Do you have a reluctant reader in the family?
Here are a few ideas for books that will break through that barrier in your reluctant reader's mind-- the barrier that makes him (or her!) think that reading isn't fun.
It can be hard to understand....
It is a complete shock to my system that I, I of all people, could have a child that does not like to read! The very idea is anathema to me! For proof, check out my LibraryThing catalog page (where at 500+ books, I have only just begun to catalog my own library)!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This "novel in cartoons" is a sure bet for reluctant readers. My son flew through the first book in just over a day, asked for the second one immediately, and read that just as quickly!
They're smart, funny, and really pick up on the whole middle school experience.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/25/2009) 
List Price: $12.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $4.75 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $12.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
The final book in the trilogy is now available! (We had had it on order since the minute my son finished the second book in June 2008!)
Release Date: 01/13/2009
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $5.00 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $12.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book
Release Date: 10/01/2008
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $10.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
History Dudes!
History in a cartoon form, these two books show REALLY cool things about the Vikings and the Eygptians.
Vikings (History Dudes)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $12.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Ancient Egyptians (History Dudes)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $12.99
Hey! If it gets 'em reading....
Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The #1: Hotel Hangout (Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Release Date: 04/18/2006
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $3.99
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The #3: Room of Doom (Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Release Date: 07/18/2006
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $3.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The #4: Zack Attack (Suite Life of Zack and Cody)
Release Date: 10/17/2006
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $3.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Cory in the House #1: New Kid in Town
Release Date: 08/07/2007
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $4.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Cory in the House #2: Top Secret
Release Date: 12/18/2007
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $4.89 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $4.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Reluctant Readers: What to do?
- Reaching Reluctant Readers | Random House for High School Teachers
- Articles from teachers, authors, librarians and more on reaching reluctant readers. Lotas and lots of good info and ideas here.
- Ten Ways to Build a Reluctant Reader Library | Random House for High School Teachers
- Seriously good suggestions for creating a library where any reader will find something interesting to read.
They can't resist.... books about themselves!
American Medical Association Boy's Guide to Becoming a Teen
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $14.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $9.95
Where the Red Fern Grows
Where the Red Fern Grows
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
My son had to read this for sixth grade English-- and he actually read ahead of the class, and finished first! He talked and talked about the book, and even made a point of going to the library and getting a copy for me, so I could read it too!
Another 6th grade hit: The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Greek gods, set in the modern day. Sort of.
Usually ships in 24 hours
Links to more ideas to get your child reading!
- Introducing Chapter Books to 8- to 10- Year Old Reluctant Readers
- A Listmania! list by Slatternly Jones "Authority on boys up to age nine"
- Keep 'em reading -- for 9-11 year-old boys and wannabe tweens
- A Listmania! list by Slatternly Jones "Authority on boys up to age nine"
- Books for Boys blog
- On National Stamp Out Reluctant Reader month.
Read to them
Got any tips for kids who haven't caught the reading bug?
Any pointers to share? Let us know! Parents with reluctant readers need all the help they can get! :-)
-
Reply
- _Joan_ _Joan_ Aug 20, 2009 @ 11:19 am
- Now this is a lens I can really use! My son is very bright, but he's rather do anything than read.
-
Reply
- 2FriendsTreasures 2FriendsTreasures May 1, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
- Try the Warriors Series by Erin Hunter. Very good series of books about a clan of wild cats. Great stories.
-
Reply
- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Apr 11, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
- Too bad we can't make this into a group. So many people look for good tweener readers.
You might also like Marv or My Side of the Mountain.
-
Reply
- tdove tdove Aug 27, 2008 @ 11:54 am
- Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
About the Lensmaster
Lensmaster WhitePineLane has been a member since December 16 2005, has rated 1,109 lenses, favorited 253, and has created 76 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Olivia". See all my lenses
Love This Lens?
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
by WhitePineLane
(more) 
