Books for a 10 year boy who doesn’t really love reading

[Jonsa]

I am hoping to find a book or author that sparks his interest, so he picks up a book himself, without me having to ask.
He is an average reader, and I am looking for books that will slightly challenge him but won’t discourage him, due to complexity.

what is he into? My brothers weren’t a fan of reading fiction but they enjoyed football autobiographies and reading cookbooks.

What kind of things does he like? My 11 year old has enjoyed Adventures on Trains, Percy Jackson and Murder Most Unladylike recently - all series with several books that have kept him going for a while. He didn't really get into Tom Gates or Diary of a Wimpy Kid but they seem popular with children of that age.

DS at 7-11 loved funny books. He started with Horrid Henry and then Diary of a Wimpy kid and Tom Gates.

If you read them to him or play a few audiobooks in the car it might get him into the characters.

Get him a comic style book first. Maybe a joke book. Very light reading books so it’s not so intense.

If you take him to do the food shop in big stores there is always a book section - encourage him to get one regularly.

Have you tried graphic novels or nonfiction books?

Oh and Beast Quest

Treehouse books maybe

Don't be put off by him reading books you might consider below his reading age, reading is reading. Also read to him too, let him see the page so he can see read along with you. I tended to cover the rest of the page to stop their eyes skipping down to see what was happening next. It can help with cadence and tone and even if you aren't enjoying it, be really enthusiastic.

Hugely popular in schools, Tom Gates, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Beast Quest, any David Walliams, graphic novels.

If your ds likes football then I recommend the Football academy books by Tom Palmer. My ds loved them at that age.

If you want to get him into reading I wouldn't worry about challenging him yet, just find him some that engage for now. Diary of a wimpy kid, tom gates, David walliams, tom fletcher and beast quest were all devoured by my son. Once he's reading, then branch out a bit more into things that push him a little. Non fiction might be more his thing as well

What about a weekly subscription to the beano?

There’s a series of books for reluctant readers of that age called super-readable rollercoasters. Basically designed to be real cliff hangers so you devour them. DS loved a few of them, Dark Peak especially
https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/rollercoasters-ks3/super-readable-rollercoasters/?region=uk

I would start with InvestiGators. They seem to love that at this age - quite funny (well 10 year old humour) and it's a graphic novel so not overwhelming with text

He liked DogMan. Wimpy Kid books and technology stuff and non fiction stuff.

The "Middle School Get Me Out of Here" series by James Patterson is similar ish to Wimpy Kid but a bit more of a better story.
The Tom Gates by Liz Pinchen books are good too.
If he likes Dogman then graphic novels/comics will be good. You can get a lot of classic novels in graphic novel form (Usborne do some).
You could get the Phoenix Comic (available at most WHSmith) which will give him a variety of stories - some of which have spin off books available.

Percy Jackson
Alex Rider
Artimis Fowl
Young James Bond

Bunny vs Monkey.

My almost 12 year old still loves these books.

any of the Phoenix presents books really. Evil emperor penguin, gorebrah. Mega robo bros.

Working across schools I've seen many pupils ( mainly boys) become readers, through graphic novels.

One little chap talked about how he hated reading, had found graphic novels, built his interest and confidence and was so proud of himself that he could now choose Marcus Rashford’s book.

A success!

Amulet series of graphic novels popular with Y5/6
Subscription to The Phoenix

This is really good advice. I'd also add DogMan and Captain Underpants.

That said, my youngest is obsessed with facts and absolutely loves reading The Guinness Book of World Records!!!

These might be slightly young but my DS10 nearly 11 still re-reads them!

Dogman
Treehouse series
Diary of a wimpy kid
Cat kid
Tom Gates
Mr Penguin series
Bunny vs monkey

Others that are for his age that he loves:

Who let the Gods out
Pages and Co
Percy Jackson and the lightning thief

Agents of suit
Agent Asha
Which way to anywhere

My son loved the Planet Omar books.

My son was a bit stuck too but got going again with The Explorer. I read it to him and was absolutely riveted too. She’s written more books since which are also good.

Half price today on Amazon if you use Amazon. amzn.to/4bEtEmg

Harry Potter. Without illustrations. He won’t be able to not read after it!

I used to have audiobooks on the go in the car once I stopped reading to the DC. He needs to see you and his DF reading for pleasure also. It really doesn't matter what he reads so don't worry about the level just give him opportunities.
Two of my DC became readers in their teens and one has never read for pleasure which to me is a shame.
DC3 only used to read non fiction at that age ; chiefly funny books or biographies of people he admired . He did read the obvious popular books to keep up with his friends which were Beast Quest, Cherub , Alex Rider at that time but for his own pleasure he went elsewhere.
You could make going to the library a routine with you choosing for yourself and him choosing for himself ...it's often a question of modelling reading being a normal regular activity. Having said that, as above, I o nly managed to get two of mine loving books .