9 Surefire Books To Get Kids Out of a Reading Slump
by Lindsay Barrett
Even the most voracious readers get into reading slumps now and then. For kids — who already have friends, hobbies, school, sports, and screens tugging their attention away from books — the right title can pull them back to reading or create a successful family reading reset. This list was born out of a need in my own family. To write it, I combed reviews, picked my kids’ brains, and, much to their embarrassment, asked their friends during carpools. We landed on middle-grade titles with quick-starting plotlines, high-interest topics, relatable characters, and engaging cover art. (It turns out that kids judge books by their covers.) Whether recent releases or classic titles, these books are either the first in a series or by an author with other similar titles available. Once kids are out of a reading slump, you’ll want enough books on hand to ensure they stay out!
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National Archive Hunters 1: Capitol Chase
Buy from:Matthew Landis, a middle school social studies teacher, claims to “slay boredom wherever it lurks,” so he knows what will pique kids’ interests. In this series opener, twins Carter and Iris find themselves in the middle of an art heist at a Washington, DC museum. Soon, they’re racing to get ahead of — and take down — an entire crime ring while trying to convince the FBI Art Crimes team that they aren’t the culprits! Kids will tear through this story quickly. Good news: This author has several other engaging titles to check out while readers wait for the next installment.
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Wonder
Buy from:If your kids (or you) haven’t read this book yet, pick it up immediately. It stars Auggie Pullman, a fifth-grader who has been homeschooled until this year due to his facial difference, mandibulofacial dysostosis. Navigating a new school setting might be the biggest challenge Auggie has ever faced, but he does it with courage and heart. This widely appealing title is a quick read since it jumps between different characters’ perspectives. It’s also a classroom and family read-aloud favorite and was made into a hit movie. (I usually vote for reading first and streaming after, but you could make the case for sparking a slumping reader’s interest with a movie-first approach.) Auggie enthusiasts will also be interested in the spin-off titles Auggie & Me and White Bird.
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Holes
Buy from:Kids immediately relate to the characters in this slightly bizarre story about unlucky Stanley Yelnats, whose misfortunate lands him at a juvenile detention center. While it’s not as quick-starting or straightforward as some of the other choices on this list, kids are quickly drawn into figuring out what the heck is going on at Camp Green Lake. What’s the camp warden looking for as he forces kids to dig holes five feet wide and five feet deep? Stanley aims to be the one to figure it out. Pro-tip: To avoid re-slumping, make sure you have the sequel, Small Steps, on hand for when kids finish this title.
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The Penderwicks
Buy from:This series opener is one of my favorite quiet successes. Kids from all types of families enjoy reading about the funny chaos, squabbling, and scheming in a large household. The adventures of four sisters on summer vacation (and later in the series, at home) have a throwback feel without being too old-fashioned. Plus, one of the supporting characters is their friend, Jeffrey, adding balance to the gender representation. The wide age range of kid characters makes this series an excellent choice for a family read-aloud or audiobook.
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Hoot
Buy from:Roy just moved to town, to a house near a construction site for a new diner, where construction gets stalled by unexplained vandalism. In the thick of being bullied on the bus, Roy notices a mysterious kid running through town without shoes. As the story unfolds, the scenarios become poignantly connected. (Plus, the plight of some baby owls takes center stage — how can kids not want to keep reading?) This title tugs at kids’ universal desires to belong, have friends, and for the world to be fair. Once kids get hooked on this slump-busting title, the author has many more books with similar vibes to enjoy.
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The Great Peach Experiment 1: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie
Buy from:In this series opener, a family who recently lost their mom comes into some unexpected cash. They use it to buy a food truck and spend the summer traveling the Midwest serving pie. As my son says, “The story starts really fast, so kids won’t get bored.” (The food truck shows up in their driveway on page 3.) Kids will easily get swept up in the family’s entrepreneurial spirit — and cringe at the unexpected challenges they face. Each subsequent book in this growing series brings back the characters for a new dose of fun, including parlaying their food truck experience into opening an eclectic bed and breakfast, traveling to a Scandinavian ice hotel, and more.
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The Secret Library
Buy from:When Dally’s grandfather dies, he leaves her a secret envelope. At first, she hopes it will provide a break from her mom’s overbearing demands. However, the letter launches Dally onto a time-twisting journey through a library of family secrets throughout history. This “feels-like-it-could-be-real fantasy” novel keeps kids reading by constantly surprising them — an ideal slump-busting quality. While it’s a standalone story, Kekla Magoon continuously churns out amazing books. Next, point younger readers toward Chester Keene Cracks the Code and older readers to the modern classic The Season of Styx Malone.
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The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Buy from:Names are of utmost importance in the Swift family; they’re recorded in the family dictionary on the day each Swift is born, along with a (supposedly) prophetic personality definition. As a family reunion approaches, Shenanigan Swift aims to disprove her trouble-making reputation in a twisting plot that includes a treasure hunt and a murder investigation. Hand this to kids who enjoy getting wrapped up in the adventures of quirky characters, riddles and wordplay, and light-hearted mysteries. Then, queue up the sequel to keep kids reading!
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Forever Twelve
Buy from:Do your kids feel like they’ve been waiting forever for their next birthday? In this compelling book series, “The Evers” actually have. They are a group of kids bound by a curse that keeps them permanently twelve years old. (This detail takes the boarding school interpersonal drama trope up a notch.) Is new student Ivy destined for the same eternal fate? This title has a sequel, Never Thirteen, plus this author has many other excellent middle grade titles perfect for kids’ TBR (to-be-read) stacks.
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