Michael Sullivan Interview

The following is an interview I had with Michael Sullivan, author of the Escapade Johnson series.

This interview was featured in our Fall 2007 E-Newsletter. I thought I would post it here for everyone to enjoy.

If you would like join our free Big Guy Books Reading Club, you can do so by following this link: http://www.bigguybooks.com/readingclub.html.

Through the Reading Club, you will receive our E-Newsletter, like this one, filled with tips and ideas related to children and reading, discounts on our books, freebies, and the first news of our new book releases.

Here's the interview:

Sara:
Michael, let’s get right into this. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what makes you qualified to speak on the topic of boys and reading?

Mike:
I have spent nearly 20 years as a special needs teacher, librarian, chess coach, and storyteller.

I have a Bachelors Degree in History from Harvard, a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College.

I have written a book and several national journal articles, and spoken to tens of thousands of teachers, librarians, and parents on how to turn boys into readers.

Sara:
What are some of the trends you have noticed regarding boys and reading?

Mike:
The biggest trend is that people are now acknowledging that boys read, and learn to read, differently than girls. This is making addressing boys’ issues a great deal easier.

There is also more literature available that is boy friendly, specifically books aimed at the reluctant boy reader.

The counter trend is the push to standardize education, and specifically to judge results by standardized testing. This makes it extremely difficult for classroom teachers to address differences in learning style. Since boys fail at reading more often than girls, this rigid approach can only hurt them.

Sara:
What are some tips that you could suggest to others to help encourage reluctant boy readers to read?

Mike:

1. Lighten up. Pressure doesn’t help boys read. If you are less stressed, the boys will be less stressed.
2. Let boys choose the level of their own reading.
3. Let boys choose the type of reading they want to do.
4. Acknowledge and honor the types of reading that appeal to boys: nonfiction, humor, action/adventure, sports, horror, and all things edgy.
5. Connect boys’ reading to the things they like to do. Read about an activity, then do it.
6. Encourage boys to exercise their minds in areas other than reading. The brain is a muscle, it needs exercise. Play chess with your boys.

Sara:
Is there any material out there that you would suggest for others to read about this topic?

Mike:
Sullivan, Michael. Connecting Boys With Books: What Libraries Can Do. ALA Editions, 2003.

Gurian, Michael. Boys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents. Jossey-Basse, 2001.

Krashen, Stephen. The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research. (2nd ed.) Libraries Unlimitted, 2004.

Newkirk, Thomas. Misreading Masculinity: Boys, Literacy, and Popular Culture. Heinemann, 2002.

Pennac, Daniel. Better Than Life. Stenhouse, 1999.Sax, Leonard. Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences. Doubleday, 2005.

Smith, Michael W. & Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. Reading Don’t Fix No Chevys: Literacy in the Lives of Young Men. Heinemann, 2002.

Sara:
How do we find out more?

Mike:
Check out my website (www.talestoldtall.com) for a constantly updated list of sure-fire boy books. Check out my MySpace page (www.myspace.com/talestoldtall) to subscribe to my Blog on boys and reading, or email me (mike@talestoldtall.com) with any questions.

Sara:
Thank you, Michael. We really appreciate this insider’s view and your willingness to be accessible to answer any of our questions