Bestselling Author Tells How He Got Kid Reading

Bestselling author James Patterson talks about his ReadkiddosRead program in the video here, because like so many kids, his son Jack didn't see reading as any fun. (Click on the arrow on the photo.)

Patterson partnered with Chesterfield Patch to get the word out on how he got Jack to pick up a book and read for fun. It doesn't mean you have to write a book, like Patterson did, but get his advice on how to go about choosing them.

Chesterfield Patch supplies his reading lists here, with Patterson's endorsement.

Summer Reading Lists: Ages 8-12

Summer Reading Lists: Ages 6-9

This is from Patterson's ReadKiddoRead website about why and how he started writing what he calls "pageturner" books for kids:

"A few years ago, I realized my son, Jack, didn't exactly love books. We'd always read to him as a baby, and he was beginning to read for school. When he got home, him going to the shelf and picking up a book was about as likely as his pulling out a notebook and solving quantum physics problems. Actually, the latter was more likely. He's a smart kid.

So Sue and I took it on ourselves to fix the problem if we could.

Starting that summer, and every summer since, we went out and found books that I was pretty sure he'd not just read, but would love to read. That was a big part of the inspiration for READKIDDOREAD.

But, more than that, the experience with Jack got me writing books that I hoped he and other kids would love to read. Before then, I'd always written books just for grown-ups.

In fact, one of my proudest moments as a writer was when I passed him the manuscript of The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. Not only did he like it, he told me it was his favorite.

Anyhow, the Daniel X series, the Maximum Ride series, and the Witch & Wizard series were written for just this purpose. Jack got me writing books that I thought other kids would love. To contribute a few books that hopefully, will make kids readers for life.

But don't take my word for it. Read some of the feedback these books have gotten from parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and even critics.

I hope you and your young readers enjoy them, too."    —JP