Top Children's Book Series that Will Help Your Reluctant Reader Love to Read

Reading is often one of the biggest struggles a child will have in school. Often, it isn't a lack of ability, but rather a lack of motivation and enjoyment that keeps a child from reading as much as he should. Boys in particular seem to have a difficult time finding reading material that holds their interest. The nonfiction section of the library is generally where boys (and reluctant readers in general) gravitate, but the content and vocabulary in many of these books are often too difficult for the struggling reader. As a children's librarian, I have found a number of book series and authors that usually grab reluctant readers' attention.

The Bailey School Kids series, by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones. Most of these books are on a third to fourth grade reading level and are 75 to 100 pages long. They center on a group of four friends, two boys and two girls, who attend Bailey School. New adults appear at the school and around the neighborhood on a regular basis, and they always bear a striking resemblance to some legendary monster or creature. The books follow the four kids who set out to prove or disprove the latest monster's existence.

The Hank the Cowdog books, by John R. Erickson. Hank is a dog who is the self-proclaimed "sheriff" of his ranch. The other animals often call on his expertise to clear up various mishaps, often involving cats. These books are mostly on a fourth to fifth grade reading level and are 150-200 pages long.

The Magic Tree House series, by Mary Pope Osbourne. Jack and Annie are a young brother and sister who have found a magical tree house, complete with a library, that can take them back in time to visit various important historical moments and time periods. The books are not only entertaining, but readers also learn important historical facts from Jack and Annie's adventures. Most of the books are on a second to third grade reading level, and are less than one hundred pages long.

The Animal Ark series, by Ben Baglio. Boys and girls alike love stories about animals. These books are generally on a third to fourth grade reading level and are 150-200 pages long.

The Marvin Redpost books, by Louis Sachar. Marvin is a third grader who, with his two best friends Stuart and Kenny, gets into all sorts of harebrained situations and misunderstandings. They are mostly on a second to third grade reading level and are 100-150 pages long.

The Goosebumps books, by R.L. Stine. These books are perfect for third to fourth grade readers who want something spooky. They are just scary and gross enough to intrigue kids without going overboard. They are usually around 200 pages long.

The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner. These books have been around for many years and are still going strong. They center around the four Alden children, who with the help of their grandfather and their dog Watch solve mysteries in their town. The books range from second to fourth grade reading levels and are around 200 pages long.

The preceding series are only a few of the great children's books that are out there in libraries and bookstores. All children have the power to develop a love of reading; it just takes patience and perseverance to find the right reading material for each individual. Your local librarian or bookseller will be happy to offer more suggestions tailored to your child's needs.