Reading journals for kids (or reading logs as some people know them) are simply journals where your child can keep a record of the books they’ve read or plan to read.
Why Do Kids Need Reading Journals?
There are several reasons why your kids may want to have a reading journal, but two common ones are:
They like to track their reading
Many parents don’t feel ready to let their kids use the internet unsupervised. This means that sites like Goodreads and Storygraph are off the table. If you have a bookworm, they might want to track their reading, and reading journals are a great way to do this.
They love writing and journaling
If your bookworm kids also like to write and journal (or even draw their lives), they might enjoy a reading journal. These journals allow them to put pen to paper about their reading lives and how books make them feel. It can also be a fantastic way to nurture their creativity.
20 Excellent Reading Journals for Kids
Think your kid will love a reading journal? Here are 20 of the best reading journals you can find.
My Very Own Book Journal: A Reading Journal For Kids
This lovely reading journal is dedicated to helping kids review books they’ve read. It allows kids to record information like the book title, author, the number of pages, star rating, new words they’ve learned, how the book made them feel, and their review.
Books I’ve Read: A Reader’s Journal
This reader’s journal has thick writing pages that are a pleasure to use. It includes free writing pages as well as pages with writing prompts to help you record your thoughts about each book you’ve read. Many reviewers love the spiral-bound format because it’s easier to hold open and write in comfortably. Finally, it’s great for both older kids and adults!
Bookworm Journal: A Reading Log for Kids
This is an adorable reading journal for kids as young as 5 or 6 who love reading. It comes with pages of suggested titles to read with your kids (including Caldecott medal winners and such). There are also pages to record every book read and kids get to tear off the perforated corner of each page to “feed the wobookworm” after they’ve read. It’s absolutely delightful.
Reading Journals For Book Lovers
This is another fun journal for tweens and teens that will also work for adults. It includes the traditional reading logs and also pages where kids can share about their reading style, see a suggested TBR list, and keep track of borrowed books. The paper quality is impressive, although many parents wished that there were more reading log pages — this would be great for someone who reads under 50 books a year.
My Reading Journal: A Guided Journal For Kids
If your child likes more structure and would love more in-depth reasoning on the book they’ve read, this is the reading journal for them! It is packed with charts, Venn diagrams, writing prompts and other guidance to steer kids as they explore their reading life. This is a fan favorite worth checking out.
Reading Log: Gift For Young Book Lovers
I love the way this reading journal is organized. It starts of with space to list read books that readers can categorize based on genre. Then, there are pages on which readers can write guided reviews and share their thoughts on everything from characterization to ease of reading. This is a great choice for a book wor, who loves to dig deep in their reviews.
Books I’ve Read, A Reader’s Journal
Want a smaller reading journal? This one fits the bill. At 3″ x 5″ in., it’s practically pocket-sized and allows readers to keep track of their reading without having to carry around a heavier or larger journal.
My Reading Adventures: A Book Journal for Kids
Most readers know Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs Darcy fame. She already has a reading journal for adults and is releasing this one for kids in August 2022. This unique book journal for kids allows kids to create a TBR, learn about how to enrich their reading lives, and even design their own book cover among many creative adventures.
Related: Listen to me on the What Should I Read Next podcast with Anne Bogel
A Clockwork Reader Reading Journal
This thoughtful reading journal for kids and adults alike allows readers to document their reading journey, includes prompts from the author to help readers decide what to read next, and makes room for creativity by letting readers express themselves by drawing. If you want a reading journal that almost doubles as a diary, this is the one.
My Reading Journey: Reading journal/ Reading Log
If you’re a big reader, this is a great journal choice. With room for 100 books read and additional pages to add your wishlist of titles and share your top 12 books of the year, this reading journal makes itself a super functional pick for readers.
Digital Reading Journal
Are your kids not about the physical reading journals? Digital options promise a higher degree of flexibility, cost less, and can be taken everywhere you take your tablet. This option from Etsy works on annotation apps like Goodnotes and Notability and is a fan favorite.
The Bookish Companion
This is a straightforward journal option with space for up to 100 book reviews and additional space afterwards for small notes and book quotes. If your kids simply want to keep track of your reviews and reading, this is the one for them. It also comes in several sizes, including small and extra large, depending on your preferences.
The Book Lovers Journal
This book lovers journal is a comprehensive log for books read, about to be read, as well as quotes and other reading life notes (including book club details). I love that it’s a gender-neutral color and design that will appeal to everyone.
Reading Journal Diary for Book Lovers
Another diary-cum-journal for readers, this reading journal will appeal to kids and adults alike. It provides room to add books, authors, dates started and finished, a review, as well as favorite quotes from each book. If your kids are looking for a mini book blog on paper, this is a great option.
Reading Log by SmART Bookx
Bring some excitement into your reading life with this reading log. It has space for 100 reviews and a nifty loan record page for those friends who like to borrow your books. You can keep track of which titles, genres and authors you’re reading.
The Bookclub Journal
Is your kid part of a tween book club? Then this reading journal will enrich their experience. It’s designed for book club members and poses guiding questions to help them formulate deep opinions about what they’ve read.
Reading Log: Reader’s Journal for 120 Books
This reading log has 120 pages for recording all the books your kids read. It’s set on cream paper that makes writing a pleasure. If you’re looking for a basic reading log that checks all the essential boxes, this is the one.
Bibliophile Reader’s Journal
Originally made for adults, this Bibliophile reading journal also works for older tweens and teens. It’s also gorgeous to look at–which is a welcome plus. I love that it’s published by a book publisher — Chronicle Books.
My Reading Journal
This minimalist reading journal is perfect for kids who’d like to be able to color or customize their journal. The A5 reading journal includes 76 pages overall, 1 yearly wrap-up, 12 monthly wrap-ups, 60 review pages, a page to track all of the books you’ve read, and 2 reading wish list pages!
Simple Reading Log for Kids
If your kid isn’t ready to commit, you can purchase these printable sheets instead of a full reading journal. Then you can just photocopy the pages as needed. The super cute pages are available as an instant download and pretty easy to use.
There they are: 20 of the best reading journals for kids! Which one of these have you used and loved? Which ones did I miss?
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