Books for reluctant readers (older children)
There's a book out there for every child, even the most reluctant of readers. Try a few of the books below to see if they click with your child and help them love reading.
There's fiction, non-fiction, rhyme and laugh-out-loud moments! Let us know which one works for your 9-12 year old.
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Young Samurai The Way of the Warrior
Author: Chris Bradford
Interest level: 11+
Reading age: 9+
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Young Samurai The Way of the Warrior
Author: Chris Bradford
Interest level: 11+
Reading age: 9+
This engaging historical adventure story will immerse young readers in the traditions and culture of Ancient Japan, including its …
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Alienography 2: Tips for Tiny Tyrants
Author: Chris Riddell
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 10+
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Alienography 2: Tips for Tiny Tyrants
Author: Chris Riddell
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 10+
Find out how to take over the universe in this funny and engaging book from Chris Riddell (and Colin the Alien)
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Long Gone Don and the Terror-Cotta Army
Author: The Etherington Brothers
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
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Long Gone Don and the Terror-Cotta Army
Author: The Etherington Brothers
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
More gorgeous artwork and fast-paced storytelling show that action, adventure and the undead are all alive and kicking in this new…
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Danger is Everywhere
Author: David O'Doherty Illustrator: Chris Judge
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 7+
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Danger is Everywhere
Author: David O'Doherty Illustrator: Chris Judge
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 7+
Just like this book says, danger is everywhere. Don't worry, though, because Docter Noel Zone (yes, Docter) is an experienced Dang…
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Peace Maker
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Matthew Griffin
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
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Peace Maker
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Matthew Griffin
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
In Michela's world, aggression is forbidden - but sometimes fighting is the only way to keep the peace. This is a well-paced and i…
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Flesh and Blood
Author: Chris Priestley
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 8+
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Flesh and Blood
Author: Chris Priestley
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 8+
Bill thinks his wish for a brother has come true when his family takes in a boy injured during a World War Two air raid - but is h…
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The Adventures of Alfie Onion
Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 8+
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The Adventures of Alfie Onion
Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 8+
When Alfie Onion helps his brother Magnifico on a quest to secure a princess wife, things don't quite go as his fairytale-obsessed…
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Blue Moon Day
Author: Anne Fine
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 8+
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Blue Moon Day
Author: Anne Fine
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 8+
Covering an interesting and varied mix of situations, these enjoyable school stories are a satisfying read, with particular appeal…
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Going Batty
Author: John Agard Illustrator: Michael Broad
Interest level: 8-12
Reading age: 7+
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Going Batty
Author: John Agard Illustrator: Michael Broad
Interest level: 8-12
Reading age: 7+
Dyslexia-friendly, super-readable, illustrated story about a girl whose school project (and a hidden colony in the attic) makes he…
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Smart About Sharks
Author: Owen Davey
Interest level: 4-12
Reading age: 7+
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Smart About Sharks
Author: Owen Davey
Interest level: 4-12
Reading age: 7+
Presenting an ever-popular topic, this fantastic, high quality illustrated book is fascinating and attractive.
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Mind Writer
Author: Steve Cole Illustrator: Nelson Evergreen
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
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Mind Writer
Author: Steve Cole Illustrator: Nelson Evergreen
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
Luke has a secret, a hidden skill: he can read minds. But when Luke meets Samira, he can't read her mind at all. A gripping thrill…
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Good Dog, Bad Dog: Double Identity
Author: Dave Shelton
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Good Dog, Bad Dog: Double Identity
Author: Dave Shelton
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Kirk Bergman and Duncan McBoo are back: the dog detectives are on a cinematic case that gets them caught up in the movie business.…
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An Eagle in the Snow
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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An Eagle in the Snow
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Stuck on a train, a boy listens to a stranger’s story about one moment that could have stopped World War II. A thought-provoking s…
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Notebooks of a Middle-School Princess
Author: Meg Cabot
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 8
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Notebooks of a Middle-School Princess
Author: Meg Cabot
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 8
This is the first story in a new Princess Diaries spin off series for younger readers, where Olivia records events in her notebook…
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Free Lance and the Lake of Skulls
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Interest level: 5-12
Reading age: 8+
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Free Lance and the Lake of Skulls
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Interest level: 5-12
Reading age: 8+
The dream team of Stewart and Riddell are on fantastic form for this outing: full of Stewart’s trademark fantasy wit and grandeur,…
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Hilda and the Troll
Author: Luke Pearson
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 7+
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Hilda and the Troll
Author: Luke Pearson
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 7+
Blue-haired explorer Hilda has an uncanny ability to find weird and wonderful adventures and befriend peculiar creatures.
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The Funny Life of Pets
Author: James Campbell Illustrator: Rob Jones
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
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The Funny Life of Pets
Author: James Campbell Illustrator: Rob Jones
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
Is it fiction or non-fiction? You decide! This highly interactive book mixes together real and made-up facts about pets, with hila…
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The Many Worlds of Albie Bright
Author: Christopher Edge
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
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The Many Worlds of Albie Bright
Author: Christopher Edge
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
A son of two scientists, it's only natural that Albie uses quantum theory when his mum dies, to find a parallel universe where she…
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Mega Robo Bros
Author: Neill Cameron
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 9+
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Mega Robo Bros
Author: Neill Cameron
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 9+
Brothers always find something to fight about. Alex and Freddy are no different - even though they're also the most powerful robot…
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My Magical Life
Author: Zach King Illustrator: Beverly Acre
Interest level: 7-11
Reading age: 7-9
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My Magical Life
Author: Zach King Illustrator: Beverly Acre
Interest level: 7-11
Reading age: 7-9
Eleven-year-old Zach King comes from a magical family, but has yet to unlock his own powers. Fast-paced and funny, this chapt…
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Wonder Boy
Author: Nicole Burstein
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
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Wonder Boy
Author: Nicole Burstein
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Joseph 'Wilco' Wilkes is the biggest loser at the posh private school he attends on a scholarship. However, his life is about to g…
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