High-interest books for reluctant readers

Struggling to spark your child's love of reading? Sometimes all it takes is the right book!

Updated July 11, 2023
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Lupin leaps in
Dunn, Georgia
Paper Book
Lupin Leaps In is a brand-new comic collection for middle grade readers!  This just in: Three adorable house cats are reporting the most hilarious breaking news! Based on author/illustrator Georgia Dunn's real-life pets, Elvis, Lupin, and Puck strap on neckties...
Captain Underpants and the terrifying return of Tippy Tinkletrousers : the ninth epic novel
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
Laugh out loud with Captain Underpants, the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Dog Man!When we last saw George and Harold, they were headed to jail for the rest of their lives. What could be worse? How about being pulled from prison by a time-traveling...
Awkward
Chmakova, Svetlana
Paper Book
Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids.Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in...
How to train your dragon
Cowell, Cressida.
Paper Book
7 MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THE SERIES THAT INSPIRED THE HIT MOVIES!   Action-packed, hilarious, and perfectly illustrated, How to Train Your Dragon is a beloved modern classic with millions of fans across the globe. Journey into the adventure that...
Roller girl
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with...
A tail of two kitties
Watson, Tom
Paper Book
There's a new pet in town: Stick Cat! Perfect for fans of the Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, and Stick Dog books, Stick Cat features Tom Watson's trademark combination of laughs, adventure, and hilarious stick-figure drawings. It's a big day in the big...
Lunch lady and the cyborg substitute
Krosoczka, Jarrett.
Paper Book
From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. Serving justice . . . and lunch! Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered about their school lunch lady. What does she do when she isn't dishing out the daily special? Where does she live?...
El deafo
Bell, Cece
Paper Book
Cece Bell's #1 New York Times Bestseller graphic novel El Deafo is the origin story of a student with hearing loss and a hearing aid becoming a superhero. A John Newbery Medal Winner Now an Apple+ Animated TV Series! ...
Teddy Mars : almost a world record breaker
Burnham, Molly B.
Paper Book
Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner! Fans of Jeff Kinney's humor and Sharon Creech's heartfelt stories will love this hilarious new series about a ten-year-old boy from a big family who dreams of making it into The Guinness Book of World Records. Teddy Mars is determined to stand out...
Fish in a tree
Hunt, Lynda Mullaly.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller . An emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who's ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn't fit in. "Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship...
Frank Einstein and the antimatter motor
Scieszka, Jon
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller "I never thought science could be funny . . . until I read Frank Einstein. It will have kids laughing." - Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid "Huge laughs and great science - the kind of smart, funny stuff that makes Jon Scieszka a legend."...
Stick dog
Watson, Tom
Paper Book
Introducing everyone's new best friend: Stick Dog! Don't miss the very first book in this bestselling funny illustrated series. He'll make you laugh...he'll make you cry...but above all, he'll make you hungry! Follow Stick Dog as he goes on an epic quest for the perfect burger. With...
The one and only Ivan
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan is now a major motion picture streaming on Disney+ This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of...
The big field
Lupica, Mike.
Paper Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw. Playing shortstop is a way of life for Hutch--not only is his hero, Derek Jeter, a shortstop, but so was his father, a former local legend...
Half-minute horrors
Rich, Susan
Paper Book
How scared can you get in only 30 seconds? Dare to find out with Half-Minute Horrors, a collection of deliciously terrifying short short tales and creepy illustrations by an exceptional selection of writers and illustrators, including bestselling talents Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil...
Smile
Telgemeier, Raina.
Paper Book
Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood! Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a...
Big Nate out loud
Peirce, Lincoln.
Paper Book
In this follow up to New York Times best-seller Big Nate: From the Top, eleven-year-old Nate Wright is living OUT LOUD and he wouldn't have it any other way! Even though his friends won't let him be the lead singer in their band, Nate continues to rock. He's a...
Middle school : get me out of here!
Patterson, James
Paper Book
Live large with James Patterson's winning follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestsellerMiddle School, The Worst Years of My Life. After sixth grade, the very worst year of his life, Rafe Khatchadorian thinks he has it made in seventh...
Mistakes were made
Pastis, Stephan.
Paper Book
Want to aspire to greatness? Check out this edition of Timmy Failure's first adventure--featuring the bonus section "How to Draw Timmy and Total." He may be clueless, but the comically self-confident Timmy Failure is CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the...
The Unwanteds
McMann, Lisa.
Paper Book
A riveting middlegrade dystopian novel from New York Times bestselling Wake author Lisa McMann that Kirkus Reviews calls "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent...
The Magic School Bus and the climate challenge
Cole, Joanna.
Paper Book
Trust the bestselling science series of all time to get down to the facts on global warming, so kids can understand the crisis - and how they can help solve it.Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids...
Let's pretend this never happened
Benton, Jim.
Paper Book
Take a peek inside the diaries of Jamie Kelly! She's cool (sometimes), nice (mostly), and funny (always). Kid-friendly humor & art, along w/JKBenton's signature style make this series a standout!Read the hilarious, candid (& sometimes mean) diaries of Jamie Kelly, who promises that everything in her...

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