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This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Encouraging a teen to read the classics can be a challenging prospect due to their increased time commitments, social pressures, and the challenging nature of classic works of literature. Fortunately with a bit of creativity, there are many ways to inspire teens to read the classics.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Appealing to Their Interests
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1Pair their reading interests with the classics.[1] X Expert Source
Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 4 August 2020. Go to source If your teen enjoys reading outside of the cannon, ask them what they are reading and why they like it, then talk about a work of classic literature you enjoy that explores similar topics.[2] X Research source Go to source- Present them with that book and say something encouraging, such as, “The way you were talking about vampires in Twilight yesterday reminded me of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Here's the copy that I read when I was your age. I would be curious to hear what you think about it.”
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2Share your own favorites with enthusiasm. Describe your favorite scene from a classic you're encouraging them to read. Giving them specific details can entice them to read it themselves.
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3Listen attentively to their literary interests. If you listen attentively as they talk about their favorite book, they will likely become more receptive to your suggestions.
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4Introduce your teen to classic literature through film and television adaptations. Classic novels have the distinction of being constantly adapted for film and TV series. Encouraging a teen to watch a film based on a classic novel might help to introduce them to relevant and recognizable themes in the work, which may make the task of reading it less daunting.[3] X Trustworthy Source Read Write Think Online collection of reading and writing resources for teachers and students. Go to source
- It can be exciting to have both read a book and watched its film version; few teenagers can resist smugly asserting that the book was better when their peers discuss the film version.
- Some prominent examples of films based on classic literature include William Wyler's adaptation of Wuthering Heights, John Huston's version of Moby-Dick, and Robert Mulligan's version of To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Keep in mind that there are many films that borrow loosely from a classic novel rather than adapting it directly. For example, Coppola's Apocalypse Now is based loosely on Conrad's Heart of Darkness. The 2001 comedy Bridget Jones's Diary is a loose adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. If a teen already enjoys these kinds of films, you may be able to encourage them to read the novels that inspired them.
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5Introduce your teen to audiobooks.[4] X Expert Source
Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 4 August 2020. Go to source Teenagers are constantly listening to music and podcasts, so audiobooks can be a great way to bridge the gap between reading and the media they consume. Audiobooks can also help your teen process the information better if they have trouble concentrating while reading.[5] X Expert SourceAlexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 4 August 2020. Go to source -
6Help your teen start a book club with friends. They can read the book, then watch the film adaptation, then do a fun activity connected to the book's plot (cooking, playing baseball, etc).[6] X Trustworthy Source Read Write Think Online collection of reading and writing resources for teachers and students. Go to source
- Alternatively, you could direct your teen toward online reading forums and book discussions. They can get recommendations on classic books that other teens enjoy.
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7Lead your teen towards novels with themes relevant to their life. By leading teens towards novelists who dealt with issues they are likely to be facing - social pressures, bodily anxiety, "fitting in" - you may be able to spark their interest in the broader body of classic literature.[7] X Research source Go to source
- For example, teens reading Dickens' Hard Times may have difficulty applying material about 19th century poverty to their lives. However, they might find the themes of social pressure and anxiety in Salinger's Catcher in the Rye much more applicable.
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Creating the Right Environment
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1Teach by example. If your teen sees you curled up with a book, it is more likely they will pursue reading themselves. Talk enthusiastically about the books you are reading. You can create an association between reading and pleasure by simply demonstrating your own genuine enthusiasm for books.[8] X Research source Go to source Recommend books like Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, On The Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
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2Create an encouraging reading environment. Television and radios that are constantly on can dull attention spans and discourage attentive reading. Make sure your teen has a lamp that makes reading in bed comfortable. Provide them with a bookshelf for their room and encourage them to collect books. Even if teens aren't reading the classics, a conducive home environment will help them to build the literary foundation for approaching those works later.
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3Encourage them to take an online quiz. There are several quizzes with titles such as “Which classic book would be perfect for me?” Involving siblings and friends can help turn this into a fun game. These quizzes are appealing to teens because activities that help them discover “who they are” are particularly interesting to them.[9] X Research source Go to source
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4Turn reading into a social game. Wrap 10 classic novels and write catchy summaries of the plot on the kraft paper. Invite a handful of your teen's friends over and ask them to choose one. Give a prize to each teen that reads the entire book.[10] X Research source Go to source
- You may want to have a few extra books in case someone is disappointed by what they chose.
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5Try the 16 before 16 challenge. Your teen must race against time to read 16 classics before they turn 16. If they succeed, they get a prize, something they would really love. This works especially well if the student has siblings and it becomes a family tradition.[11] X Research source Go to source
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6Make frequent trips to the library with your teen. Libraries often have summer challenges that encourage youth to read with prizes and competitions. Reading will likely become more exciting for your teen if they've set a goal to read a certain number of books over the summer. However, it should be a loose goal, and encourage your teen to be flexible with it.
- Librarians can help your teen find classics that align with their interests.
- Get involved with your local libraries. Public libraries and school libraries often rely on very tight budgets. When libraries are faced with this minuscule funding, they often focus on reference books at the expense of classic novels. Make an effort to help fund your local libraries (including your teen's school library).
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7Take your teen to the bookstore. Libraries and school textbooks often can't offer attractive editions of classic works, but publishers are increasingly paying more attention to book design as they compete with digital book formats. Take your teen to bookstores in your area; they may be inclined to approach classic novels with the help of eye-catching book jackets and cover designs.
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8Foster student-teacher communication. Teachers can provide a wealth of knowledge when it comes to classic literature. Encourage your teen to discuss literature with their teachers and ask for recommendations on classic books.
Shakespeare Terms Guide
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/mar/22/well-read-teenager-classic-books-for-teens-young-adults-twilight
- ↑ http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/tips-howtos/motivating-teen-readers-30110.html
- ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/tips-howtos/motivating-teen-readers-30110.html
- ↑ https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2015/02/16/how-high-school-teachers-parents-can-encourage-teens-to-read-for-fun
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2014/05/13/kids-dont-read-books-because-parents-dont-read-books/#6f3af14525d5
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/quiz/2015/jan/03/what-classic-book-should-i-read
More References (2)
About this article
Article SummaryX
If you aren't sure how to get your teen started on classic literature, try finding books that match up with their interests. For example, you might suggest Around the World in 80 Days to a kid who loves travel. You can also introduce them to movies adaptations of the classics, such as To Kill A Mockingbird, to whet their appetite for the dramatic depth of classics. Teens are very social, so encourage them to start a book club as a way to read the classics and spend time with friends at the same time. For ways to make reading the classics into a fun, competitive game, read on!
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,556 times.