School is back in session and the reading lists are out. This year’s Battle of the Books 2024/25 are a great list of middle grade books for 4-8 grades. And while lots of kids love Battle of the Books, I know there are kids that dread this time of year. Cough. My son.
Despite having me as his mother, he doesn’t love to read. He is a reluctant reader in every sense of the word. Reading is torture. He would rather be designing and building (with Lego or cardboard) than sitting still for 30 minutes to read.
Some kids aren’t prewired to love reading and that’s okay. (It guts me but it’s true.)
So how do we find books that they’ll want to read? Well since my son came home with the new Battle of the Books 2024/25 list, he’s been agonizing over the fact that he has to read them. His teacher has challenged his class to read 40 books this school year and most need to come from this list. I figure there are other kids out there with the same issue. So I cultivated the best books to start with on the Battle of the Books 2024/25 list for reluctant readers.
Best Battle of the Books 2024/25 (4-6 Grade) for Reluctant Reader Boys
From the 28 books on the Battle of the Books 2024/25 (4-6 Grade) list, I would start with these books first:
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah Howe
A family’s new pet rabbit might just be a vampire, according to the suspicious family cat and dog.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Quirky and absurd tales unfold in a school that was accidentally built 30 stories high, with each floor bringing new surprises.
Slacker by Gordon Korman
A video game-obsessed boy accidentally starts a club that changes his life and makes him a hero at school.
Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang
A group of kids discover that their mysterious school is hiding secrets that can only be unlocked through coding.
Klawde by Johnny Marciano
An evil alien warlord cat is exiled to Earth and lands in the home of a boy who quickly learns that this isn’t your typical pet.
No Talking by Andrew Clements
A fifth-grade class takes on the ultimate challenge by having a boys vs. girls contest to see who can talk the least.
Then, if you make it through those, have your reluctant reading boy tackle these amazing books:
C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Four siblings stumble into a magical world and join forces with a noble lion to defeat an evil witch and bring peace to the land.
Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux: A small mouse embarks on a big adventure to rescue a princess and prove that even the tiniest creatures can have the biggest hearts.
Sarah Weeks, Save Me a Seat: Two very different boys bond over their struggles with bullies and misunderstandings in their fifth-grade class.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh: A boy goes to great lengths to protect a mistreated dog he secretly rescues from its abusive owner.
Linda Sue Park, The Kite Fighters: Two brothers in 15th-century Korea navigate sibling rivalry and their father’s expectations as they prepare for a royal kite-fighting competition.
Steven Kellogg, Paul Bunyan: The legendary giant lumberjack and his blue ox Babe take on larger-than-life challenges in this humorous retelling of an American folk tale.
Brenda Woods, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach: A boy and his beloved dog navigate the challenges and dangers of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Challenge Book: Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society: A group of gifted children must go undercover at a mysterious institute to thwart a nefarious plot that could threaten the world. This book is so fun and clever but it is a thick book which often discourages reluctant readers. There is a movie series to reward them with when they finish.
Best Battle of the Books 2024/25 (4-6 Grade) for Reluctant Reader Girls
Girls can read across, so they may want to read the list above too. For more girl specific books, I would start with these first:
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
A princess discovers that her family’s castle is alive and has a mind of its own, especially on Tuesdays when it magically changes its rooms.
The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
A girl embarks on a high-seas adventure that could change the fate of her family and her world, navigating treacherous waters and dark secrets.
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
A small mouse embarks on a big adventure to rescue a princess and prove that even the tiniest creatures can have the biggest hearts.
We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey
A human family struggles to fit in on an alien planet that isn’t too thrilled about their arrival.
Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
A girl raised in a 19th-century village discovers it’s actually a modern-day tourist attraction, and she must escape to save her family from a deadly disease.
The Secret School by Avi
In a rural 1920s town, a determined girl takes on the challenge of secretly running her school after their teacher leaves.
If she gets through those, challenge her to read these:
C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Four siblings stumble into a magical world and join forces with a noble lion to defeat an evil witch and bring peace to the land.
Joan Hiatt Harlow, Midnight Rider: During the American Revolution, a young girl and her horse embark on a dangerous mission to deliver a crucial message to the Patriots.
Christina Baker Kline, Orphan Train Girl (Young Readers Edition): A young foster girl discovers the life-changing parallels between her own story and that of an elderly woman who was once an orphan train rider.
Renee Watson, Ways to Make Sunshine: A resourceful and optimistic girl finds creative ways to bring sunshine into her world, even when life gets tough.
Joseph Bruchac, Rez Dogs: A Native American girl finds strength and connection with her culture through the companionship of a loyal dog during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Challenge Book: Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society: A group of gifted children must go undercover at a mysterious institute to thwart a nefarious plot that could threaten the world. This book is so fun and clever but it is a thick book which often discourages reluctant readers. There is a movie series to reward them with when they finish.
Best Battle of the Books 2024/25 (6-8 Grade) for Reluctant Reader Boys
From the Battle of the Books 2024/25 (6-8 Grade) list, I would have them start with these first:
Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
A young apprentice learns the secrets of becoming a Ranger and faces his first daunting challenge in a medieval world. This is my son’s favorite book. The whole series is sooooooo good. Although, my son burned out after book 5. Reluctant readers, man.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Stranded in the wilderness, a boy must rely on his wits and a hatchet to survive and find his way home.
Swindle by Gordon Korman
A group of kids team up to pull off a heist to recover a rare baseball card swindled from one of their friends.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
A runaway boy becomes a legend in a racially divided town, using his extraordinary skills to bring people together. If he likes Maniac Magee, have him read Loser by Spinelli. Sooo good.
The Civil War: Spies, Secret Missions, & Hidden Heroes by Stephanie Bearce
Discover the daring exploits of spies and secret agents who shaped the outcome of the Civil War through courage and cunning.
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
The arrival of the world’s fattest boy in a small Texas town sparks an unforgettable summer of friendship and self-discovery.
Best Battle of the Books 2024/25 (6-8 Grade) for Reluctant Reader Girls
So girls read across genres better than boys. All the books on the reluctant reader boys list will work for your daughter too. But these specific girl books will appeal as well:
Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath
A young girl finds hope and resilience in a quirky seaside town where everything, even life’s hardships, is served with a side of waffles.
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
A boy and a girl recount their shifting feelings for each other as they grow up, offering two sides to every story.
The School Story by Andrew Clements
A determined young girl secretly writes and publishes a novel about her school, revealing the power of perseverance and friendship.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
A wise old oak tree, known for granting wishes, becomes the unlikely ally in a young girl’s quest to save her family from being uprooted.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
The inspiring true story of the African American women mathematicians whose work at NASA helped launch the U.S. space program. Read the book, then watch the movie.
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
A seventh-grade girl learns to embrace her identity and overcome bullying in a world that often judges her by her appearance.
Hope this list helps. Good luck. I’m living it with you. If I can get my son to read five of these books, I’ll count it a win. Let me know which book was your kid’s favorite.