Sometimes we want our children to read books that we deem best, but CHOICE is very powerful. Long books can feel overwhelming to kids. Therefore, Novels in Verse and Graphic Novels can become a springboards for reluctant readers. According to Common Sense Media, "Gone are the days when graphic novels were dismissed as comic books. Now recognized as literature, they may be the key to getting some teens hooked on books. They're available in a wide range of genres -- from adventure and fantasy to historical fiction, memoir, and biography -- so certainly there's a graphic novel out there to suit your teen's taste."  Browse some novels in verse and graphic novels recommended by Common Sense Media below.

Many great teen reads have been made into movies. Of course, the book is always best, but watching a movie after reading a book is a great motivator for kids. Encourage them to read the book first, then pop popcorn and watch the movie together.   Or, make a big deal about going to the midnight movie premiere as a family.

Consider getting the Libby app if you have a Johnson County library card.  It's a great way to read free ebooks (and audio books) on any device.  Please note: The home screen of the Libby app features eBooks & eAudio for all ages. However, limiting titles by age can be manually set as a preference. On the home screen, you can select “Guides” for Kids and Teens that filter search results to those age levels temporarily.