The problem is urgent. The solutions exist.
Boys are falling behind in literacy at every grade level, in every state, across every demographic. The gap between boys and girls widens each year — and the consequences follow boys for life. John's workshop turns data into action and frustration into a plan.
Workshop Content
What every educator leaves knowing
The Boys Read workshop is built around a simple conviction: if you give a boy the right book at the right moment, something shifts. The workshop shows you how to find that book — and how to create the conditions where reading becomes possible for the boys who have given up on it.
The Problem, Plainly Stated
A frank look at the data — where boys stand, how the gap compounds, and why the standard approaches aren't working. No sugarcoating. No blame. Just clarity.
It's Not That Boys Can't Read
The distinction that reframes everything: boys who won't read are not boys who can't. Understanding the difference changes how you approach them — in the classroom and at home.
What Boys Actually Want
Male protagonists. Real stakes. Action, humor, danger. Non-fiction that respects their intelligence. A deep dive into what engages boys — backed by research and years of collective wisdom from educators.
The Best Books
An expertly curated walk through the books that work — by genre, by age, by reading level. Gateway authors. Series that create momentum. The titles that turn reluctant readers into readers.
Connect to Transform
How to build the relationship between a boy and a book — through choice, through trust, through conversations that don't feel like assignments. Practical strategies for parents, teachers, and librarians.
Sacred Space
The sanctuary, the reading nook, the library — how physical environment and emotional safety shape a boy's relationship with books. Small changes that make a real difference.
"By fifth grade, a child at the bottom of the class reads about 60,000 words a year. A child in the middle reads about 800,000. The gap isn't ability — it's exposure."
— Research on the 4th Grade SlumpWho Should Attend
Built for the people closest to boys and books
Teachers
Classroom teachers looking for concrete strategies and book recommendations that actually reach reluctant male readers.
Librarians
School and public librarians who want to build collections and programs that actually reach boys.
Parents
Especially those watching their son fall behind and feeling helpless about what to do next.
"So glad I found your site! Ended up with a class in which 31 of 35 students were boys. Just switched the girls out to create an all-boy class. Looking for any great ideas I can find!"
Laura King · 8th Grade English, Walnut Creek Middle School
"I am a girl and I have read all of these books. I don't read romance books or pony books or high school musical books. I read boys books. Great. PS: please write at the top of the page: 'books for boys and good for girls too' or something. Thank you!"
E.G. · A reader who knows what she wants
Bring the workshop to your school or conference
John presents to teacher professional development days, library conferences, parent groups, and school communities. Each workshop is tailored to the audience — from a one-hour keynote to a full-day deep dive.