10 Tips to Hook Reluctant Readers
November 26, 2025
You know the scene: it’s reading time, and suddenly your child needs water, has to use the bathroom, or remembers urgent homework from another subject. For many kids, opening a book feels like a chore rather than an adventure. But here’s the good news—reluctance doesn’t mean inability, and with the right approach, you can help your child discover that reading can actually be enjoyable.
Understanding the Reluctance
Before diving into solutions, it’s worth recognizing that reluctant readers aren’t a monolith. Some struggle with decoding and fluency, making reading feel exhausting. Others read perfectly well but simply prefer other activities. Still others had negative early experiences that created anxiety around books. The strategies below work across these different scenarios, so try a few and see what resonates with your child.
1. Let Them Choose What They Read
If they choose the book, it feels more like their choice than an assignment. According to the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report, choice is a big predictor for children ages 12-17 to increase reading frequency. This means letting go of some control. Yes, even if they choose graphic novels, manga, sports magazines, or books you consider “too easy.” Reading anything builds stamina and confidence, which eventually leads to tackling more challenging material.
Age considerations: Elementary readers might enjoy choosing from a pre-selected group of options, while teens benefit from complete autonomy in their selections.
2. Embrace E-Readers and Digital Formats
Another finding from the same Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report showed that children aged 12-17 had a preference for e-readers. If a reluctant reader wants to read on a device, there may be wiggle room on “screens.” True e-readers (like Kindle or Kobo) don’t have glare or backlight, which can lessen the negative effects of screens while encouraging reading.
For some kids, the novelty of the format matters. E-readers also offer adjustable font sizes and built-in dictionaries, which can reduce frustration for struggling readers.
3. Use High-Interest, Low-Difficulty Books
Meet them where they are, not where you wish they were. Books with compelling topics but accessible language remove barriers while building confidence.
Consider these options across age ranges:
Elementary: Dog Man, Magic Tree House, Who Would Win? series
Middle Grade: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Last Kids on Earth, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales (graphic history)
Teen: Long Way Down (novel in verse), The Lunar Chronicles series (futuristic fairy tale retellings), The False Prince (fantasy adventure), P.S. I Like You (contemporary romance)
Books with correlating movies or shows can increase initial interest, and visually stimulating formats (graphic novels, novels in verse, heavily illustrated books) may not “feel” like traditional reading to reluctant readers.
4. Read Aloud Together
Reading aloud isn’t just for younger readers. It models the natural rhythm and phrasing of speech while demonstrating fluency. For readers who don’t feel confident in their skills, this removes the pressure while keeping the story engaging. As their confidence grows, try alternating pages or paragraphs. You might also do character voices together—one person reads dialogue, the other reads narration. This collaborative approach makes reading feel less isolating and more like shared entertainment.
Works well for: Ages 6-14, though even high schoolers might enjoy listening while doing crafts or cooking together.
5. Try Audiobooks (with or without the physical book)
Audiobooks provide similar engagement as reading aloud if listening on the go, but they can be even more powerful when paired with the physical or digital text. Following along while listening helps struggling readers make connections between written and spoken words, building decoding skills naturally.
Even without the book in hand, audiobooks count as literacy engagement. They build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of story—all crucial components of reading development.
6. Make Reading a Social Event
Encouraging reading through events like a book club, buddy reading time at the library, or even family reading hour can provide a connection to others. According to Guthrie and Wigfield’s Model of Reading Engagement, social interaction actually increases comprehension and motivation for reading. This works because it transforms reading from a solitary, potentially boring activity into a shared experience with social payoff. Kids who might resist reading alone may eagerly finish chapters to discuss with friends.
Try this: Start small with just one other family or friend. Let the kids choose the book together, and keep the discussion casual—favorite parts, funny moments, predictions for what happens next.
7. Hook Them With a Series
Once they find one book they like, they’ll want to keep reading. Series are powerful because they eliminate the “what do I read next?” decision fatigue that can derail momentum. Plus, returning to familiar characters and worlds feels comfortable rather than daunting. Beyond the examples mentioned earlier, consider:
Elementary: Junie B. Jones, Mercy Watson, Narwhal and Jelly
Middle Grade: Wings of Fire, Percy Jackson, Amulet (graphic novel series)
Teen: Keeper of the Lost Cities, The Queen’s Thief series, Matched series
8. Keep Reading Sessions Short and Consistent
According to the National Reading Panel, short, daily reading builds fluency better than long, infrequent sessions. This is crucial for reluctant readers who find sustained reading exhausting.
Plan just 10-15 minutes a day. Set a timer if needed. The goal is to end before they’re tired or frustrated, leaving them wanting slightly more rather than feeling drained. Celebrate small wins at the end of the week, maybe with a trip to the library or bookstore to pick the next read.
9. Model Reading at Home
Kids mimic what they see. Research published in the European Journal of Educational Research demonstrated that parents and children spend more time together over the last several decades, and watching what parents do has a significant impact. The study found that parents modeling reading habits and discussing them with their children affected the children’s own reading habits, noting “the strongest contribution to literacy support at age 15 was made by parents’ interactions and conversations.” This means they need to see you reading—not just scrolling on your phone, but reading books, magazines, or articles. Talk about what you’re reading. Share interesting facts. Show them that reading is something adults choose to do for pleasure.
10. Build Background Knowledge First
Sometimes the reluctance is about the book itself. Children may not want to try a new book if they don’t know about the topic to begin with. Before diving in, build their knowledge foundation by watching a short video, looking at photos, visiting a relevant location, or simply discussing what they already know about the subject. This approach draws on the “knowledge principle” explored by E.D. Hirsch, which shows that kids build comprehension more effectively when they have background knowledge. A child who knows nothing about space might struggle with a science fiction book, but after watching a few NASA videos, those same concepts become accessible and engaging.
Meeting Them Where They Are
Reading doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These strategies work because they remove barriers, reduce pressure, and focus on what matters most: finding joy and meaning in stories. Try different combinations—perhaps your child needs a combination of choice and short sessions, or audiobooks and social interaction. Pay attention to what sparks even a little interest, and build from there.
Progress isn’t always linear. Some weeks will be better than others. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s creating positive associations with reading that will serve them for life.
For Military Families: United Through Reading offers an additional layer of support. Deployed parents can record videos of themselves reading books, creating personalized “audiobooks” that bridge distance and time. For reluctant readers missing a parent, these videos can transform reading from a chore into a precious connection—and that emotional hook might be precisely what finally gets them to pick up a book.