If you don't know the child well or aren't sure of their reading interests, try a selection of paperbacks. Shorter and funnier may be a better choice for a child who is not yet an enthusiastic reader. Or provide a book that matches one of the child's passionate interests. For help in locating good titles on any subject, ask your local librarian. Be careful when choosing a book you remember from childhood.
Memory can play tricks.
Maybe you were older than you remember when you read and enjoyed it. Such books are good candidates for reading aloud. Then you can share your remembered enjoyment and help with the hard parts. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Opal is new in town until she rescues a stray dog in the supermarket and begins to make friends.