Engaging Reluctant Readers
Tired of the nightly reading battles? Struggling to get your child to open a book because they refuse to read at all costs? Maybe they can read but just don’t want to, or perhaps they struggle with the basics, making reading feel frustrating and exhausting. Or maybe books just can’t compete with screens, sports, or other distractions. No matter the reason, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not failing as a parent.
Welcome to Engaging Reluctant Readers—the podcast for book-loving moms raising reluctant readers. Hosted by Ellen Westbrook, a Literacy Coach (and recovering reluctant reader herself!), this show is here to help you transform your child’s reading journey from dread to must-be read and rediscover family reading fun along the way.
As a mom of two high-energy boys with a degree in Elementary Education, Ellen gets it—the frustration, the worry, and the endless search for ways to make books click for your child. She’s here to bridge the gap between your love of reading and your kiddo’s resistance, helping you understand why they struggle and, more importantly, what actually works.
You won’t find complicated reading strategies or one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, Ellen shares real-life strategies that fit into your busy days and make reading feel fun instead of forced. From creative ways to build stamina, confidence, and reading skills to strategies that make books more engaging and spark a genuine love of reading, every episode is designed to help you make real progress—without the fights, tears, or frustration.
Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with actionable tips, and released every Thursday—so you can get quick wins without adding more to your already-full plate.
Because reading should feel fun, not like a chore—and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode, and let’s rediscover family reading fun—together!
Engaging Reluctant Readers
Binge-Worthy Book Series Your Reluctant Reader Will Love
Tired of hunting down the “perfect” book only for your child to lose interest after chapter one? You’re not alone. When reading feels like a chore—for both you and your child—it’s easy to get stuck in a frustrating loop. But here’s the good news: you don’t need endless new titles to keep them hooked.
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how book series can be a game-changer for reluctant and struggling readers. You’ll discover how the right series builds confidence, cuts down on reading resistance, and makes family reading time smoother and more enjoyable.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why book series simplify reading routines and build reading momentum
- How to use series to reduce resistance and decision fatigue
- Practical tips for choosing and introducing a series your child will love
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
- [00:00:55] Why series are ideal for reluctant readers (familiarity, momentum, and fewer choices)
- [00:01:36] Real-life example: how a series supports bedtime reading routines
- [00:02:41] How to use mini goals to challenge them
- [00:03:48] Recommended series for Kindergarten–1st Grade
- [00:05:54] Recommended series for 2nd–3rd Grade
- [00:07:24] Recommended series for 4th–6th Grade
- [00:08:31] A one-series reading challenge to build consistent reading habits
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/07/17/why-book-series-work/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/IjCLsfnmH8g
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Binge-Worthy Book List to help your child discover engaging, can’t-put-it-down series from kindergarten through sixth grade.
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/bingeworthybooks
🎧Love the podcast? Hit the 5⭐to leave a rating & review!
It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
Follow on Instagram
Follow the Facebook Page
Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)
Follow on Pinterest
Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel
✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!
[00:00:00] Welcome to the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast. I'm Ellen Westbrook, your host and Recovering Reluctant Reader. Together, we'll tackle reading roadblocks with personalized strategies and out of the box ideas, all while rediscovering the joy of family reading fun. Ready to transform your child's view of reading from dread to must be read?
Let's dive into today's episode.
Just a heads up, I wanted to let you know that each episode comes with a full blog post packed with extra tips and resources, so just check the episode description below for the link.
If your kid's been stuck in a reading rut or you're just tired of having to hunt down that next perfect book every single time, they might not actually need another new story. What they might need is to step into a series. Seriously, series can be a total game changer for reluctant readers. Today I'm walking you through why book series are one of the most powerful tools you can use and exactly how to make them work for your child.
[00:00:55]Here's why book series hit different. First, familiarity when kids already know the characters, the style and pace. There's way less resistance to picking up the next book. Once they finish book one, they wanna know what happens in book two and suddenly reading starts fueling itself. Plus fewer choices means less overwhelm, no more endless browsing through shelves or scrolling through websites. You've got a series ready to roll, and that's a gift for both of you. Plus each book they finish is a confidence boost. They start seeing themselves as readers who complete things, and that builds real momentum.
Series also brings structure through uncertainty. Even if your days are all over the place, a series gives your child something familiar to return to, that sort of consistency, helps anchor their reading habit. Success builds on success.
[00:01:36]Take JD for example. We're powering our way through the second Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus, and because we're both dying to know what happens next, it keeps our bedtime routine on track, no matter whether we've had a chill day or a busy one. And it keeps us moving forward through the bedtime routine because we've got the next chapter or two, okay, sometimes three to look forward to. There's no wasting time trying to find something to read, no pulling teeth to get him involved in the bedtime reading, or worse forgoing bedtime reading altogether because there's "nothing to read." There's an entire series for us to enjoy, the path is clear and it's just smooth sailing ahead.
So you've picked a series. Now what? Keep it low pressure. Just read book one if they enjoy it, slide into book two. No drama, no big choices, just smooth transitions. If you need help figuring out the best series to start with, I've got you covered. Be sure to grab the Binge-Worthy Book List (the link is in the description) it has over 30 recommended book series to try broken down by grade level.
Okay, once you've found a series that works, try anchoring reading time around the series. Say something like, "let's read a chapter of Wild Robot before bed tonight." It builds the routine without it feeling forced.
[00:00:41] Now if you wanna take advantage of a series even more, add mini goals. Challenge them, "let's finish three books in two weeks." Watch their excitement build like it's a game. Just make sure your challenge is realistic. For example, Heroes of Olympus is a pretty hefty series. We have to be reading morning, noon, and night to get through three books that quickly. Now don't get me wrong, I'd love to do that, but I have to ask myself, is that really realistic?
Now for those kids intimidated by longer books, here's a pro tip. Pair a physical book with an audiobook or even better set aside time to read with them. Who knows, you might just get as invested as they are in the story like I am with Heroes of Olympus. Sometimes I honestly question if I'm more interested in it than JD, but it helps make reading a non-negotiable for me, even on those long days when the boys have been driving me nuts and I'd rather just call it a night, whether they follow along with the audiobook or cuddle up with you for shared storytime it builds stamina. That combo makes reading easy and fun. And if you still need help picking a series. Episode three is all about finding your child's just right book and branching out from there, so be sure to give it a listen. Once you know their reading level and what interests them, series become your secret weapon.
Okay, let's spotlight a few of my favorites and a couple that were recommended by friends.
[00:03:48] For our early readers, kindergarten through first grade. These books are great for kids just getting the hang of reading. They're short, fun, and full of repetition, that helps build confidence.
First up, you've got Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems. Elephant and Piggie are the dream team of beginner books. They're known for their expressive characters, funny dialogue, and easy to read structure. They're great for building fluency without it feeling like work, and they're sure to make your young reader giggle. You might also know this author from Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus, which is another great series of picture books to check out.
Then there's School of Monsters, which is written by Sally Rippin. This series offers phonics-friendly writing, quirky illustrations, and just enough weird and wacky monster mayhem to keep new readers coming back for more. Both of my boys have absolutely loved them. Not to mention, there's a fun tutorial in the back of each book teaching you how to draw the main character to get your kid even more excited and invested in the characters.
Also by Sally Rippin, you have Billy B. Brown and Hey Jack, they mix everyday adventures with short chapters that gently build confidence. And the best part, Billy and Jack make appearances in each other's series so you can easily jump between the two for double the reading fun. There's also series that follow the characters for older readers if you can't get enough of them. Another added bonus is that Sally Rippin wrote these books and the School of Monsters series with dyslexia in mind, which means there aren't any hyphenated words and sentences don't carry over to the next page, making them much easier to follow. And a fun fact, Sally Rippin's son is dyslexic and she's very passionate about the neurodivergent crowd.
Cat Ninja is another favorite in our house. It's graphic novel meets superhero. It offers fast-paced visuals, funny action, and short scenes that keep reluctant readers hooked. Now, if graphic novels aren't your thing, check out Epic! they have the whole collection with the read-aloud option so your kid can follow along.
Dragon Masters is perfect if they're ready for fantasy with a little adventure. You've heard me mention before that these were early favorites for JD and Hunter's loving them now too. They're still coming out with new books every six months or so, so you can build anticipation, and there's already over 20 books in the series, so there's plenty to keep you busy for a while. They've got slightly longer storylines, but have short illustrated chapters, which makes them an excellent bridge for those getting ready for real chapter books.
[00:05:54] All right. Now let's move into growing readers. I'm talking second and third grade. These books are perfect for kids that are ready to take off with early chapter books. They've got just the right mix of excitement and easy to follow plots.
First up, Magic Treehouse. These books are classics for a reason. You might even recall these books from your own childhood. This series blends time travel, and real-world moments that spark curiosity.
The I Survived series is one I've mentioned a bunch on this podcast. We love it because it brings history to life in fast-paced fictional accounts that even hesitant readers often devour. You also get invested in the characters and you're dying to know how everything pans out, even though the name of the series is a giant spoiler alert, they offer a ton of action with a side of "Wow! That really happened?"
Next, we have The Bad Guys series. These graphic novels are full of humor and snark giving reluctant readers a clever visual boost as they follow a group of not so bad villains that are trying to do good. You might be familiar with them from the movie version. It actually helps when they already have a feel for the characters too.
Unicorn Academy is a super fun series with short accessible chapters. In the series, each student is matched with their very own unicorn. Every book follows a different pair, and the stories are packed with themes like friendship, courage, and that little spark of magic that makes believing in yourself feel totally possible. If your kiddo is into fantasy or anything unicorn related, this series is a must.
And last but not least, Judy Moody. She's got big energy, bold ideas, and she navigates everyday school life in a way that totally clicks with kids this age, especially those that are craving just a little more edge than early chapter books.
[00:07:24] Okay. Now onto the fourth and sixth grade crowd. These are the readers that are a bit more independent and ready to dive into deeper characters and storylines that really stick with them. This is middle grade fiction at its finest, and there are so many binge-worthy series to choose from, but I'll take a moment to just highlight a few.
Wild Robot is a thoughtful, beautifully written series about a robot learning to survive in the wild. This series is great for kids who like a little heart mixed with adventure.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians offers Greek mythology, laugh out loud moments and epic quests. And if your kiddo loves these, Rick Riordan has four other series and some additional add-ons to the Percy Jackson and Olympian series for them to enjoy. So tons of fun ahead.
The Babysitters Club is a timeless throwback that still works. Friendship, entrepreneurship, and all the tween drama, which is still totally relatable today.
Okay, next we have the Mysterious Benedict Society. If your kid loves puzzles, mysteries, and a super smart cast of characters, this one is gold.
And last but not least, Wings of Fire brings you epic dragon battles, rich dragon lore, fantasy and a high stakes narrative that keeps kids turning pages past bedtime.
Alright, that's just a taste of what the binge worthy book list has to offer. So be sure to head to the link in the description to grab yours today.
[00:08:31] And here's my challenge to you.
Pick one series, give it a one to two week test run. Read the first book and build it into your daily rhythm. See if it clicks. If it does, dive into book two and keep going from there. If you can't get traction though, it's time to give another series a try and that's okay. Repeat until you find your just right series.
Series means you're not having to reinvent the wheel every time, they give you and your child a shortcut, a clear path forward that gets easier with every book they finish. It's all about progress, not pressure. One book after another, momentum builds, and that's when reading becomes a habit, not a chore.
Next week we're talking about something a little unexpected, how movies can actually help your child get more excited about books. Yep. You heard me, right? We're leaning into screen time in a good way. I'll share how book to movie pairings can boost confidence, spark interest, and even support reluctant readers who struggle with visualizing stories. Plus, I've got a list of kid approved titles you'll wanna add to your watch and read queue. Don't miss it.
Looking for more details. There's a full blog post with extra tips and resources for each episode. You'll find the link for this week's blog post in the description.
[00:09:34] Thanks so much for tuning into today's episode. If you're loving the engaging Reluctant Readers podcast, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more families find these practical strategies to shift their kids from book resistance to book obsession.
And hey, if you're on the hunt for books your child won't wanna put down, don't miss my brand new Binge-Worthy Book List. I've pulled together some of the most engaging, can't read just one series, for readers from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Whether your kid's just getting started or flying through chapter books, there's something here for every stage. You can grab your free copy at bit.ly/bingeworthybooks and make the next, "I don't know what to read" moment a whole lot easier. By signing up you'll also stay in the loop for future episodes and new reading resources.
Until next time, this is Ellen Westbrook. Wishing you happy reading and a series they can't stop talking about.