Engaging reluctant readers - Suggestions from our experts

Not everyone likes to read.  If you're a student struggling with a reading disability, you're even less likely to engage in a book.  But part of the way we teach students with LDs to read - and to love reading - is exposing them to all kinds of books in all kinds of formats.  Here are a few suggestions from Bridgeway's teaching staff for books that engage even the most reluctant reader.

Please leave a comment with suggestions for books that work in your home or classroom!

Rhonda & the Bridgeway team.


Mr. Hayman’s picks

I am the Messenger – Markus Zusak

The main character is 18 and it’s written like it’s an 18 year old speaking. Older students especially identify with the main character.

“Bone” series – Jeff Smith

These are graphic novels and students from grade 5 to grade 12 read them. They include elements for all kinds of people, and the majority of words are easy enough for any grade grouping.

“The Amulet” series –Kazu-Kibuishi

Another graphic novel series, with a picture style that appeals to kids. Not manga, but has an asian feel that appeals to kids. The main characters are 10-12 years old, so it appeals to all kinds of age groups.

“Percy Jackson” series – Rick Riordan

This series appeals to all age groups. Our students have read the book and watched the movie, and most say they preferred the book.

“Hunger Games” Series – Suzanne Collins

This book is fantasy, but is close enough to reality to appeal to non-fantasy fans. The hero is a 16-year-old girl and she ends up in many difficult situations.

The “Warriors” series – Erin Hunter

These are books for younger readers, but with cats as the main characters, they’re really high interest. Kids who don’t enjoy reading really connect with them.

The “Guardians of Ga’hoole” series– Kathryn Lasky

Again, with animals as the main character characters, they’re a hit with younger audiences.

Ms. Osborne’s pick

One book that I have recently had a lot of success with is called "Frindle" by Brian Selznick. This book is classified at the grade 4-6 Reading Level. The story is about a fifth grader who changes the word "pen" to "frindle". Soon the entire country is buying "frindles" instead of "pens". Many people believe that Nick is trying to be rude and upset his teacher, but he is actually taking a stand on the English language and the origins of words. The book shows that one small person can change one small thing but make a huge impact on the world. My kids thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have been telling all my teacher friends about it.

Ms. Milligan’s picks

The "Orca" series we recently bought for our library is GREAT!!! There are two different groups of books, "Currents" and "Soundings." My Bridgeway Reading Program class has read Nine Doors and really enjoyed it. Next we are reading Overdrive. These books are high interest, low level books that focus on teen issues.

The "Who was?" series is also excellent for late elementary-junior high readers. They are all low level, non-fiction books. Our class has read "Who were The Beatles" and "Who was Anne Frank?" The students find these books interesting because they give detail and information about people throughout history in a very reader friendly manner!

Other titles include:

Who was Albert Einstein?

Who was John F. Kennedy?

Who was King Tut?

Who was Eleanor Roosevelt?

The Usborne Phonics Readers books are excellent for pre-readers. There are 12 books in the series. These are fun books that focus on phonics-based learning. Here are a few titles:

Hen's Pens

Ted in a Red Bed

Frog on a Log

Sam Sheep can't Sleep

These are some of the different books that seem to engage my students so far!