February 5, 2025
Jeffrey Boakye is best known for his works that explore themes of identity, race, and social justice. His notable book, “Musical Truth: A Musical Journey Through Modern Black Britain,” won the Accelerated Reader Quiz Writers’ Choice Secondary Non-Fiction Award, highlighting his impact on readers and educators alike. Margaret Allen, Customer Advocacy Manager at Renaissance, interviewed Jeffrey on the benefits of reading and why our perspective on it needs to change.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the act of reading is becoming less common. The most recent What Kids Are Reading (WKAR) report reveals a decrease in the number of books read by children in the UK, with a drop of over 4% year on year. In this blog, we explore the concept of ‘reading for pleasure’ as ‘reading for nourishment’ and how teachers can build on these ideas to transform their approach to literacy and education. This approach aims to shift perspective on reading, viewing it not just as a pastime, but as a vital tool for intellectual and emotional growth.
Reading for pleasure vs reading for growth
Reading should be fun and make us think. Books give us different perspectives and stories, offering windows into experiences we haven’t had. That’s why books still matter in the 21st century. They draw us into new experiences and help us reflect on our own lives. Jeffrey Boakye’s books, like “Musical Truth,” aim to entertain while challenging readers to think critically about social issues. By reading diverse stories, we build empathy and critical thinking skills, helping us understand ourselves and others better.
Identity and complexity in literature
Books should show multiple perspectives, letting us see the world through different lenses. Boakye says “I don’t write about race just because I’m black; I do it to understand the world better”. His writing addresses the lack of diverse representation in UK publishing, focusing on social justice, identity, and history.
Boakye’s Kofi series, for example, offers young readers diverse perspectives often missing in mainstream literature. These stories entertain and educate, helping readers appreciate the complexities of identity. The latest WKAR report highlighted that diverse role models such as Marcus Rashford, Maria Isabel Sanchez, and Bryan Patrick Avery are striking a chord with students and encouraging more reading.
Jeffrey Boakye’s advice to teachers
Engaging pupils with reading can be tough, but Boakye offers some valuable tips. He advises against patronising young readers and emphasizes keeping the content relatable and meaningful. Young people can handle conversations about inequality, conflict, and injustice, so it’s crucial to be direct and honest with them.
He also encourages a focus on storytelling rather than just books. He says, “in my teaching experience, every child is curious and willing to explore stories. Discuss themes and characters before diving into a book. Take breaks to talk about the narrative and let pupils guess what might happen next.” This builds engagement and makes reading more enjoyable.
Encouraging a love of reading requires thoughtful and practical steps. Boakye suggests:
- Create inclusive reading lists: Include books that reflect diverse perspectives and experiences. This helps pupils see themselves in the stories they read and fosters empathy and understanding. The tables in the WKAR report can be a great starting point for teachers looking to diversify their reading lists.
- Promote discussions: Encourage conversations around the themes and characters in books. This helps pupils engage with the material on a deeper level and promotes critical thinking.
- Use relatable content: Choose books that resonate with pupils’ lives and experiences. Relatable content can spark interest and make reading a more enjoyable activity.
- Integrate technology: Use tools like Accelerated Reader, myON and Star Reading to address all assessment, teaching, practice and data needs, tailoring learning to each student’s individual requirements. This motivates pupils to read more and improve their skills and can free up a busy teacher’s workload.
Reading is more than just a pastime; it is a tool for intellectual and emotional growth. It is important to balance pleasure and growth in reading. At Renaissance we echo Boakye’s advice -by embracing diverse perspectives and providing engaging content, we can inspire a new generation of readers.
As we tackle the decline in reading, it’s crucial to take practical steps to foster a love of reading. By offering diverse stories and voices, teachers can create an environment where reading is a source of joy and nourishment. Accelerated Reader and myON can really help teachers here, as they offer a broad selection of diverse, equitable, and inclusive fiction and non-fiction titles. These resources highlight the richness of children’s publishing and aid in developing essential literacy skills. Celebrate the power of children’s literature to inspire young minds and build a more inclusive world.
Discover the latest pupil reading trends and find books that will instill a love of reading in your students. Check out the What Kids Are Reading 2024 report here: www.whatkidsarereading.co.uk
Renaissance Learning sat down with Jeffrey Boakye to discuss the ideas raised in this blog further. You can listen to that conversation on the Renaissance Space Podcast here or you can watch the video here.