4 Books for Kids Who Say They Hate Reading
Most kids who say they hate reading do not actually hate reading.
They just have not met the right book yet.
The right book is usually funny, fast, visual, or impossible to put down. These four are the ones parents tell us actually changed something for their kid — the books that finally clicked.
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley navigates middle school misadventures with brutally honest commentary and a lot of stick-figure drawings.
This is the book that has flipped more reluctant readers into readers than almost any other.
Why kids love it
- Mostly pictures and short text
- Genuinely funny on every page
- Looks like a diary, not a “book”
- Massive series so the next one is always ready
Best for readers who liked: Big Nate or Dog Man
2. Big Nate
by Lincoln Peirce
Nate Wright is convinced he is destined for greatness, even though sixth grade keeps proving otherwise.
It has the same energy as Wimpy Kid but with more cartoon panels and just as much humor.
Why kids fly through it
- Comic-style format throughout
- Underdog hero kids root for
- Quick chapters that feel like wins
- Long-running series with tons of options
Best for readers who liked: Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants
3. Holes
by Louis Sachar
A boy is sent to a strange desert detention camp and uncovers a mystery that connects him to a century-old secret.
The plot pulls kids in so fast they forget they are reading.
Why it works
- Mystery hook from page one
- Short chapters with big payoffs
- Funny and serious in equal measure
- Feels rewarding to finish
Best for readers who liked: Holes the movie, or Wonder
4. The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
A gorilla living in a shopping mall tells his own story and slowly realizes he wants something different for his life.
Short chapters, big emotion, and a voice that surprises kids who were not expecting to care this much.
Why kids love it
- Very short chapters (some just a few lines)
- Animal narrator hooks fast
- Emotional without being sad-the-whole-time
- Quick read with a real ending
Best for readers who liked: Charlotte’s Web or The Tale of Despereaux
Most kids do not hate reading.
They just have not met the right book yet. These are often the ones that change everything.
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