Bookstaken
Bookstaken
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Become a Bookbuddy
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An Online Reading Tutor Your Child Will Look Forward To

Live 1:1 sessions for kids 6–14, with a trained college mentor.

Mentor Reader

Character interview

Mentor Reader

A thoughtful idea

What is Bookstaken?

One child. One mentor. One book at a time.

Is a reading tutor right for your child?

Sound like your child? Here's what changes.

Can read, but avoids books

A book picked for what they already love.

Reads the words but misses the meaning

They talk it through, so the meaning sticks.

Starts books and doesn't finish them

One book, all the way through, in 4–6 sessions.

Loves reading and wants someone to talk books with

A mentor to talk every chapter through with.

Look elsewhere if your child…

  • is still learning letter sounds (phonics)
  • needs specialist dyslexia support
  • needs exam or grammar prep

What happens in every session

60 minutes, 1:1, on Google Meet.

  1. Stop 1Ice-breakingA riddle or a quick chat to settle in.
  2. Stop 2Book discussionIllustrated slides on what they read, talked through together.
  3. Stop 3ReviewTheir verdict on the book so far.
  4. Stop 4WritingTheir own story, chapter by chapter.
  5. Stop 5ClosureA recap to end on, and your report on WhatsApp.

A riddle or a quick chat to settle in.

Illustrated slides on what they read, talked through together.

Their verdict on the book so far.

Their own story, chapter by chapter.

A recap to end on, and your report on WhatsApp.

Who the tutors are

Our tutors, called Bookbuddies, are college students from DU, the IITs, NITs, SRCC and more. They aren't certified teachers. They're close enough in age to feel like an older sibling, and that's what gets a quiet reader talking.

  • 1 in 100 make it
  • ID verified
Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Mansa

IGDTU

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Soham

VNIT, Nagpur

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Aditi

VNIT, Nagpur

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Devyani

VNIT, Nagpur

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Divya

Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Thujitha

VNIT, Nagpur

Hi, I’m your mentor! I love reading stories This one’s my favourite

Sanvi

St. Xavier's, Mumbai

Kids say "Fine." Our reports say the rest.

After every session you get a report: what they read, what they talked about, and how they're growing.

9:41

Aarav's session report

Week 8 · The Jungle Book

Speaking time

AaravRiya
52%
48%

A note from Riya

Aarav came in bursting with questions about Mowgli leaving the jungle. He argued Bagheera was the real hero, and backed it up with two moments from the book. He's reading with his head and his heart now.

Session snapshot

91%Engagement+4%
86%Vocabulary+3%
90%Understanding+5%
84%Fluency+3%

Session timeline

AaravRiya
0 min60 min

0–15 min

Jungle riddles

15–45 min

Who's the real hero?

45–60 min

A new last page

A note from their mentor

A few warm lines on their best moments.

Their story journal

Every chapter they write, collected in one place.

Sit in on the first session

See how it works before you decide anything.

What it costs

Free

Your first session.

No card needed.

Then, the more you book, the less each costs

  1. 4sessions$20 each
  2. 12sessions$19 each
  3. 24sessions$17 each

Book as many a week as you like, and pause anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does an online reading tutor cost?
With Bookstaken, the first session is free and you don't need payment details to book it. After that, sessions start at $20 each on the Starter plan, and cost less on longer plans. See the Pricing page for every plan.
Q: Are the tutors certified teachers?
No. Our tutors are college students, trained by us before their first session. About 1 in 100 applicants make it, and every one's college ID and identity proof are verified. Being close in age to your child is the point: a quiet reader opens up to someone who feels like an older sibling.
Q: Can a reading tutor help with reading comprehension?
Yes. Every session talks through what your child read, with illustrated slides and open questions, so they explain the story in their own words. That's how understanding grows, not just reading the words.
Q: Do you teach phonics or help with dyslexia?
No. We work with children who can already read. If your child is still learning letter sounds, or needs dyslexia support, a phonics teacher or a dyslexia specialist is the right choice.
Q: How often should my child see their tutor?
As often as suits your family: once a week or more. You can pause anytime, for exams or holidays.
See all 7 questions
Q: What if my child doesn't get on with their tutor?
Tell us and we'll switch them to a new tutor within 48 hours. You're also welcome to sit in on the first session.
Q: Do you tutor children outside India?
Yes. Families in any country join online. Sessions are booked in your own time zone, and prices are in US dollars outside India.

The first session's on us.

60 minutes, 1:1, with a tutor matched to your child.

Bookstaken Logo

We are building the generation that reads the fine print, questions the narrative, and writes their own future. One chapter at a time.

The Path

  • The Curriculum
  • Outcomes
  • Meet the Mentors
  • Online Reading Tutor
  • Blogs
  • Success Stories
  • Pricing & Plans
  • Experience

Book Lists

  • Free Book Recommendations
  • Parents' Guides A–Z
  • Indian Books for Kids
  • Books for Reluctant Readers
  • Sudha Murty Books

The Club

  • About the Founders
  • Become a BookbuddyBecome a Bookbuddy
  • Join Parent Community

Here for You

  • Talk to a Founder
  • Parents' Guide
  • Contact Us

Privacy and Terms

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Happiness Guarantee (Refund Policy)
  • Cookie Policy

#Made with for kids

© 2026 Bookstaken Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Designed by Jaswanth NalluriJaswanth Nalluri

🎓 Personally Matched College Mentor - Online

Books they won't put downBooks they won't put downFree list, picked just for themFree list, picked just for them
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Bookstaken
Free

Your first session.

No card needed.

Then, the more you book, the less each costs

  1. 4sessions$20 each
  2. 12sessions$19 each
  3. 24sessions$17 each

Book as many a week as you like, and pause anytime.

$20