I now have all my book lists indexed: Lists of Lists; All My Book Lists (300+). I also have additional posts on getting reluctant readers to read. I had success with getting my son to read using graphic novels; I also compiled my book lists on graphic novels.
I think the key is to match their interest with books that have plenty of illustrations like Diary of a Wimpy Kid “notebook” doodle or graphic novel-style books. Larger type is also helpful. Funny books seem to be universally appealing as well.
Book Lists for Reluctant Readers
10 Books to Turn Reluctant Readers Into Eager Ones
Funny Chapter Books for 3rd Grade: Reluctant Reader Challenge
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise
Great Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
Say It Ain’t So: My Child is a Reluctant Reader
Top 10 Books for Struggling Teen Readers
Best Books for Teens Who Read 2-3 Grades Below
5 Books to Get Your Young Gamer Reading
Top 10: Spy and Superhero Chapter Books for Kids
Top 10: Undercover Super Hero Girls
Top 10: Best Baseball Chapter Books
March Madness: Basketball Books for Girls and Boys, Ages 4 and Up
Poetry in Sports Books for Kids
Books for Middle School Reluctant Readers
Hi-Lo Books for Middle Readers
Strategies and Ideas to Get Your Kid Reading
Get Kids Reading: 12 Surefire Strategies That Worked for Me
7 Fun, Easy, and FREE Ideas to Get Your Kids Reading
7 Ways to Get Your Kid to Read
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
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This Pinterest board has great book lists and book reviews from KidLit Bloggers. Search here for more ideas of what to read with your kids.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
