If your tween would rather watch YouTube, beg for “just five more minutes” of gaming, or disappear into the mysterious world of scrolling than open a book, you are definitely not alone. So many parents feel stuck between wanting reading to be a joy, not a battle, and hoping their child will somehow stumble into a book that finally hooks them. 

But before you decide your tween is simply “not a reader,” take a deep breath, grab a cup of something warm, and relax. Reluctant readers aren’t uninterested; they’re just waiting for the right spark. And with a little creativity (and a whole lot of fun), you can turn your screen-loving kid into a book-obsessed one in just 30 days. 

Enter the OUABC Tween Book Subscription Box! It’s the secret weapon parents have been dreaming of: stories that leap off the page, surprise gifts to open as they read, and a whole reading experience that feels more like an adventure than homework. Come on, it’s time to get tweens excited about reading again!

Why Some Tweens Resist Reading

Between school, activities, the magnetic pull of Netflix, and the never-ending universe of TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, it’s no wonder books struggle to compete. And the data agrees: reading for pleasure has dropped sharply as screens have taken over free time.¹  

But that doesn’t mean they don’t want stories. It simply means they need the right ones, delivered in a way that feels fun, fast, and rewarding. Maybe the books they’ve tried felt too long or too slow. Maybe they’re overwhelmed by big blocks of text. Maybe their attention is pulled in twelve different directions at all times. 

Whatever the reason, the solution is simple: meet them where they are. Quick wins, visual elements, audiobooks, and interactive story experiences can make reading feel less like a chore and more like a treat.

The 30-Day Reading Challenge That Actually Works

Daily Routine and Reading Trackers

We love a good routine, especially one that doesn’t feel like a battle. Just 15–20 minutes a day is all it takes to help a tween build confidence and consistency. And because tweens love seeing progress, a simple reading tracker can turn those daily minutes into a satisfying visual victory. They can color it in, check it off, decorate it with stickers, you name it. (Speaking of stickers, make sure to check out our fabulous sticker collector collection. There is even a Reading Passport for tweens!)  

Let’s get to where we sprinkle in that OUABC magic: our boxes give kids a built-in rewards system. They read until the next “Open Your Gift” sticky note, open a surprise, and suddenly reading is less “Ugh, do I have to?” and more “Wait, is it time to open something?!” It’s motivation wrapped in paper, tied with a bow, and disguised as a book.

Quick Reads for Tweens

Shorter books work wonders for reluctant readers. Finishing a book, whether it's 120 pages or 200, gives kids a huge boost of “I can do this.” So choose fast-paced adventure, funny mysteries, magical quests–anything with short chapters and lots of action. 

And if you’re not sure where to start, take a peek at our Tween Ready-to-Ship Boxes. These boxes include highly engaging stories chosen not just because they’re great books, but because they’re perfect for hesitant readers. Shorter chapters, exciting plots, and zero chance of boredom. Confidence levels soar, reading momentum builds, and suddenly your tween feels like a reader.

Audiobooks to Hook Reluctant Readers

Want to know a secret that teachers and librarians love? Audiobooks count as reading! They help kids fall in love with storytelling, build comprehension, and ease them into longer books without stress. It also gives your tween a break from screens without feeling like they’ve been cut off from entertainment. 

There are so many options to choose from, like Hoopla and Libby, which are free options available through your local library. It’s like having your own personal narrator!

Reward Ideas for Reading Challenge

Motivation grows when kids know something fun is waiting at the finish line. Keep reading positive with weekly rewards and simple incentives. 

• Week 1: an extra screen-free treat, like choosing the family movie or picking the pizza toppings. 

• Week 2: a fun new bookmark or bookish accessory. 

• Week 3: a little surprise from the OUABC shop or a special “You’re a Reader!” badge. 

• Week 4: a family reading celebration including hot chocolate, cozy blankets, and lots of chatting about everyone’s favorite moments. 

For even more motivation, introduce the OUABC Tween Reading Passport, which lets kids track all the books they read!

Family Reading Night Ideas

There’s something wonderful about reading together, even if everyone’s reading a different book. And let’s be honest, with our hectic lives, how many times do we actually sit down as a family and just be? 

Pick one night a week (we love Fridays!) and make it a cozy household tradition. Pajamas? Absolutely. Snacks? Definitely! Everyone gathers in the same room, settles into blankets, and spends 20 quiet minutes reading. It shows your tween that reading isn’t just something they should do, it’s something the whole family enjoys. Buddy reads with siblings or friends, also adds that social spark tweens adore. 

Why the OUABC Tween Box Works

Here’s the part we love most. The OUABC Tween Box doesn’t just encourage reading, it transforms it. With interactive gifts linked to key moments in the story, reading becomes a hands-on adventure. Kids turn pages waiting not just for what happens next but for the next unwrapping moment. 

Whether your tween struggles to focus, gets bored easily, or simply doesn’t see themselves as a “reader,” our boxes help them stay engaged from start to finish. It’s reading disguised as fun, and that’s exactly what reluctant readers need.

30 Days Later—What Changes?

By the end of month one, you’ll start noticing little shifts. Your tween might ask to read for a few extra minutes. They’ll celebrate finishing a chapter. They’ll start predicting what might happen next. Vocabulary improves, curiosity grows, and reading stamina gets stronger day by day. 

Most importantly, they begin to see themselves as someone who likes stories. And once that identity clicks into place, everything changes. To keep the momentum, continue the journey with a bi-monthly Tween Subscription Box or a reading journal to track their wins. Because once a tween becomes a reader, the adventure doesn’t stop; it grows.

Ready to Watch the Transformation?

Every reader starts somewhere, and your tween is no exception. With a little encouragement, a sprinkle of creativity, and the right bookish magic, reading becomes something they look forward to, not something they avoid. 

The OUABC Tween Box is designed to turn “I don’t like reading” into “Can I read a little longer?” one surprise gift and a chapter at a time. Give your child the joy of a 30-day reading makeover and watch their confidence and imagination come alive. Explore our Tween Book Subscription Boxes and let the adventure begin.

And if you need extra ideas, be sure to peek at Year-Round Reading Challenges to Keep Kids Engaged and 5 Fun Activities To Develop Your Tween’s Reading Skills.