Reading book for year 8 for a very reluctant 12 year old

[Remmy123]

My son needs a book for back to school. He hasn't finished one book in 2 years so very reluctant!!

Can anyone recommend a gripping book that isn't too long?

Thanks so much

What interests him and does he find reading difficult?

The Mr Gumm books are funny and clever. They look like standard paperbacks but generally have very little text on each page.

The Alex Rider books are James-Bond-for-children. My boys loved them.

Would he listen to an audio book instead?

DS2 has never really read a book for pleasure but will happily listen to audio books. Still got good grades in his English GCSEs before taking Science A-levels and Degree.

Graphic novels?

I presume that this is because he needs to have a book in his bag to read in class? My DS is also a very reluctant reader. He's still only 2/3 of the way through the book we bought him to start year 7, so he's taking that, but I'd suggest a non-fiction book for him, depending what he's interested in - types of motorbike, sharks etc. The problem with books for reluctant readers is that they stand out as being too young for the student e.g. my boy would read Dog Man books until the cows come home but they'd stand out at secondary school and you don't want other people picking on him for the books he reads.

There’s a series of books called Super readable rollercoasters I think published by Oxford for reluctant readers. DS has just finished Dark Peak by Marcus Sedgwick from that series and loved it (when I say series they aren’t linked at all, just all super readable!)

My grandson is a 13-year old reluctant reader and always has been. He can't see the point of it and has only managed a third of a book in the holidays from a long list - we bribed, nagged and cajoled him to get that far! I'd take him to a bookshop and let him choose something with a grownup cover (so he doesn't get teased) but easy to read - wide spacing, clear print, short chapters etc - and he'll be OK. None of the men in my family read for pleasure but most of the women do (l was a librarian for many years) but it hasn't held them back. Don't give up hope!

Thanks v much for your suggestions!!

He has read Alex Rider but it did nothing for him😬😬

Dark Peak looks good actually and I'll also look into audio books

Depends what he likes. My DS2 (new Y7) is also a reluctant reader, but Terry Pratchett is a hit. I've read a few to him at bed time, and now he's started Wee Free Men off his own bat.

Pick something he is interested in!
I'd go to a decent sized book shop, and have a browse. If he will let you, I'd read the first few chapters to him, to get it started, and the exciting things starting to happen. It also means you can talk about what's going on.
Graphic novels are a good call.

Does it have to be fiction? Many people prefer factual reading, including some biographical, to fiction.

Would he go for an autobiography or biography of a person that he likes?

Karen mcmanus writes murder mystery had dc3 gripped however he is an avid reader. His y8 twin is not an avid reader but loves facts so I buy non fiction about topics that have sparked an interest.

Lord of the flies. My ds read it when he was 11 and it helped him to love reading.

What about a reference book about something that interests him? One of mine took a Minecraft manual for several months!

Lark & others from the same author are short & v good. they are possibly for kids a little older than 12 but written to be dyslexia friendly so the story concepts are older than the language (if you get what I mean).

www.amazon.co.uk/Lark-Anthony-McGowan/dp/178112843X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lark&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1630671141&sr=8-1

My DS is in Y9 and has read very little in the last few years so I feel your pain.

Alex Rider didn't do anything for him, but he did love Artemis Fowl - he was 11 or so when he read them and they really gripped him - it was the last time I saw him really get lost in a book series

Would he like scary stories ?

DS now 12 loved the Louis the Laugh books (How to Train Your Parents etc by Pete Johnson).

More recently he has devoured The Enemy series by Charlie Higson (some might say more young adult but CH aimed them at his own kids from 10+ - contains zombies, bit scary, some swearing).

@Remmy123 if you're loking at audio books, take a look at your local public library. They will have a website and app where you can download audio books for loan, free of charge. My DS loves these on car journeys on his tablet and will listen to far more advanced audio books than he will read.

My ds loved The Enemy series.
Also have a look at books by Dan Smith. Ds enjoyed Big Game and Most of his others first kids too.

Have a look at the Guys Read collections. They’re books of short stories to get boys into reading.
Some of them are split into collections of thrillers or horror.

My DS who is now 14 has loved the 13-storey treehouse series of books by Andy Griffiths.

They aren't solid reading they are interspersed with cartoons, jokes and puzzles etc. The next one is due out later this year - the 143 storey treehouse and I will be ordering it for DS although he probably too old for them really. He will finish it in a day but will get a few laughs out of it!

I dont think I'd send 13 storey tree house to a secondary school, but agree it could be worth trying for home reading.

Following. 12yr old in year 8 and had Dane convo today about having a book to read for class. I bought Alex Rider and it went untouched. I don't think he's ever read anything in his life that gripped him so he doesn't see the point. I would love to get him to read an exciting book that you just can't put down. I loved reading books!