Turning Older Teens into Readers: A Practical Guide for Parents and Educators
The teenage years are a whirlwind of social dynamics, academic pressures, and digital distractions. For many older teens, reading becomes a chore reserved for school assignments rather than a source of joy or curiosity. Yet, fostering a love of reading during this critical phase can shape lifelong learning habits, critical thinking, and empathy. So, how do we help older teens rediscover the magic of books in a world competing for their attention? Here are actionable strategies grounded in understanding their world.
Start with Their Interests, Not Yours
The fastest way to disconnect a teen from reading is to push “classic” literature or titles you think they should read. Instead, meet them where they are. What excites them? Video games? Music? Sports? Fashion? There’s a book for that.
For example, a teen obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons might dive into fantasy series like Six of Crows or The Stormlight Archive. A sports enthusiast could enjoy memoirs by athletes like Messi or Serena Williams. Graphic novels, manga, and even well-researched nonfiction (think true crime or pop science) can serve as gateways. The goal isn’t to assign “worthy” books but to validate their passions through reading.
Pro tip: Visit a bookstore or library together and let them wander. Notice what sections they gravitate toward—no judgment, just curiosity.
Ditch the Pressure to Finish
Adults often frame reading as a task with a clear start and end. For teens, this mentality can turn books into homework. Encourage sampling instead. Let them flip through a poetry anthology, read a single short story, or browse essays. Apps like Libby or Scribd allow free access to magazines, audiobooks, and novels, making it easy to explore without commitment.
If a book isn’t clicking after 50 pages, give permission to abandon it. The message? Reading is about exploration, not endurance.
Leverage Technology (Yes, Really)
Many teens spend hours on TikTok or YouTube. Use these platforms to your advantage. Introduce them to BookTok or BookTube, where creators rave about their latest reads in snackable videos. These communities make reading feel social and trendy.
Audiobooks also count as reading! Platforms like Audible or Spotify offer titles that teens can listen to while commuting, working out, or even gaming. For reluctant readers, this format removes the “effort” of decoding text while keeping them engaged with stories.
Model Reading as a Lifestyle
Teens notice hypocrisy. If you’re glued to your phone but preach the benefits of books, your words lose weight. Instead, integrate reading into daily life visibly.
– Leave intriguing books lying around the house (no, not War and Peace—think contemporary titles with catchy covers).
– Share snippets aloud: “Listen to this wild fact I just read…”
– Start a low-stakes family book club. Choose a thriller or humor book—nothing too “serious”—and discuss it over pizza.
The key is to normalize reading as a casual, enjoyable part of existence, not a forced hobby.
Connect Books to Their Identity
Older teens are actively shaping their identities. Books can help them process complex emotions, questions about the future, or societal issues they care about. For instance:
– A teen grappling with anxiety might relate to Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.
– Those passionate about social justice could devour The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas or nonfiction like How to Be an Antiracist.
– For LGBTQ+ teens, novels like They Both Die at the End or Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda offer representation and validation.
Librarians and booksellers can recommend “mirror” books (reflecting their experiences) and “window” books (exploring unfamiliar perspectives).
Embrace Non-Traditional Formats
Reading doesn’t have to mean physical books. Let them:
– Read fanfiction on platforms like AO3 (some stories rival published novels in quality).
– Play narrative-driven video games (Life is Strange or Disco Elysium).
– Follow serialized stories on platforms like Wattpad or Substack newsletters.
These formats still build literacy and critical thinking while meeting teens in digital spaces they already enjoy.
Make Reading a Social Experience
Teens are social creatures. Turn reading into a shared activity:
– Suggest a buddy-read with a friend (they text reactions as they go).
– Attend author events or comic conventions.
– Encourage them to post reviews on Goodreads or Instagram.
Even multiplayer games like Among Us have book-based servers where players discuss mysteries or sci-fi plots.
Celebrate Small Wins
Finally, acknowledge progress without overpraising. Finished a graphic novel? “That art style looks cool—what did you like about it?” Listened to an audiobook during workouts? “Nice multitasking!” Avoid evaluative praise (“You’re so smart!”) and focus on their engagement (“I love how you got into that story”).
—
The Takeaway
Transforming older teens into readers isn’t about forcing books on them. It’s about bridging their world with the infinite possibilities of stories. By respecting their autonomy, leveraging technology, and making reading relevant to their lives, we can help them see books not as obligations but as companions—ones that entertain, challenge, and stay with them long after the teen years fade.
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » Turning Older Teens into Readers: A Practical Guide for Parents and Educators