Why black boys aren't reading

[karen andrea]

Check out this interesting article about why black boys aren't engaging with reading.
I've long shared the view that children of all ethnicities need to see themsleves reflected in literature to relate to it, to own and participate in it, as sadly growing up in 70's Britain there were no positive characters of colour in the books we read in class, and that has motivated me to be inclusive in my writing. What do people think? Is the publishing industry doing enough to serve - and court - its various demographics?
BAS might be a good place to advertise children's fiction authors writing about our collective experiences as peoples of colour, and able to fill the gap. If anyone is interested in this please contact me here or at [e-mail]
One love
Happy scribbling!

http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/news/index.php/item/2604/cat/23

[Milton Davis]

I write sword and soul for that very reason. My stories contain black men in positions of power doing the right thing. There's excitement, but there's also responsibility. I sell many books to parents that share them with their teenage sons. I'm planning a new book that is targeted towards younger males. I want to show young black men and women that they have their own royal heritage and that they can find strength in these role models.

[Theresa E. Grant]

Not only are black boys not reading, but black girls are not reading either. I think this is due primarily to video games played on the television, television stories, and anything that they find interesting to watch on the television. More time is spent watching television.

[ruby morris]

Ruby F. Morris
You are so right, it should be instill as a young child, small children are being babysit by televison.

I read to my children when they was small.. Some young children can not talk, why? because the television speak for them.
Children need one on one time, they need hands on material thats compatible to them, that will stimulate the mind.

[Color Online]

Karen,

I belong to a growing number of people of color bloggers who promote people of color writers. We are blogging brown. We promote multicultural literature and I personally mentor two teens who read and review works by people of color. Check out Ari at Reading In Color.

We need to do more to affirm what we are doing, actively seek out those who share our passions and those who are our allies.

Teens of color do read. Are enough reading, no? Please visit us at Color Online and check out the young women who are not only reading but encouraging all teens to read people of color.

We need to not only create spaces here but we need to participate in the blogosphere at-large. Were any of you aware of the Liar book controversy? Do you know about the current "Writers Against Racism" series at School Library Journal? Do you know children's editor, Laura Atkins has presented a paper at an international forum calling on mainstream publishers to step up their game and recognize the need and value of promoting multicultural literature?

There are many literacy advocates promoting and supporting writers of color, blogging brown and getting books in the hands of our children. Color Online successfully hosted Color Me Brown Book review challenge. We garnered more than 100 links to reviews of books by or about POC. And we're not done.

Come by and let us join forces.