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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Reading book recommendations for dyslexic reader

12 replies

cakedup · 10/02/2015 20:56

DS is 9, year 5. He is dyslexic and is about a couple of years behind in reading skills than his peers.

It's a problem finding good books for him to read because they're either too 'babyish' and boring, or too difficult.

We were fortunate enough to borrow The Talisman series, which he could read but the story content was more to his age level. I've seen other similar books targeted at 'reluctant readers' like on here but they are SO expensive!

Anyone know of any cheaper options, or any charity/organisation that we could borrow these books from? I've already checked at our local library.

OP posts:
scaevola · 10/02/2015 22:59

Books published by Barrington Stoke have an excellent reputation (good storylines for the older reader, but with an accessible level of actual writing).

Also the Hank Zipzer books by The Fonz Henry Winkler were written with similar aim, and now there's a TV series will look like mainstream reading.

My dyslexic DC loved the How To Train Your Dragon books and the Percy Jackson series, and seeing as they are still pretty reluctant to read for fun it was quite noticeabke they were happy with those ones.

springalong · 10/02/2015 23:23

Sorry similar age etc but DS is very severely dyslexic so not really reading at all.

Original poster
cakedup · 11/02/2015 11:43

Ooh thank you scaevola, Barrington Stoke look good, will have a look at that properly later.

I read the Hank Zipzer books to DS, he would find it too difficult to read himself. DS loves the tv series too, honestly the books/series have truly been a blessing (I fancied the Fonz all over again). As part of my degree course, I visited some schools to promote dyslexia awareness and wrote to Henry Winkler's publishing company to ask if they could send me some free books to give to schools - and they sent us a large bundle, very nice of them.

The Train Your Dragon and Percy Jackson books look too difficult too. However, it might be worth getting something on that level and then reading the page first and letting DS read after (as he finds it loads easier once I've read it and can memorise quite a bit).

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mary21 · 11/02/2015 13:05

the Alex rider series by Anthony Horowitz are available as graphic novels. Might be worth a look.
My Sons enjoyed The man who wore all his clothes series by allan ahlberg. Cinderboy by Laurence Anholt . fairly easy silly books

gardenfeature · 11/02/2015 19:24

The only books my dyslexic DS has ever read and enjoyed are Diary of Wimpy Kid and Beast Quests. I've tried everything! He is 14 now and loves Manga graphic novels. Audio books are a good idea too. He will happily listen to adult audio books.

Original poster
cakedup · 12/02/2015 10:44

mary21 the Alex rider series are too difficult but Allan Ahlberg series and the Seriously Silly Stories look great, thank you!

gardenfeature the Wimpy Kid and Best Quests are still too advanced for DS. Audio books are great (I am his own personal bedtime audio book!) but this is more about reading practice. Does your DS read comics? Quite common for dyslexic kids to enjoy comics, and words are words after all. DS loves The Phoenix Presents series
The main thing is that they are interested and want to read, which as you know, can be a challenge for dyslexic children. I am so annoyed with DS' teacher because when they visit the school library once a week, every other child is allowed to choose their own book except for DS. The teacher chooses a book for DS, which is normally a 'babyish' book much to DS' dismay and embarrassment. And so now, he dreads library days at school, so well done DS' teacher. (Obviously I will be speaking to him about this).

OP posts:
gardenfeature · 12/02/2015 19:38

I've just thought of another book... Captain Underpants - he loved those. But that's it. I tried comics but didn't have much luck. The challenge was finding something easy to read that was also challenging. I started a thread a while back in Education about non-reading kids and got loads of replies from Mums with successful non-reading DC's so I am trying not to fret too much. He loves the Manga books but he can read one very quickly so it can become expensive.

Original poster
cakedup · 13/02/2015 12:11

Ah yes, will have a look at Captain Underpants, I used to read those to him last year. Do you have a link to that thread gardenfeature?
And yes I know what you mean, I've always borrowed books from the library, or got them in charity shops, hand me downs etc. Paying full price for a book your ds is only going to read once is expensive.

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Original poster
cakedup · 13/02/2015 21:10

Ah bless you gardenfeature Flowers

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Picasso31 · 25/02/2015 20:59

Try MichaelMorpurgo books. These were the only ones my dyslexic DC ever really enjoyed. Grown up themes ( he has books for whole age range) but language simple. Be warned most will make you cry at some point. Butterfly Lion is a great start, reading age 8 ish but story was fab as an adult too!

Firsttheyignoreyou · 28/02/2015 13:57

We are total graphic novel fans, here. You would be amazed what exists in this format. Never mind the kids, I finally finished "The Hobbit". I still read to them, - both my DSs have "read" Eoin Colfer, Antony Horowitz, DC comics, various classics, Charlie Higson and some Neil Gaiman (others were too scary). They read Manga independently, with me occasionally dipping in to keep them motivated.

I second "Captain Underpants" - funny, entertaining, and accessible.

In the past, we have have subscribed to both "The Phoenix" and "First News" - loved them.

One of mine loves Shaun Tan, too.

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