How to get your kids to want to read: reading tips by age

I started Midsummer Books because I believe reading enriches our lives, and that building a really strong reading foundation begins in childhood. I also believe reading should feel like a doorway, not a chore list. But if you’ve ever tried to convince a 10-year-old to turn off the iPad in favor of a paperback, you know it’s not always easy. The good news? You don’t have to force it. You just have to meet them where they are.

Here’s a few ways to spark a love of reading, age by age:

Early Readers

At this age, books should feel like magic. Build a cozy reading nook, put silly stories in unexpected places, and don’t stress about reading levels. Let them choose. Wordless picture books? Graphic early readers? Phonics-heavy goofball tales? Yes to all.

Quick Tips to make reading easier:

• Keep books visible and everywhere – Baskets in every room!

• Let them “read” to others, even if they’re memorizing or making it up

• Act out books with toys or voices

• Use audiobooks to build story stamina and imagination

• Mix it up with silly nonfiction, rhyming books, or early comics

Still struggling? Try audio books at bathtime, on roadtrips, and during quiet play- let them get lost in the worlds and they will keep coming back for more.

Great reads for early readers

• “King & Kayla” series by Dori Hillestad Butler – Early mystery with a lovable dog and gentle problem-solving

• “Yasmin” series by Saadia Faruqi – A vibrant, relatable young Pakistani-American heroine

• “Elephant & Piggie” by Mo Willems – Hilarious and expressive—perfect for early readers and read-alouds

• “Princess in Black” series by Shannon Hale – A princess with a secret monster-fighting identity!

• “Bunbun & Bonbon” by Jess Keating – Adorable, snack-filled graphic novel adventures

• “The Chicken Squad” by Doreen Cronin – Mini-mysteries with big laughs

• “Narwhal and Jelly” by Ben Clanton – A friendship-focused graphic series with humor and sea life facts

Middle Grade (8–12)

This is the golden age of reading, where they really start to see themselves in characters and other worlds. The trick is hooking them. One quick way to do this is lean into series. Also mind their genre preferences. Fantasy, mystery, funny school stories, whatever they’re into, go deep, there are tons of options for all tastes out there.

Quick tips for middle grade reading:

• Follow their obsessions (dragons, sports, fairies, etc.)

• Celebrate reading milestones with bookmarks, related reading treats or reading parties

• Build a series shelf—it’s more likely they’ll pick up book #2 on their own

• Try graphic novels or hybrids to bridge reading levels

• Let them stay up late to read “secretly.” It builds identity around books

Great reads for middle grade readers

• "The Nocturnals" series by Tracey Hecht – Mystery, animals, and nighttime adventures

• "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart – For puzzle-solvers and thinkers

• “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown – Philosophical and adventurous, with heart and eco-themes.

• “New Kid” by Jerry Craft – Graphic novel about race, class, and fitting in, with humor and heart.

• “The Last Kids on Earth” by Max Brallier – A goofy, gross-out survival comedy perfect for reluctant readers.

  
  

Tweens and Teens (12+)

Teens don’t want to be told what to read—but they do want stories that feel real. Offer books that align with their emotional landscape: smart, intense, funny, or beautifully weird. Graphic novels, verse, or fanfic-style storytelling are great ways in.

Quick tips:

• Match their moods and identity—romance, mystery, emotional realism, or sci-fi

• Offer books with characters like them (or unlike them)

• Introduce verse novels or “gateway” reads like thrillers

• Start a small book swap with friends

• Let them explore dark, deep, or edgy themes in a safe space (books!)

Great reads for teens:

• "“Scythe” by Neal Shusterman – Philosophical sci-fi with gripping stakes and sharp commentary

• “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han – Romance, identity, and those messy summer feels

• “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds – A gripping novel-in-verse set over 60 seconds of a powerful elevator ride

• “Iron Widow” by Xiran Jay Zhao – Feminist, queer, mecha-fueled revenge fantasy rooted in Chinese mythology

• “I Must Betray You” by Ruta Sepetys – Eastern European historical fiction that feels like a thriller

• “Legend” series by Marie Lu – Dystopia with dual POVs, political intrigue, and fast-paced action

• “Not If I Save You First” by Ally Carter – Romance + survival in snowy Alaska with spy-novel energy

• “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera – Bittersweet and beautiful—contemporary with a speculative twist

• “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – A twisty, high-stakes puzzle mystery.

• “Piecing Me Together” by Renée Watson – A powerful exploration of race, class, and finding your voice

Final Thoughts: Let them quit a book. Let them re-read a favorite ten times. Let them read books you don’t totally get. When kids choose what they read, they build confidence—and joy.

Many of these titles are also available this Friday at our Pop-up at 1219 Frankford Ave from 11-7PM!

Want help finding the right fit? Drop us a DM. We’re always happy to match a reader with their next favorite story.

And, while we are still only operating as a pop-up, you can always support the future brick and mortar and shop any and all of these titles on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/midsummer