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Book recommendations...

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UglyFury

New Member
I would like to continue to support my son's efforts to read. So far, he has read and really enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He also was into Magic Treehouse and now he's reading some of the Goosebump Series. I would like to help him get into reading some books that are somewhat educational also, but still in the story format and that are fun to read. At this point, I feel just getting him interested in reading is more important that content.

I should have said it earlier, my son just turned eight and is in the second grade. Any rec's...? Thanks.
 
The Lightning Thief.

I forgot the authors name,but it has action,plot,and you can learn about the Greek Gods.

Also,how mature would you say your son is?I would recommend more if I knew.
 
Thanks....when I was a kid I loved reading Greek mythology. My son is what I would consider to be pretty mature, but certainly not a young adult. He's got an average intelligence, does well at school and has a curious nature; not the type of kid who's going to be reading the Illiad over the weekend, but he's definently willing to read or watch a documentary on PBS with me.
 
I suggest Storm Front by Jim Butcher.

A lot about fantasy,and a Wizard Detective,also how the law applies to supernatural things.
Might have a little Gore,but I think he can handle it.
 
My son has just turned 7 and he likes the Zac Power series. Zac is a child spy along with his other family members. Definitely the sort of thing my son seems to find cool and interesting

The books are available for different reading levels which is great for kids transitioning between needing some assistance and being confident enough to read solo.
 
The Lightning Thief is the First in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which is great! He may be ready for them depending on his reading level and he may also be ready for the first Harry Potter.
Authors to check out:
Roald Dahl
James Howe (beginning with Bunnicula)
Zilpha Keatley Snyder (especially the books about the Stanley kids)
Neil Gaiman…The Graveyard Book
Dave Barry/Ridley Pearson…Peter and the Starcatchers series
The Great Brain Series by John Fitzgerald
 
Here Comes Charlie Moon...Shirley Hughes
13 Ways to Sink a Sub...Jamie Gilson
Be a Perfect Person in Just 3 Days!...Stephen Manes
Number the Stars...Lois Lowry (about the Holocaust)
Hatchet...Gary Paulsen
Hoot and Flush...Carl Hiaasen (about environment)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle...Beverly Cleary
Superfudge series...Judy Blume
 
Thanks everyone, I've been writing these recommendations down and plan to look into all of the books. The Lighting Theif will probably be the first one I pick up. I actually recently bought Hoot and my soon is looking forward to reading it. Again, thanks everyone.
 
I would recommend the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan (the Author). It was a great series! also, The graveyard book is a great story, I really enjoyed it. And maybe try Series of Unfortunate Events? I thought it was pretty good.
 
I definately second the Series of Unfortunate Events series, as well as Peter and the Star Catchers. While I loved The Graveyard Book and Coraline, I thought they were a tad too dark for most 8 year olds. You can judge by how well they handle the later Harry Potter films. We didn't let our younger kids watch them in big screen, but they handled them on the tv screen just fine when they became available to purchase.

I would suggest the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, as well as his Seven Ghostly Tales...I personally LOVE his audio of the later title, and I'm not a great fan of audiobooks.

Another author to investigate is Eva Ibbotson. Her books have magical stuff in them, but aren't scary or silly.

I have other suggestions, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
Rick Riordan has a new series out about the Egyptian gods in modern times. The Red Pyramid, the first book in this new series, was released earlier this year and I had a blast reading it.

Edit: Does your son like cats? Erin Hunter's Warriors saga is excellent. I can't wait to catch her at a book signing again so I can get my copy of Bluestar's Prophecy autographed.
 
I gotta say, everyone has been great with providing recomendations - I have followed up on most of the titles and appreciate all the help.

FM - as far as cats go, I would he likes cats just as much as any other kid his age, but I'm not to sure if he would like to read a story with a cat as the protagonist.
 
UglyFury said:
I gotta say, everyone has been great with providing recomendations - I have followed up on most of the titles and appreciate all the help.

FM - as far as cats go, I would he likes cats just as much as any other kid his age, but I'm not to sure if he would like to read a story with a cat as the protagonist.
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He likes cats? How about a historical fiction involving a cat? One of my favorites is Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry. Marguerite Henry wrote many books about animals, including Brighty of the Grand Canyon and Misty of Chincoteague. Great writer.
 
I have just joined this forum as alot of my work involves finding the best books for children to read.
As you said in your original post, the most important thing at your son's age is to get him really keen on reading. My experience of working with children in this age group is that it is really important for them to have books that have:1) not too many words on a page 2) some pictures 3) a brilliant story. As such, I would recommend the "Astrosaurs" and "Cows in Action" series, both by Steve Cole. Also, all the boys of 8 in the UK where I am based, seem to like the "Beast Quest" series by Adam Blade.

You might find my website useful,Hummingbird Books.co.uk, where all the books are highly recommended by children themselves. You might also like to check out the "Reading Guidance Pack", which would give you some individual help on books to suit your son's interests.
 
I'm listening to the lightning thief on audio... it's a mythical sort of nobody to hero boy story. Very decent so far, though I must say I'm a bigger Harry Potter fan.
 
Always Jack

I recently read the new book [Always Jack] by Susanne Gervay. It has been given the stamp of approval from one of Australia’s most influential bodies – the Cancer Council. It’s a rare endorsement from the organisation, commending the novel for its exploration of cancer and its impact on families. Worth a read!
 
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