Get your kid hooked on books with these fun, fast-paced stories even struggling readers will love.
Every parent or teacher knows a reluctant reader: the kid who’d rather clean their room than crack open a book. Maybe reading feels too hard. Maybe it’s never been fun. Or maybe they’ve started to believe that books are something you “have” to do—not something they get to enjoy.
But even kids who say they don’t like reading still love stories. And that’s our in. If we can lower the barrier to entry and make books feel fun, fast or even easy, reluctant readers can start to build confidence.
So we’ve pulled together this list of stories for struggling readers. And we’re not talking about beginner books here. We’re talking about popular kids’ books that are fast-paced, full of personality and made for kids who want something that feels their age—even if reading hasn’t clicked yet.
Ready to help your kid find their gateway book? Read on for our top picks!
Audiobooks: Let Them Listen First
Sometimes, reading with your ears is the best first step. Audiobooks take the pressure off decoding and let kids enjoy the characters, the drama and the cliffhangers, all without getting stuck on the words. For struggling readers, this can be a huge relief.
Epic has thousands of audiobooks for kids. Keep in mind these are “audio only”—no text or visuals—which is perfect for car rides, quiet time or even winding down at night. And yes, they do count as reading.
Some favorites that keep kids hooked:
Upside Down Magic
Author: Lauren Myracle, Emily Jenkins, Sarah Miynowski
Upside Down Magic is the perfect read for any kid who’s ever marched to the beat of their own drum. Nory’s unpredictable powers land her in a class full of kids with wonderfully quirky magic. As spells misfire and friendships grow, she discovers that being different is actually her greatest strength. Fun, funny and full of heart, this book kicks off a whole series of magical adventures you won’t want to miss!
Wings of Fire #1: The Dragonet Prophecy
Author: Tui T. Sutherland
One of the most popular middle-grade fantasy series of the last decade, Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy kicks off an epic dragon adventure packed with heart, danger and destiny! With five unforgettable dragonets at the center, this action-filled series opener pulls kids into a world of soaring battles, fierce friendships and big questions about who they’re meant to be.
Nancy Drew Diaries: The Stolen Show
Author: Carolyn Keene
One of our favorite mystery books for kids is a fresh take on an old classic. When a pop star’s beloved pet vanishes during a major tour stop, Nancy jumps into action to crack the case—right in the middle of all the backstage chaos. Nancy Drew Diaries: The Stolen Show is a quick-moving story full of twists, teamwork and classic clue-hunting fun. It’s the perfect pick for readers who can’t resist a good puzzle!
Classic Goosebumps #1: Night of the Living Dummy
Author: R.L. Stine
Twins Lindy and Kris find a ventriloquist dummy that starts acting… alive. Slappy’s pranks turn spooky in no time, and the suspense never lets up. It’s creepy, funny and full of surprise twists—perfect for kids who love a good scare (but not too scary!). And the best part? There’s a whole Goosebumps collection on Epic to keep the thrills going.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
Author: Dav Pilkey
George and Harold hypnotize their principal into a tighty-whitey-wearing superhero. Chaos follows. With comic-style action and nonstop laughs, it’s a favorite for kids who think they don’t like books. And if they’re into it? There’s a whole Captain Underpants collection on Epic.
Graphic Novels: Real Reading, Serious Fun
Let’s clear this up: Graphic novels are 100% real reading. In fact, for many kids, they’re the turning point from “I hate books” to “Can I get five more?” The visuals help with context, especially for readers who struggle with big blocks of text. They make reading feel fun and satisfying. And the stories are often layered and emotionally resonant, even in panel form. (We’ve got more on that here if you’re curious: Do Graphic Novels Count as Real Reading?)
Some Epic favorites:
Cat Ninja Tales: Adonis, Robot Dog Ninja
Author: Matthew Cody
Fast, funny, and packed with ninja action, Adonis, Robot Dog Ninja is a hit with kids who say they don’t like reading—until they meet this heroic robo-pup. This one’s part of Cat Ninja Tales—an Epic Originals series with serious fan love. If you’re looking for action-packed stories that hook even the most reluctant readers, this collection delivers!
Bright Family Book 1: Versus the Multiverse
Author: Matthew Cody
One science-loving family gets scattered across wild dimensions—and it’s up to the kids to fix the chaos! With nonstop action, laugh-out-loud moments and a graphic novel format that keeps readers hooked, this Epic Original is a favorite for a reason.
It’s part of the Bright Family series on Epic—seriously fun, seriously readable and perfect for fans of fast-paced graphic novels that feel like play but count as real reading.
Hilda and the Midnight Giant
Author: Luke Pearson
A brave girl, a hidden world, and one very mysterious giant come together in a story full of wonder and adventure. With gorgeous artwork and just the right mix of magic and heart, this graphic novel grabs even the most reluctant readers. It’s part of our Hilda Comics collection—and a total favorite on Epic!
The Complete Big Nate #1
Author: Lincoln Peirce
Middle school gets a major upgrade with Big Nate. The popular graphic novel series is full of epic comebacks, detention-worthy antics and nonstop laughs. It’s a comic-style collection that feels more like fun than reading… which is exactly why kids can’t put it down. There’s a whole Big Nate collection waiting on Epic!
Noodlehead Nightmares
Author: Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss
Noodlehead Nightmares is one of the most popular comics for kids, and for good reason! With their pasta-for-brains logic and totally off-the-wall thinking, the Noodlehead brothers turn everyday moments into hilarious disasters. Noodlehead Nightmares is part comic, part chapter book, and all-out fun—just right for kids who’d rather laugh than read (but end up doing both anyway).
Read-To-Me Books: Follow Along & Build Confidence
Read-To-Me books offer the best of both worlds: your child sees the actual book pages and hears the words read aloud, with the text highlighted so they can follow along. This feature is especially helpful for kids who want to read but get stuck on longer words or complicated sentences. It’s like training wheels, but with dragons or slime!
Some great picks for older kids:
My Pet Slime Book 1
Author: Courtney Sheinmel
What do you get when you mix one creative kid, a science experiment gone gooey, and slime that comes to life? A friendship like no other! My Pet Slime is bursting with charm, laughs and just the right amount of goo. Part of our My Pet Slime Series, it’s a total hit with kids who are ready for chapter books but need a little boost.
The Biggest Names of Video Games
Author: Arie Kaplan
Level up with the legends! The Biggest Names of Video Games dives into the real stories behind the creators who shaped gaming as we know it. From 8-bit beginnings to global fame, this one’s packed with graphic-novel storytelling, behind-the-scenes twists and major “Wait, they made that?” moments. Perfect for gamers who say they’re “not into books”… until they find one about the games they love.
Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior
Author: Cube Kid
Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior is a gaming-inspired book that takes readers straight into a blocky, laugh-out-loud world where one determined villager sets out to become a hero. With diary-style storytelling, epic Minecraft vibes, and tons of heart, it’s a total win for kids who’d rather game than read—until they realize this book feels just like play.
The Substitutes: An Up2U Adventures Action
Author: Kathryn Lay
When the teachers vanish and the substitutes roll in, things get weird quickly. In The Substitutes, a crew of robot stand-ins takes over the classroom, and it’s up to the kids to outsmart them. It’s filled with twists, turns and cliffhangers that keep kids turning the page. The best part? Readers get to choose the ending, which makes reading feel like an action game.
Camp Nowhere Book 1: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Author: Lea Taddonio
Want to keep the “I hate reading” blues at bay? Let’s wrap things up with a book that proves reading can still feel like summer break. Camp Nowhere: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow brings back all the weird, wild and wonderfully gross fun of summer camp, from cursed haircuts to mystery meat to behind every bunk bed. It’s the kind of story that pulls kids in fast—even the ones who swear they don’t like books!
What Really Matters
Every kid deserves to feel like reading is for them.
Whether it’s through an action-packed comic or a slime-filled Read To Me, the goal is the same: help them connect with books. We want kids to feel successful, and to see that reading isn’t something they’re “bad” at.
Pick one of these books, hit play or open a panel, and let their reading adventure begin. You might be surprised by how quickly your reluctant reader turns into a just-one-more-chapter kind of kid.
Try these books for free on Epic, and help your child fall in love with reading, one story at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What are the best books for reluctant readers on Epic?
Epic has over 40,000 kids’ books on every topic imaginable and in a variety of accessible formats. For kids who don’t love to read, we recommend starting with popular audiobooks, like Wings of Fire and Upside Down Magic. Read-To-Me books are another great option, whether it’s the Cat Ninja comic series or chapter books like My Pet Slime. Graphic novels, like Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, are also very popular with reluctant readers.
▶ What are Read-To-Me books on Epic?
Read-to-Me books are some of the best books for early readers, allowing kids to read on their own even if they can’t read yet. They feature human narration and sound effects to bring the story to life, plus the book pages with text highlighting so kids can enjoy the pictures and follow along while they listen. Read-To-Me books have a green audio icon at the bottom-right corner, so you can identify them right away.
▶ What are the best Read-to-Me books on Epic for kids?
Epic has thousands of Read-To-Me Books, from comics to chapter books to nonfiction titles. Cat Ninja Book 1: The Great Hamster Heist, How I Met My Monster and Scribbles and Ink: Out of the Box are some of the most popular Read-To-Me books.
▶ Do graphic novels really help kids learn to read?
Yes! Graphic novels help kids learn to read by making reading fun and accessible for all kids, whether they’re emerging, struggling or advanced. Illustrations give context cues, so kids can follow the story and feel successful even if they stumble on a word. Less text on the page can also help struggling readers feel less overwhelmed. Finally, they give older kids a way in with simpler text paired with more mature themes and humor.
