Studies have shown that there is a real crisis with boys and reading. In a survey conducted by the Young Adult Library Services Association back in 2001 boys listed their top obstacles to reading were; boring, no fun, no time or too busy, they would rather do something else, couldn’t get into the stories, and some admitted they just weren’t good at it. This attitude toward reading is obviously not declining. “The Boy Crisis” was the headline on the cover of the January 30, 2006, issue of Newsweek . A front-page story in the March 15, 2006, issue of Education Week proclaimed “Concern Over Gender Gaps Shifting to Boys.” U.S. First Lady Laura Bush tells NPR she feels as though “we’ve sort of shifted our gaze away from boys for the last several decades.” Even more recently, on the cover of Scouting September 2008 refers to “Reluctant Readers”.

What can parents do to help their sons overcome these top obstacles to reading? A fairly new trend some parents are trying are Boys Book Clubs. A book club just for boys but that are energy oriented with activities and games that relate to boy books.

To start your own Boys Book Club there are a few things you should ask yourself. 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, and the neighborhood.Limit the size of the club to how many can comfortably at your table. Sitting at a 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.

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