My child is reluctant to read! How can I get them reading? I get this question about books for reluctant readers all the time from parents. In response, I created a list of books that are sure engage even the most reluctant 3rd – 6th grade reader. This list goes way beyond the typical Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants story lines.
Graphic Novels
- Smile – Raina Telgemeier – Smile is the autobiographical story of a sixth grade girl who faces challenges many students can relate with. She deals with braces, boys, and friends who might not be true friends. Telgemeier has written many more graphic novels including Sisters which is the sequel to Smile. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 2.6, Guided Reading T)
- El Deafo – CeCe Bell – Winner of a Newberry Honor in 2015 – Autobiographical memoir about Cece’s childhood challenges growing up with hearing loss. I created a novel study for El Deafo. This book is high interest and had a lot of great talking points. It is a great one to get students hooked on book clubs. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 2.7, Guided Reading X)
- Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales – Nathan Hale – A series of graphic novels that teach students factual information about U.S. History. Topics include the Underground Railroad, Revolutionary War, Donner Party, The Alamo, Civil War, and much more! (Interest Level Grades 4 – 7)
Series
- I Survived – Lauren Tarshis – The I Survived series is a set of historical fiction novels that teach the reader about important historical events through the eyes of a child. This set contains 19 books, a graphic novel, and three short story collections. *This is the series that hooked my daughter (a very reluctant reader). (ATOS 3.9-6.1)
- The Last Kids on Earth – Max Brallier – The author describes this series as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Walking Dead” and it is a pretty apt description! 13 year old Jack and his friends band together to slay monsters and survive in a post-apocalyptical world. *Netflix also has one episode currently available based on the first book. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 4.1)
- The Lemonade War – Jaqueline Davies –Solve mysteries and jump into the complex relationship between brothers and sisters with Evan and Jessie. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 4.1, Guided Reading S)
- Babysitters Club – Ann M. Martin – These books are a throwback to my childhood and I am so glad they are gaining popularity! The Babysitters Club is all about a group of girls who get together and support each other as they babysit the children of the neighborhood. Novels and graphic novels available. *This was the series that hooked me on reading! (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 3.0-5.0)
- The Land of Stories – Join 12 year old Alex and Connor Bailey as they fall through a book and into a world filled with familiar fairy tale heroes and villains. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 5.0, Guided Reading U)
Nonfiction
- Who Would Win? Series – Jerry Pallota – If you haven’t checked out this series, put it on your list right now! Each book (to date there are 18 battle books) sets up the ultimate showdown between two animals. Students must read to gather information about each animal (size, defense tactics, body parts…). Then students must use this information to determine who would win a battle between the two animals. Pallota ends each story proclaiming the winner of the battle. Often, the stories have an unexpected twist. (Interest Level Grades 3-5, ATOS 3.4-4.2)
- Who Was…? – The Who Was…? is a biographical series that introduces students to influential figures both past and present. (Interest Level Grades 3-7, Reading Level 4.1-6.7, Guided Reading N-X)
Fiction
- The Crossover – Kwame Alexander – Winner of the 2015 Newberry Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor – A story told through verse, The Crossover tells the story of feuds, family, and basketball. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 4.3, Guided Reading X)
- Stone Fox – John Reynolds Gardiner – Get the tissues ready! This book tells the story of Willy, a young boy determined to win a dogsled race to save his grandfathers farm. Stone Fox, a Native American who has never lost a race. He is just as determined to win to buy back his people’s land. Stone Fox is a beautiful story that is filled with love, determination, and sacrifice.
- Baseball in April and Other Stories – Gary Soto – Gary Soto draws on his own childhood memories to write Baseball in April. It is filled with eleven unrelated short stories that pack a lot into just a few pages. These are great for students who have difficulty finishing a book. Each chapter is a complete story.
- Restart – Gordon Korman – Eighth grader Chase Ambrose has lost his memory. When he starts to piece together who he was, he realizes that might not be the person he wants to be. Great book to show the effects of bullying from multiple perspectives. (Interest Level Grades 4-8, ATOS 5.1)
What books fly off the shelf of your classroom library? What books should I add to my list? Please help grow this list and add your suggestions for books for reluctant readers in the comments below!
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