The 3-Step Strategy to Hook a Reluctant Reader (Without the Screen-Time Battle)

The 3-Step Strategy to Hook a Reluctant Reader (Without the Screen-Time Battle)

We’ve all been there. You find a "classic" book you loved at their age, hand it to your middle-grader with a smile, and… nothing. It sits on the nightstand collecting dust while the iPad glows until bedtime.

As an author, I’ll let you in on a secret: It’s not that your child hates reading. It’s just that most books are competing with the high-speed, instant-reward world of video games and social media—and they’re losing. To win the battle for their attention, we have to change the game.

Here are three proven strategies to hook even the most reluctant reader.

1. The "15-Minute" Entry Point

Most kids look at a 200-page book and see a mountain they can’t climb. To them, it looks like "work."

The Strategy: Lower the stakes. Tell them they only have to read for 15 minutes. Better yet, find books with short, punchy chapters. When a child can finish a chapter in five minutes, they get an immediate hit of dopamine. Success breeds more success, and before they know it, they’ve read for an hour.

2. Master the "Cliffhanger" Rule

In my house, we use the "Netflix Strategy." You know how you can’t help but watch one more episode because it ends on a massive secret? Books should do the same.

The Strategy: Look for stories with high-stakes endings at the end of every chapter. If you’re reading aloud, stop right at the moment of peak tension. They’ll practically beg you to keep going—or, if they’re old enough, they’ll grab the book and finish it themselves under the covers.

3. Bridge the Gap with "High-Octane" Themes

If your kid loves Minecraft, Fortnite, or outdoor survival shows, don’t force-feed them a slow-paced historical drama. They need "Hi-Lo" books—High Interest, Lower Complexity.

The Strategy: Aim for stories that mirror the energy of their favorite games. Think wilderness survival, narrow escapes, and relatable humor. When a book feels like an action movie, they stop noticing they're "reading" and start experiencing the adventure.

If your child prefers sports over the wilderness, check out my Sports & Competition collection." 

Why I wrote Surviving Summer Camp

Why I Wrote Surviving Summer Camp

I built Surviving Summer Camp specifically for the kids who usually say "reading is boring."

I filled it with short chapters, high-stakes survival, and brothers who can’t stop bickering (even when they’re being chased by a cougar). It’s designed to be the "gateway drug" to a lifelong love of stories.

Thankfully, the reviews agree:

"A Survival Story That Keeps Moving" - Briar's Review

"Once the brothers are lost, the book takes off at full speed. Something is always happening; a new obstacle, a fresh scare, a decision that matters. The pacing is one of this book’s strongest points, if I’m being honest. Middle grade books don’t often feel like bingable reads for adults, and this one had me hooked! Chapters end in ways that make it very hard to put down. Heck, I had to binge it twice just to review it! I didn’t want to stop."

If you’re ready to end the screen-time struggle and get a book into your child’s hands that they’ll actually finish, you can grab the full adventure on Amazon at the link below.

Get the book that turns screen-time into reading-time.

It's available at the Vancouver Public Library - if your library hasn't got it yet, you can request they order it. Support your local library!