This post is getting too long (and crashing) so I am going to split it into three parts:
Best Books for Reluctant Readers: Part 1 (Authors by Last Name A-L)
Best Books for Reluctant Readers: Part 2 (Authors by Last Name M-Z)
Best Books for Relutant Readers: Part 3 (Non-Fiction)
p.s. In separating out this list, I realize that this Non-Fiction list can use a little beefing up. What are your favorite non-fiction books? Please suggest. And I’ll do some more research to add to this list.
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This has been a popular post for me on a topic near and dear to my heart. I am kicking off a week of posts that focus on Reluctant Readers and this is the first stop. I have more posts in a category labeled “Reluctant Readers” here. I have also updated this list. How about you? Can you please add your picks to this list? Thank you! p.s. If you like this list, you might also like:
NY Times Top Selling Graphic Novels
Top 10: Summer Books with Activity to Coax Boys to Read
Top 10: Baseball Chapter Books
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I love to find books that excite reluctant readers. The key is to find that magic intersection that marries your child’s just-right level with content that matches their interest and a layout that is visually appealing (small chunks of text broken by pictures, larger font size, etc.). Alas, this is a moving target. I have an actual person that I select these books for, my youngest son’s best friend’s older brother who is a 4th grader with my oldest. My mom friends have had success with these books for their reluctant boy readers and suggest you try them. If you want to purchase a book, click on the image of the book to buy at Amazon.com.
Best Books for Reluctant Readers: Non-Fiction
Grossology series by Sylvia Branzei
The power of gross stuff!
Invaders from Outer Space by Phillip Brookes
Level 3: Reading Alone
100 Most Disgusting Things on the Planet by Anna Claybourne
Thank you to reader Jemi for this book. I also own it and my son LOVES it! Thanks for reminding me!
There are other books in this series: 100 Most Awesome Things on the Planet, 100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet, and 100 Scariest Things on the Planet.
Secrets of the Mummies by Harriet Griffey
Level 4: Proficient Readers
Ice Mummy, The Discovery of a 5,000-Year-Old-Man by Mark Dubowski and Cathy East Dubowski
Step 4, Reading Paragraphs, Grades 2-3
The Titanic: Lost and Found by Judy Donnelly
Step into Reading, Level 4. Grades 2-3
Tut’s Mummy, Lost…and Found by Judy Donnelly
Step 4, Reading Paragraphs, Grades 2-3
Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Craig Hatkoff
It’s a true and wonderful story of a young hippopotamus and an older Caldabra tortoise and how they bonded over tragedy. [ages 6-10]
Guinness Book of World Records 2011 by Craig Glenday
This book always seems to fascinate kids (and adults too!).
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Special Edition 2012 by Ripley’s Inc
The website, The Art of Manliness, has posted a list of 50 Best Books for Boys and Young Men.
I also have some great blogs on my blogroll below under Children’s Lit that specialize in books for boys and are excellent resources.
p.s. If you like this list, you might like Best Books for Grades 3-5, Highly Recommended by Kids!
p. p.s. Related posts:
10 Books to Turn Reluctant Readers into Eager Ones!
Book Lists for Reluctant Readers
Say It Ain’t So: My Child Is a Reluctant Reader
Books for 8yold Boy Reluctant Reader
Writing for Reluctant Readers by Ty Drago
Are All Kids Reluctant Readers? Mine Are! And What to Do
Funny Books for 3rd Grade Boy: Reluctant Reader Challenge
The Middle School Reluctant Reader
From Reluctant Reader to Voracious Reader: What Worked for Me
How To: Get Reluctant Readers Who Can Decode Reading
Partnered Reading Tutorial for Getting Reluctant Readers to Read
Tips for Engaging Reluctant Readers
Favorite Books for Reluctant Readers Grades 3-8
How to Train Your Dragon ebook for reluctant readers
Tips for Hooking Reluctant Readers
NERDS: A series for Reluctant Readers
Great Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14)
Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
Hi-Lo Books for Middle Readers
Top 10 Books for Struggling Teen Readers
How to Get Your Kid to be a Fanatic Reader
To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
