Community Picks: 13 Books for Struggling Readers

Getting a struggling reader to pick up a book can be tough. But choosing books that capture kids’ imagination and match their reading skills can make all the difference. Here, members of the Understood Community share the titles that grabbed their young readers!

1. [object Object] series, by Nick Bruel

Reading level: Grades 1–4

Interest level: Grades Pre-K–1

2. [object Object] series, by Lincoln Peirce

Reading level: Grades 2–4

Interest level: Grades 3–8

3. [object Object], by Zack Zombie

Reading level: Grade 3

Interest level: Grades 2–5

4. [object Object] series, by Jeff Kinney

Reading level: Grades 5–6

Interest level: Grades 3–8

5. [object Object] series, by Tedd Arnold

Reading level: Grades 1–2

Interest level: Grades Pre-K–3

6. [object Object] series, by Geronimo Stilton

Reading level: Grades 2–4

Interest level: Grades 2–5

7. [object Object], by Gareth P. Jones

Reading level: Grades 4–7

Interest level: Grades 1–5

8. [object Object] series, by Troy Cummings

Reading level: Grades 2–3

Interest level: Grades 1–3

9. [object Object] series, by Rick Riordan

Reading level: Grades 2–5

Interest level: Grades 4–9

10. [object Object] series, by James Dean

Reading level: Grades 1–3

Interest level: Grades Pre-K–2

11. [object Object] series, by Katherine Applegate

Reading level: Grades 2–4

Interest level: Grades 1–3

12. [object Object], by Holly Webb

Reading level: Grades 2–3

Interest level: Grades 2–5

13. [object Object] series, by Sarah Mlynowski

Reading level: Grades 2–4

Interest level: Grades 3–5

Looking for more book ideas? Explore great books for grade-schoolers, middle-schoolers, and high-schoolers who have trouble reading. And learn about graphic novels, which can be a fun choice for kids who shy away from reading.