Last Updated on September 17, 2020 by Laura
You’ve seen it before. A reluctant reader finds a book series they connect with and they won’t stop until they’ve read them all! It’s like magic – one day a non reader, the next day they’re hooked. The challenge is always to help our elementary students find those kids’ book series they will connect with. I’ve got some ideas for you!
First Chapter Fun
I’ve read about several teachers and librarians who have “First Chapter Friday.” They read the first chapter from a new book each week to introduce their students to books they haven’t read yet. This is a fantastic way to pique their interest and build some excitement around good reads.
This year I’m visiting small schools in my county once or twice a month for library instruction. I plan to choose a book from one of the series in my Chapter Book Series Lists resource to read an excerpt from at the end of class.
Kids Book Series Lists
I like to have a binder full of kids’ book series lists on the circulation counter in my school library. Students can look inside to find the title of the next book in their favorite series. Or they can browse the book series binder to find an idea for a new book series to try. I also like to use this resource digitally by having a copy of the pdf file on an iPad. Students can easily scroll through to read the books series lists.
Make a Book Display
Highlight a different series each week by creating a simple display with all of the books in that series. These books will be easily accessible and for students to take a look inside, read the blurb, and maybe try out a book series that is new to them.
Give them a Bookmark!
My elementary students always loved to take a bookmark with them when they left the library. I created some kids book series bookmarks and printed them on bright card stock to put in my bookmark basket.
Kids can take one from their favorite series and check off each book as they finish reading it. The quotes on the reverse side may spark an interest in a new series too!
Hook Your Students on New Books
Highlighting kids’ book series in your elementary library might be just the thing to help a reluctant reader get hooked on reading. Reading excerpts, giving them access to book series lists, creating book displays, and giving them book series bookmarks are great ways to help develop a lifelong love of reading in your elementary students.
Happy Reading!
Be the light!
Thank you Laura for sharing some creative ideas to encourage reading!
I love the book series bookmarks. Such a great idea to keep readers looking for more.
You’re welcome, Fran! I’m glad you found the ideas helpful!
Hi Laura!
This is amazing! I can see so many great strategies here that can be so easily adjusted to meet the needs of all different levels. As someone who can’t get enough of a series once I have started, I would have loved any of these strategies when I was in elementary school. I especially love the series bookmarks. What a fun a creative way to inspire reading in students. You have provided some great ideas to give kids easy access to what they are looking for and some great ideas for how to get kids interested in all different kinds of books.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for visiting the blog, and for your encouragement!
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for this post! I also want to inspire a life-long love of reading in my students! You have provided so many great tips and tricks to encourage students to read. As someone who loves book series and cannot get enough once I have started, I particularly like the series bookmarks you have created. I am curious of your strategies for younger students on how to encourage reading when they cannot read things like bookmarks? I work with kids in kindergarten and grade 1 and I find some students have difficulty finding books they like. Thank you for sharing this!
Hi Kelli!
I always have lots of books on display that my young students may be interested in. I also show them on the shelves where I’ve found the book I’m reading to them. They do need lots of help when choosing books they want, but they learn quickly!
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for sharing various ways to engage reluctant readers to promote culture of reading in the Library. I teach primary students and I am searching for ways to promote the love of reading in students. In my classroom library, I have some of the popular chapter book series and students love them, even my reluctant readers. Once they are hooked, they always look forward to reading the next book of the series. I cannot wait to use your bookmark idea in my classroom. Some students will enjoy checking off the books they’ve read. I also love the First Chapter Fun idea! Would you recommend displaying the books after reading them or adding those books in a special collection where students can find?
Hi Jennifer, I think a book display is perfect for this. Often someone will snatch it up after hearing the excerpt, so this is also a great time to teach your students how to place a hold for the book in your system.