What is *99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading* about?

*99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading* by Mary Leonhardt offers practical strategies for parents and educators to nurture a lifelong love of reading in children. It emphasizes starting with children’s interests—like comics or genre fiction—rather than forcing classics, and includes 100 book recommendations tailored to diverse preferences. The book blends actionable tips with insights from Leonhardt’s 30+ years as an English teacher.

Who should read *99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading*?

This book is ideal for parents, caregivers, and educators of children aged 5–18, particularly those struggling with reluctant readers. It’s also valuable for librarians or mentors seeking age-appropriate book suggestions. Leonhardt’s approach benefits anyone aiming to improve literacy skills while making reading enjoyable.

What are Mary Leonhardt’s top strategies for encouraging reading?

Key strategies include: - Letting children choose their own books, even if they’re "low-brow" (e.g., comics, magazines). - Modeling reading habits by prioritizing family reading time. - Using book series to maintain engagement. - Avoiding criticism of reading choices to prevent discouragement.

Does *99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading* include book recommendations?

Yes, the book provides 100 curated recommendations for different reader types, such as: - Horse-loving preteens (*Black Beauty*, *Misty of Chincoteague*). - Tech enthusiasts (science fiction and coding guides). - Music-obsessed teens (biographies of rock stars).

How does Mary Leonhardt address reluctant teenage readers?

Leonhardt suggests leveraging teens’ existing passions—like recommending biographies of their favorite musicians or novels about social issues they care about. She advises against pressuring them to read "classics" and instead prioritizes building reading stamina through accessible, high-interest titles.

What makes *99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading* unique compared to other parenting guides?

Unlike rigid literacy programs, Leonhardt’s approach focuses on joy over academic achievement. The book stands out for its specific, numbered strategies (e.g., Tip #23: "Keep a basket of books in the car") and its rejection of one-size-fits-all solutions. It also includes troubleshooting guides for common roadblocks like screen time.

How does Mary Leonhardt’s teaching background influence the book?

Drawing from 37 years in classrooms, Leonhardt uses real-world examples, such as transforming reluctant readers via manga collections in school libraries. Her experience informs pragmatic advice, like temporarily allowing "easy" books to rebuild confidence in struggling readers.

Can this book help with academic reading skills?

While the focus is on cultivating enjoyment, Leonhardt explains how voluntary reading naturally improves vocabulary, writing, and critical thinking—skills that translate to academic success. She argues that passionate readers often outperform peers in standardized tests, even without direct test prep.

99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Mary Leonhardt

3.25(380 Reviews)

Overview of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Unlock the reading spark in reluctant children with Mary Leonhardt's 1997 classic - a toolkit so effective educators call it "truly a public service!" Beyond 99 practical strategies, discover 100 books that captivate even the most screen-addicted kids.

Choose how it's told

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Same ideas from 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading. Pick the voice, depth, and pace that fits you. Switch anytime.

Chapter 1

Igniting Young Minds Through the Written Word

In a world where screens dominate and attention spans dwindle, Mary Leonhardt's "99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Writing" arrives as a refreshing counterforce. This practical guide, born from Leonhardt's 28 years of teaching experience across public, private, and parochial schools, has become a staple resource for parents and educators struggling to nurture young writers. Unlike conventional writing instruction manuals that focus on rigid rules and structures, Leonhardt's approach centers on something revolutionary yet simple: joy. The book has garnered praise from literacy specialists nationwide and has been featured in numerous parenting publications for its accessible, non-intimidating approach to developing writing skills. While not as widely recognized as her bestseller "99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading," this companion volume offers equally transformative insights that have changed how many educators approach writing instruction, making it a hidden gem in the field of literacy development.

Chapter 2

The Profound Connection Between Writing Passion and Success

Writing success, like achievement in any field, stems from passion rather than just technical training. Our educational culture often embraces the misguided notion that learning should be "rigorous" and unpleasant, resulting in classrooms full of disengaged students mechanically producing essays while longing to be elsewhere. This approach fundamentally misunderstands how excellence develops. Consider what happens in any field: baseball players who hate the game rarely make it to the majors; musicians who dread practice seldom master their instruments. The same principle applies to writing. Children who approach writing with dread rarely develop into skilled writers, regardless of how many grammar worksheets they complete or how many essays they're forced to produce. The passion-practice connection becomes even more critical when we consider the realities of classroom instruction. Most teachers simply cannot provide adequate writing practice and feedback due to overwhelming student loads. A typical high school English teacher with 150 students would need approximately 30 hours to grade just one week's worth of substantial writing assignments-an impossible task given their other responsibilities. This practical limitation means that only students who write independently outside school get enough practice to truly develop their skills. Just as a tennis player couldn't improve with only an hour of practice every few weeks, writers need regular, sustained engagement with the craft to progress. Children who love writing naturally seek these opportunities, filling journals, crafting stories, or composing poetry in their free time. Beyond technical proficiency, only students who write extensively develop that elusive but essential quality: a distinctive voice. Most business and academic writing suffers from being dreary and voiceless-technically correct but utterly forgettable. The best writers are what Leonhardt calls "personality writers" who make things happen on the page through humor, vivid imagery, or an authoritative tone. These qualities almost never develop through assigned school writing alone. Independent writers also learn to focus their thoughts with remarkable clarity. Unlike standardized tests with their multiple-choice questions, real-world situations require clear, self-directed communication. Children who've spent thousands of hours organizing and expressing their ideas in writing develop an invaluable ability to present thoughts with precision and impact, avoiding the cautious, dreary quality that characterizes much academic writing. Perhaps most surprisingly, frequent reading and writing help children master complex grammar naturally, without tedious drills. Children won't suddenly use sophisticated constructions like gerund phrases and embedded adjective clauses just because they've memorized their definitions. These forms emerge organically through extensive reading and writing practice, not through direct instruction that often creates hostility toward the very subject being taught.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading lights up in real time.

Chapter 3

Starting Young: Building Writing Foundations in Early Childhood

The preschool years offer a golden opportunity to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of writing enjoyment. During this formative period, children are naturally curious, eager to please, and free from the self-consciousness that often inhibits older writers. By focusing on several key approaches during these early years, parents can foster positive attitudes toward written expression that will serve children throughout their lives. First and foremost, let children see that their daily experiences are interesting and worthwhile to talk about. The strongest motivation for writing is believing that what you have to say matters. This begins by genuinely listening to the small details of your children's lives when they're young and eager to share. When a four-year-old excitedly tells you about seeing a butterfly, your attentive response communicates that their observations and thoughts have value-the essential foundation for wanting to express oneself through writing later. Equally important is accepting children's emotions without censorship or control. Honesty in describing feelings is essential for good writing. Rather than telling a child not to call their teacher a "doo-doo ball," acknowledge their feelings while discussing constructive solutions. Children who learn to accept their full range of emotions grow into writers who can authentically express feelings on the page, rather than producing sanitized, artificial content. Active listening techniques prove remarkably effective in helping children expand on their ideas-a skill directly transferable to writing. Instead of firing direct questions that can feel like interrogations, show sympathetic interest to encourage elaboration. When your child mentions a Halloween party, stay quiet to see if they continue, then make supportive comments rather than lecturing. This develops their ability to elaborate with detail and emotion-precisely what makes writing come alive. Imaginative play deserves special attention as a precursor to writing. When children pretend to be fairy princesses or spacemen, they're actually creating plots, speaking in different voices, and building fictional worlds. These activities develop the same mental muscles used in storytelling. Provide materials for this play and books that inspire it, like the Magic Attic series or C.S. Lewis's Narnia books, which can spark elaborate imaginative scenarios. Early writing attempts should be encouraged in whatever form doesn't drive you crazy-scribbling in coloring books, chalk on sidewalks, even jam on high-chair trays. These primitive communication efforts are like the gurgling jargon that precedes speech, helping children learn language rhythms. Praise these efforts sincerely, recognizing them as important developmental steps rather than meaningless messes. Practical support matters too-provide more blank paper than coloring books, as the best writers work "outside the lines." Stock up on computer paper, blank tablets, or copying paper, and let children take as many sheets as they want. Supply plenty of writing materials-pencils, pens, markers, crayons, chalk-making written communication as accessible and natural as talking. Perhaps most importantly, display your children's early art and writing prominently. This simple act provides encouragement and helps children become comfortable sharing their work-essential for overcoming the self-consciousness that can hinder writers. When children see their creations valued enough to be displayed, they internalize the message that their expression matters.

Chapter 4

Elementary Years: Nurturing Young Writers Through Varied Forms

The elementary school years represent a critical window for writing development. Children during this period typically remain enthusiastic about learning new skills before the self-consciousness of adolescence sets in. Strategically introducing different writing forms during this receptive phase helps children discover which types of expression resonate with them personally. Poetry offers an ideal entry point into writing. Since poems can be very short, children quickly complete something you can celebrate and display. Show them how arranging words with vivid adjectives creates poetry-even a few lines about their pet or a rainy day can constitute a "real poem." Poetry encourages playfulness with language, develops awareness of imagery and metaphor, and demonstrates the power of brevity. Begin with literal poems about specific experiences, essentially taking your child's description of an event, writing it down, and helping arrange the words into poetic form. As children grow more comfortable with poetry, encourage silly poems to free them from careful, literal writing. Have them write down funny words, trade with friends or you, make sentences with them, and use these as first lines. Though seemingly meaningless, these exercises develop fresh imagery and unusual word combinations-hallmarks of sophisticated poetry that are also tremendously fun to create. Journal or diary writing should follow poetry in your sequence of introduction. While poetry makes children feel proud as writers, writing about their daily lives creates an intimate relationship with writing, showing its power to provide insight into their experiences. Almost all good writers draw from their own lives in some way, and journals establish this practice early. The privacy of journals also allows children to write without fear of judgment-essential for developing authentic voice. Once children write more fluently, newspaper writing offers excellent practice. The journalistic style suits early writers' literal thinking while teaching close observation, distinguishing fact from opinion, and handling quotes. Start young children with blank paper marked into headline and column spaces. Help them write simple, short articles with dramatic headlines like "Dog Eats Shoe!" A couple of stories make a complete page they can proudly share with friends. After they've created newspapers for a while, introduce different types of news writing: straight news presenting facts in descending order of importance; feature articles telling the story behind the news; and editorials allowing opinion expression. Understanding these distinctions improves their newspaper writing and shows how the same information can be presented differently-developing critical thinking skills. Fiction writing should come after children gain experience with factual writing. This helps expand imagination and develop empathy while offering complete creative control-like playing but on paper, without budget constraints for props or costumes. Expect early fiction to be thinly disguised autobiography, like stories of kittens upset about bedtime. Even great writers often begin with autobiographical fiction. Teaching dialogue techniques helps kids develop voice and character while ensuring more developed stories. Two simple conventions-starting a new paragraph when the speaker changes and keeping punctuation inside quotation marks-give narratives a professional look and transform simple summaries into engaging stories with personality. First-person narratives work particularly well for young writers, helping them develop that crucial sense of "voice" that some writers never master. Throughout all these forms, maintain a consistent approach: praise generously, edit sparingly, and focus on enjoyment rather than perfection. The goal during these formative years isn't polished writing but establishing writing as a natural, pleasurable form of expression-a foundation that will support more sophisticated development later.

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 5

Supporting Teen Writers: Navigating the Critical Years

The teenage years present unique challenges and opportunities for writing development. As adolescents become more self-conscious and academic pressures intensify, maintaining their connection to writing as a form of personal expression becomes crucial. Several targeted approaches can help teens continue developing as writers during this pivotal period. Encouraging teenagers to join their school newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine provides invaluable real-world writing experience. These activities typically welcome everyone regardless of prior experience and surround teens with peers who value writing. Though the results may seem amateurish to adult eyes, the experience of writing for an actual audience-with deadlines, feedback, and public reception-teaches lessons that classroom assignments simply cannot. These activities also help students identify as writers, a self-perception that motivates continued growth. Helping teens find professional applications for their writing connects their skills to their emerging interests and potential career paths. Those interested in acting might write scripts for local productions; musicians can write songs for their bands; activists can create publicity materials for causes they support. These real-world writing opportunities provide meaningful practice while connecting writing to their passions-a powerful motivational combination. Technology offers powerful tools for teen writers that previous generations lacked. Show teenagers how to use the Internet effectively for research papers by opening dual screens-one for browsing, one for notes. Teach them to copy information and URLs directly into their notes file, then open another document for writing the actual paper. This approach makes organizing information easier and teaches proper citation skills in a way that feels natural to tech-savvy teens. College application essays represent a high-stakes writing challenge that many teens face. When coaching these essays, emphasize that good essays are fresh and honest rather than dramatically contrived. Admissions officers read thousands of essays about community service trips and sports victories. What stands out are authentic glimpses into personality-like the wrestler who wrote about a moral dilemma he faced as a fifth-grade bus monitor. These genuine insights into character often impress admissions officers more than manufactured drama. Perhaps counterintuitively, one of the most important ways to support teen writers is to avoid demanding perfect grades. Creative writing requires time and emotional energy that overly pressured students simply don't have. Ironically, as parental pressure increases, both quantity and quality of work typically decrease. Students focused exclusively on grades often develop risk-averse writing habits, producing technically correct but uninspired work. Support their efforts warmly, but avoid the hovering supervision that might yield short-term compliance at the cost of long-term motivation. For teens who develop serious writing interests, laptops can be transformative tools. Though seemingly extravagant, the investment compares favorably to sports equipment or entertainment expenses. Personal laptops offer constant availability and privacy-crucial for young writers developing their voice without worrying about others reading their work. The ability to write comfortably in various settings-on couches, in bedrooms, at coffee shops-makes writing feel less like a formal task and more like a natural activity. Throughout the teen years, maintain respect for privacy and autonomy. Never read their writing without invitation-not notes to friends, not even school papers. Show interest, ask if they'd like you to read it, but never insist or sneak. This boundary is essential for developing trust and allowing teens to experiment with ideas and forms without fear of judgment or criticism.

Chapter 6

Creating a Writing-Friendly Home Environment

The home environment profoundly influences children's attitudes toward writing. Beyond specific writing activities, certain routines and approaches create an atmosphere where written expression flourishes naturally as part of daily life. Creating a family message center with paper and pens near the phone establishes writing as everyday communication. Leave notes for your children that aren't just directions but include compliments and encouragement: "Great job on your science project! Can't wait to hear more about it tonight." Children who regularly receive and write notes develop comfort with written communication that transfers to more formal writing contexts. Family history projects combine writing with meaningful connection. During school breaks, gather snapshots from the year and create a scrapbook where children help select images and write brief descriptions. This collaborative project teaches concise writing while preserving memories and showing children that their experiences deserve documentation. Group story-writing activities transform writing from a solitary task into a social pleasure. For birthday parties or sleepovers, have children write sentences using random words, then pass their papers around for others to continue the stories in timed writing sessions. This turns writing into a fun social activity while exposing children to different writing styles and teaching evaluation skills as they compare the resulting stories. Online platforms offer exciting opportunities for young writers to find audiences beyond family and school. Explore writing sites for children like stonesoup.com, kidstory.com, and the Young Writers Clubhouse, which let children read other kids' published work and submit their own. These platforms build confidence and provide motivation through the possibility of publication-a powerful incentive for many young writers. Self-publishing represents another empowering option for children. Using computers and printers or even creating handmade books, kids can publish their own stories or poetry collections. These make wonderful gifts for relatives or could be sold to neighbors at a small book fair. Invest in a long stapler designed for booklets to make the process easier and more professional-looking. The pride children feel seeing their work in "published" form often inspires further writing projects. Perhaps most importantly, write for pleasure yourself. Keep a diary, write poetry, letters, or family histories-any writing you enjoy. Your enjoyment makes writing more attractive to your children, while giving you insight into the writing process that helps you guide their progress. Children who see adults writing regularly absorb the message that writing is a valuable, enjoyable activity worth making time for. Throughout all these activities, remember that real writers have different routines, and children are the same. Some focus on one project at a time while others jump between multiple pieces. Some finish everything they start; others leave many unfinished manuscripts. Some children might binge on one type of writing before switching to another form. The important thing isn't consistency or completion-it's simply getting them to write regularly in whatever way works for them.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading lights up in real time.

Chapter 7

Evaluating Schools for Writing-Friendly Approaches

Parents have more influence on schools than they realize. When evaluating writing education, certain elements consistently foster writing development while others systematically stifle creativity and motivation. Understanding these factors helps parents make informed choices and advocate effectively for better writing instruction. Warm, nurturing teachers represent the most crucial element in writing education. A loving teacher can draw writing from reluctant students and inspire advanced writers to develop their skills further. Teachers who genuinely care about their students are more likely to adapt curriculum to meet individual needs, which produces the best writing results. When evaluating schools, look beyond test scores to the quality of student-teacher relationships, which matter tremendously for writing development. Low student-teacher ratios are essential for writing instruction. Teachers need time to thoughtfully respond to student writing, providing specific feedback rather than just generic comments or grades. Most public school teachers with heavy loads simply cannot adequately address writing development. Advocate for elementary classes limited to twenty students and secondary English teachers with no more than eighty students across four classes-reasonable numbers that allow for meaningful writing instruction. Schools that grant teachers academic freedom produce better writers. Since excellent writing can't be produced on demand and every child and teacher is different, the freedom to try various teaching techniques and assignments yields better results. Look for schools where teachers can innovate rather than following rigid, standardized curricula that treat all students identically. Support for independent reading proves crucial since reading habits directly impact writing success. The worst approach is requiring students to read one assigned book after another, which discourages additional reading. Instead, look for schools that assign independent reading with accountability through journals, conferences, or book clubs-approaches that develop reading habits while respecting individual interests. Schools emphasizing creative writing typically produce better writers than those focusing primarily on formal essays. The formulaic school essay-with its rigid introduction, thesis, and structure-is like painting by numbers. Real fluency and sophisticated language emerge when children write extensively about topics that excite them. Once that foundation exists, teaching conventional formats becomes relatively simple. Be wary of schools heavily using writing rubrics. While occasionally useful in limited situations, rubrics typically produce cookie-cutter writing where stories follow identical patterns. They discourage young writers because some aspect is always marked down, ignoring that good writing often develops certain elements at the expense of others. Rubrics force children to write to external standards rather than developing their own critical faculties. Look for schools that treat students like real authors by displaying student writing, hosting "authors' breakfasts" for parents, and supporting student publications. Some schools invite local children's authors or create writing partnerships with senior citizens. The key is finding a school that respects young writers' individuality and diverse talents rather than treating writing as a standardized skill to be measured and ranked. If your children must attend schools where writing is poorly taught, find teachers who at least do no harm. Writing is often the worst-taught subject because few teachers have independent writing lives themselves. Watch your children-if they cheerfully complete assignments, they're probably fine. But if they begin dreading writing, request a teacher conference. If the teacher is unresponsive and your child becomes depressed or hostile toward school, consider requesting a change. The emotional damage from poor writing instruction can last for years.

Chapter 8

Helping Children with Special Writing Challenges

Children face various obstacles to writing development, from physical difficulties to emotional blocks to learning differences. Understanding the specific nature of a child's writing struggle allows for targeted, effective intervention rather than generic approaches that might actually worsen the problem. The first step is identifying the specific writing difficulty your child faces. Some children struggle with small motor control, making the physical act of writing difficult and frustrating. Visual learners may read late, affecting writing development. Children with emotional problems might fear expressing their feelings on paper. Learning disabilities can make early writing attempts chaotic and discouraging. Some children have been taught writing in such hostile ways they've developed aversion. Understanding the exact problem is essential for addressing it effectively. If your child reads very little, that's likely the root of the writing problem. Non-readers use spoken language as their model, resulting in rambling sentences, homonym confusion, limited vocabulary, and detached voice. The solution is getting them reading before attempting other interventions-just as you'd provide a hearing aid before speech therapy. Avid readers typically show dramatic writing improvement even without direct writing instruction. Children with poor handwriting should be allowed to print or use computers without stigma. Many students develop writing aversion because teachers constantly criticized their handwriting-an unnecessary obstacle. Kids don't write poorly intentionally; they struggle with fine motor skills or think faster than they can write. Computers free many students to finally write well and proudly share their work. The goal should be developing ideas and voice, not perfect penmanship. Poor spellers need practical survival strategies rather than criticism. Spelling ability requires both visual memory and auditory discrimination skills that aren't necessarily linked to intelligence or literary ability. Teach struggling spellers to use spell-check, recruit proofreaders, carry pocket dictionaries, and most importantly, don't let them equate spelling difficulties with lack of intelligence. Many brilliant writers have been poor spellers. Children making grammatical errors need exposure to any reading material-comics, magazines, cereal boxes, baseball cards-anything at all. Research shows children who read independently naturally acquire acceptable literacy levels and develop an intuitive sense of written language structure that formal grammar instruction can't replicate. Reading provides the essential input for grammatical writing. Finding writing activities that motivate reluctant writers often requires creative thinking. One learning-disabled young man with severe spelling problems became an excellent writer after getting a laptop and using the Internet-writing web pages, posting messages, and exchanging emails. For sports-loving children, encourage writing game descriptions or keeping statistics. The key is getting them to put pen to paper or hands to keyboard regularly in contexts they find meaningful. When children stop writing altogether, emotional issues are often the cause. Depressed, fearful, or traumatized children may struggle with writing because they fear revealing too much about themselves or confronting difficult feelings. Be gentle and encouraging rather than harsh and demanding. Try having them dictate stories to you or create simple daily writing opportunities like notes and messages. Poetry writing can sometimes break through blocks. If sadness, anger, or withdrawal persists, seek professional help. Throughout all interventions, help as little as possible with school writing assignments. Many struggling writers develop feelings of incompetence and dependency if parents are too involved. Children need to take ownership of their writing, even if results are initially poor. When they do ask for help, be respectful of their authorship. Ask what specific help they want-spelling, punctuation, organization-and provide only that assistance. Remember that while you could rewrite their paper to make it "better," it wouldn't be theirs anymore.

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 9

Nurturing Advanced Writers: Supporting Special Talent

For children who develop special interest and talent in writing, parents often need to serve as writing mentors since schools typically lack specialized writing instruction. Unlike athletes, artists, or musicians who can usually find specialized teachers, talented young writers often lack appropriate guidance. Few teachers-even English teachers-have training beyond analytical writing. While high schools may offer literary magazines and colleges have writing workshops, initially you may be their only resource for developing their talent. The first step in supporting advanced writers is identifying each child's particular writing strength, just as you would with music or sports. Writing is a complex field with many specialties. Rather than forcing children into one writing style, help them identify and develop their natural talents, which typically fall into three broad categories. Visual, artistic children tend to write with rich imagery and vivid detail. These thoughtful, meditative children often loved myths and fantasies when younger. Some are outdoors enthusiasts who store nature images for later use in writing. Their descriptive abilities can be breathtaking, as with the student who described society as "a flood" in which he tries "to stay afloat in a current of phony attitudes" while "gasping for breath between each crashing wave." With visual writers, emphasize that effective imagery should be fresh and deepen understanding. Overused images like "dark as night" or "cold as ice" no longer carry meaning. Encourage unexpected, unusual imagery like one student's poem comparing vulnerability to "a woman emerging wet from a shower-Cold and Alone and needing help" who needs the "bathrobe and slippers of your love." Visual writers sometimes need encouragement to clarify their meaning through rewriting. While they may create dazzling descriptions, their plots can sometimes confuse readers with missing details or transitions. Very verbal children excel at creating exciting narrators and sharply defined characters. Their special talent is writing with distinctive, engaging voices. One sophomore demonstrated this with her confident, ironic opening about feeling "pretty damn cool" at an amusement park, concluding "we were slick, we were hip: we were thirteen." Help verbal writers explore different narrative techniques-traditional third-person narration, intimate first-person, or "over the shoulder" narration that combines these approaches. Verbal writers sometimes need encouragement to include more visual description. They don't need lengthy passages that slow their narration-just a few telling details like describing a villain with "ice gray eyes and pale, slicked-back hair" gives readers both visual information and character insight. Recommend books with interesting narrative techniques for verbal writers, such as Jane Austen's ironic tone in "Pride and Prejudice" or Kaye Gibbons' tragicomic child narrator in "Ellen Foster." Some children are natural storytellers without special strength in description or narration. These students absorb and organize large amounts of information and develop passionate interests in subjects like science fiction, sports, war, or relationships. Encourage young storytellers even when their early work is lengthy and difficult to follow. Their initial writing may lack the immediate appeal of more descriptive or narrative writers as they detail spaceships, wars, or complex relationships. They're learning to synthesize information, and insight will develop with practice. As storytellers develop, suggest they add description or create narrators with personality. These students are usually receptive to coaching-they don't naturally think to enrich their writing but are willing to learn. Explain how vivid characterization and description help readers follow complex plots. Find storytellers with developed style for these writers to read, like Stephen King, who writes vividly about New England towns, making his horror effective through believable settings. Throughout all this specialized guidance, remember perspective-raising good people matters more than raising great writers. Don't let children use their writing projects as excuses to avoid family duties or kindnesses. Gifted writers especially need integrity and compassion since they can wield such power and influence. The ultimate goal isn't creating professional authors but nurturing thoughtful, articulate human beings who can express themselves effectively and ethically.

Chapter 10

Grammar Without Tears: A Natural Approach to Language Structure

Most advanced students write grammatically but lack formal grammar knowledge for final editing. Teaching grammar works best after children have already acquired sophisticated sentence structures through reading. This approach-focusing on application rather than abstract rules-helps children develop grammatical understanding without the tedium and frustration that characterize traditional grammar instruction. Avoid formal grammar lessons unless your child is extraordinarily receptive. Instead, teach grammar while discussing your child's writing, as children absorb rules better when applied to their own work rather than boring worksheet sentences. Call your help "editing" and offer it as a favor, not a requirement. Be respectful of your children's work, making clear they have the final say on whether to accept your suggestions. Use correct grammatical terms casually when helping with writing, without forcing children to memorize them. Include parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections) and sentence structure terms (subject, predicate, direct object, indirect object) in your conversations about their writing. This gentle exposure helps children become familiar with grammatical concepts without the pressure of formal tests. Wait to teach sentence structure until complex sentences naturally appear in your child's writing. Children who write primarily in run-on sentences typically don't read enough. Focus on encouraging reading rather than correcting sentence structure, as reading any written language will help them develop a sense of complex sentence structure. When complex sentences start appearing in your children's writing, compliment them and casually name the sentence construction (like "I really like the adverbial clause at the end"). After children use complex sentences regularly, explain run-on sentences and fragments during editing sessions. Note that accomplished writers sometimes intentionally use fragments or run-ons for stylistic effect, which is fine once they understand the rules. Once children master complex sentences, point out agreement errors during editing. Advise them to avoid problematic constructions like "everyone should get their lunch box" by rephrasing with plurals: "All students should get their lunch boxes." After mastering pronoun agreement, introduce parallel construction. Point out when children use it correctly, like "I like dancing and singing" with matching gerunds. Help them identify and fix imbalanced constructions that mix phrases and clauses. Encourage complete rewrites when necessary to maintain consistency throughout sentences. Once children understand grammar fundamentals, invite them to edit your writing. This develops their critical eye beyond their own work. Model proper behavior as the recipient of feedback-listen carefully, consider suggestions seriously, and implement those that make sense, while maintaining that authors should have final say over their work. Keep a concise grammar reference book nearby for usage questions. Take children to college bookstores to find one they like, such as Strunk and White's "Elements of Style" or Hacker's "A Pocket Style Manual." Engage in grammar discussions about punctuation rules and word usage. At this point, your children will be grammar-proficient-just ensure they don't become insufferable grammar perfectionists who correct everyone else. This gentle, application-based approach to grammar instruction preserves children's enthusiasm for writing while gradually building their technical skills. By focusing on their own work rather than abstract rules, children develop grammatical understanding that serves their expression rather than constraining it-the ultimate goal of language instruction.

★★★★★

You made it to the end of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Loved by 1M+ learners

“23 days in and I have used it every single day. It is part of my daily habit now.”

jayallen

Key Themes in 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

literacy development
creative expression
independent writing
voice development
early childhood literacy

Quotes from 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Writing success stems from passion rather than just technical training.
Children who approach writing with dread rarely develop into skilled writers.
The best writers are what Leonhardt calls 'personality writers'.
The preschool years offer a golden opportunity for a lifetime of writing enjoyment.

Characters in 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Mary LeonhardtAuthor and teacher with 28 years of experience

About the Author

Mary Leonhardt, author of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading, is a renowned educator and reading specialist celebrated for her practical strategies to foster lifelong literacy. A former English teacher at Massachusetts’ Concord-Carlisle High School with over 30 years of classroom experience, Leonhardt blends pedagogical expertise with actionable advice for parents. Her work centers on empowering families to nurture reading habits through relatable, low-pressure methods—emphasizing comic books and genre fiction as gateways to literary engagement.

Leonhardt’s earlier book, Parents Who Love Reading, Kids Who Don’t, established her as a leading voice in literacy advocacy, offering insights into overcoming reluctant readers’ challenges. Her approach prioritizes accessibility over rigid academic standards, resonating with educators and caregivers alike.

A trusted resource in educational circles, 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading distills decades of hands-on experience into frameworks for building reading enthusiasm across age groups. The book has been widely adopted by parenting communities and cited in literacy programs for its evidence-based, compassionate methodology.

Download Summary of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Get the 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Users also liked

Teach Your Children Well

Madeline Levine

Motivating Students Who Don't Care

Allen N. Mendler

Teaching Your Children Responsibility

Linda Eyre

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk

Adele Faber

Thirty million words

Dana Suskind

Raising Your Spirited Child

Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

Make your kid a money genius (even if you're not)

Beth Kobliner

Raising Can-Do Kids

Richard Rende & Jen Prosek

FAQs About This Book

Discover more

LEARNING PLAN

have more knowladge about bookks

This plan is designed for anyone looking to transform their relationship with literature from passive reading to active mastery. It provides the essential tools for both efficient information absorption and sophisticated critical analysis, making it ideal for lifelong learners and aspiring bibliophiles.

3 h 43 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Taming the Toddler Storm

This plan is essential for parents and caregivers struggling with the daily challenges of toddler behavior and emotional volatility. It provides a science-based approach to transforming outbursts into opportunities for connection and long-term skill building.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Science of Starting

This plan is essential for professionals and students who struggle with procrastination and the paralysis of starting new tasks. It provides a scientific approach to overcoming biological resistance and optimizing your digital environment for maximum output.

1 h 45 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Rewire Your Mind for Mastery

This plan is designed for lifelong learners and professionals seeking a cognitive edge in a rapidly changing world. By combining neuroscience, metacognition, and social psychology, it provides a comprehensive toolkit for personal and professional evolution.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Calm Connection for Big Feelings

This learning plan is essential for parents and caregivers struggling with toddler tantrums and physical outbursts. It provides a compassionate, evidence-based roadmap to move from reactive crisis management to proactive emotional coaching.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Stop Pleasing and Start Speaking

This plan is essential for high-achievers and individuals who feel drained by constant self-censorship and the need for external validation. It provides a psychological roadmap to transition from reactive compliance to proactive, boundary-led living for anyone struggling with social anxiety or passivity.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

From People-Pleaser to Steady Leader

This plan is essential for fathers and leaders who struggle with conflict avoidance and boundary-setting. It provides a roadmap for moving from reactive people-pleasing to a grounded, integrity-driven approach to parenting and co-parenting.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Parent-Only Intake Strategy

This plan is essential for mental health professionals looking to optimize the initial stages of family therapy. It benefits clinicians who want to reduce parental resistance and implement efficient, evidence-based intake protocols.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

Start your learning journey, now

Chapter 9

99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

OverviewOverview of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Igniting Young Minds Through the Written Word

The Profound Connection Between Writing Passion and Success

See every word as you hear it

Starting Young: Building Writing Foundations in Early Childhood

Elementary Years: Nurturing Young Writers Through Varied Forms

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Supporting Teen Writers: Navigating the Critical Years

Creating a Writing-Friendly Home Environment

See every word as you hear it

Evaluating Schools for Writing-Friendly Approaches

Helping Children with Special Writing Challenges

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Nurturing Advanced Writers: Supporting Special Talent

Grammar Without Tears: A Natural Approach to Language Structure

You made it to the end of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Key Themes in 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Quotes from 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Characters in 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

About the Author

Download Summary of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Users also liked

FAQs About This Book

What is 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading about?

Who should read 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading?

What are Mary Leonhardt’s top strategies for encouraging reading?

Does 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading include book recommendations?

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Igniting Young Minds Through the Written Word

The Profound Connection Between Writing Passion and Success

See every word as you hear it

Starting Young: Building Writing Foundations in Early Childhood

Elementary Years: Nurturing Young Writers Through Varied Forms

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Supporting Teen Writers: Navigating the Critical Years

Creating a Writing-Friendly Home Environment

See every word as you hear it

Evaluating Schools for Writing-Friendly Approaches

Helping Children with Special Writing Challenges

Get more out of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Nurturing Advanced Writers: Supporting Special Talent

Grammar Without Tears: A Natural Approach to Language Structure

You made it to the end of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading