an activity, and Book Club Outline of games to play, questions, and snack ideas.)

2. (one) $40 Amazon Gift Certificate

3. (one) Kindle from Amazon.com

So you are all wondering --- how do I enter to win?
To enter the drawing simply...

1. Join our Book club round up! Not only will this enter you in this give-away... but all future give-aways! (Round Up page HERE)

AND "Join" as a member (click HERE- and the Join box is at the bottom of side bar)
_________________________________This is one entry in the give away____

To earn extra entries you can....
2. Grab a button and post it on your blog side bar! (Button can be found HERE on side bar.)

3. Blog about the give-away! (be sure to email me a link to your post at bookclub4boys(at)yahoo.com)

4. If you host a book club--- and share YOUR ideas on our site--- I'll give you and extra entry for each book club idea! (email: bookclub4boys(at)yahoo.com, Include a short summary of the book, tell me the author and your book club ideas. (games, activities, food, etc...) If you can, include a picture of your book club!)

Naturally- I will check if you blog about it, or post a button... so be sure you email me a link to your blog, if you do!

WINNERS will be posted and NOTIFIED by email by September 30th 2011!

Happy reading

and Good Luck!

Start A Book Club For Your Boy!

Let us help you get started!
(Click HERE for where to start!)

We have ideas for all ages and different stages of reading levels!
(Click here to see a quick list of our current book club outlines.)

Books For Babies!







Story time Ideas for Beginning Readers!
k-1 reading level books. This group of books are good for those just beginning to read.

Click {HERE} to see this months newest selection!



Book Club Outlines and Book Reviews for Independent Readers!
Reading level of 2-3 grade.
This stage is able to read short chapter books on their own.

Click {Here} to see our newest selection for this age group!




Book Club Outlines and Book Reviews for Confident Readers!
Reading Level of 4th grade or higher.
These books tend to be longer chapter books.

Click {Here} to see our newest title for this reading level!




Click on our Biggest BELCH Award to find a list of Boys Books that are very Satisfying! In my search for our Book club- I've come across some really great books boys like- but seem to go unnoticed. (No gold sticker, no metal of honor) While these books aren't going to bring World Peace or solve World Hunger... and yeah, they haven't made a big contribution to the Art of Literature they are solving a pretty serious crisis: Poor Literacy Among Boys. And those kind of books, the ones reluctant readers will pick up and read, deserve some kind of award! (I update this monthly! So visit often!)




Once you start your book club or story time, join our weekly Book Club Round Up! We want to collect your brilliant ideas and share them with other book clubs!

Learn More about Bookclub4boys Outlines:
In a national survey conducted by the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2001, boys reported their top obstacles to reading.

39% said it was boring/no fun
29% said they had no time/were too busy
11% said they would rather do something else
8% said they couldn’t get into the stories
4% admitted they weren’t good at it

Book Club For Boys will address each of these obstacles and help channel your boy's creative energy in a fun, productive, educational way!



"Boring/No fun"? Our outlines are packed with activities, so fun is the focus!





"No time" or "would rather be doing something else?" Our outlines provide great incentive games to reward boys who put the time into reading the book. (For example, begin by asking the boys questions about the book. For each question answered correctly, the boys earn a water balloon for the upcoming water balloon fight!)



"Can't get into the stories"? Try our special Movie Book Clubs. Sometimes boys with shorter attention spans or slower reading skills struggle to get into the story, but if they watch even the first 20 minutes of the movie first, they connect with the characters. Then, they can relate to the setting and feel motivated to read the book.



"Not good at it"? The more he reads, the better he will get at reading! We offer a number of helpful ideas and tips of how parents can help their sons read. To learn more about me , my family and maybe some additional tips on motivating boys.. check out my blog.

How else can I help him keep reading?

There is much more to read in the world than just books! In fact, your son might be reading more than you realize. Just because he doesn't dedicate himself to reading a lengthy novel doesn't mean he hates reading. Some other ideas to "spice things up":

Kid-friendly magazines. Magazines are less intimidating for reluctant readers because they have lots of pictures and shorter articles. If your son loves animals, he's sure to love Ranger Rick. Sports fans will enjoy Sports Illustrated for kids.

Recipes. Get him helping in the kitchen; he'll find it hard to refuse the invitation when he knows he'll be rewarded with a warm, gooey cookie afterwards!Computer games with written dialogue. Look for games that require reading to play.

Directions. Print out road directions and let your son navigate!

Computer game/ cheat guides. If your son has a favorite game see if there is a guide that reveals hidden secrets and "cheats". What better way to practice comprehension? Your son will apply what he has read to get the reward while playing his game. (Remember: it doesn't matter what they read. The trick is to get them to read.)

Joke books provide hours of entertainment for boys, who often end up laughing so hard they don't even realize they're reading!

Magic trick books

Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts...when you start getting creative, you'll find that everyday reading opportunities are endless!

What to do for older boys with lower reading levels?

This is a common challenge. Older boys don't want to read "baby books" that are closer to their reading level, but often the books that interest them are just too hard to read. One of my sons had this problem until a family member gave us a subscription to Ranger Rick. He loved the articles, which were short enough that he could read them without getting frustrated, and all the great pictures kept his attention. Check out our side bar for a link to some great kid friendly magazines!

Tips For Reading Aloud

Read books that interest you! Your attitude while reading sets the tone for the group. If you’re bored, they’ll be bored. If you love it, they’ll connect with the book.

Get comfortable through practice! Read your story aloud several times before the reading day to make sure you’re familiar with it.

If the kids are sitting on the floor, sit in a low chair. If they are at desks or a table, stand. They will have an easier time focusing on you if you are slightly elevated.

Introduce stories in an exciting way! Ask questions, bring a fun picture or a silly prop to get their attention.

Speak s-l-o-w-l-y and clearly.

Hold the book so everyone can see the pictures.

Maintain eye contact when you can.

Adjust the tone and volume of your voice to fit the dialogue and the different characters in the book. Softer and slower speaking helps build suspense, while speaking loudly and quickly helps with action-packed portions of the book.

Be flexible! Adapt to the reactions of the children and be prepared to cope with interruptions. You don’t need to acknowledge every comment verbally; instead, try eye-contact, a wink, or a smile to the child who keeps commenting.

Don’t be afraid to read something a little “too-hard” for the kids’ age group. It will challenge their minds and they might surprise you!

Choose to read in an area with few distractions. For example, do not read in front of a brightly lit window. Try to minimize noises from outside your room; shutting the door and posting a “Quiet please! Story time is in session” sign has worked well in our house.

Encourage children to read on their own! Reading to children is even better when they are motivated to read themselves.

Getting Started FAQs

Here are some helpful ideas to get you started! Have a question you don't see answered here? Feel free to e-mail me at bookclub4boys@yahoo.com

Keep scrolling to find answers to these questions:


What type of Book Club should I organize?
Who should I invite?
When and where should our club meet?
What are we going to read?
What makes a Book Club For Boys more fun than other book clubs?
What else have you learned along the way that will help me?
Is hosting my own Book Club For Boys going to be expensive?
How can I make my Book Club For Boys more exciting?


What type of Book Club should I organize?
Think about your son's age and reading level and compare it with these helpful categories:



PRE-READERS (toddlers and pre-schoolers) are the perfect age for Story time! I do this monthly with my 2-year-old and we have a blast! Hosting a Story time is a fun and easy way to help pre-readers connect to books and see just how fun reading can be! You do all the reading and simply provide a snack and activity that relate to the theme of the book(s). Doubt your skills in reading aloud? (Click here for a few tips). You can read about some of our favorite Story time books and activities by clicking (here)!

BEGINNING READERS (K-1st grade) are just starting to read on their own. At times it can be frustrating but they love having a special club to look forward to. These clubs meet as often as once a month (depending on your schedule) as a reward for boys who have put the time and effort into reading. Our Free Book Club Outlines are tailored to this age group and provide complete plans of games, activities and treats that relate to specific books.


INDEPENDENT READERS (2nd & 3rd grade) are reading on their own small chapter books. Now that they can read, some resist practicing. Our Book club outlines for this age include incentive games to encourage them to read the books all the way to the end. (Just one example: While asking boys questions about the book, reward right answers with a filled water balloon for a water fight later in book club.) Using incentive games help motivate boys to finish books for the next book club meeting!

CONFIDENT READERS (4th grade+) Boys this age can often read well but prefer more action-oriented activities. Even though they can read, some boys still choose not to read. Hosting a book club will motivate them to plug-along in their book and meet a deadline- their next Book Club! Another fun idea is a Book & Movie Club. Boys who love movies will be able to connect with the characters, the plot, and the setting, so they will be less intimidated by a longer book. Click here for some favorite Book/Movie combos to try with your own Book & Movie club and help boys extend the adventure they love in the movie by reading the book!


Who should I invite?
Sit down with your son and make a list of who he might like to invite. Brainstorm with him, thinking of friends from school, church, sports, the neighborhood, etc. Explain that you will ultimately narrow it down from this "wish list."


Survival tip: I limit the size of the club to how many can comfortably sit at my table. Sitting at the table helps eliminate the inevitable silliness that happens when boys are on the floor or even on the couch. When every boy has his own space, there is less elbowing, poking, pinching and rough-housing in general. Sitting at the table is the way to go!


When and where should our book club meet?
Now you get to decide if you want to rotate homes or if the book club will always meet at your house. If you plan on rotating homes, set up a meeting with the involved parents to plan a rotation schedule. Now, decide when you will meet. Whether you meet in the evening or right after school, the key is to keep it consistent and keep it to a specific time, e.g., 5 PM – 7 PM on the first Friday of every month. Having a set time is helpful for parents, and it keeps the book club focused on being a “special club” instead of just hanging out at someone’s house.

What are we going to read?
We have many great book recommendations that your boys will love! Remember, it doesn’t matter what they read, just that they read. The more they read, the more they’ll like it, so look at your son’s interests for clues about books that may interest him. See our Book Club Outlines for ideas that may interest your son.

Survival Tip: Once you decide what book you're reading, the most important thing is to GIVE THE BOYS THE BOOKS! At the end of each club meeting, take a few minutes to introduce the new book. You might watch a short movie clip (if there is one) or read the back cover summary. Brainstorm together what the boys already know about the general topic to help with comprehension. These boys have just had a lot of fun at book club and are geared up for the next new adventure; having enough copies to give every boy the next book is key to keeping the momentum going. Do not squash their enthusiasm by having to wait until they get to the library, or the bookstore, or their friend’s house to borrow a copy. Have the books ready to hand out and your book club will be a success!


What makes a Book Club 4 Boys more fun than other book clubs?
BookClub4Boys is about DOING activities and games that relate to the book; talking about what they read and extending it into games and interactive play turns reading into something FUN for boys of all ages.


Survival tip: I ALWAYS start my Book Club doing some kind of physical activity. They come excited and full of energy (as usual), so the discussion and activity portion of the club will go much more smoothly when you get that burst of energy and excitement out first. Wearing them out with a solid 20 minutes of play is not only fun, but also a great way to stall as you wait for all the members of the club to arrive.


What else have you learned along the way that will help me?
Call reinforcements! There are other parents in your book club so make sure you use them for support. Delegate, make a rotation and share responsibilities to keep one person from getting overwhelmed. You are not alone! Do what works best for you and your boys: maybe the hostess orders the books and prepares the activities, and the other parents bring the food and gather supplies for the games.

Survival tip: I’ve tried just assigning the book and letting the parents get the books on their own. This has never worked. Inevitably, some parents plan on getting it from the library and it was checked out or there weren’t enough copies. Boys have a hard enough time finishing the book on time for a meeting; don’t let “getting the book late” become another excuse.


Is hosting my own Book Club For Boys going to be expensive?
No! Most books cost less than a movie ticket these days, and the benefits last much longer! When you organize your club, figure out monthly dues from the beginning. These dues will cover the cost of the book plus supplies. Check out our (BookClub4BoysBookstore), where books are available that match our FREE, parent-tested book outlines!


How can I make my Book Club For Boys more exciting?
You can do anything you'd like! All of our outlines involve a variety of activities and provide a fun, detailed starting point, but adding your own ideas is where the fun really begins! Tailor your book club to match the boys in your group. A few things we've enjoyed:

The Chat & Chew Book Club!
The Movie Book Club!
Field Trip Book Club!


What do I do with the book(s) when we're done?
You might think, “Gee, that is a lot of books that my son will only read once! I don’t want to have them around collecting dust.” Personally, I love having books around! They are like old friends and when I see them, I remember the story and re-visit the book in my mind. Your son may enjoy having the books around and could even re-read some of them! If you don’t want to keep the books around, donate them! If everyone in your club agrees with you, you can donate the set in a special Book Club Bag and start a collection that can be checked out at the public library. This is a fantastic service to your community! There are many libraries around the country that have these book club bags already organized. You can also donate the books to the Boys and Girls Club, or have your son pass the book along to a friend who might like it. There are many things you can do with a good book!


My son has a hard time with books. How else can I help him keep reading?
There is much more to read in the world than just books! In fact, your son might be reading more than you realize. Just because he doesn't dedicate himself to reading a lengthy novel doesn't mean he hates reading. Some other ideas to "spice things up":

Kid-friendly magazines. Magazines are less intimidating for reluctant readers because they have lots of pictures and shorter articles. If your son loves animals, he's sure to love Ranger Rick. Sports fans will enjoy Sports Illustrated for kids.

Recipes. Get him helping in the kitchen; he'll find it hard to refuse the invitation when he knows he'll be rewarded with a warm, gooey cookie afterwards!

Computer games with written dialogue. Look for games that require reading to play.Directions. Print out road directions and let your son navigate!

Computer game/ cheat guides. If your son has a favorite game, see if there is a guide that reveals hidden secrets and "cheats". What better way to practice comprehension? Your son has to apply what he has read to get the reward while playing his game. (Remember: it doesn't matter what they read. The trick is to get them to read.)

Joke books provide hours of entertainment for boys, who often end up laughing so hard they don't even realize they're reading!

Magic trick books

Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts...when you start getting creative, you'll find that everyday reading opportunities are endless!


What if my son has lower reading skills?
Older boys with lower reading levels may get frustrated; they don't want to read "baby books" that are closer to their reading level, but often the books that interest them are just too hard to read. One of my sons had this problem until a family member gave us a subscription to Ranger Rick. He loved the articles, which were short enough that he could read them without getting frustrated, and all the great pictures kept his attention. Check out our side bar: Our Book Club Book Store lists some great kid friendly magazines!

About Us/ Press Page

Here are my 4 boys! Pictured at ages 8, 2, 11 and 5 years old. They are my inspiration and motivation for this site and all its ideas.






I'm Laura. My sons are typical busy, active, competitive, and energetic boys so I've had to be creative in finding ways to encourage them. Book Clubs have helped my sons to connect to books, build confidence and maintain friendships.

BookClubs4Boys.com began as a simple activity I started for my oldest son, who was struggling to read as a first grader (his teacher even suggested that he repeat the grade). Some friends of mine started a Mother/Daughter book club around the same time; at first I felt left out, but I soon realized this was a great idea for boys, too! Four years later when he was in 5th grade and reading at an 8.6 reading level I knew I had found a successful way to help boys read.

In class, he used to be easily distracted. He would start chattering during independent work times and he would often need his teachers to redirect him to the task at hand.
You can imagine my surprise and delight when his teacher told me she had chosen my son as her "Super Citizen of the Year"! He was her "Most Improved" student, both academically and socially. Being a confident reader has helped him become a more independent worker and an active participant in class. He will still rather spend his time outside being "rough and tumble" with his brothers or playing computer/video games, but the exciting difference is that now he can read and he does read because he has an extra incentive--his next Book Club meeting.

I hope this website will be a great resource for you in motivating your children to read. Feel free to contact me with ideas or questions at bookclub4boys@yahoo.com. If you know anyone who might want to start their own Book Club For Boys, please, tell a friend!

Before you leave, check out our book club Round Up page. If you help children read and you have a blog or website, we would love to see your great ideas and tips!

I also have a blog: Girl in a Swirl, here I share thoughts on helpful household tips, books, raising boys and how I survive and thrive in a house full of boys. I invite you to stop by and have a look!
Sincerely,
Laura