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How to Read Books Aloud for Teen Boys

by Elizabeth Catanese

Overview

There are many reasons why you might want to read aloud to teenage boys. You might be trying to engage reluctant readers or trying to assist students with dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Perhaps you are trying to pass on the pleasure of a group reading experience to your children. Whatever your reasons for reading aloud, your goal should be to make the reading experience interesting for your listeners.

Step 1

Select an engaging book. Regardless of how well you read, teen boys will not be motivated to listen if the material you read to them is not interesting. To find interesting books for male teens, go to the Boys Read website. In addition to a book list, you can find a whole host of advice for engaging male readers on this site.
Step 2

Listen to the audiobook version of the book you select on an MP3 player. Use the audiobook as a model for reading aloud. Take notes about how the person is speaking. Where are the pauses taken? Where does the reader show excitement? Although you do not have to duplicate the reading on the audiobook, listening to a professional reader will give you some ideas and help keep you from reading in a boring, monotone voice.
Step 3

Consider experimental reading strategies. Have boys act out scenes from books while you read. This can make the reading experience more active for boys who have trouble sitting still. For media-minded teens, hook up an MP3 player to speakers and play sound effects at selected moments in your reading. The audiobook version of the young adult book "Feed" is an excellent example of the productive use of sound effects in a reading. Show pictures as you read for the sake of the visually minded boys.
Step 4

Create a related, hands-on project for your listeners to complete after the reading. This will make them focus more as you read since they have to use the information learned to create something on their own.
Step 5

Ask teen boys what they liked about your presentation and what they would like to experience the next time you read to them. Your best resources for how to read aloud to teen boys will be right in front of you.