One of the biggest challenges I have about writing reviews is writing a 250-word review for a book that might not even have 125 words! The Book No One Wants to Read is one of those books. There is hardly any text and what is there is physically large on the page. The only reason it might even come close to 125 words is because there are two pages with just one (well actually two words, but you need to read why that is) repeated over and over and over.
Beth Bacon is back with another book for the reluctant reader. Their first book, I Hate Reading: How to Read When You’d Rather Not, was a bit of a bomb for me. There was something about it that, while I read it in one standing (yes, I literally did not sit down the first time I read it. The second time I skimmed while sitting), there was a lot missing. This time, however, this book is more amusing than the first and filled in where the other was lacking for me. The simplicity is the skeleton holding it together. There is a plot and even some action. Younger readers can appreciate the basic, easy, and large text. Older readers will get the puns.
The book is talking to the reader. No, not in the way books “talk to us” and give us “feels.” But in the way that the book is the narrator breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to us. They let us in on their fears and heartaches about not being read. They talk to us about how we look at them. And even plays rock, paper, scissors with us. The book also tells you tips on how to read books. Such as put your finger on point A, then B and so forth as sometimes people use their finger to follow the words (insert having an eye on/in your finger and poking it joke). And continues with other ways to make it look like you are reading. However, while humorous, these tips could help your child.
This book is more of a 3.5 than true a 3 rating, due to a few bumps for me. In several ways, the tone is too modern for me but perfect for today’s reader. Technically all ages can read this, but I would shoot for ages 8 and up.