<p>There's a whole genre of books for the pre teen girl but it's a good question--what do boys that age read?</p>
<p>Some boys get really into Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and and Eregon, The Inheritance Trilogy.</p>
<p>Son got the 2400 SAT. Is a voracious reader still. Also found time for activities with others- EC's in HS. When moving him out of his freshman dorm I returned a bunch of books to a campus library for him- including books he had checked out for fun reading (annoyed parent trying to hurry things up with the move- those books were heavy and parking was a block away from the most convenient location). I would expect top students to be readers. Sci Fi like mom and my mother before me, plus nonfiction in his science and other areas of interest like dad (got me into a lot of physics I never would have read).</p>
<p>I disagree totally with the "...drop out of school statement" (post #7). There's a lot of social, discussion and hands on learning in a school that books alone can't provide. There needs to be a balance. The books will always be there but attention needs to be paid to interacting with peers and physical activities. This can include academic clubs/competitions in HS.</p>
<p>Son's school had 50 plus each boys and girls in cross country- many introverted types, mainly good students, and not all good runners. Music is another more solitary activity- HS or other groups or piano such as your son does. For reading have him branch out into more contemporary authors, including the many science based books written for the general public. Volunteer work will get him away from just reading books- try your public library, elementary schools.</p>
<p>I agree that it is hard to find books for advanced young readers. That is where science fiction/fantasy is good- you can find a lot of adventure and emotionally satisfying literature kids can relate to. Son's first paperback purchase was the Star Wars Trilogy (3 books in one volume) when he was 9, and of course all of the Harry Potter books (I had to wait a day for my turn to read them). Nephew read "The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich in his early teens. Some people prefer history to science- I'm sure reading is why a boy at son's school got a 5 on the AP US History test after freshman year and therefore placed out of any US or AP US History course in HS. He also read sci fi- I remember coming up with at least a dozen authors for him that also were age appropriate (ie not "PG 17" or "R" rated content).</p>
<p>The whole idea of extracurricular activities is to be more well rounded than just scholarly pursuits such as doing homework/reading and to learn to work with other people in a mutually interesting activity. Without spending time on those admissions committees may think he needs all of his time to get the good grades- eg a 4.0 plus taking time for other activities versus needing to work extra hard for those grades. There are many skills learned through EC's that can't be learned in a classroom.</p>
<p>I know there have been many great book suggestion threads, but don't know how to find them for you. Mathmom, are you out there?</p>
<p>wis75...
I respect what you are saying, but in my opinion school gets in the way of relating to others and ECs. The only time my kids were allowed to relate to others in school was at lunch time. My daughter was able to become one of the best ballet dancers her age only because she didn't have to go to school. Both kids were blessed with never having any assignments or homework after bailing out. How can such chores be justified? Only on anti-human terms, IMO.
But I digress. The wonders of reading. Two examples. My son read the Studs Lonigan trilogy. One of the top 25 or so American works of the 20th century, according to a respected survey. The entire narrative took place within a mile or so from where we live. What are the chances he would have read this in school? It never would have happened.
My daughter just signed up for a college literature course. She is supremely excited. Ford Maddox Ford is one of her favorite authors. I'll bet that she will be the only one in her class who has read Ford Maddox Ford.
To me, school rations learning rather than expands it.</p>
<p>For the OP~ Here are a few suggestions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>perhaps he should start a teenage book review web site-
review what he has read and invite others to submit their reviews opinions. would show enterpreneurial spirit, use of technology & share his love of reading with others.</p></li>
<li><p>start a book review column in his school newspaper.</p></li>
<li><p>start a teen book club to be held at your local borders/barnes & noble monthly. maybe they will extend discounts to them on book purchases. i'm sure there are other avid teen readers in your community. A member of an adult book club could get him started and moderate until they have a flow going.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>hmom5: All the kids I know who got the elusive 800CR are life long readers. Colleges know this. The funny thing about my own DS if that for a very long time he was not exactly reading classics. He was into science fiction and sports biographies, but it didn't seem to matter. </p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p>As I said d made that 800 in CR ( and the equivalent 80 on the PSAT) and 800 W on the SAT. Like your son, she is not so much into classics but rather science fiction and fantasy. For a boy of that age (and girl :)) I would highly recommend: Enders Game by Orson Scott Card. If your son likes it (and he will) continue the Enders Series and then segue in the Ender's Shadow series. My son (now 20) and my d (now an hs senior) both wanted and got Card's latest <em>Ender's Choice</em> for Christmas.</p>
<p>I agree that many age appropriate books can be found in sf. My son also liked the Tripod series - no longer remember the author. D liked The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner and I can see boys liking it also.</p>
<p>Mathmom is here. Mathson is another example of a kid who got 800s on the CR due to a lifelong habit of reading. He read the usual suspects: lots of sci fi and fantasy (indluding some fantasy that's aimed at girls such as Tamora Pierce's books). He doesn't read anything that would be considered literary for pleasure.</p>
<p>For middle school age boys good choices might be:
Card's Ender series (mentioned above)
David Weber (military sci fi)
Star Wars books (especially those written by Timothy Zahn - younger son swears they are better than you'd think)
Zahn has written some stand alone novels - I've read the Dragonback ones - fast paces adventures - enjoyable though not earthshaking
The Artemis Fowl books
Tamora Pierce (though it's all spunky heroines)
Lord of the Rings
John Christopher wrote the Tripod books - they are good
The forever War - Haldeman I think
Larry Niven
Diana Wynne Jones - clever fantasy - some aimed at younger kids, but many more grown up books as well
Turner's Thief series is top notch - I loved the setting for this unusal fantasy
Robin McKinley - spunky heroines appeal to the girls, but my boys loved her books</p>
<p>On the non sci-fi fantasy front - I really liked Bloor's Tangerine. (Which has a sports angle.)
Historical fiction lovers might like Rosemary Sutcliffe's books set in the Roman Empire mostly.</p>
<p>Wow mathmom - many of the same books (Ender series, Thief series, and Tripod series). </p>
<p>D read the Tamora Pierce books so many times that I think she can recite them, but I wasn't sure a boy would get quite as much enjoyment. </p>
<p>Rick Riordan writes a good series.</p>
<p>Anthony Horowitz writes the Alex Ryder series. </p>
<p>Like your son, my d doesn't read anything that would be considered literary for pleasure.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I hear you. My husband and I often feel he is learning more on his own than he is at his public school, even in the strong magnet he is in. He takes his books with him and reads during dead time (when he isn't socializing.) He's pretty competitive though and very social so I'm not too worried. His other passion that I forgot to mention is art history. He is loving AP Art History this year and it's his favorite hour of the school day and I'm wondering if art museums let kids volunteer -- I guess I wonder if they let minors near priceless art! He's the kind of kid who loves museums and will wander around for hours completely focused. Again, not the kind of thing that is easily quantified.
[/quote]
If he presents himself well, a volunteer tour guide would be the best kind of EC I could think of. If he can talk to the art and relate it to something he is reading or has read recently from the period, I think there would be a lineup of people who would want to take the tour with "the kid".</p>
<p>It shows passion for his interests, a giving to the community, and he enjoys it! Not to mention the outstanding letter of rec he could get from a director after working there.</p>
<p>You don't need a lot of ECs. Quality counts and this would definitely qualify for quality.</p>
<p>Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic is a wonderful organization that records all types of books for the blind and dyslexic. They have recording studios in 30 locations. The testimonials from people who use their services are incredibly heartwarming.</p>
<p>We are going to pursue the book club and the museum possibilities -- oh and we'll check out what opportunities are at the library. So many great suggestions. You guys are great!</p>
<p>I looked at the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in our area. In our area, they are looking for people to read textbooks which I don't think would interest him honestly although it seems like such a great cause.</p>
<p>Without reading this thread, my instinctive reaction is this:</p>
<p>"Can reading be an EC?" </p>
<p>No. Reading is a hobby, a pass-time, or a passion, but not an EC. </p>
<p>Teaching kids to read, reading to people in nursing homes, etc - those are EC's. But reading on one's own, for pleasure, is not an EC. That's not to say it's a bad thing or colleges won't be impressed by your son's genuine interest in the serious literature at such a young age, and it might be a good essay topic or subject for the "additional info" page.</p>
<p>Just my instinctive reaction to the question.</p>
<p>mimk6</p>
<p>It just occurred to me. Another possibiltiy is for your son to volunteer for LibriVox. LibriVox</a> Volunteer for LibriVox </p>
<p>My kids never participated, but I have, and I enjoyed the experience tremendously. Volunteering is easy and flexible, and if your son likes to read out loud, he might find it lots of fun.</p>
<p>If he is interested in starting a book club, feel free to send me a PM.</p>
<p>Your son sounds like me. I would suggest writing contests, such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest. There are many contests about books, such as critiques. The awards look great on a college app.</p>
<p>I also thought that " reading is not an EC"-
but
for example- my niece- had basically ZERO- ECs-
solid grades in an IB school, although I don't think she received an IB diploma
Did not visit the little IVY school ( same sports conference)
No sports in school, no job, she went to church every week with her family.
She may have done an alumni interview.
She was accepted- with need based aid- also once admitted she was eligible for outside disbursement of merit based aid for attending students.
If reading was an EC, it would be hers.</p>