June 18, 2025
Educators and parents can agree that getting children to read for pleasure can feel like an uphill battle. Yet, the benefits of reading go far beyond literacy targets and scores; it builds empathy, imagination, and confidence. For many young people, the challenge lies not in the act of reading itself, but in finding the right book.
As we launch the 2025 edition of the What Kids Are Reading report, we’re spotlighting how stories that reflect children’s real-life interests, like football, can be powerful tools to engage even the most reluctant readers. Dan Freedman, bestselling author of the Jamie Johnson series and Unstoppable, knows this better than most. In this blog, we will explore his journey from a boy who struggled with reading to a writer whose books have inspired thousands and share his top tips for helping to engage even the most reluctant of young readers.#
From reluctant reader to bestselling author
Dan’s story begins with a familiar struggle. As a child, he found reading difficult and uninspiring. Books didn’t speak to his interests, and the stories he encountered didn’t feel relevant. Ironically, it was the very thing that once distracted him, football, that would later become the foundation of his literary success.
Before becoming an author, Dan carved out a career in football journalism, interviewing legends like Messi and Ronaldo. But it wasn’t until he began writing fiction that he discovered how his passion for the sport could be a bridge to literacy. His books, grounded in the drama and emotion of football, offer young readers a world they recognise; one filled with ambition, setbacks, and triumphs.
Realism, representation, and what makes a ‘good’ book
Dan admits he once believed that books had to be about dragons or wizards to be considered “proper” stories. But he has since discovered otherwise. Realism, he argues, is just as powerful, if not more so, when it comes to engaging young readers. His stories are rooted in real-life experiences, and that authenticity is what resonates, particularly with boys who might not see themselves in traditional children’s fiction.
The 2025 What Kids are Reading report supports this view. Football as a topic continues to dominate non-fiction reading lists, and authors like Matt Oldfield being ranked highly by Accelerated Reader users proves that stories grounded in reality can be just as compelling as fantasy. It is clear to see that when it comes to young readers, representation matters. Not just in terms of who is in the story, but what the story is about. When children see their interests reflected in books, reading becomes less of a chore and more of a joy.
Top tips for engaging reluctant readers
Drawing on his own journey and years of experience writing for young audiences, Dan offers five practical tips for parents and educators:
- Reflect their interests: Whether it’s football, gaming, or music, tapping into a child’s passions can make reading feel relevant and enjoyable. The What Kids are Reading report is a useful place to find suggestions as it includes tables of the most-read authors based on feedback from over 1 million pupils.
- Keep it real: Offer the opportunity to read about situations they can imagine themselves in. Dan finds that boys, in particular, gravitate towards realistic stories.
- Use personal experiences: Real-life moments add depth and relatability. Dan uses anecdotes from his time in football media to weave reality into his books.
- Short chapters work wonders: For readers who are easily overwhelmed, short chapters provide a sense of progress and keep the momentum going.
- Lead with emotion and action: Stick to the essentials to keep the story moving forward. Dan often starts a book with a strong feeling, such as fear, excitement or hope and builds the story around it. This emotional hook keeps readers turning the pages.
Of course, engaging stories are just one part of the equation. Tools like Renaissance’s Accelerated Reader can play a crucial role in supporting children’s reading journeys. By helping educators monitor independent reading practice and offering personalised recommendations, these tools ensure that even reluctant readers can find books that speak to them and track their progress along the way.
Conclusion – It’s not what they read, but that they read
Dan Freedman doesn’t write with the intention of teaching lessons. Instead, he aims to create stories that stir emotions and compel readers to keep going. For reluctant readers, that’s often all it takes: a story that feels real, a character they can root for, and a world that mirrors their own.
As we celebrate the launch of the WKAR 2025 report, we encourage educators and parents to explore the resources available from Renaissance. From curated book lists to reading tools, there’s a wealth of support to help ease teacher workloads and ensure every child can discover the joy of reading and become a lifelong reader.