I recently read the book Seti's Charm by Chris Everheart. I really enjoyed it. Today I am featuring a guest blog post by Chris Everheart about reluctant readers. Hope you enjoy....
I
sometimes explain myself like this: "I'm living proof that harnessing
talents like staring out the window and watching TV can be put to use
for the good
(or at least the entertainment) of humankind.” I spent most of my
childhood staring out the window of classrooms and wondering what was
going on “out there”. When I was 12 years old, I wouldn’t have been
caught dead with a book in my hand. So how does a childhood
reluctant reader like me end up writing books?
Short answer: I'm as surprised as you are!
Long
answer: Even though reading was frustrating for me (sometimes still
is), I connected deeply with stories through TV and movies. (If I had
thought of
it early enough in my life, I would have gone to film school - maximum
reading requirement: a 90-page screenplay!) Through art, humanities,
film, and television I absorbed enough story over the years to finally
feel the need to just spit it out. That’s when
I started writing. Throw a couple of dedicated teachers in there for
influence and here I am, an award–winning author of more than twenty
books for young readers! Unbelievable.
I
used to be embarrassed about my reading and learning problems. They
didn’t call us “Nontraditional Learners” in my day; we were “slow” or
“lazy”, suspended
in a motivate-or-abandon culture. That’s not to say there weren’t
dedicated teachers who made a difference - there certainly were.
But there was little understanding or resources for the struggling
student. What’s often missed is the huge impact reading difficulties
have on self-esteem. It’s really hard to see other kids “getting it” or
picking up and enjoying books and not understand
why you don’t.
In
the last few years I’ve connected with other “dummies” like me and
realized how many kids (and adults) out there have the same struggles.
This problem
suddenly looks more and more like an asset as I’ve become willing to
talk about it openly. These days a lot of parents, teachers, and
librarians ask me for advice helping their reluctant readers so I
formulated the R.E.A.D.E.R. tips. In short, they are:
R - Rule out learning disorders
E - Engage, don’t threaten
A - Any reading counts
D - Difficulties are temporary, self-esteem is for a lifetime
E - Encourage alternate subjects
R - (be a) Reading role model
Read more details on my Reading
Rabble blog post.
As
an author I write like how a reluctant reader thinks – because I have
no other option: lots of action; short, cliffhanger chapters; sometimes
cliffhanger
book endings; accessible vocabulary. There’s nothing more satisfying to
me than to hear a kid – or their parent, teacher, or librarian – say
they read the whole thing, fast, and couldn’t put it down. It makes my
heart soar, because I know that finishing, comprehending
and loving a book is a huge accomplishment to a struggling reader and
something to celebrate!
The
amazing conclusion from my life's experience, though, is that childhood
reluctance to read doesn't spell doom for a person’s future - even in
the language
arts! We want to learn. Don’t give up on us. Read more at my Reading
Rabble blog where we focus on “Inciting excitement for books”.
Check out Chris Everheart at:
Facebook: ChrisEverheart
Twitter/Instagram: @ChrisEverheart
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