Guest Author - Jeanne Rutgers

We live in a world that offers a 24 hour cartoon network, and the x-box. That’s some stiff competition for a quiet book. So how do we get kids who don’t want to read to open up a non-assigned book? The answer is simple. Give them something fun.

One of my all time favorite fun to read books is Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. I know there are a lot of people who disapprove of this series. First of all portions of the book are written in comic form. The comics are written and illustrated by the lead characters who are fourth grade students. Contained in the text of the comics are misspellings. Another complaint that parents and educators have about this book is that the adults in book are portrayed in a negative light.

Both of the above concerns are valid. However if I want to get a young boy who hates reading to open a book, I give him Captain Underpants. The series is about two young boys who have created a comic book. They feel that since most superheroes look like they are flying around in their underpants why not create one that actually does fly around in his underpants? That’s how Captain Underpants is born.


One day the principal, Mr. Krupp, confiscates their comic books. The boys use a hypno-ring to get the comics back, and accidentally turn their principal into Captain Underpants. Clad in only his underwear Mr. Krupp, a.k.a. Captain Underpants, fights aliens, talking toilets and the like.
While Captain Underpants will never be classified as literature, the writing is fun and fresh and keeps even the most reluctant reader turning the pages.

When I’m working with a fourth or fifth grade student who “doesn’t like fantasy, and doesn’t like animal stories, or anything boring,” I always recommend Letters from Camp, by Kate Klise. The novel takes place at Camp Happy Harmony, a summer camp for siblings who don’t get along. The camp is run by a group of family singers who promise to teach other feuding siblings the secret of happy family living. The campers quickly learn that the Harmony family isn’t as happy as they appear in their advertisements, and they are covering up some dark secret.


The novel is told entirely in letters and filled with fun illustrations. Students enjoy the outrageous characters and their quirky names. There are a set a fraternal twins, from a Texas cattle ranch, named Brisket and Barbie Q. While the letter format allows for a fast read, this unusual style will provide a challenge for an intermediate reader.

Short chapters and clever illustrations encourage the reluctant reader to give these books a try.

I am a HUGE fan of the Harry Potter books, and I know they turned a lot of non-readers into book worms, but for some struggling readers the size of the Harry Potter books can be very intimidating. It is my hope that I can introduce people to some of the other great books that children love, that aren’t currently on the best seller list.

For more book reviews check out these articles Newbery Honor Books, Mystery Novels for Middle Grade Readers,Edgar Award Winners, Series Favorites