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Hello all,
I know there have been a couple of threads over the years recommending good books for young girls, but I'd like your recommendations for books for boys please.
The person in question is eight and a half, with a reading age older than that. He's a pretty avid reader, but recently he's been properly immersed in the Harry Potter books (except the last one, which his parents have said he's too old to read). He's a big fan of a bit of horror (but not too much) - there's a series whose name escapes me at the moment which fits that bill. He likes Skullduggery Pleasant, and the likes of Beastquest is a bit young for him now. He's read the David Walliams books, and the Mr Gum books too. I know he's had the Roald Dahl books read to him when he was younger, but I don't know if he's read all of them so I'll ask him that tonight.
I'm asking partly because he's a keen reader, but also partly because he's obsessed by his tablet and the more immersed in a book he is, the less likely he is to ask every five minutes if he can play on his tablet (time on that has been limited by his parents).
Any recommendations for things that might really absorb him? Many thanks in advance!
I know there have been a couple of threads over the years recommending good books for young girls, but I'd like your recommendations for books for boys please.
The person in question is eight and a half, with a reading age older than that. He's a pretty avid reader, but recently he's been properly immersed in the Harry Potter books (except the last one, which his parents have said he's too old to read). He's a big fan of a bit of horror (but not too much) - there's a series whose name escapes me at the moment which fits that bill. He likes Skullduggery Pleasant, and the likes of Beastquest is a bit young for him now. He's read the David Walliams books, and the Mr Gum books too. I know he's had the Roald Dahl books read to him when he was younger, but I don't know if he's read all of them so I'll ask him that tonight.
I'm asking partly because he's a keen reader, but also partly because he's obsessed by his tablet and the more immersed in a book he is, the less likely he is to ask every five minutes if he can play on his tablet (time on that has been limited by his parents).
Any recommendations for things that might really absorb him? Many thanks in advance!
In reply to Removed User: Try him on Treasure Island or Kidnapped for some old school classic adventure
In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:
He's not a big fan of the older stuff - though he did quite enjoy the Just William book he read a while back. Thanks for the thoughts though.
He's not a big fan of the older stuff - though he did quite enjoy the Just William book he read a while back. Thanks for the thoughts though.
In reply to Removed User:
The Philip Pullman books are good (Northern Lights/Amber Spyglass/Subtle Knife) and a bit of Alan Garner never hurts (The Owl Service and The Wierdstone of Brisingamen especially). I don't know whether they are a bit old for him yet but at that age I was into Doc Savage and Lord of the Rings. If the story fits, you learn to read the book.
The Philip Pullman books are good (Northern Lights/Amber Spyglass/Subtle Knife) and a bit of Alan Garner never hurts (The Owl Service and The Wierdstone of Brisingamen especially). I don't know whether they are a bit old for him yet but at that age I was into Doc Savage and Lord of the Rings. If the story fits, you learn to read the book.
In reply to Removed User:
Karin says try these,
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, Garth Nix Keys to the Kingdom series, Angie Sage's Magyk, Lissa Evans Small change for Stuart. Kane Chronicles again by Rick Riordan.
If he's into Funny then Diary of a Wimpy kid and Tom Gates written by Liz Pichon.
Karin says try these,
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, Garth Nix Keys to the Kingdom series, Angie Sage's Magyk, Lissa Evans Small change for Stuart. Kane Chronicles again by Rick Riordan.
If he's into Funny then Diary of a Wimpy kid and Tom Gates written by Liz Pichon.
In reply to Removed User:
also the spin off to skullduggery is Maleficent Seven which is new out,also Warp by Eion Colfer.
also the spin off to skullduggery is Maleficent Seven which is new out,also Warp by Eion Colfer.
In reply to Removed User: is this the series your thinking of
Goosebumps is a series of children's horror fiction novels written by American author R. L. Stine
Goosebumps is a series of children's horror fiction novels written by American author R. L. Stine
In reply to Removed User:
Anthony Horowitz and the Alex Rider stories. I think Gti Junior was reading them at about 8 or 9. Sometimes all night!
Anthony Horowitz and the Alex Rider stories. I think Gti Junior was reading them at about 8 or 9. Sometimes all night!
In reply to Removed User: the hatchet series? I enjoyed them as a nine year old (well the first two).
In reply to Removed User:
'Baker Street Boys' series, by Anthony Read. Affectionate Sherlock Holmes pastiche for young readers.
'Baker Street Boys' series, by Anthony Read. Affectionate Sherlock Holmes pastiche for young readers.
In reply to Removed User:
At that age I was enjoying Jules Verne and the Robert Heinlein 'juveniles'.
My kids were reading Harry Potter, the Keys to the kingdom series, Michael Morpurgo, the Alex Rider books oh and mustn't forget Calvin & Hobbes.
At that age I was enjoying Jules Verne and the Robert Heinlein 'juveniles'.
My kids were reading Harry Potter, the Keys to the kingdom series, Michael Morpurgo, the Alex Rider books oh and mustn't forget Calvin & Hobbes.
In reply to SNC: Along a kind-of-similar but American line is The Hard Boys seres of mystery/teen detective novels by 'Franklin W Dixon' (a pen name of many different authors!). I used to enjoy reading them as a kid, although probably a bit older than the boy in the OP.
In reply to owlart:
The Hardy Boys? There's also the Willard Price books.
I think he might have read some Anthony Horowitz - I'll check.
Some really great suggestions here - thanks everyone!
The Hardy Boys? There's also the Willard Price books.
I think he might have read some Anthony Horowitz - I'll check.
Some really great suggestions here - thanks everyone!
In reply to Removed User:
Oo, thanks for these ideas - I forgot Karin is a librarian who knows about these things
Diary of a Wimpy Kid though - we were made to listen to the audio book whilst going somewhere and I swore never again. The main character is the sort of child one might be tempted to leave at the airport when heading off on holiday.
Oo, thanks for these ideas - I forgot Karin is a librarian who knows about these things
Diary of a Wimpy Kid though - we were made to listen to the audio book whilst going somewhere and I swore never again. The main character is the sort of child one might be tempted to leave at the airport when heading off on holiday.
In reply to Removed User:
Swallows and Amazon series
Alex Rider Series
Try him on the first Hunger games (might be a bit to girlie though)
Young James Bond Series.
Swallows and Amazon series
Alex Rider Series
Try him on the first Hunger games (might be a bit to girlie though)
Young James Bond Series.
In reply to Little Brew:
The Swallows and Amazons books might be a little whimsical - his favourite things are making explosion noises and being a human beatbox. Relentlessly.
Good call on the others though - thank you.
The Swallows and Amazons books might be a little whimsical - his favourite things are making explosion noises and being a human beatbox. Relentlessly.
Good call on the others though - thank you.
In reply to Removed User:
HOLES by Louis Sachar
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Professor Branestawn books
Maybe Richmal Crompton's "William" books but they might seem very arcane now.
HOLES by Louis Sachar
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Professor Branestawn books
Maybe Richmal Crompton's "William" books but they might seem very arcane now.
In reply to Removed User:
I do hope that's what owlart meant. God knows what sort of deviancy might happen in "The Hard Boys"
> (In reply to Removed Userowlart)
>
> The Hardy Boys?
>
> The Hardy Boys?
I do hope that's what owlart meant. God knows what sort of deviancy might happen in "The Hard Boys"
In reply to Blue Straggler:
He did like the one William book he read, I think.
Working out what's right for a particular age is surprisingly tricky - both he and his sister have reading ages far beyond their real ages, but (more with his sister) making sure the content isn't too 'mature' for them is a bit of a challenge. Sometimes they can read things fine but they don't necessarily understand the more subtle aspects.
He did like the one William book he read, I think.
Working out what's right for a particular age is surprisingly tricky - both he and his sister have reading ages far beyond their real ages, but (more with his sister) making sure the content isn't too 'mature' for them is a bit of a challenge. Sometimes they can read things fine but they don't necessarily understand the more subtle aspects.
In reply to Removed User: i recently re-read all the Roald Dhal and picked up things i missed as a kid, also all the Enid Blyton... but i guess you can read anything in to a book, it is all in your mind after all.
In reply to Little Brew:
True - but there are still some things that aren't right for an eight year old, no matter how mature he *thinks* he is.
True - but there are still some things that aren't right for an eight year old, no matter how mature he *thinks* he is.
In reply to Blue Straggler: Yes, sorry, I can't type
In reply to Removed User: What about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? I remember enjoying those at around that age.
In reply to Removed User: The Eldest trilogy/4 set (i think they added a 4th..) is always worth a look, i found it a bit to slow a book though.
In reply to Removed User:
I think you mentioned the Willard Price books - i really enjoyed them. Once slight older he may like Wilbur Smith, but they do have the odd bit of 'adult' content
Also the old Dr Who books...
What about the Hobbit? Maybe too young for LofTR?
Can't remember how old I was though
hth
I think you mentioned the Willard Price books - i really enjoyed them. Once slight older he may like Wilbur Smith, but they do have the odd bit of 'adult' content
Also the old Dr Who books...
What about the Hobbit? Maybe too young for LofTR?
Can't remember how old I was though
hth
In reply to Removed User:
How about Phillip Reeve, the Mortal Engines series? - fantastic steam punk/sci-fi set in a future where whole cities have become mobile and prey on one another for resources. Fairly light prose, lots of fantastically imagined places/people, odd bit of humour and the occasional gruesome death.
If he's read Harry Potter he shouldn't have any trouble with these (at least not the first few, they do get a bit longer and possibly complex through the series).
Reeve has also written Here Lies Arthur, which is a fantastic retelling of the Arthur Legend from the viewpoint of a young girl (pretending to be a boy for most of the book) in the service of Myrddin/Merlin. Highly recommended.
How about Phillip Reeve, the Mortal Engines series? - fantastic steam punk/sci-fi set in a future where whole cities have become mobile and prey on one another for resources. Fairly light prose, lots of fantastically imagined places/people, odd bit of humour and the occasional gruesome death.
If he's read Harry Potter he shouldn't have any trouble with these (at least not the first few, they do get a bit longer and possibly complex through the series).
Reeve has also written Here Lies Arthur, which is a fantastic retelling of the Arthur Legend from the viewpoint of a young girl (pretending to be a boy for most of the book) in the service of Myrddin/Merlin. Highly recommended.
In reply to Removed User:
My 10 yo son absolutely loves "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen, a book about a boy stranded in the wilderness.
CB
My 10 yo son absolutely loves "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen, a book about a boy stranded in the wilderness.
CB
In reply to Removed User: Back when I was that age the must reads for me were:
Michael Morpurgo's books - these are truly brilliant. I have read some of them again recently and the stories are grat, a must read!
The Alex Rider books which have been mentioned a few times above.
On a similar theme, Robert Muchamore did a similar series of books called "Cherub". They are a typical boy turned James bond kind of story. Had me wanting to be a secret agent for years!
May be a bit old, but I loved the Lee Child books from a young age too, very easy to read and always a brilliant storyline. Though lots of violence in them so may not be suitable?
Michael Morpurgo's books - these are truly brilliant. I have read some of them again recently and the stories are grat, a must read!
The Alex Rider books which have been mentioned a few times above.
On a similar theme, Robert Muchamore did a similar series of books called "Cherub". They are a typical boy turned James bond kind of story. Had me wanting to be a secret agent for years!
May be a bit old, but I loved the Lee Child books from a young age too, very easy to read and always a brilliant storyline. Though lots of violence in them so may not be suitable?
In reply to James Malloch:
Good call on the others but Lee Child books are far too old for him just yet!
Good call on the others but Lee Child books are far too old for him just yet!
In reply to Removed User:
Diary of a wimpy kid is the top vote here, they even ask for the books/DVDs for Christmas.
And Horrible Histories.
Diary of a wimpy kid is the top vote here, they even ask for the books/DVDs for Christmas.
And Horrible Histories.
In reply to winhill:
The kids here are big fans of Horrible Histories, but they're sick of Wimpy Kid being all conniving.
The kids here are big fans of Horrible Histories, but they're sick of Wimpy Kid being all conniving.
In reply to Removed User:
Some classics
Ursula la Guin - The Earthsea trilogy
Eagle of the 9th Rosemary Sutcliffe
The Hobbit
And Roald Dahl!
Henry Treece Viking books
The Edge Chronicles? Bit more modern
Series of Unfortunate Events
Some classics
Ursula la Guin - The Earthsea trilogy
Eagle of the 9th Rosemary Sutcliffe
The Hobbit
And Roald Dahl!
Henry Treece Viking books
The Edge Chronicles? Bit more modern
Series of Unfortunate Events
In reply to Removed User:
One of the few qualified School Librarians left in the city and county sadly! Interesting that Terry Deary has such a positive view on closing Libraries http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/13/libraries-horrible-histories-te... however they do have a champion in Alan Gibbons http://www.alangibbons.com she has had him doing workshops in School a few times and the Kids think he's great.
> (In reply to Removed Usersimon c)
>
> Oo, thanks for these ideas - I forgot Karin is a librarian who knows about these things <
>
> Oo, thanks for these ideas - I forgot Karin is a librarian who knows about these things <
One of the few qualified School Librarians left in the city and county sadly! Interesting that Terry Deary has such a positive view on closing Libraries http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/13/libraries-horrible-histories-te... however they do have a champion in Alan Gibbons http://www.alangibbons.com she has had him doing workshops in School a few times and the Kids think he's great.
In reply to Removed User:
To the list, I'd add Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books
Maybe some younger Terry Pratchett, like the Bromeliad or the Johnny Maxwell trilogy. Neil Gaiman has some young stuff too, The Graveyard Book for example.
Adding to the classics suggested; at his age I was enthralled by the world described in Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books, (plural) including the lesser known tales like Rikki Tikki Tavi and Moti Guj-Mutineer.
Somebody suggested that if he likes Willard Price that he could soon move onto Wilbur Smith; I respectfully suggest avoiding Wilbur Smith, many of his books are very adult-themed, with graphic sexual violence. (I wonder what it says about me that I have all his books) Jock of the Bushveld, also set in Southern Africa would be better for a kid.
To the list, I'd add Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books
Maybe some younger Terry Pratchett, like the Bromeliad or the Johnny Maxwell trilogy. Neil Gaiman has some young stuff too, The Graveyard Book for example.
Adding to the classics suggested; at his age I was enthralled by the world described in Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books, (plural) including the lesser known tales like Rikki Tikki Tavi and Moti Guj-Mutineer.
Somebody suggested that if he likes Willard Price that he could soon move onto Wilbur Smith; I respectfully suggest avoiding Wilbur Smith, many of his books are very adult-themed, with graphic sexual violence. (I wonder what it says about me that I have all his books) Jock of the Bushveld, also set in Southern Africa would be better for a kid.
In reply to Removed User:
Maybe a little old for him but Benedict Allen's anthology of exploration is really good. Lots of fairly short accounts of exploration from the ancient Greeks to the present day.
http://www.faber.co.uk/search/?q=The%20Faber%20Book%20of%20Exploration%2C%2...
Maybe a little old for him but Benedict Allen's anthology of exploration is really good. Lots of fairly short accounts of exploration from the ancient Greeks to the present day.
http://www.faber.co.uk/search/?q=The%20Faber%20Book%20of%20Exploration%2C%2...
In reply to Removed User: Can't believe he is too old for the last Harry Potter at eight and a half, whoever said that hasn't read it.
Give him The Hobbit and if he likes that then it's time for LOTR
Give him The Hobbit and if he likes that then it's time for LOTR
In reply to Removed User:
http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?sto...
It might be a tiny bit old for him, it's for 9+, but I read this as a boy and remember enjoying it, it's quite serious in what it deals in the story though, hence me wondering if it's possibly too old. I'm sure you'd know if it is.
If he enjoyed one Just William book i'd buy him the rest of them too, I reread all of them lots of times.
http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?sto...
It might be a tiny bit old for him, it's for 9+, but I read this as a boy and remember enjoying it, it's quite serious in what it deals in the story though, hence me wondering if it's possibly too old. I'm sure you'd know if it is.
If he enjoyed one Just William book i'd buy him the rest of them too, I reread all of them lots of times.
In reply to Removed User:
WOW! Didn't realise kids read books these days! IMO forget the LOTR/Harry Potter stihe! WTF is he gonna learn?? When my youngest was 8/9 I bought him David Beckhams auto(?) He read it cover to cover in 3 x nights! Inspire the litte fceker, don't swamp his head with tosh.
WOW! Didn't realise kids read books these days! IMO forget the LOTR/Harry Potter stihe! WTF is he gonna learn?? When my youngest was 8/9 I bought him David Beckhams auto(?) He read it cover to cover in 3 x nights! Inspire the litte fceker, don't swamp his head with tosh.
In reply to Removed User:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheelie-Stars-Puffin-Books-Nicholas/dp/0140310665
Wheelie In The Stars!
In a nut shell; Si-Fi, people in space on a distant planet in a futuristic settlement, find an old motor bike from the oil age (which has passed), restore it, then get in trouble with the boss who is mean, then there's a problem with the power for the settlement, and they save the day by riding out on the old motorbike which runs on old fashioned oil/petrol and fixing the power source, and everything turns out cool in the end.
I thought it was a great book. ()
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheelie-Stars-Puffin-Books-Nicholas/dp/0140310665
Wheelie In The Stars!
In a nut shell; Si-Fi, people in space on a distant planet in a futuristic settlement, find an old motor bike from the oil age (which has passed), restore it, then get in trouble with the boss who is mean, then there's a problem with the power for the settlement, and they save the day by riding out on the old motorbike which runs on old fashioned oil/petrol and fixing the power source, and everything turns out cool in the end.
I thought it was a great book. ()
In reply to Removed User: I loved 'The Dark is Rising' books. Still do actually.
In reply to Removed User: I would definitely recommend the Chris Ryan - Alpha Force books.
In reply to Removed User:
http://blogcritics.org/books/article/godhood-in-a-nutshell-the-dreaming/
I thought The Dreaming Jewels was good too, by Theodore Sturgeon.
Seems any smuttiness passed me by like it did for the person who wrote the review.
It has nice themes about difference being okay, and (to me) the redemptive nature of love and friendship.
It's weird but cool.
http://blogcritics.org/books/article/godhood-in-a-nutshell-the-dreaming/
I thought The Dreaming Jewels was good too, by Theodore Sturgeon.
Seems any smuttiness passed me by like it did for the person who wrote the review.
It has nice themes about difference being okay, and (to me) the redemptive nature of love and friendship.
It's weird but cool.
In reply to Removed User:
Willard Price adventure series. They were written some time ago but you'd barely be able to tell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_Price%27s_Adventure_series
Willard Price adventure series. They were written some time ago but you'd barely be able to tell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_Price%27s_Adventure_series
In reply to Removed User:
8 might be just too young, but i read the great escape when i was 10 and it blew my mind.
8 might be just too young, but i read the great escape when i was 10 and it blew my mind.
In reply to Removed User: lord of the flies??
In reply to Removed User:
Ha ha. My Mum made the mistake of trying me on James Herriot when I was about 9. The first book opens with a difficult calving...she quickly came to regret her recommendation!
+1 on Alan Garner and Ursula Le Guin. Loved those when I was that age.
It might be a bit old for him yet, but I remember getting into a book called The Silver Sword - I think the author was Ian Serraillier - when I was about 10. It is a war story and does get a bit heavy in places, but is never inappropriate for children.
> (In reply to Removed UserBlue Straggler)
>
>>
>
> Working out what's right for a particular age is surprisingly tricky - both he and his sister have reading ages far beyond their real ages, but (more with his sister) making sure the content isn't too 'mature' for them is a bit of a challenge. Sometimes they can read things fine but they don't necessarily understand the more subtle aspects.
> Working out what's right for a particular age is surprisingly tricky - both he and his sister have reading ages far beyond their real ages, but (more with his sister) making sure the content isn't too 'mature' for them is a bit of a challenge. Sometimes they can read things fine but they don't necessarily understand the more subtle aspects.
Ha ha. My Mum made the mistake of trying me on James Herriot when I was about 9. The first book opens with a difficult calving...she quickly came to regret her recommendation!
+1 on Alan Garner and Ursula Le Guin. Loved those when I was that age.
It might be a bit old for him yet, but I remember getting into a book called The Silver Sword - I think the author was Ian Serraillier - when I was about 10. It is a war story and does get a bit heavy in places, but is never inappropriate for children.
In reply to Removed User:
How about David Eddings: -
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8732.David_Eddings
How about David Eddings: -
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8732.David_Eddings
In reply to Removed User:
I have to say yet again (well I don't but I will) that I am a personal friend of Lee Child (not his real name) and I don't think they are childrens books (Also the film was crap compared to the books!)
> (In reply to Removed UserJames Malloch)
>
> Good call on the others but Lee Child books are far too old for him just yet!
>
> Good call on the others but Lee Child books are far too old for him just yet!
I have to say yet again (well I don't but I will) that I am a personal friend of Lee Child (not his real name) and I don't think they are childrens books (Also the film was crap compared to the books!)
In reply to Removed User:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2610490-thunder-and-lightnings
I liked Thunder & Lightnings, it's not unsuitable for any children.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2610490-thunder-and-lightnings
I liked Thunder & Lightnings, it's not unsuitable for any children.
In reply to Al Evans:
Do you know Lee Child (obviously by his real name of Jim Grant)?
Wow, I never knew that!
I'm guessing that you knew him from your TV days, when he was a Shop Steward.
It is indeed a small world...
Do you know Lee Child (obviously by his real name of Jim Grant)?
Wow, I never knew that!
I'm guessing that you knew him from your TV days, when he was a Shop Steward.
It is indeed a small world...
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