Aliteracy.
Knowing how to read, but not wanting to.
Which is a bummer, right?
Actually, more than a bummer.
 
And that's why we hosted the smart and generous and entertaining Andy Sherrod at our middle school this past week.
 
Andy’s a writer (and pecan farmer!) who has his MFA from Vermont College. And, in the process of getting that degree, he became quite the expert on aliteracy – particularly aliterate boys.
 
What Andy says is, aliteracy is way more than a bummer.
It goes like this:
If you read less, you read less well.
If you read less well, you do less well (in school, work, life).

Yipes.
 
So he talked about getting boys interested in books by giving them the books that interest them.  Which sounds like a big no-duh, but when you consider the fact that the people helping boys choose books are, often, female teachers, female librarians, and moms, well…
 
So here are some components of books that appeal to boys, according to Andy. (And, mind you, this is in a nutshell. If you’ve got one of these kids in your house or in your class, email Andy and he’ll be more detailed and articulate than I can be.)
 

1. Boy-ish protagonists: Preferably an actual boy, but boy readers are also ok with girl protagonists doing boy-like things and adventures.
2. A problem or conflict that is physical in nature (rather than relationship-centered) and that the protagonist solves on his own (rather than with the help of community)
3. Authentic emotional content (ie, boys can cry, even in front of friends, but then they might crack a joke, or otherwise deflect a little). (Andy definitely wasn’t saying boys don’t or shouldn’t emote – just that they want to believe the emotions their characters express.)
4. Facts and information – boys love this stuff – and The Guinness Book of World Records isn’t the only way to get it. There are biographies and narrative nonfiction and historical novels and all you’ve got to do is match the boy reader to his passion.

 
Andy said a bunch of other things, too. And he recommended www.Guys Read.com. And he tossed out a bunch of book suggestions – everything from Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet to Michele Torrey’s Voyage Series to Catherine Thimmesh’s Team Moon.
 
He also said that our kids – boys and girls – should see us read. Which seems like another no-duh but honestly, lots of us wait ‘til bedtime to pick up a book, because earlier we’re making dinner. Or doing dishes. Or paying bills.
 
But look! A new to-do.
Permission to plop yourself down and read.
Carry on.