From Screens to Stories: Rekindling Kids’ Love of Reading

Oct 15, 2025

Like most parents, you’ve probably observed that your tween or teen daughter gravitates towards screens and social media, rather than traditional books and narrative stories. If that’s something you’ve noticed, you’re not alone.

According to data from the National Literacy Trust, reading enjoyment among young people ages 5-18 is at its lowest level in twenty years. This information comes from their Annual Literacy Survey, which asks more than 114,000 young people about their reading habits, frequency, and motivations.

They also found:

  • Only 18.7% of 8- to 18-year-olds say they read daily in their free time
  • Daily reading levels have decreased 20% since 2005
  • Girls continue to out-read boys, with the gap widening a further 6.2% this year – the most significant jump in the last 3 years

While these findings may be frightening, particularly if you are a reader or come from a family of readers yourself, focusing on what we can influence is more helpful than dwelling on the negative.

How to Get Our Kids Reading Again

Creating fun, positive associations with reading, instead of positioning it as an alternative to social media and screen time, is crucial for helping our children view it as a fun option for their free time, rather than a chore they must check off a list.

Here are some ideas that the researchers from the National Literacy Trust found helpful in encouraging young people to read.

Help your child find reading materials that match their interests

According to the survey, 2 in 5 children were more motivated to read when they found reading materials that lined up with their hobbies and interests or connected to a film or TV show they enjoyed. Whether your child reads DIY books, explores the source material for a favourite TV show, or finds a story where their hobby plays a central role, there’s no bad choice when it comes to reading.

Help them pick out books with appealing covers or titles

Appealing covers and titles were cited as a reason they chose a book by more than 30% of young people surveyed. Visiting a library or browsing online with your child can help you learn what they like, allowing you to offer better recommendations for what they might enjoy next.

Go to a bookstore or library in person and let them pick their choice of book

While only 36% of consumers say that they prefer buying books from a bookstore over an online retailer, there’s still something special about going into a brick-and-mortar location. For kids, it’s a great way to let them explore the options out there. 1 in 4 survey respondents said that they valued having this freedom, and it helped encourage them to read.

Our Favourite Books by Age

Letting your children pick their own books is always going to be more motivating. However, that doesn’t mean that as parents and carers we can’t offer suggestions! Here are some of our favourite books that may appeal to the young people in your life.

Ages 9-10

  • Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: A clever twist on the Cinderella story, this book is perfect for girls who love strong, funny heroines and a bit of magic.
  • The Harry Potter Series (the early books for this age) by J.K. Rowling: These are great for readers ready to dive into a richly imagined world of friendship, bravery, and adventure.
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: A timeless fantasy classic about courage, cleverness, and unexpected journeys – plus, it’s a great stepping stone into the larger world of The Lord of the Rings.

Ages 11-12

  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan: Fast-paced and funny, this series introduces readers to Greek mythology through the eyes of Percy, a modern boy who discovers he’s the son of a Greek god.
  • Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones: A whimsical fantasy tale full of magic, mystery, and unexpected friendships, later made into a delightful anime movie by Hayao Miyazaki.
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan: This beautiful story, set in the Great Depression, is great for readers who are ready for a bit more depth and real-world themes.

Ages 13-14

  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Most girls will already know of this from the movies, but the books are fast-paced and energetic reads.
  • I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter: The first in a six-part series on a school for genius girls.
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth: The gripping dystopian sci-fi tale of a girl whose differences threaten to define her life.
  • The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman: The first in a beautiful three-part fantasy series that explores new worlds hidden in plain sight.

Helping You Make Reading Fun Again

At the end of the day, what matters most isn’t how many pages our kids read – it’s that they want to read at all. Building that love of reading starts with curiosity, connection, and a sense of choice. When that’s in place, and the pressure on them is off, it’s easier to develop a love of reading that’s long-term, sustainable, and meaningful for them.

Have questions about how to get started? I’d love to help.