Look, I get it. You're competing with YouTube, Roblox, and whatever cursed content TikTok is serving up this week. Getting kids to read feels like convincing them that broccoli is actually candy. But here's the thing: book series are the secret weapon. They're the gateway drug to reading. Once a kid finds their series, they'll beg you for the next book the way they usually beg for Robux.
The magic of a series is that kids don't have to start over with new characters, new worlds, new everything. They're invested. They care what happens next. It's literally the same psychology that makes them watch 47 episodes of Bluey in a row, except this time they're building vocabulary and imagination instead of just... well, watching TV.
Series create reading momentum. That's the whole game. When a kid finishes a book and immediately wants the next one, you've won. They're not thinking "ugh, reading" — they're thinking "I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO PERCY."
Plus, series let kids get comfortable. They know the vibe, they know the characters, they know what to expect. For reluctant readers especially, this comfort zone is everything. Starting a new standalone book means starting from scratch. Starting the next book in a series? That's just hanging out with friends again.
Ages 5-8: Building the Habit
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey Half dog, half man, all ridiculous. These graphic novels are pure chaos and kids absolutely devour them. Yes, there's potty humor. Yes, your kid will flip the pages to make the "Flip-O-Rama" animations work 500 times. But they're reading, so we're calling it a win. The books also sneak in surprisingly sweet messages about friendship and creativity.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey Another graphic novel series that hooks early readers. The premise is simple: scary-looking animals trying to be good guys. The humor lands with this age group, and the illustrations carry a lot of the story, which helps kids who aren't quite confident readers yet.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows For kids ready for chapter books but not ready for 300-page novels. These are short, funny, and feature two girls who are total opposites but become best friends. The chapters are digestible, the font is big, and the stories are genuinely entertaining.
Ages 8-12: The Sweet Spot
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan This is the series that turns "I don't like reading" kids into "Mom, we need to go to the bookstore RIGHT NOW" kids. Greek mythology, modern-day New York, a kid with ADHD and dyslexia who's actually a demigod. Riordan is a master at pacing, humor, and making kids feel seen. Once they finish Percy Jackson, there's a whole Riordan universe to explore (Egyptian mythology, Norse mythology, etc.).
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland Dragons. Different dragon tribes. Political intrigue. Prophecies. This series is LONG (15 books and counting), which means once your kid is hooked, you've got months of reading material. The books are told from different dragon perspectives, so kids get attached to multiple characters. Fair warning: these books are chunky (300+ pages), so this is for confident readers.
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger Think Harry Potter meets X-Men. A girl discovers she's an elf and gets whisked away to a magical world. There are 10 books so far, each one a doorstop. The fan base is intense (in a good way). This series is particularly popular with girls ages 9-13, though plenty of boys read it too.
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier Zombies, monsters, and kids surviving the apocalypse. This series is illustrated (which helps bridge the gap for kids transitioning from graphic novels to full chapter books), funny, and genuinely exciting. The narrator is a kid named Jack who's basically living out every 10-year-old's fantasy: no parents, no school, just surviving with your friends and fighting monsters.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Yes, it's been around forever. Yes, every kid has probably read at least one. But there's a reason: they're funny, they're relatable, and they make reading feel easy. The cartoon illustrations break up the text, and Greg Heffley's middle school misadventures are peak "I see myself in this character" material.
Ages 10-14: Leveling Up
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Obviously. Do I need to explain Harry Potter? The series grows with the reader — the first books are light and magical, the later books get darker and more complex. If your kid hasn't read these yet, they're missing out on a massive cultural touchstone. (And yes, I know about the J.K. Rowling controversies. You can love the books and disagree with the author. That's allowed.)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins For kids ready for dystopian action and moral complexity. Katniss Everdeen is one of the best YA protagonists ever written: tough, flawed, resourceful, and deeply human. The trilogy moves fast, the stakes are high, and the themes (authoritarianism, media manipulation, war) are relevant. This is better for mature 12+ readers — there's violence, though it's not gratuitous.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer A teenage criminal mastermind versus fairies with high-tech weapons. It's clever, it's funny, and it doesn't talk down to kids. The series has eight books, and they're all page-turners. Great for kids who like heists, technology, and antiheroes.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini (starts with Eragon) Epic fantasy with dragons, magic, and a farm boy who becomes a dragon rider. These books are LONG (500-700 pages each), so this is for kids who are ready to commit. The world-building is intricate, and the series rewards patience. If your kid loved Lord of the Rings but wants something more modern, this is it.
Ages 12+: Young Adult Territory
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A heist story set in a fantasy world, featuring a diverse crew of morally gray teenagers. The characters are complex, the plot is twisty, and the writing is sharp. This duology (two books) is perfect for teens who think they've outgrown YA fantasy. Fair warning: there's some violence and mature themes, so this is better for 13+.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas An assassin competes to become the king's champion. This series starts as a fairly straightforward fantasy and evolves into an epic, sprawling world with romance, politics, and magic. There are eight books, and they're addictive. Note: the later books get steamy, so this is better for older teens (14+).
The Maze Runner by James Dashner A boy wakes up in a maze with no memory. The mystery unfolds fast, and the action doesn't stop. This trilogy is great for teens who want dystopian sci-fi with high stakes and lots of twists. Similar vibe to The Hunger Games but with more mystery and less romance.
Graphic novels count. If your kid is reading Dog Man or The Bad Guys, they're reading. Full stop. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Graphic novels build visual literacy, comprehension, and most importantly, they build the habit of reading.
Rereading is good, actually. If your kid wants to read the same series over and over, that's fine. They're building fluency, noticing new details, and finding comfort in familiar stories. Let them reread.
Series can be expensive. Libraries exist for this exact reason. Most libraries also have apps like Libby or Hoopla where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free. If your kid is a fast reader, buying every book in a 10-book series gets pricey fast.
Audiobooks are reading too. If your kid prefers listening to books, that's still reading. They're engaging with the story, building vocabulary, and developing comprehension skills. Audiobooks are especially great for long car rides or before bed.
The best book series is the one your kid will actually read. That might be Percy Jackson, or it might be Captain Underpants. It doesn't matter. What matters is that they're reading something they care about.
Start with their interests. If they love dragons, try Wings of Fire. If they love Minecraft, try The Last Kids on Earth. If they think everything is cringe, try Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
And once they find their series? Get out of the way and let them binge. That's the goal. That's how you build a reader.