5 Ways to Engage your Reluctant Reader this Summer

Engaging your child in summer learning can be challenging, particularly if you have a reluctant reader. However, any educator will tell you that students who read over the summer are better prepared for the start of the new school year in the fall.

Regular reading can boost performance on reading achievement tests by 35-40%, according to the Epic! Summer Reading Study. Yet, as children get older, their love for reading often wanes. Did you know that about half of kids aged 6-8 read for pleasure almost every day? But by high school, this drops to a mere 15%, according to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™.

Strong reading skills aren't just for English class—they're essential across all subjects, including math and science. Reading comprehension is crucial whether it's tackling word problems in math or understanding complex instructions in science experiments. For example, understanding word problems in math hinges on good reading skills, and grasping scientific texts is vital for success in science.

To help your child stay ahead, I'm sharing five proven strategies and our annual book recommendations to encourage summer reading and support your child's academic success. Plus, at the bottom of this page, you can watch our recent webinar, "Reading and Succeeding: Proven Methods to Boost Motivation and Comprehension."

Jump to Our 2024 Summer Book Recommendations ↓

How do you get your reluctant reader to actually read?

1. Select a book in a series.

boy reading on couchOne of the best ways to get reluctant readers excited to read more is to find a book series they love. Series for young readers often feature captivating characters and storylines that draw kids in, encouraging them to read more. Once your child gets invested in the first book, their curiosity about what happens next can motivate them to continue reading through the series.

This sustained interest can help improve their reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Additionally, book series provide a sense of accomplishment as your child progresses from one book to the next, reinforcing their positive reading habits and making reading a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.

2. Pick books and passages that are kid-tested.

Even boys with ADHD will devour a book when you find material that interests them. The story should be easy to read and should grab their attention right away.

Does your fifth grader enjoy dragons? Find stories or graphic novels about dragons. How about an eighth-grader who enjoys cars and motorcycles? Find a book on repair or popular models.

"One of my students wouldn't read outloud during our initial session, but I knew he was really into Roblox. By finding reading materials related to the game, I was able to engage him and help him greatly improve his reading skills," explained our Reading Tutor and Executive Function Coach Jan Rowe.

Understanding what excites your child can significantly boost their reading motivation. I love the Scholastic website, which allows parents and their kids to peruse books by reading level and interest. If you are unsure if the content is age-appropriate, you can also check Common Sense Media for age recommendations and reviews from parents and kids.

3. Enlist help from a Reading Tutor or Executive Function Coach.

A Subject Tutor or Executive Function Coach can engage your child and uncover the reasons behind the reluctance, offer solutions, and open the door to the exciting world of books.

To get the most out of summer reading sessions, we start with an assessment to discover your child's current reading level and pinpoint their strengths and areas for improvement.

"Assessments guide us in creating a personalized learning plan," explained Rowe. This tailored approach means your child gets the support they need to tackle their unique challenges and build on their strengths.

Nowadays, online reading is an essential skill for students. With so much happening online, including standardized tests, it's crucial for kids to be comfortable with digital text. Our virtual sessions incorporate screen-sharing and on-screen tools to highlight text and write notes in the margin, making the online reading experience interactive and engaging.

Click below to schedule your free consultation to discuss how we'll help your child keep up or get ahead this summer.

4. Consider a summer reading challenge.

There’s a good chance your local library or your child’s school district is offering a free summer reading challenge to encourage kids to keep reading. If not, plenty of online challenges are out there, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Through Scholastic’s Home Base Summer Program, kids can read free eBooks, attend author events, and keep track of their reading streaks. Camp BOOK IT!  helps kids set and keep track of monthly reading goals and rewards them with free pizza. Kids can score a free book through Barnes & Noble's Summer Reading Program, and hone their writing skills while they're at it.

5. Everyone in the family should read, not just kids.

Parents AND kids should choose a book at the start of the summer. When kids see their parents and siblings reading something offline, they are much more likely to do so themselves. Try to pair reading time with relaxation in the evening after dinner. Whether it's a book or a magazine, the content isn't as crucial as the act of reading itself.

And if you follow our first two tips about finding the right material and getting them hooked on a series, you’ll find that your kids may actually start looking forward to their evening reading time…

Our Summer 2024 Book Recommendations

Book recommendations for reluctant elementary school readers:

  • My Weird School- Dan Gutman
    • This book series is a silly and engaging collection for beginning readers, centered around the quirky grownups at Ella Mentry School and the humorous adventures of A.J., a boy who dislikes school, and his school-loving rival, Andrea.
  • Wayside School - Louis Sachar
    • Accidentally constructed sideways and rising thirty stories high, Wayside School features the most bizarre classrooms, particularly on the thirtieth floor, where students engage in quirky and unforgettable antics. Kids will breeze through these entertaining chapter books, laughing all the way through the fast-paced and relatable stories.
  • Class Dismissed and Unschooled- Allan Woodrow
    • Class 507 is so terrible that their teacher quits in the middle of a disastrous science experiment, and through a mix-up, the school office never finds out, leaving the class teacher-free. Can the students keep their secret, or will their dream school year become a disaster?
  • Trapped in a Video Game - Dustin Brady
    • A 12-year-old who despises video games finds himself trapped inside different video games, facing wild adventures and life-threatening challenges with a new friend. Together, they must navigate dangerous enemies, all while trying to escape before they’re trapped forever.
  • Dog Man - Dav Pilkey
    • With a dog's head and a human's body, Dog Man tackles deception, chases down crooks, nabs robbers, and pursues squirrels. Can he resist his animal instincts to fulfill his heroic duties?
  • I Survived - Lauren Tarshis
    • This book series immerses readers in gripping tales of young survivors facing some of history's most terrifying events, from natural disasters to epic battles. With vivid storytelling and historical accuracy, these books captivate and educate kids, making history come alive through the eyes of courageous protagonists.

Book series recommendations for reluctant middle school readers:

Quick read recommendations for reluctant high school readers:

Ready to Transform Your Child's Reading Skills?

Using the summer to focus on your child's reading skills can give them the boost they need for academic success. Addressing individual challenges, engaging materials, and connecting with their interests can make reading a fun and rewarding experience. We're here for you this summer!

Schedule a free strategy call to discuss your child's reading history and goals. We'll help develop an individualized learning plan and set your child on the path to start the next school year strong.

Watch our Webinar- Reading & Succeeding: Proven Methods to Boost Motivation and Comprehension