How to describe the kind of book DD wants/needs

[AccidentallyFabulous]

DD is 15 with some learning difficulties. In the last couple of years she has moved from picture books for much younger children to what she calls 'chapter books'. However she still struggles with something which is just a wall of text, and although she's happy for me to read to her it's not a nightly habit any more so sometimes the gaps between chapters are too long and she's forgotten what's going on by the time we come back to it.

So really the perfect thing for her is a picture type book which is a bit longer than those for young children, with a bit more text but still lots of illustrations, and themes a bit more grown up but not adult.

She has enjoyed all of Chris Riddell's Ottoline books but doesn't show much interest in the Goth Girl series. She loves El Deafo by CeCe Bell, (also in part because she strongly identifies with the main character who is Deaf). I'm getting her The Bad Guys for Christmas as she enjoyed the film and it is a graphic novel which I think she'll enjoy.

I would love to get her books she'll enjoy and be able to engage with more independently. I have real trouble finding the right kind of thing. El Deafo and Bad Guys are technically graphic novels I think but looking through that section the themes seem much more adult which isn't appropriate for her.

She enjoys adventure and comedy and - as far as I'm aware - has no interest in romance!

Any ideas gratefully received - either in terms of book recommendations or search terms to use when looking for this stuff!

Try searching illustrated chapter books? Would she like the Harry Potter series? They come in a lovely illustrated edition.

If you are close enough, it's worth going into a bookshop to look at books in the flesh (as it were)!
Also ask advice of book sellers.....my daughter liked a certain book, what's like it and so forth......
Some of the slightly older Allan Alhberg ones are fun and might fit the bill....

What about graphic novels?

I agree that going into a physical bookshop is a good idea. It's a shame they're dying out really.

What about Neil Gaiman stuff? I most of them are chapter books and obviously they're all a bit gothy and quirky.

I also really recommend books written in letter/diary entry/email from, as they're so easy to read. The Jacyln Moriarty book 'Feeling Sorry For Celia' is a good one

it's mainly written in fridge notes between the character and her mum, as well as notes between her and a penpal

I love these and have a couple of them

https://minalima.com/shop-minalima/books/

My teen loves the heartstopper books, I believe there's a TV series as well. These are comic based and there's quite a few of them in the series and they are aimed at teens and young adults.

There are some lovely graphic novels written for girls.

Have a look at the Lumberjanes books and Nimona.

I don’t know if the age range would be suitable but my niece loves the Rainbow Gray books. They’re illustrated chapter books.

How about the reader's digest books. They are abridged books so you normally get 4 in the form of one physical book and do have some illustrations.

The shannon trust works with adults who are learning to read, they have books aimed at adults but with simple text, sorry I don't know how well your DD reads.

Have you tried the ladybird versions of classics? Beautiful illustrations, a wide range of stories, and abridged but still good length text. Not sure they are still in print - I have bought them in charity shops.

Has she tried Winie the Witch, or is that too childish? As well as the picture books there are chapter versions with four stories, not linked particularly so it doesn't matter if there is a gap. There are illustrations and we all find them funny, but they might be too young for her.

Our library has a section for adult readers who need extra support with reading - fewer words on the page, shorter chapters etc. Could you go to your nearest big library and ask advice?

The Magic Finger (Roald Dahl) is a short chapter book, with drawings on every other page, if I remember rightly.

Try this one ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smile-Raina-Telgemeier/dp/0545132061/ref=ascdff_0545132061/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310977284312&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6517804776854715685&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045975&hvtargid=pla-432743353379&psc=1&mcid=891d185cc04b38dcbd40fbeb31833877&th=1&psc=1

Sisters from the same author is also good. She has some others but I don't know of they'd be appropriate.

Have a look at the Barrington Stoke website - they’re aimed at readers who struggle with e.g. dyslexia but I think they’d be really appropriate in your DD’s situation. The idea is that they’re shorter books but the themes/reading age is not ‘babyish’. I’d bet you’d find something suitable there.

My reluctant reader loves these graphic novels too.

Neil Gaiman is a good shout - 'fortunately the milk' is a good fun one. Also Hugo Pepper by Paul Stewart is good - a fun adventure set in a fantasy world - it's illustrated (by Chris Riddell so feels similar to Ottline) so not too much text on a page. There are some related ones too if she likes that.

Also - does she listen to audiobooks? They can be a pretty transformative way into reading/books for people who struggle with the physical act of reading.

Also has she read the Princess in Black books? They're aimed at beginner readers but still have lots of pictures and were enjoyable reads...

Mumofoneandone · Today 11:14

If you are close enough, it's worth going into a bookshop to look at books in the flesh (as it were)!

I was going to say exactly this. I've been in to my local Waterstones before and my children have been able to describe the sorts of books they have enjoyed and the store staff have given us brilliant recommendations. They really know their stuff. I do loads of my shopping online but I now prefer buying books in actual bookshops because of how helpful the staff are!

I was going to suggest illustrated Harry Potter and HeartStopper but can see others have beaten me to it.

Waterstones have a section for “dyslexic and reluctant readers” some books from there may work for her? https://www.waterstones.com/dyslexic-and-reluctant-readers

Edit: sorry just scrolled up and saw she had no interest in romance! Probably not HeartStopper then.

From your description you are looking for Horrid Henry type books, but maybe with slightly older themes but not too adult? Dork Diaries?

Rick Riordans’s Percy Jackson series is available in graphic novel form, which is great for reluctant readers and if she likes adventure then it’s got all that…

I was about to suggest the Barrington Stoke books as well. They are a brilliant publishing company and the team are very helpful.

Also, my local library has an entire section of picture books for older readers.

Thank you so much, there are some wonderful suggestions here which I will explore further; I'm really grateful for the time people have put into making suggestions.

I should probably have said (it didn't occur to me until I started reading replies) that part of the issue so far seems to have been that lots of graphic novel type stuff seems to go hand in hand with science fiction themes which I don't think she has much interest in.

It is hard to describe what she needs; she's fifteen, and her reading has come on a lot but it's more than she's not ready for what I would describe as 'adult themes' which her peers might be reading, but she doesn't want to read young children's books either.

We do have physical bookshop locally but I don't get into town very often and when I do she is usually with me!) but I'll make an effort to get there and have a chat with the staff. Thanks for that suggestion!

Yotsuba&! is good!!

DD loved Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson when she was about 10. It's a graphic novel but not sci fi at all. As far as I remember, it's about teenage girl friendships.

If by any chance you ever go near Bath, pop into Mr B's emporium of reading delights. They've got a great selection of graphic novels suitable for teenagers and really really knowledgeable staff who are happy to recommend various different options.