As a result, more and more of them are producing what they call HiLo books - books with a high interest level and low reading age. Even when the content is right, the appearance can spoil the effect as nothing puts off reluctant readers faster than books which look babyish or boring. A good cover is vital. It needs to attract potential readers' attention and suggest the book is going to be interesting or funny enough to be worth reading. Ideally it shouldn't look like part of a reading scheme either or be marked as easy to read.
Print size is another important consideration.
Small print with lines close together looks daunting and is hard work to read. If the text is too large it risks being rejected as 'babyish' . Short paragraphs and section headings look less daunting than long unbroken passages of text which may be one reason why some reluctant readers enjoy diary style books. Pictures can also break up text into bite size chunks as well as adding extra information and speech bubbles. Graphic novels often win in this respect, providing the visual clues still needed by weak readers in a way which has street cred with their friends.