I recently read a review of a Freddy the Pig book. Some of this series is back in reprint and they seem to get boys (maybe girls also) interested in reading. There is also a Freddy the Pig fan club for youngsters.
I remember reading my daughter a book about a little boy who had no interest in reading at school. (Actually it was a book about the cat who lived at the bookstore. True story from Maine BTW) So his mother took him to the book store, where he finds a book about soccer, his favorite pastime. Eureka, boys will read books about subjects they are interested in.
....so do girls re: cats