If you are looking for books that appeal to reluctant readers, try graphic novels. Graphic novels help reluctant readers gain confidence in their independent reading skills because the images carry part of the meaning. This helps kids love the act of reading and keeps them involved with books as they learn literary skills.

Here is a list of books that we recommend for reluctant readers. We recommend 7 titles for K-2nd graders,  11 titles for 3rd & 4th graders, and 12 titles for 5th & 6th graders for a total of 30 books. This list is compiled by guest blogger Jennifer Loescher a writer who focuses on graphic novels and the parent of an “undiscovered” reader.

Jen’s Graphic Novel Favorites For Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade

1. Owly by Andy Runton (age 4-8) (Very little text)
2. The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale (age 5-8) (Illustrated Chapter Book)
3. Little Robot by Ben Hatke (age 6-9)
4. Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton (age 6-9)
5. The Fantastic Frame by Lin Oliver (age 7-9) (Illustrated Chapter Book)
6. Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires (age 7-10)
7. Baby Mouse by Jennifer & Matthew Holm (age 7-10)

Jen’s Graphic Novel Favorites For Third Grade and Fourth Grade

1. Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi (age 8-12)
2. 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark & Alexis Siegel (age 8-12)
3. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (age 8-12)
4. Phoebe and her Unicorn by Dana Simpson (age 8-12)
5. El Deafo by Cece Bell (age 8-12)
6. Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier (age 8-12)
7. Real Friends by Shannon Hale (age 8-12)
8. The Baby-Sitter’s Club by Raina Telgemeier (age 8-12)
9. Study Hall of Justice by Derek Fridolfs (age 8-12)
10. Bone by Jeff Smith (age 9-12)
11. Smile by Raina Telgemeier (age 9-12)

Jen’s Graphic Novel Favorites For Fifth and Sixth Grade

1. The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan (age 9-12)
2. The Red Pyramid: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan (age 9-12)
3. Tower of Treasure by Scott Chantler (age 9-12)
4. The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks (age 9-12)
5. The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau (age 9-12)
6. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (age 9-12)
7. Compass South by Hope Larson (age 10-12)
8. The Lumberjanes by Stevenson, Ellis, Watters, Allen (age 10-13)
9. Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale (age 10-14)
10. Drama by Raina Telgemeier (age 10-14)
11. A Wrinkle In Time: The Graphic Novel by Hope Larson (age 11-15)
12. Gotham Academy by Fletcher, Archer, Hope (age 12+)

About the Guest Blogger

Jennifer Kay Loescher, @JenniferKayBook, is a licensed Structural Engineer who designed bridges for fifteen years. For many of those years, she was also the mother of an undiscovered reader, until graphic novels sparked a love for reading in her daughter. Jennifer recently graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She teaches a community creative writing class, is an SCBWI Network Rep, and is currently hard at work on her own manuscripts for children, which include both traditional and graphic novel formats of fiction and nonfiction.