Choosing Books for a Reluctant Reader
Inspire a love for reading with books that will interest your child and suit his skills.
Does your child hate to read? Whether he is a proficient but disinterested reader, or one who struggles with words, introducing the right type of material can spark his enthusiasm and turn him into a lifelong reader. It may take some trial and error and creativity to find books that will appeal to your reluctant reader, and what are ordinarily favorites of kids his age may not work. The key is to choose books that match his unique interests and his specific skill levels.
Parent's Checklist
Developmental Edge
Extending the Fun
Parent's Checklist
Before buying, see how your selection rates by asking yourself:
Is it the right reading level?
Discuss your child's reading abilities with his teacher. Ask which level of books is best for him to read on his own: easy-to-read books such as Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; chapter books like Encyclopedia Brown; middle-grade books such as The Giver; or young adult books such as Lord of the Rings.
Is it age-appropriate?
If your child is reading below grade level but does not have a reading disability, extra practice at home should help her progress. She may hate reading because it takes her a long time to figure words out. Building her vocabulary will improve her fluency. This will help her read faster and enjoy a story. Use books that match her skill level to boost her vocabulary. For instance, if her reading level is around first or second grade, easy-to-read books would help her master sight words and improve fluency. However, if the stories are too immature for her, try using games and other fun activities, including non-book activities.
Have books in your home that are recommended for his age level even if they're too difficult for him to read on his own right now. Read these with him every day. At this stage, it's important for him to learn that reading is enjoyable. So if he is reluctant to sit for too long, don't force him. Continue to encourage him to read and let him see you enjoying a book, magazine, or newspaper daily.
Will she read it?
If she likes what it is about, there is a better chance that she will read it. This may mean you won't like the book. It may even mean what she reads isn't a book at all. That's okay. Anything that gets your child to read for pleasure and her own information will help her build her vocabulary and sharpen critical-reasoning skills. Let your child choose her own books as long as they are not offensive or cause nightmares. Encourage her to read comic books, graphic novels, entertainment news, or sports magazines if she's interested in them. If she has a collection of these already, look for books that are related to her interests such as a history of comic books or sports stories like Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.
The Developmental Edge
Interest in books may start to wane as your child grows. Use this guide to select reading material that re-ignite a love for books and words.
- Elementary-schoolers — Grades 1-5
Spend time every day partner reading with your child. Amusing books with silly drawings and humor only a kid could love is a great way to turn reading into fun. The Captain Underpants series is good for ages 7 to 10. Try a book that was the basis for a movie he likes such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Talk about how the book and the movie were similar or different and why you each preferred one to the other. Researchers note that some reluctant readers can't relate to the characters they read about. Asking your child questions like "What would you have done?" or pointing out instances in which he is like a character may draw him into the story. - Middle-schoolers — Grades 6 to 8
Be enthusiastic about books that suit her interests even if they are not what you would have chosen. The Day My Butt Went Psycho may make you cringe, but it will keep your child reading. If she has found a series of books she likes, let her keep reading the other titles.Facts and trivia books like The Guinness Book of Worlds Records are popular with every age group. Look for other question-and-answer books related to subjects that interest her such as computers, the stars, or drawing.
- Engaging proficient readers
If your child is an advanced reader, he may be bored with the selection of children's books he's been exposed to so far. See our tips on choosing books for advanced readers.
- If your child loved or disliked a book she read, encourage her to explain why by writing a review and submitting it to a Web site or magazine.
- Join a children's book club with her so she can enjoy reading as a social event.
