Jump-Starting Boys: Help Your Reluctant Learner Find Success in School and Life was an interesting book filled with many practical ideas. I have a young son which is why I was interested in reading this book. I came away with some good ideas of how I can support and help him. ( )

There were some great suggestions for helping boys succeed at literacy, such as finding male reading role models, good mentors, and encouraging all kinds of reading and writing, not just "important books" or formal writing. I did feel like the book repeated things more than was necessary and I wasn't completely convinced by some of the arguments for reading (though I do think helping boys become better readers and thinkers is very important - I guess I would have found other reasons more compelling than the ones the authors proposed). ( )

I received a free ARC of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I'm the single mom of a young son. I'm also a great lover of books, reading and education. One of my concerns for my son is that he become a success in life, and I want to help him as best as I can. This book has some great information on that very purpose for parents of boys in Preschool thru Senior Year of high school. I plan on not only using the information I learned from this book now, for my son in elementary school, but also referencing it as time goes by and we encounter different stages of the education system in the U.S.

This book complied tips, motifs and some research into a very readable book. I am an educator and many of the stories of families frustrations rang true. This book is definitely written for families and parents but I recommend that educators review it as a resource for families. ( )

Jump-Starting Boys (Help Your Reluctant Learner Find Success in School and Life) by Pam Withers & Cynthia Gill warns that boys are falling behind in school and in life and it gives a number of ways to help your sons, grandsons, etc. avoid that destiny.

Three main causes for boys falling behind are given: l) Boys are reluctant readers and writers in a time when reading and writing are ever more critical to success. 2) Boys need more positive male role models in their lives, especially role models who read and write as well as more male teachers. 3) The vast majority of teachers are women, especially in elementary school, that figure around 80% and women often, unintentionally fail to teach boys in a manner that works for boys. From the book: "As long as education involves the teacher talking and the student listening, then school is set up for girls who find it easier to listen than boys."

This book is a grab-bag of ideas of how to help boys. Like any such book, not all of the tips will work for everyone. But, I believe most parents and grandparents will find a large number of the ideas helpful. Plus, the pages from 215 to 283 are full of other resources, both books and internet sites, that give those looking to help the boys in their lives plenty to dig into . ( )