Books for Non-Readers Who Want to Start: A Parent's Guide
Getting a reluctant reader to pick up a book isn't about finding the "right" book—it's about removing friction and meeting them where they are. Start with graphic novels like Dog Man or Amulet, try audiobooks paired with physical copies, or lean into their existing interests (yes, even Minecraft has excellent companion books). The goal isn't to create a bookworm overnight—it's to make reading feel less like homework and more like something they actually want to do.
Quick wins for non-readers:
- Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey (Ages 6-10)
- Percy Jackson (Ages 9-14)
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Ages 8-12)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Ages 8-12)
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Ages 10-14)
Kids today are growing up in an environment optimized for instant gratification. Roblox gives immediate feedback, TikTok serves up endless dopamine hits, and even Bluey episodes are only seven minutes long. Books? Books require sustained attention, delayed payoff, and—let's be honest—they just sit there. They don't ping, buzz, or level up.
So when your kid says they "hate reading," what they often mean is: "Reading feels hard, slow, and boring compared to literally everything else I could be doing right now."
The good news? This isn't about forcing them to love reading. It's about finding the entry point that makes reading feel less like a chore and more like something they chose.
Before you worry about finding the "perfect" book, consider the format. For many reluctant readers, the problem isn't the story—it's the wall of text.
Graphic Novels Are Books (Yes, Really)
If you grew up thinking comic books were "lesser" reading, it's time to let that go. Graphic novels require visual literacy, narrative comprehension, and often tackle complex themes. They're also significantly less intimidating than a 300-page novel with no pictures.
Top picks:
- Dog Man by Dav Pilkey (Ages 6-10): Silly, irreverent, and absolutely devoured by early elementary kids. Yes, there are fart jokes. No, that's not a problem.
- Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi (Ages 8-14): Gorgeous art, compelling fantasy adventure, and a series that hooks kids hard.
- Smile by Raina Telgemeier (Ages 8-12): Relatable middle school drama in graphic novel form. Her entire catalog is gold for this age group.
- The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier (Ages 8-12): Zombies, monsters, and illustrations on every page. It's like a graphic novel and a chapter book had a baby.
Explore more graphic novels for reluctant readers
Audiobooks + Physical Books = Secret Weapon
Audiobooks aren't "cheating." They're a legitimate way to consume stories, and for struggling or reluctant readers, they can be transformative. The move here: get both the audiobook AND the physical book, and let your kid follow along while listening.
This works because:
- It removes the decoding burden (sounding out words)
- It models fluent reading
- It keeps them engaged with the physical book
- They're still "reading" even if they're also listening
Best audiobook platforms:
- Libby (free with your library card—seriously, use this)
- Audible (expensive but huge selection)
- Epic! (subscription service with read-to-me books for younger kids)
Great audiobook picks:
- Percy Jackson series—narrator Jesse Bernstein is chef's kiss
- Harry Potter—Jim Dale's narration is legendary
- The Wild Robot—beautiful story, perfect length for hesitant listeners
Your kid is obsessed with Minecraft? Great. There are Minecraft books. They love Pokémon? There are Pokémon books. They spend all day watching YouTube videos about Among Us? Okay, maybe there aren't Among Us literary masterpieces, but there ARE books about game design, strategy, and even Among Us joke books that count as reading.
The point: meet them where they are. You can course-correct later. Right now, the goal is just to get them reading anything.
- Minecraft: The Island (and the rest of the official Minecraft novel series)
- Press Start! series by Thomas Flintham (Ages 6-9)—a book series about a kid IN a video game
- Trapped in a Video Game series by Dustin Brady (Ages 7-12)
Books That Feel Like Games
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Ages 8-12): Short, illustrated, and structured like bite-sized entries. Feels less like "reading a book" and more like scrolling through content.
- I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis (Ages 7-12): Historical disasters, fast-paced action, and short chapters. These are page-turners.
- Who Would Win? series (Ages 6-10): Literally just books about which animal would win in a fight. Kids eat these up.
Ages 5-8: Keep It Short and Visual
At this age, "non-reader" might just mean "emerging reader who's frustrated." Keep books short (under 100 pages), heavily illustrated, and FUN.
Ages 8-12: Lean Into Series and Fandoms
Series are your friend here because once they're hooked, they'll keep going. Also, this is peak "I want to fit in with my friends" age—if their classmates are reading something, they're more likely to try it.
Ages 12+: Respect Their Autonomy
At this age, forcing books will backfire. Instead, offer options and let them choose. Also, don't dismiss YA (young adult) fiction—some of it is legitimately excellent.
Find more age-appropriate book recommendations
Don't Make Reading a Punishment
If reading is positioned as "the thing you have to do before screen time," it becomes a chore. Instead, try to make reading its own reward—or at least neutral. Read together, read aloud to them (even older kids!), or just let them see you reading for pleasure.
Quantity Over Quality (At First)
Yes, Dog Man is not Newbery Medal material. That's fine. The goal right now is volume and habit-building, not literary excellence. Once they're comfortable with reading, you can gently nudge toward more complex books.
Rereading Is Fine
If your kid wants to read the same book 47 times, let them. Rereading builds fluency, comprehension, and confidence. It's not wasted time.
The "20-Page Rule"
If they're really resistant, try this: "Read 20 pages. If you hate it after 20 pages, we'll find something else." This removes the pressure of committing to a whole book and gives them an out.
Getting a non-reader to start reading isn't about finding a magic book that suddenly makes them love literature. It's about removing barriers, reducing friction, and making reading feel less like homework and more like something they chose to do.
Start with graphic novels. Try audiobooks. Let them read books about Roblox or fart jokes or whatever they're into. The goal is just to build the habit and the confidence. Once they realize reading can be enjoyable (or at least not terrible), you can start expanding their horizons.
And if all else fails? Read aloud to them. Even teenagers. There's no age limit on being read to, and it's one of the most effective ways to model what good reading looks and sounds like.
- Hit the library this week. Let your kid pick 3-5 books (any books, even if you think they're "too easy" or "not real books").
- Try the audiobook + physical book combo with one title they're interested in.
- Remove the pressure. Stop asking "Did you finish your book?" and start asking "What's happening in your book?"
- Model reading. Let them see you reading for fun, not just work emails or doomscrolling.
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