This hilariously horrid book will appeal to both young boys and girls (aged 5-8) and is a great way of encouraging reluctant readers to read. Henry is dragged to dancing class against his will; vies with Moody Margaret to make the yuckiest Glop, goes camping in France and tries to be good like Perfect peter - but not for long. The best part is there's a whole series for them to enjoy!
Top 10 books for reluctant readers
The Twits was first published in 1980 and tells the story of Mr and Mrs Twit two horrid, nasty, stupid and smelly people who enjoying being cruel to animals and hate children. This book is ideal for reluctant readers (aged 5-8), thanks to the revolting images and sharp and witty humour.
This book is ideal to lure your little wannabe vikings (aged 5-8) into the world of reading. It hilariously recounts the adventures of the ten-year-old son of Viking chief Stoick, Hiccup, who must capture a dragon as a rite of passage but things get messy when Hiccup's dragon Toothless becomes his best friend.
When Ella is born, a well-meaning but imprudent fairy gives her the gift of obedience. So, Ella must then do anything anyone tells her to do. When her mother dies, Ella is left in the care of an absent father and a wicked stepmother and her two loathsome stepsisters. Ella soon finds herself in grave danger but it turns out to be the adventure of a lifetime. This book is perfect for reluctant bookworms aged 9-12.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket is ideal for reluctant readers due to it's witty and exciting prose and hilarious encounters with Count Olaf. It's ideal for boys and girls aged 8-12, Violet, Klaus and Sunny. The story begins as the unfortunate Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are devastated by the deaths of their parents in a tragic fire and the loss of their beautiful home. The children are sent to live with their distant cousin Count Olaf, who abuses them and openly plots to steal their inheritance. After the Baudelaires are saved from the care of Count Olaf by their parents' estate executor, Mr Poe, Olaf begins hunting the children down, resulting in the demise of several beloved characters.
This hilarious book is perfect for reluctant readers aged 9-12.. It tells the story of the hardships of moving to a new school and trying to cope with every day challenges. It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. It will appeal to both reluctant and advanced readers.
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson finds himself on a dangerous adventure, battling for his life. With the help of two loyal friends, a satyr and the daughter of Athena, Percy travels across the United States to catch the thief who has stolen Zeus’ lightening bolt. This book is funny, exciting and fast-paced making it the perfect book for the reluctant reader aged 9+.
These spooky books feature the adventures of a skeleton detective named Skulduggery Pleasant and a teenage girl Stephanie Edgley as they battle evil and save the world from the Sceptor of the Ancients. This is the first in a series of books that are all terrific fun and really well written. This book is perfect for readers aged 9+.
The Hunger Games trilogy phenomenally successful with tweens and teens so they are a great way of getting your reluctant readers interested in books. They tell the story of a dytopian future, where the planet is controlled by one government, the Capitol. Because of a distant rebellion, the Capitol enforces a yearlt ritual 'The Hunger Games' that selects two children between the ages of 12 and 19 from each district to fight one another to the death'. One winner emerges and returns to his/her district a victor. District 12 hasn't won in years and when Katniss, the sole provider for her mother and sister, takes her sister Prim's place she has to fight to try and stay alive. This is suitable for readers aged 12+.
This series of books for teens focuses on the fictional town of Perdido Beach, California. In this mysterious town, every human over the age of 15 mysteriously vanishes. The town and it's surrounding areas are covered in a bubble that cannot be penetrated. So what happens when some of the teenagers begin to develop superpowers? This book is ideal for reluctant readers aged 12+.
