If you teach an older struggling reader, you know what a challenge motivation can be. Many of them have said, “I can’t,” for so long when it comes to reading, that the label reluctant reader doesn’t even begin to tell the half of it. By the time a child is in upper elementary school {4th/5th grades}, resistant reader can be more like it.
Research tells us that struggling readers are often given texts to read that are on their frustration level, only feeding the “I can’t” mantra. When we try to give them texts they can read, sometimes we hand them books that seem “baby-ish” and turn them off.
So the problem is two-fold: 1- We need to get them reading “just right” books, but 2- they need to be books they WANT to read. Often these books are called high interest low readability books and today, I’m going to share a few.
*This post contains affiliate links.
2 Quick Disclaimers
1. Every struggling reader is different. Just because it’s listed here doesn’t mean it will click with your struggling reader. Example: My son is High Functioning Autistic and does not always understand or appreciate the humor in the poetry we’ve tried. He much prefers nonfiction.
2. “Older struggling readers” mainly means kids in 3rd through 5th grades.
High Interest Low Readability Books for Struggling Readers
So, the two-fold challenge. Get kids to read on their level AND find books that interest them. Here are few books that might help us meet the challenge!
One great place to start with struggling readers is nonfiction. Most children have an interest in something or a hobby that may spark the desire to read about it. Currently, my 4th grade son is reading a nonfiction Minecraft Handbook {He actually bought two with his own money}. Is that my first choice? No, but he’s reading of his own accord and that’s a BIG deal!
Most kids are familiar with the characters of The Magic Tree House, but did you know they make nonfiction companion books that are on the same reading level {mid 2nd grade level}? Yes, they do! These have been a hit for my son and were for the struggling readers I tutored.
A magazine subscription featuring interesting topics may also be another great option for struggling readers. National Geographic comes to our door, but Muse and Ask look like they would also be good ones for older readers.
Often, struggling readers may enjoy a particular series of chapter books* because of the familiarity of the characters and the author’s style. Listed below are some of my favorite series books. Find series books for 2nd and 3rd graders that may work for your struggling reader. If you have an even older reader {maybe in middle school}, the chapter books listed in our 4th/5th grade list might appeal to him.
*This is one of those times when what works for one child may not work for another. For example, if a child has the idea that Junie B. Jones books are for Kindergartners, (s)he may be turned off by it.
Another genre to try is historical fiction. The I Survived Series is one that my 4th grader has greatly enjoyed. He loves the topics. This summer, he read I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic by himself!
Older readers may enjoy books with mature topics, even if it’s a picture book! Eve Bunting and Patricia Polacco are two authors that tend to write about topics that appeal to older readers. {They both have a mix of historical fiction, too.} Some readers may say these are “baby-ish” because they are picture books, but it only takes reading one of these books aloud for kids to see they aren’t “baby-ish” at all!
While they didn’t appeal to my son {for the reason mentioned above in the disclaimers}, poetry has appealed to the other struggling readers I’ve taught. For some of them, it was the first time that they actually read something for enjoyment. Some of them also enjoyed that the author chose to write about “gross” subjects. Don’t believe me? Just check out Booger Love by Brod Bagert!
Graphic novels can be a big hit for kids. While that may sound odd, graphic novels are simply books that are written in the form of a comic book. If you have a child that loves sports, Sports Illustrated has a good collection! Stink, Captain Underpants, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid all have a little mix of graphics in them, too. {You will have to use your own discretion when deciding if your child is ready to read Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.}
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Enjoy!
~Becky
As a fourth grade teacher, just a caveat that the nonfiction Fact Finder books are at a much higher reading level than the Magic Treehouse stories. This can be frustrating for struggling readers. Love your list of chapter books!
As a former Primary school teacher, with ESL and literacy Assistance experience, this is a great list of suggestions for struggling readers. If you are interested I have also turned my hand at writing for this group of students as I found there was a gap that needed filling. I have begun an adventure series filled with lots of laughter, mischief and mayhem combined with science experiments and gooey messes that keep boys in particular hooked on reading. I have two in the series published with the third due out very soon. http://www.sandrabennettauthor.com/books/
If your child likes stories about werewolves, witches or demons, an awesome series to introduce to them to is the Dark Hunter Series by Benjamin Hulme-Cross. My son (aged 10) loves them – they are the first books he read. They are written especially for emerging readers and have an interest level of 10+ but a reading level of about 6-7 year old (so a friend told me, and it seems about right to me). I loved listening to them as he chose to read them aloud to me (he said, because I’ve read to him for 10 years and now it was his turn). The books didn’t ‘talk down’ to the reader in my opinion. They were the turning point for us.
Hi my son is 11 and has got a reading age of 7, where did you get the books please? Thank you.
Most of them, I purchased on Amazon. Each book links to Amazon within the post.
Your recommendation to read non-fictional books is spot-on. My son struggled to read. Then I introduced him to one of my treasured books, CALVIN AND HOBBES. That began his love for reading. He enjoys reading MINECRAFT and other gaming strategy guides. He also loves to read anything that is STAR WARS. The important thing, as you mentioned, is that he was reading of his own accord, and that was a BIG deal. When we go to the library, he seeks the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series. He still prefers pictures in his books. I am just thrilled that he is reading and he reads aloud when he excitedly wants to share something with me. Precious moments.
Narnia!
I teach dyslexics and have found an excellent resource for even more titles. I tend to order them from Amazon since shipping is free. The url is http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk Thanks for providing this information!
Oooh, that looks like a great resource! Thanks for sharing it.
We were surprised and delighted to discover that our reluctant reader was quite happy to read picture books to his little sister, not too many words usually a nice big font, made her laugh and I think gave him fond memories of when they wore read to him. It works a charm and he now reads everyday and is growing in confidence – phew!
Awesome! And that is such a great strategy, too. Sometimes older readers will read those “baby-ish” books if you pair them with a younger reader. 🙂
I also find my reluctant reader loves reading to/with her younger brother – and it is so nice as it really builds confidence and is more pleasing to hear her feeling more capable. Comics and diary of a wimpy kid also worked – less daunting than a whole page of text. Subject matter really helps too, I created a few photo books in her favourite topics, also with a dyslexic font.
I feel compelled to comment, but apologize in advance if I offend. I’m normally NOT a grammar police type of person. This post is a great resource, but when I read “Low Readability” I understand it to mean something that is MORE challenging to read, not less. Shouldn’t the title state “High Interest and High Readability?”
No, the books on this list are low readability, not high. 🙂
I order many chapter books for struggling readers on hip publishing website hip-books.com They have jr novels all the way up to senior high. Approx 80 pg chapter books many with cliff hangers to end each chapter. Keeps struggling readers wanting more. My male students really enjoy them but interesting for girls too.
Hi,
I hope you’ll also check out http://www.dogonalogbooks.com. DOG ON A LOG Books are a systematic series of decodable chapter books (and their less text companion Let’s GO! Books for kids who are overwhelmed by longer chapter books.) They follow a structured literacy/Orton-Gillingham based phonics sequence. Since they are chapter books, kids get more practice and because they’re sequential, they get an ongoing series that introduces more phonics rules at each step of books. Although the series starts out with very simple phonics and stories, the books quickly get longer and more “complicated.” There are even printable boardgames, activities, and flashcards that can be downloaded from the website.
Those sound great! I’ll have to check them out.
That would be great. Please contact me at read @ dogonalogbooks.com. As a mom who wasted a lot of money on books that would have only frustrated my daughter, I want people to get a sense for what the books are and how they advance. I have a few books available for download at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Pamela-Brookes-Dog-On-A-Log-Books