This kid is intelligent, but with the attention span of a goldfish. He also hates reading. I think he can get into it if he gets a book that he finds interesting. Something cool. I looked at Treasure Island, but the language is a bit archaic and he will just get frustrated. Any suggestions?
Ariel
The book Diary of a wimpy kid
Anonymous
Actually, goldfish's attention span is now better than humans': http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/human-attention-span-shorter-goldfish-study-article-1.2223541
This series is great, b/c quick and logical plot, humorous, lots of action that even a goldfish could appreciate: the idea for Brandon Sanderson's series was suggested to him by his mom; first in the series of 5 is "Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians."
Also worth trying:
"A Wrinkle in Time" series;
"The Neverending Story," as, like the Brandon Sanderson series, these two options also feature a pre-teen boy hero.
Marli
Find out what your nephew is interested in. There is a book somewhere about almost anything: cars, baseball, superheroes, etc. He is more likely to read about what interests him.
Look for a book on that subject with lots of pictures. The non-fiction part of the bookstore s children s section has more books with interesting pictures than there were in my dinosaur age youth. Comic books. Children s magazines. A book with colourful pictures will encourage interest in reading the words.
Ask the children s librarian at your public library for suggestions. Make an appointment with the teacher-librarian at your local school. Those degree bearing book folks have training and experience in finding books for kids with small attention spans.
Squidmaster
Suddenly the Milk, by Neil Gaiman.