Guys Write for Guys Read
By Matt Berman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Short stories by male authors. Some good, some iffy stuff.
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What's the Story?
A collection of nearly 100 very short stories, anecdotes, drawings, essays, comics, and memories from favorite authors from the Guys Read website, as well as from literacy experts and editors. Authors like M.T. Anderson and Walter Dean Myers have entries. Selections include numerous memories about fathers, pranks, and bullies, thoughts about what it means to be a guy, and anecdotes about the paths that led to becoming writers and illustrators. Each is followed by a few facts about the author and a few titles of his books.
Is It Any Good?
Guys read, but judging from this collection, they don't care much about quality. With a few exceptions, the writing here is flat and reads like a homework assignment done at the last minute. And some of the guys who write have ideas about guy-ness so stereotypical that even a 10-year-old would sneer -- real guys apparently burp, fart, and play sports. Alert the media.
This was a good idea -- getting boys to read, and keeping them reading, is a worthy goal, and the profits go to support the Guys Read Web site. And there are some gems among much dross, and a few that defy the stereotypes. Perhaps it will appeal to reluctant readers -- and get teen boys interested in the work of some of the authors here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the intent here. What is the point of this book? Why do you think the authors were interested in contributing? Do any of the portrayals resonate with you? Did anything feel stereotypical?
Money from this book goes to support Guys Read, an organization with a mission to "help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers." Do boys need special help in this area? Are there specific books or genres that you think are more appealing to boys?
Book Details
- Author: Jon Scieszka
- Genre: Short Stories
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Group
- Publication date: May 10, 2005
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 272
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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