The time kids spend reading for fun declines sharply after age 8 and continues to drop off through the teen years, according to a national study released by Yankelovich, a leader in consumer trends tracking, and Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company.

While 40 percent of kids between the ages of 5-8 years old are high frequency readers (reading for fun every day), only 29 percent of kids ages 9-11 years old are high frequency readers and the percentage continues to decline through age 17.

To help curb the trend, 5 schools in the San Antonio area have invited Obert Skye, national bestseller of the Leven Thumps fantasy series and a Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee, to speak with fourth and fifth graders on Monday Sept. 24. He has toured the country the past two years, speaking to more than 200,000 students.

"I've found that parents need to be role models and play a key role in helping their older children select books that capture their imagination and interest," Skye said.

While nearly all kids surveyed enjoy reading books for fun, kids report that the number one reason they do not read more is that they cannot find books they like. Parents, on the other hand, say they think kids, especially the older ones, are not reading more because of too much homework.

"Parents play a big role in a child's reading habit," Skye said.

According to the study, children who are high frequency readers are more than twice as likely as low frequency readers to cite their parents as a top source for good books to read.

Obert Skye's five tips for parents on how to motivate a child to read.

1. Read aloud.  This is the best way to help a child discover what powerful stories and excitement there is inside the cover of books.

2.Place books everywhere.  Any spot a kid might stop and sit or stand make sure there are books around.  Even around TVs and stereos.  Kids love to pick things up.

3. Encourage reading in the car.  There is so much time spent driving these days.  Spend some of that time reading or listening to books on tape.  It is a great way to create conversations and common interests.

4. Set goals.  Create small rewards that can be experienced when the book is finished.  Children will look forward to the end of the story and feel greater anticipation to continue.  In the end their feelings for completing books will become one of happiness.

5. Establish a time to read and don't break it.  Schedules can be a great motivator.