Reluctant readers come in two basic varieties: kids who have good reading skills but don't like to read and kids who are so challenged by reading, they avoid it as much as possible. The following suggestions address the needs of both types of readers.

1) LIGHTEN UP                                                                                                
The number one way to overcome a child's reluctance to read is to choose stories that are light in narrative and strong in action and dialogue. Best of all are fast-moving tales filled with suspense and humor. Kids lose their resistance to reading when they are swept away by a story that makes them laugh with delight and keeps them glued to the page wondering what's going to happen next.

2) AGE-APPROPRIATE CONTENT                                                             
When weak readers are given books suitable for their reading level, the content level is often too low. This causes the child to quickly lose interest in reading. Until the marketplace offers more hi/lo books which meet a child at their reading level while also sustaining their interest, err on the side of choosing books with age-appropriate content.

3) YOU CAN TELL A BOOK BY ITS COVER                                            
The book cover is critical in attracting the interest of a reluctant reader. The cover art needs to be sophisticated and visually stimulating, hinting at the humor and excitement that lies within. Avoid books with covers that seem to "talk down" to your child. 

4) LEAN AND MEAN                                                                                      
The interior book design can make or break your child's willingness to tackle a book. Text pages should be lean, with somewhat larger print, plenty of margin and comfortable spacing between letters and lines. There is nothing less appealing to a reluctant reader than full pages of small, tightly set print.

5) SHORT AND SWEET                                                                         
The presentation of the content is important as well for sustaining the attention of a reluctant reader. Give a child a sense of progress and speed in moving through the book and you engage their interest. Therefore, total page count, as well as individual chapters, paragraphs and sentences, should all be on the shorter side.

6) A PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS                             
Illustrations are desirable because they break up the text while helping to fill gaps in the reader's comprehension. The entertainment value of illustrations should not be overlooked, as they add enjoyment and interest to the reading experience. 

7) OKAY, SO IT'S NOT A BOOK                                                               
While audio books might seem like a cop-out for children struggling with reading, they should be considered for their educational and entertainment value and because they will enable the reluctant reader to keep up with the crowd and perform better in class. Ditto for graphic novels, which tell a story through illustrations and dialogue, making comprehension easy.

If you keep these suggestions in mind when selecting a book for your reluctant reader, you will help optimize your child's reading enjoyment and sense of accomplishment. Every positive experience your child has with reading encourages him to do more reading, and isn't that what it's all about?