Online Resources for Book Recommendations
For most students, reading at home is a daily assignment; but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Reading a good book is a fun way for a child to unwind from a busy day and to discover far-off people and places from the comfort of home. Often the daunting part of the reading experience is not the reading itself, but rather the search for books that match both the child’s interests and his or her stage of reading independence. Fortunately, some great online resources can assist parents and children in the hunt for that just-right book.
Parents Choice
The reading section of this valuable media-review website offers a variety of articles and book lists with several geared toward reluctant readers.
Scholastic
An excellent resource for parents on all things reading related, this website is full of useful articles and tips to help you foster a love of reading in your home. On this site, you can also browse book lists in a variety of categories ranging from “Fantasy Fixes for Harry Potter Fans” to “Baseball Books for Beginning Readers.”
Guys Read
Popular children’s author Jon Scieszka started this website with the mission to “help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.” The site has great book suggestions for boys from elementary age up through high school.
Common Sense Media
This website provides book reviews by parents just like you! You can search for a book and view ratings and content warnings, as well as suggested age ranges. Rest at ease knowing what your kids are reading before they read it!
AR (Accelerated Reader) Book Finder
With this search tool, you can look for books by topic, title, or author. They provide a short summary of each book, with information about the AR level and number of AR points assigned to each book.
Education.com
Top nonprofit and university organizations provide book lists, articles, and tips on this website to help you choose books for your children from infancy through high school and beyond into adulthood.
If you prefer a low-tech way to find book recommendations, check out Esme Raji Codell’s How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike. The author, also a schoolteacher and librarian, has created a huge treasury of ideas and book lists to help parents and teachers select titles for all interests. In addition, don’t forget the most reliable source of all for helpful book suggestions—your local school and county librarians.