Maybe your kid is a reluctant reader. I get it. Screen time is strong. But try Holes by Louis Sachar. It’s like three stories in one, all cleverly linked. A boy is sent to a weird camp where they dig holes in the desert. There’s a curse. There’s “kissing” (it’s not romantic, it’s a story). It’s dark, funny, and perfectly weird.
The chapters are short. The payoff is huge. And the movie is actually good, so you can do a book-and-movie night. Popcorn included. You’re welcome.
A Final, Gentle Nudge
Don’t force it. The best thing you can do is leave these books lying around. On the coffee table. In the bathroom. In the car. Let them discover the book. A book chosen is a book loved ten times more than a book assigned.
Also, read the same book yourself. Then you can have a secret club. “Hey, can you believe what Percy did?!” That connection? That’s the real magic. Those conversations become the best part of your week. I promise.
So go ahead. Add a few of these to your cart. Your 12-year-old might not say thank you. But one day, they’ll be 30, and they’ll mention that book you gave them. And you’ll smile, knowing you handed them a world.
