Tired of fighting with your son to turn off Minecraft/the television/his computer and read a book for a change? And when he does choose books to read- comic books/graphic novels/fart books/the Captain Underpants series/books about creepy, gross things- do you find yourself telling him to "stop reading and pick out something more appropriate" because you're worried his choices will make his brain turn to mush? PROBLEM: 75% of 9- to 14-year-old boys don't read for pleasure every day (if they read at all). By not reading, they are at a distinct competitive disadvantage against boys (and girls) who do. FACT: We live in a global, knowledge-based, information-driven world where strong literacy skills are essential for success. FACT: 30 minutes of reading for pleasure every day is the best way to develop vocabulary and general knowledge, exercise empathy, and strengthen verbal cognitive and reading skills (to name just a few of this daily habit's amazing benefits). So what can a parent do to change their son's trajectory? Enter Boys and Books. It is a how-to action guide for discouraged parents who want their preteen/early teen son to read for pleasure, but he won't. In this book, parents learn: How to re-shape reading for their son (it's not too late!) so he can thrive today and in the future. Why reading equals pain and how they can redefine it as pleasure for their son (comic books won't turn his brain to mush!). Why their son needs them to be more like a coach- not a cheerleader, referee, commentator, mascot, or spectator- when initiating reading with him. The 10 Building Blocks they need to know and do so their son will read for pleasure (no teaching or English degree required!). The days of struggling and worrying are over. Now is the time to build a new relationship with your 9- to 14-year-old son around reading and books and to open up his world to what's possible. Boys and Books will help you do just that! Reading is foundational to survive, but reading for pleasure is fundamental to thrive. Here's to boys reading!