How to engage boys in reading: Practical ideas for the classroom

Discover practical ways to engage boys in reading, including graphic novels, comics, classroom activities, reading for pleasure statistics and creative reading ideas for schools.

Reading is one of the most important skills a child can develop, but not every pupil finds it easy to connect with books straight away. For some boys, reading can feel like something they “have to do” rather than something they can enjoy, especially if they have not yet found the right format, genre or character to capture their interest.

Recent research from the National Literacy Trust highlights just how important this issue is. Its Annual Literacy Survey 2024, which gathered responses from more than 76,000 UK children and young people, found that only 1 in 3 children aged 8 to 18 said they enjoy reading in their free time. The same research found that reading enjoyment is at its lowest level in 19 years.

This is a clear reminder that schools, teachers and support staff have an important role to play in helping pupils rediscover reading as something enjoyable, creative and personal.

The good news is that reading does not have to start with a traditional chapter book. For many boys, the way into reading is through humour, action, familiar characters, visual storytelling and the chance to be creative themselves.

In this guide, we explore practical ways teachers, teaching assistants and school staff can help boys engage with reading, build confidence and develop a stronger love of stories.

Why some boys can be reluctant readers

Every child is different, so it is important not to make assumptions. However, some pupils may be less confident with reading because they:

• Find longer books overwhelming.
• Have not yet discovered a story or series they enjoy.
• Prefer visual, practical or interactive learning.
• Worry about reading aloud or getting words wrong.
• See reading as a task rather than a choice.
• Need books that reflect their interests, humour and imagination.

The National Literacy Trust also highlights wider challenges around reading for pleasure. Its research found that more children enjoy reading at school than outside of school, but both figures remain low. This suggests that the classroom can be an important place to help pupils build positive reading habits, especially when schools give children access to a wide range of reading materials.

The key is to make reading feel accessible, enjoyable and relevant. When pupils feel successful, they are more likely to keep going.

Access to books matters

Access to books and varied reading materials can have a significant impact on reading enjoyment. The National Literacy Trust found that 1 in 12 children aged 8 to 18 said they do not have a book of their own at home. This rises to 1 in 8 for disadvantaged children.

Cost pressures can also affect access. According to the same research, 1 in 5 parents said they are buying fewer books for their children due to the cost-of-living crisis. This increases to 1 in 3 among parents who are struggling financially.

This makes school reading spaces, classroom book corners, libraries and carefully chosen reading resources even more important. For some pupils, school may be where they discover the book, comic, graphic novel or character that helps them see reading differently.

Tips to build reading confidence

Use graphic novels to build reading confidence

Graphic novels can be a brilliant way to engage boys in reading. They combine visual storytelling with dialogue, plot, character development and vocabulary, making them ideal for pupils who may feel put off by pages of dense text.

Popular books and characters that boys may enjoy

Choosing the right books can make a huge difference. Many boys respond well to stories that are funny, action-packed, visual or a little bit mischievous.

Some popular options include:

• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
• Marvel comics, including Spider-Man
• The Beano
• The Dandy
• Superhero stories and comic-style adventures.
• Animal rivalry stories, such as a “Bunny vs Monkey” style challenge.
• Funny school-based stories with strong visual elements.

Well-known characters can help pupils feel more confident because they already understand the world of the story. A pupil who enjoys Spider-Man, for example, may be more willing to read a comic or graphic novel because the character feels familiar.

Make your own comic strip activity

One practical way to engage boys in reading is to let them become storytellers themselves. A “make your own comic strip” activity can help pupils explore character, dialogue, sequencing and vocabulary in a fun, low-pressure way.

You could create a simple class comic strip template with:

• Four to six blank panels

• Character asset boxes

• Speech bubbles

• Thought bubbles

• Action words

• A title section

• A beginning, middle and end structure

This gives pupils a clear framework while still allowing them to use their imagination.

Use character assets and speech bubbles

Visual resources can be very helpful, especially for pupils who struggle to start from a blank page.

A class template could include:

• Superhero-style action shapes.

• Speech bubbles.

• Thought bubbles.

• Sound effect boxes such as “BANG!”, “ZOOM!” or “CRASH!”

• Emotion prompts such as angry, excited, confused or surprised.

• Setting options such as jungle, school, playground or outer space.

These assets give pupils a starting point. They can choose, cut out, arrange and write around them, which makes the reading and writing process more interactive.

Link reading to pupils’ interests

One of the most effective ways to engage boys in reading is to connect books with what they already enjoy.

For example:

• If they enjoy superheroes, introduce Marvel comics or Spider-Man stories.

• If they enjoy humour, try Dog Man, Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• If they enjoy football, offer match reports, player biographies or football fiction.

• If they enjoy gaming, explore stories with quests, puzzles or adventure structures.

• If they enjoy drawing, use comic strips and graphic novels.

• If they enjoy facts, offer non-fiction linked to animals, science, sport or history.

Reading does not always have to mean fiction. Magazines, comics, fact files, instructions, reviews and joke books can all help pupils practise reading skills.

The National Literacy Trust also notes that technology can provide a route into reading for some less engaged readers, with more boys, less engaged readers and children from lower-income backgrounds reading fiction on screen. This is a useful reminder that digital reading, when used carefully, can form part of a wider reading culture.

Build reading into classroom discussion

Boys who are reluctant to read silently may still enjoy talking about stories. Discussion can help them build confidence before they approach the text independently.

Try asking questions such as:

• Which character would you choose to be and why?

• What do you think will happen next?

• What would you change about the ending?

• Which panel is the funniest?

• What does the character’s face tell us?

• Which word makes the action feel exciting?

• How would you turn this scene into a comic strip?

These questions encourage comprehension, inference and vocabulary development while keeping the conversation lively and accessible.

Encourage reading without pressure

For some pupils, too much pressure around reading can have the opposite effect. It is important to celebrate progress and create positive reading experiences.

This could include:

• Letting pupils read independently before reading aloud.

• Offering paired reading with a trusted peer or adult.

• Praising effort and curiosity.

• Allowing pupils to re-read favourite books.

• Giving time to browse books without judgment.

• Using short extracts before moving to longer texts.

• Celebrating different types of reading material.

A pupil who reads the same book several times is still building fluency, confidence and enjoyment. Re-reading can be valuable.

Final thoughts: making reading feel enjoyable

Engaging boys in reading is not about limiting them to one type of book. It is about opening the door in a way that feels exciting, accessible and meaningful.

With children’s reading enjoyment at a 19-year low, finding creative and accessible ways to support reading for pleasure matters more than ever. Graphic novels, comics, superheroes, humour and creative activities can all help pupils see reading differently.

Whether it is Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Spider-Man, The Beano, Diary of a Wimpy Kid or a homemade Bunny vs. Monkey comic strip, the right starting point can make all the difference.

When pupils are given choice, encouragement and engaging materials, reading can become something they want to do, not just something they are asked to do.