Books for reluctant readers

Many reluctant readers turn out to be students from what is often deemed “at risk” schools.

Here, survival is the name of the game and students are unlikely to identify with many of the saccharine books on school reading lists. These students enjoy edgy literature.

Most of the books that I will be featuring for the next three weeks are high interest/low reading level books, which means secondary school students will find these books interesting even though the reading level is for a ten-year-old.

Here is part one of my list of favourite books for reluctant readers.

Trash by Andy Mulligan – In an unnamed Third World country, three poor boys who make a living as scavengers in a dumpsite end up discovering a bag with money and an ID.

When the police begin hunting for the bag, the boys realise their discovery is both important and dangerous. Trash is an action-packed mystery with unforgettable characters.

Boost by Kathy Mackel – Savvy, a 6’2”, 13-year-old basketball player seems to be headed for fame, but when she is put on the elite senior basketball team, her natural talent no longer seems to be enough.

Savvy faces a life-changing decision when she begins to question whether or not she should take performance enhancing drugs. This is a novel that will be especially meaningful to athletes.

Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – Anyone who knows US history, knows the importance of Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and third president of the US who wrote the Declaration of Independence. For some time Jefferson’s personal life became a well-guarded secret.

After his wife died, Jefferson had several children with Sally Hemings, a slave on his plantation. Jefferson’s Sons is the story of those children.

This historical novel probes the circumstances of many atrisk children who live without their fathers. Jefferson’s Sons transcends racial boundaries and provides meaningful discussion for many social issues faced by at-risk students.

All the Answers by Kate Messner – On a lighter note, Messner’s novel All the Answers presents both a mystery and a dilemma: If you found a pencil that gave you answers to your questions, would you be better off in life? The pencil can only provide certain types of answers so students learn about different types of questions that deal with facts and opinions. This is a story that explores themes of family, friendship and loyalty.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan – Where do you call home? That is the big question in this novel about Rachel Sheridan, an English girl who has only known Africa as her home. When her parents die in a flu epidemic, Rachel is taken in by neighbours, who try to pass her off as their daughter so that she can ensure the family’s inheritance in England.

This is an unbelievable survival story that deals with the implications of lying.

There are many interesting twists that make this a riveting read.

All of these books are winners.

Even adults will enjoy reading these “hi/lo” readers that help reluctant readers learn to love books. Reading these books will also help students to become better write