Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Reading is not just an important skill, it’s also a very personal experience, so getting to know your readers and what they like is critical for helping them find their next great read. The categories below are great places to look for books that will engage a variety of interests and abilities and keep kids on the path of lifelong reading.

Reading is not just an important skill, it’s also a very personal experience, so getting to know your readers and what they like is critical for helping them find their next great read. The categories below are great places to look for books that will engage a variety of interests and abilities and keep kids on the path of lifelong reading.

Graphic novels and comics offer a great deal of picture-text support, engage visual learners, and can often be read more quickly than traditional chapter books or novels. Also, kids LOVE them!

Funny books have a lot of appeal, so it’s likely more of your readers will pick them up on their own. Plus, a good laugh can help balance out the stress that may come with reading.

Graphic Novels & Comics

Graphic novels and comics offer a great deal of picture-text support, engage visual learners, and can often be read more quickly than traditional chapter books or novels. Also, kids LOVE them!

Funny Books

Funny books have a lot of appeal, so it’s likely more of your readers will pick them up on their own. Plus, a good laugh can help balance out the stress that may come with reading.

Not all kids like to read fiction, and many that have been labeled reluctant are actually budding fact-hounds. Find a topic your reader is interested in and watch them become an expert!

When kids see themselves and their experiences in books, the act of reading feels more relevant, and they are more likely to engage with and be excited about what they are reading.

Nonfiction

Not all kids like to read fiction, and many that have been labeled reluctant are actually budding fact-hounds. Find a topic your reader is interested in and watch them become an expert!

Diversity & Inclusion

When kids see themselves and their experiences in books, the act of reading feels more relevant, and they are more likely to engage with and be excited about what they are reading.

Pleasure Reading

The books in our Pleasure Reading sections are sure-fire hits across genres, formats, and lengths, guaranteed to keep your students reading for fun!

Pleasure Reading

The books in our Pleasure Reading sections are sure-fire hits across genres, formats, and lengths, guaranteed to keep your students reading for fun!

We use Lexile’s HL (High-Low) prefix to identify books that are written to engage older readers but are less complex and have a lower Lexile reading level. We also purchase books created specifically for high-low readers.

Students love the way novels in verse immerse readers in the story and bring characters to life while also providing a reading experience that can be quicker to complete than traditional novels.

High Interest/
Low Reading Level

We use Lexile’s HL (High-Low) prefix to identify books that are written to engage older readers but are less complex and have a lower Lexile reading level. We also purchase books created specifically for high-low readers.

Novels in Verse

Students love the way novels in verse immerse readers in the story and bring characters to life while also providing a reading experience that can be quicker to complete than traditional novels.

Collections of short stories or essays are great for students who may be intimidated by longer texts or who are looking for bite-sized reads they can dip in and out of. Look for collections by popular authors or on high interest topics.

Audiobooks can be particularly successful with restless readers, readers with disabilities, or students learning English, especially when paired with the book itself. Shop now to learn more about our Playaway pre-loaded audiobooks.

Short Stories, Essays, & Anthologies

Collections of short stories or essays are great for students who may be intimidated by longer texts or who are looking for bite-sized reads. Look for collections by popular authors or on high interest topics.

Audiobooks

Audiobooks can be particularly successful with restless readers, readers with disabilities, or students learning English, especially when paired with the book itself. Shop now to learn more about our Playaway pre-loaded audiobooks.