Boys are different when it comes to reading. Yes, some boys devour books from day one, and some girls never find the joy. But, overall, high school boys have fallen nearly 20 points behind their female peers.
Reluctant readers, it seems, like fart jokes. They also seem to like gross food, nonstop action, and the occasional illustration. For those not in the business, the term "reluctant reader" tends to be a synonym for "boy."
When I was a young boy, America's elite schools and universities were almost entirely reserved for males. That seems incredible now, in an era when he...