By A note on how we review: this roundup is curated from award recognition and long-term popularity, not a single reviewer’s personal opinion.
1. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
A graphic novel series (from the creator of Captain Underpants) about a half-dog, half-police-officer hero. Widely credited with getting reluctant readers excited about books through humor and comic-panel pacing. Best for ages 6–10, especially kids who find text-heavy books intimidating.
2. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot shipwrecked on a remote island learns to survive and unexpectedly becomes a parent to a gosling. Adapted into a widely praised 2024 animated film. Best for ages 7–10, and genuinely enjoyable read-aloud material for parents too.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
A modern classic: a dyslexic, ADHD teenager discovers he’s a demigod and enters a world of Greek mythology reimagined in contemporary America. Praised for making struggling readers feel represented as the hero, not the sidekick. Best for ages 9–12.
4. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
A semi-autobiographical story about a Chinese immigrant girl secretly running her family’s motel front desk while facing prejudice and financial hardship. Winner of multiple awards including the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Best for ages 8–12, and a strong conversation-starter for classrooms.
5. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Winner of the Newbery Medal, based on the true story of a gorilla held in a shopping mall enclosure for decades. Told from Ivan’s own perspective. Best for ages 8–12, and one of the few books in this list that will genuinely move adult readers too.
How to Use This List
The single biggest predictor of whether a child keeps reading isn’t the “right” book. It’s whether the first few they try are actually fun. Start with humor (Dog Man) before assigning anything “important.”
Related: Reading Guides & Tips
Curated by the BookPros editorial team
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