Want your young boy to read?

I raised two sons. One loved to read (and still does). The other despised time with book in hand (and still does). Can you relate? Do you wish your boys would read more? Here's some help from Eddie Jones, author and Acquisition Editor for LightHouse Publishing.

7 Ways to Get your Boy to Read Books

The Internet, smart phones, online gaming and videos have changed the reading habits of young males. Can we keep books in “their” social network? Yes, says Eddie Jones, award-winning author of Caden Chronicles. Here are seven ways you can turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm.

Select a “boy book”

Boys enjoy books about boys, so pick a story that includes a male lead with a unique skill who is overmatched but becomes the hero through conquering challenges. The book should include a specific goal (treasure), consequences for failure (death of someone or thing) and show the value of moral choice (book’s theme). Boys like action, physical confrontation and really do want to storm the castle and save the princess so books with a reluctant female partner is okay. (Think Hermione and Harry Potter.) 

Turn your boy into a super sleuth

 Once your son is into the story casually ask him to name the lead character. If he can’t, that’s okay. Suggest he pick a physical feature that will help him remember. If it’s a murder mystery, ask who dies, why and how? This gives you an opportunity to talk with your son about the consequence of violence in a non-threatening way. Create a white board with the names of suspects, possible motives and clues. Adventure and coming-of-age novels lend themselves to different questions but the idea is to get your son talking about the book.

Create a reading hut

Boys of all ages like man caves. Even if space is limited suggest your son create a special reading place. A closet can double as his hide out and a bed sheet draped over chairs makes a great tent. Your aim is to give your son a secret reading spot, a make-believe fort all his own.

 

Establish a reading time  

Encourage your son to pick a special reading time. Start with a half and shoot for a time of day when he is alert. Establish a page limit, a chapter, for example. He may finish early and that’s fine. Encourage him to use the extra time make note of any weapons, motives, and characters introduced in that chapter(s).

Read aloud to your child

Even older kids enjoy it when others read to them. Reading aloud can be a great way to encourage a reluctant reader. Read a chapter aloud, then allow your son to read the same passage silently. Watch for clues to see if he is struggling with words. With a highlighter, mark the word and offer to add it to his special word collection. Later when he sees the word (which you planted for him to find) and correctly identifies it as a secret word, reward him.

Collect bookmarks

Collect cool bookmarks from famous authors and use them as trading cards. Children authors love hearing from kids. This is why we write – to encourage young readers to become bookworms and maybe someday, writers! Visit a children’s author’s web site and request a bookmark. Start today! E-mail eddie@eddiejones.org for a free autographed bookmark.

 

 Form a book club

Encourage your son to create his own book club. Since it’s his club, he can be president. Allow him to pick his favorite books. Suggest he write reviews (with your supervision) on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. Help him brainstorm for ways he can add other boys to his book club. Offer to help the “boys only” book club plan a trip as a reward for finishing a book.

Readers are leaders - buy a boy a book and change a life.

Here's a book to try:

The Skull Creek Stakeout - a story middle-readers and adults can sink their teeth into.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0310723906/

The good news is, vampires aren't real. The bad news is...you can't believe the news.

Nick Caden is a normal fourteen-year-old kid with a "supernatural" knack for finding trouble, ghosts, vampires, and all sorts of undead--or so it seems. 

After solving the ghost story murder at Deadwood Canyon, Nick lands a job as a roving reporter for The Cool Ghoul Gazette, a website on paranormal or supernatural disturbances. When the editor sends Nick to investigate a murder in Transylvania, North Carolina, the young super sleuth finds a corpse with fangs, bite marks and a stake driven through the heart. If Nick proves vampires are real, his job as an investigative journalist is set for life! But once he begins to peel back the clues surrounding the mystery of Skull Creek Nick finds his new job is not only scary and dangerous but about to suck the life out of him. 


The Caden Chronicles: Dead Man’s Hand

2013 Selah Winner for Young Adult Fiction 

2013 INSPY Award nominee in the category of Literature for Young People
2013 Moonbeam Children's Book Award nominee

About the Author

Eddie Jones is a North Carolina-based writer and Acquisition Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. He is a three-time winner of the Delaware Writers Conference and his Young Adult novel, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, won the 2012 Moonbeam Award in the Pre-Teen Fiction/Fantasy category and 2011 Selah Award in Young Adult fiction. Dead Man’s Hand, the first book in the Caden Chronicles mystery series, is now available from Zonderkidz. He co-writes the He Said, She Said devotions, available at ChristianDevotions.us.

Let freedom ring

It was the evening of July 4th. After a family dinner, Gary and I decided we had seen enough fireworks to last us a lifetime. In other words, we really didn't feel like going anywhere because we are getting old and boring. So we didn't. Well, he didn't. I went for my standard evening run.

As I crested the last hill before venturing down the now darkened, rocky driveway, I was startled to

see no less than four different spots on the skyline lit up in the night sky. The subsequent "booms" followed shortly thereafter. I stood in the middle of the deserted country road just watching and waiting for the next round. All I had to do was scan above the treetops in an 180 degree arc. It was an unexpected treat and my private way of celebrating the 4th.

That got me thinking. 1776. Independence Day. Freedom. The birth of a nation. Pretty cool stuff. This freedom allows its citizens privileges too numerous to mention despite recent infringements by a swollen and controlling government. (Yes. That is an editorial-type comment.) Still, compared to many nations around the globe, we are free because a very steep price had been paid; a price that had flowed rivers of red. Freedom is simply not possible without the shedding of bright red blood.

We take freedom for granted. We venture off at whim's notice to the store for milk, the mall for a little shopping, church on Sunday mornings, and if we're lucky, to the beach for a summer getaway. We can get up when we want and go to bed at will. We load the refrigerator shelves and then consume its contents when stomach churning can no longer be ignored. In want of fresh air? Open the door and step out. Need a change of scenery? Walk down the road.

Now think of a prisoner in jail. He doesn't have the same kind of freedom. That's why they call it jail. He can go nowhere. He eats on schedule. He wakes up when the lights go on and reclines on the paper-thin mattress they call his bunk at the appointed time. He occupies his days with books and idle chat. Every so often, he might have a visitor from the outside. But that relished brief encounter, conducted with a thick pane of glass between, simply emphasizes his lack of freedom.

Or does it? Who is more free? The visitor or the inmate? In a physical sense the answer is obvious. But let's be clear. There are plenty of us who roam around unfettered that are anything but free. So that begs the question. What is real freedom?

Remember Dr. Luke of the first century? He recounts the story (Luke chapter 4) of how Jesus went into the synagogue, unrolled a scroll and read the words of the prophet Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

Then the Lord states, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Really? Prisoners set free? Blind people made to see? How can this be?

The truth. The truth is what brings freedom. The believing Jews didn't quite understand Jesus' instructions: "If you hold on to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 4:31, 32).

"But, but...we don't get it," they cried. "We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" (8:33) See? It's not that they were in a literal prison or under house arrest. The problem is they they (as are we) were prisoners to sin because sin steals freedom.

So what did Jesus say to address their puzzlement? "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Ah. It looks like Jesus was teaching that true freedom comes as a result of son-ship. No son status means no freedom because sin binds, sin separates, sin holds captive. In order to be free, we must be a blood relative of Jesus Christ. Without the shedding of Christ's blood, there is no remission on sin (Romans 3:25). 

Can a walking-around citizen actually be imprisoned? Can the inmate in jail be free? Absolutely.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Praise God. Free at last! Free at last!

And the winner is...

As promised, the drawing took place today for the free scarf from Trades of Hope sponsored by . The winner is none other than Bob Hostetler of Indiana.
Tamara Walston

Congrats, Bob. I'm sure you will look lovely with scarf draped artfully around that fine, thin neck of yours. Just kidding. I would imagine your wife will LOVE it!

Win a free scarf!

Over the years, I have enjoyed home parties. You know the kind: a bunch of women gather, a representative lays out her wares (everything from kitchen tools to jewelery, to makeup and skin care products that promise a glowing, beautiful face), and the attendees pick, choose, and fill out order forms. I've been both a rep and a hostess. Back in the late 70's I made sewed crafty items and held my own little in-home selling parties. Years later, I sold for The Pampered Chef (TM) since I loved the products. But alas, I gave up because I didn't feel right about asking already financially-strapped folks to buy what they could probably live without. Yeah. I'm not much of a saleswoman.

Borrowed from www.mytradesofhope.com/tamarawalston

But every one in a while, a business idea comes along that grabs my attention. I found that in 'Trades of Hope.' Until about a month or two ago, I had never heard of this group. But then I came across a friend's post, Tamara Walston (tamarawalston@gmail.com), on Facebook which led to my expedition through her website. The picture she posted was a beautiful bracelet that was made out of cereal boxes! Intriguing. There were even earrings to match. Even better.

Turns out, women in Haiti make all kinds of jewelry by recycling cardboard boxes. But how do they get their product into the hands of women like me?

'Trades of Hope' partners with already existing organizations to find artisan woman all around the world. These woman are often from impoverished nations, raising children on their own, living in leper colonies, trying to escape the sex-slave trade, or exist in war-torn regions. There are even several products that come from woman in the USA who have been rescued from prostitution and given new beginnings.

And who is behind this company that uses an in-home marketing strategy? A couple of Christ-following Florida moms and their college-age daughters, that's who. With a passion for business and a desire to see woman become self-sustaining, 'Trades of Hope' began. It is not a charity or a not-for-profit organization. However, the artisans they buy from do not want charity. In fact, they do not need charity. What they need is an outlet for their talents and fair prices for their wares.

'Trades of Hope' help women help themselves. They send sewing machines to Haiti, chickens and goats to Africa, supplies to Cambodia, and more. They educate these struggling artisans and teach them valuable business skills. And then they buy what is produced for whatever the artisans asks, which is a fair trade price. When you hold that scarf or bowl or purse, you can rest assured that the hands who made it have been fairly compensated and are now more able to feed and cloth their children. In fact, depending on the country, the artisan women are making about six times more than they would if they sold only in-country!

I'm planning on hosting a party in my home. Will I buy something I don't absolutely "need"? Probably. But will I feel good about it? Yes. I have my eye on the metal "Hope" bowl. My purchase will help underprivileged women to support themselves and their families. The products will have a "story" to tell. And, it will be indirect confirmation to those Florida entrepreneurs that good business (i.e. one that turns a profit) does not have to be cut-throat and without mercy and grace.

'Trades of Hope' wants to get out their story and have supplied me with a beautiful scarf to give away to one of my readers. For the next week, the contest will be open. First, go to www.mytradesofhope.com/tamarawalston and browse around. Find a product you love or an artisan you want to help with a purchase. Then, please comment on this post and tell me what you love. I will enter every commenter into a random drawing on Sunday, June 30. (Be sure to check back for the announcement! I will need to get your address.) If you win, I will send you a free scarf made by one of these woman. The picture to the right is my own Trades of Hope scarf. It is beautiful and

Nepali aqua scarf

wonderfully crafted. You'll love it!

Please consider hosting your own party. If there is not a Compassion Entrepreneur ('Trades of Hope' company representative) near you and you want to earn some money AND change lives, consider signing up. But of course, if you have neither the time nor inclination to become involved in the business, you can always do what we women do best: SHOP!

Lessons from Wal-Mart

If you're anything like me, I cringe just a little bit come May and June. Not that I'm a scrooge or wish not to be appropriately ecstatic at high school and college graduations. The dilemma is simply logistical: How can I give a gift that doesn't seem too, well, cheap? (Not much chance at giving a seemingly over-the-top gift, like a car or enough money that fills a bank account.) But there was one particular graduation announcement that required double-time thinking. What to do? What to do?

Cheyenne is my niece. She is bright and beautiful and just had a college diploma handed to her in May. But she did it the hard way. Cheyenne brought a little girl into the world a year ago tomorrow. Most would have thrown in the towel. But not Cheyenne. She beat the odds, staying in school, parenting exceptionally, and already has the first course of her masters degree completed. My hat is off to her!

I spent a lot of time thinking about my gift to her. Of course, I was a day late and a dollar short since I was not able to attend her graduation celebrations. Nonetheless, I decided on a letter and a string of gifts. This is what I wrote:

Dear Cheyenne,

 I am really sorry that circumstances prevented us from coming to your graduation. You are to be commended for your hard work, focus, and perseverance. That being said, you have earned rights to a really terrific graduation gift. However, the rub is this. I couldn’t think of anything that was fitting. Everything was either too cheap or too expensive. So I got to thinking. (Dangerous, I know.) And what I settled on was rather. . .well, untraditional. Hope you don’t mind.

As I waltzed myself through Wal-Mart, I got to thinking about all the life lessons that could be reflected in some of the products. Hence, you are getting a smattering of things, none of which, quite frankly, have much intrinsic value. However, I hope what will not be lost are those principles that the items represent. So, here we go. Read each statement and then open the corresponding gift.

 

Life is beautiful. You are living proof of that. On the inside and out, and reflected by your daughter, your life screams out grace and mercy, humility, perseverance, and that sweet, sweet aroma of Jesus. Savor it.  

Wall decal

You are planning to be a teacher. Wonderful. You’ve been standing in line for this wild ride for a long time. While you’re waiting, I’m sure many thoughts cross your mind, just as they would if you waited for the terrifying but exhilarating first drop of a monster roller coaster. So while you wait, use these journals to jot down your ideas. Some of them are bound to be good. The other ones may provide comic relief once you’ve been in the classroom a few years. “What was I thinking?!?!?!?!?"

  

In some cases, having a thick skin can be quite advantageous. If you’re a rhino, for example, few things will be able to penetrate that thick hide. Therefore, Rhonda the Rhino can choose not to pay attention to the bird sitting on its head or the insects trying to bite and sting. You can do likewise. There will be some who annoy you, perhaps even aggravate or disrespect you. Ignore them. Just go about doing what you know to be right and just and true. And while you’re at it, keep that thick skin smooth and beautiful with a little exfoliating soap. Thick hide or not, sometimes we need our rough edges smoothed out to give us that soft, beautiful glow.

Clean heart. Clean mouth. And a little brushing never hurt anyone.

  If you make a mistake, clean it up right away. Don’t wait and let the stain set. But remember this, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

(Ps 103:12)

  If it seems to be raining in your life, you have two choices. A) Stay inside and mope or B) Get out your umbrella and have a dance party. The latter will lift the mood.

 Sometimes a girl just has to have a little bling. Decorate a tee and remember, “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more” (Ps 71:14). 

Sorry. Didn’t think to include the tee.

  

Dream big. Do big.

____ happens. (You know what I'm talk'n about.) When it does, put a fresh spin on things.

After ________ happens, wash up real good (at least a 20 second scrub with soap and lots of friction per the CDC). . . then kick back and eat some chocolate.

If________ continues to happen, go with it. Flash folks that winning smile of yours!

 

No matter what, keep your head in the game and a hat on your head.

 

When it’s all said and done, keep calm and carry on.

We love you, Cheyenne.  Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Gary, Rebekah, Caleb and Seth (Although we all know the males in the group had nothing to do with this gift.)