Getting Boys To Read

Car Games For Boys

Mike McQueen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:58:56 -0700

Car Games for Boys - an excerpt from Mike McQueen's Boys' Alive Event Interview at with Janet Allison

What about those times when you are say in the car? And you wanted to, a little bit about…how do you keep them entertained? I see so many cars with the DVD players in the back so that kind of makes me crazy when I see that because I know when my girls were growing up and we were on road trips, that was a really great time for them to dive in and they were girls, and they liked novels, and they read a lot in the car. What can parents do with their children in the car?

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Boys Alive! Online Event

Mike McQueen — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:40:58 -0700

I am honored to announce that I have been asked to be one of 15 special presenters for the upcoming, Boys Alive! Online Event. My presentation, "Encouraging Boys to Read and Helping Struggling Readers" is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, at 1:00 pm central time (2:00pm Denver time).

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Audio Interview with Bart king, Author of The Big Book of Gross Stuff

Mike McQueen — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:23:45 -0700

21:25 minutes (19.67 MB)

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6 Reasons Why Boys Like Magazines

Mike McQueen — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:10:00 -0700

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Re-define Your Library Vision

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:06:24 -0700

All libraries need vision

Research shows that effective library programs have significant impact on student achievement. Conversely, ineffective programs can hurt everyone, especially when asking for tax increases or when facing budget cuts. These issues are prevalent for school and public libraries at every level. A good library vision will help alleviate many of these problems and ultimately have a great impact on kids.

Overhauling two schools

With the support of my principals, I completely overhauled the library program at 2 separate schools, both of which were in desperate need of change. The library played a critical role for one school which went from being on “Corrective Action” to performing “average” on state standardized tests, a

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Guys Read - How We Ran Our Group

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:04:19 -0700

How it All Began

When I was an elementary teacher librarian, I was approached by Deb Hansen, a well respected reading specialist and colleague. Deb knew about my history and interest in getting boys to read and showed me Jon Scieszka's website GuysRead.com. We knew of a handful of 5th and 6th grade boys that were really struggling with reading and decided to try our own version of Guys Read.

Our Goals:

1. show these boys that reading could be cool
2. bond with them and make them feel special
3. just have relaxed fun reading and discussing a book
4. plant a life long seed for reading Picking Boys Who Say, "I Hate Reading"

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Dads - The Ultimate Reading Role Models

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:03:02 -0700

Calling all dads, calling all dads!

In a world with too many deadbeats dads, I witnessed a wonderful sight while waiting for my daughter in the dentist waiting room - a dad, his infant baby, his middle school son, and his young daughter - all involved in reading.

The teenage brother

When I first sat down, I noticed the older boy was reading a book out loud to his younger sister. Was he shy or embarrassed about reading in front of a room full of people? Not at all! Not only did the he read, but I could tell that he also

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Getting Boys to Read - Quick Tips for Parents, Librarians, and Teachers

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:02:22 -0700

This is a growing list of general quick tips for getting boys to read.

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FREE PANCAKES IN THE LIBRARY! We do it and so can you!

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:01:16 -0700

Food in the Library - Are We Crazy?

If you want boys to read, get them into the library by going after their stomachs! As part of our Extreme Library Makeover, we allow students to eat and drink in the library any time they want - even at the computers. Are we crazy? Maybe little, but heck, most adults eat and drink at their computer all the time. Are adults more careful thanks kids? In my experience I'd have to say no (this includes me).

Start with Administration:

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Interview with Ralph Fletcher

Mike McQueen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:00:57 -0700

It took months of persistence, but Ralph was finally able to take a few moments from his crazy schedule to answer a few of my questions. As you likely know, Ralph Fletcher is the industry guru for boys and writing. For years I've freely promoted his book, Boy Writers, as my favorite for getting boys to write - be sure to read my book review. Here are the highlights from my interview with him...

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