I’ve always loved to read, and it makes me so happy that my son also loves to read. It’s exciting to see him pick up books that I read when I was a kid (the E. B. White titles, the Encyclopedia Brown series) and to see him discover his own interests along the way.
My son has been on a mythology kick, reading up on his Greek gods and asking me questions about what he’s learning. He’s still young enough that he hasn’t realize I don’t have all the answers (which is just fine with me). I ran across the book Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and knew a tiny bit about it. Turned it over and read the back cover – Greek gods! Adventure! Surely, he would love this.
“Spencer, I found a book for you,” I said.
“I don’t want to read that book.”
“Read the back, I think you’ll like it.”
He holds book and scans the back. “It doesn’t look good.”
“This is right up your alley! All about a regular kid who meets up with the ancient Greeks!” 
“It looks dumb.”
“If you don’t like it I’ll buy you five books that you do like. But you have to read it.”
He looks at me, trying to find the trap. “Okay.”
So we took the book home and it sat for a few weeks. I reminded him that he needed to read the book as promised and he reluctantly picked it up, reading a page at a time and expressing his distaste for it. Then came the day when I walked past his room well past bedtime and his light was on. I opened the door and he was reading his Percy Jackson book. He looked up with a sheepish smile and told me how much he loved the book.
After he finished it, he walked up to me with purpose and handed me the book.
“Mom. You HAVE to read this book. You will love it.”
So, while it’s not my normal type of read, I did read it. And it was really good. Definitely written for a younger audience, but it thrilled and captivated me nonetheless.
He’s now on to book two and I’m impatiently waiting for him to finish it so I can get my fix.
omigosh! The five book deal is so clever, I am going to steal it. (I have similar issues with my son.)
Isn’t it funny how they are SO SURE they won’t like something just because as parents we have recommended it? As if we don’t know them “best”.
Your 5 book idea is good. I can just see my daughter saying she hates everything so we can go shopping. Heck, I’d much rather shop for books than anything else.
I know the bribe won’t work forever, but when he loves a book, he LOVES a book & I knew he couldn’t fake it! I did worry a bit when I made the deal, but how can you go wrong with books? I’m with you Malena, I lose myself (or, more accurately, find myself) in a bookstore.
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That was really clever
A great way to get him to open a book, and foster a love for reading with the promise of books that he can choose.
I loved this book, too. All my kids have read the series (and seen the movie). Why don’t our kids just give up and acknowledge that mama really does know best?
I loved this book. Oh, wait am I supposed t admit that if I don’t have kids and had no reason to read it? What the heck, I loved it. But in all honesty, I listened to it on audio.