I’m often asked by parents to recommend books for reluctant readers, or for teenagers who have Dyslexia and reading difficulties.

I firmly believe that the right book at the right time will motivate almost any child to read, and if the book is the first in a series, they’ll become hooked.

So just in time for Christmas stockings, here are a few of my absolute favourite book series.

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda

This is a series of fantasy books that will enchant readers as young Rowan becomes an unexpected hero on a dangerous journey to save Rin.

Books include:

1. 1. Rowan of Rin
   2. Rowan and the Travellers
   3. Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
   4. Rowan and the Zebak
   5. Rowan of the Bukshah
   6. Rowan of Rin: The Journey

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

This is a series of fantasy novels with beautiful illustrations by Marc McBride.  Lief, Barda and Jasmin travel the kingdom to find the seven precious stones of the magical Belt of Deltora to recreate its mysterious power and rid their land of the evil Shadow Lord. 

Books include:

1. 1. The Forests of Silence
   2. The Lake of Tears
   3. City of the Rats
   4. The Shifting Sands
   5. Dread Mountain
   6. The Maze of the Beast
   7. The Valley of the Lost
   8. Return to Del

Deltora Quest 2

1. 1. Cavern of Fear
   2. The Isle of Illusion
   3. The Shadowlands

Deltora Quest 3

1. 1. Dragon’s Nest
   2. Shadowgate
   3. Isle of the Dead
   4. The Sister of the South

Tashi by Anna and Barbara Fienberg

Children will adore Tashi’s cheekiness, cleverness, sense of adventure and tall tales.  They’ll also delight in Kim Gamble’s beautiful illustrations and imagine themselves in Tashi’s world.  The language and storylines become more complex as the series progresses, starting with the full-colour picture book Once There was a Boy Called Tashi.

Books include:

1. 1. Tashi
   2. Tashi and the Giants
   3. Tashi and the Ghosts
   4. Tashi and the Genie
   5. Tashi and the Baba Yaga
   6. Tashi and the Demons
   7. Tashi and the Big Stinker
   8. Tashi and the Dancing Shoes
   9. Tashi and the Haunted House
   10. Tashi and the Royal Tomb
   11. Tashi Lost in the City
   12. Tashi and the Forbidden Room
   13. Tashi and the Stolen Bus
   14. Tashi and the Mixed-Up Monster
   15. Tashi and the Phoenix
   16. Tashi and the Golem
   17. Once Tashi Met a Dragon
   18. Tashi and the Wicked Magician

The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

This series shares the adventures of Jack and Annie who discover a magical tree house filled with books.   As they explore the books, they’re whisked away on adventures around the world and throughout history.

Books include:

1. 1. Magic Tree House – 28 books
   2. Magic Tree House: A Merlin Mission – 20 books
   3. Magic Tree House Super Edition
   4. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker – 35 books

 

Happy reading!