Best Chapter Books for Reluctant Readers (Ages 7–10)
- pandetashvi
- 16 minutes ago
- 2 min read
I remember how reading came easily to some children but not all. I used to love reading, but when it was my brother's turn to read, he always skimmed the page and ran away exclaiming he was bored. The right book can unlock confidence and enjoyment in kids who find reading a chore. Here are the top picks for reluctant readers aged 7 to 10. Don't think a lot if you want to become a reader, just get the books, and I'm sure you'll make your way into reading them!
1. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Fast-paced, graphic novel style with humor and heart. Kids fly through these.
2. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
A crew of misunderstood "bad guys" try to do good—with hilarious results.
3. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Silly humor, short chapters, and tons of illustrations. Great for getting kids to laugh and keep reading.
4. Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott
A charming early chapter series with colorful illustrations and diary-style narration.
5. Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton
A graphic novel about friendship and imagination. Super approachable.
6. Stink by Megan McDonald
Little brother of Judy Moody, Stink has short, funny adventures with kid-friendly themes.
7. Press Start! by Thomas Flintham
Perfect for video game fans, with easy vocabulary and fun action.
8. Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro
Combines science with magic and mystery. Encourages curiosity.
9. Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings
Mild spooky vibes and monsters! Irresistible for curious kids.
10. Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo, illus. Chris Van Dusen
A toast-loving pig and her wild adventures. Great illustrations and silly plots.
Once you or your child is done reading these books, they will be more confident and excited to see what other books have to share with them. After that, it will be much easier to start with other classic novels, such as Roald Dahl, David Walliams, Enid Blyton, and Geronimo Stilton. Every reader starts somewhere. Let humor, visuals, and short chapters light the spark and see where it takes you!
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