What now? How to Help Your Kids through a “Reading Rut”

Have you ever found yourself in a “reading rut"? Finished one book and can’t move on to the next? This can happen to readers of any age, and I am currently in a reading slump right now. Try as I might, I cannot get interested in a book enough to want to read it. This is a common problem that can happen to both readers and non-readers alike. I find it especially difficult for my non-reading children to get out of it. When reading is a struggle to begin with, it can be hard to figure out what to read next after finishing a book or series. Maybe they finished a favorite series and aren’t excited to read anything else. Or maybe reading is just always a struggle. I’ve dealt with both situations as a parent and a librarian, and it can be frustrating in any circumstance.  

Here are some ideas if your child (or yourself!) needs help breaking through a reading slump…

Browse New Books

At the Lawrence Branch, our new books are very easy to browse. Most are facing out so you can check out the covers and see if something sparks your interest. I always suggest this to kids that are having a tough time finding what they want to read. It is okay to judge a book by its cover! Give it a chance and you might find a new favorite!

Read-Alikes!
 
If your child shows interest in a popular series and then finds it hard to move on to something else, it might be helpful to check out read-alikes. These are exactly like they sound – books that are similar to each other. You can find them right in the MCLS catalog. Once you search for a title you like, scroll down and click the “You Might Also Like” tab. This will list other books in our catalog that are alike, as well as similar authors. At the Lawrence Branch we also have a “menu” binder which shows read-alikes for a few popular juvenile series in the library.

 

Focus on a Topic/Genre They Like

If your child is a fan of non-fiction, let them read more non-fiction! I’m a firm believer that if you want your kid to grow up to be a reader, let them read what they want! If my kids want to read only graphic novels for a time period, I am not only fine with it, I encourage it. Any reading is good and I always want to take the pressure off forcing my kids to read something specific. In the summer, I will have my kids alternate between a “fun” book they really want to read and a book required by their school for summer work. 

Or Do the Opposite and Switch it up!

If your child has exhausted their interest in mysteries or fantasy, maybe try something completely different. Switching it up can be fun and might introduce them to a new genre to love.

Try a Reading Challenge

I personally love looking at reading challenges when I feel like I need some guidance and direction in my reading. Reading challenges give you ideas of what type of book to read next. Check out the Mercer County Library 2026 reading challenge! This is great for readers of all ages, and I think it’s fun finding a book to fit each category. 

Read “Windows,” “Sliding Glass Doors,” and “Mirrors”

One of my favorite literary analogies is by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, titled Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors. She describes that books can be “windows” showing views of a world, real or imagined, familiar or strange. They can be “sliding glass doors” where the reader can walk through and become a part of a new world created by the author. They can also be “mirrors” where the reader sees a reflection of their own lives and experiences, basically seeing themselves in the story. I think these categories can be really helpful in switching gears and finding something new when in a reading rut. If your child has mostly read books with characters that represent themselves (“mirrors”), try to change it up and read about something completely different with characters and places that don’t look like them or where they are from (“windows”/“sliding glass doors”). I am a big fan of reading diversely. As a white adult female, I enjoy reading books about people and situations that are different from me and what I have gone through in life. This also goes the other way. If your child is only exposed to books with characters that look nothing like them, it might be a good change to read “mirror” books that show a reflection of themselves. 

Go a Little Crazy (within reason of course!)

I always tell parents to grab a variety of books for their kids. The great thing about the library is you can try them out and see if you like them. If not, no problem! Return them and try something different! You never know what might spark their interest – it could be something completely opposite of what they usually like! Just remember – you have to carry all those books home and back to the library again.

Take a Break

It is totally okay to take a break from reading. Maybe switch from books to magazines or try an audiobook. Anything to make reading fun again. The less pressure a child puts on themselves (or we put on them), the more likely they will be able to get out of that rut and enjoy reading again.

Hopefully these ideas can help your child (or you) break out of a reading slump. If you need more help, please don’t hesitate to ask a librarian at your local branch. We are always here to help!

--Miss Lauren, Lawrence Branch