The summer library challenge - I am doing it too, recommendations needed

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

This summer I am doing the library challenge with my DC, the theme is creepy and magical so I need a six book short list. I like classics and know I can find a good few gothic novels amongst them but also want to try something different - I have never read Stephen King for example.

All ideas greatly received to be added to my already huge to read list.

We have never done it before, how will the DC know what they can pick from? Is there a special section etc?

[Periwinkle007]

we did it last year - they just pick whatever they want as far as I am aware. We didn't sign up until there was only a week to go (I had forgotten about it) so they just did their books in 1 week and they just picked anything. they are only small though so perhaps as they get older they are supposed to follow the theme but I don't think so.

[Cookie804]

Terry Pratchett does books for adults and younger readers, although I've also read them as well.

The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents
The Wee Free Men
A Hat Full of Sky
Wintersmith
I Shall Wear Midnight

These are part of the Disc World Series which could lead your DC onto a whole series of books.

[Cookie804]

Might also be a way of encouraging as you could both read the same author.

[NumTumDeDum]

Dianna wynne jones does some great books in this genre.

[fuzzpig]

Hello, I work in a library :)

DCs can read any 6 books they want - all they need to do is give a brief description or say what they liked about each book (unless there are huge queues in which case they may not have time). It can be non fiction if that's what they prefer, graphic novels, picture books etc. My DD did it last year before she could really read, so we did it for books I'd read at bedtime. Anyway, there's no special set or theme to choose from (though libraries may 'promote' particular series etc, but that would only be to give children ideas IYSWIM)

One fun idea if you like classics could be to read one while your DC read a child's version of it (usborne do loads of these). It's lovely that you are doing this alongside them :)

I am currently reading The Beetle by Richard Marsh, he was a contemporary of Bram Stoker and at the time his book outsold Dracula.

[iseenodust]

Wilkie Collins - take your pick !
The Water Babies

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Fuzzpig that is a good idea.

I also like the idea of Reading the same books too as mentioned re: Pratchett.

Thanks all.

[Periwinkle007]

thats a good idea about doing the classic version and the child doing a simplified version of it.

[fuzzpig]

I only thought of it as I recently read DD an Usborne version of Frankenstein (because she has a Lego Minifigure of Frankenstein's Monster, and another of a mad scientist who she has named Frankenstein) - I think she missed the point of it though, as she found it quite funny in places

I was planning to read Dracula after finishing the Beetle but I can't face the thought of ploughing through it so I might read the children's version :o

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Dracula is brilliant though, I really enjoyed it.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Can appreciate that you want to read books on the theme but I wouldn't expect my DC to. Dd is only 5, she will turn 6 during the challenge, I will just be pleased that she is doing it at all. Last year our lovely library let her take part knowing that I would be reading the books to her.

Was going to suggest Wilkie Collins too.
How about James Herbert?

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

It won't be the end of the world if they don't stick to theme, but they do enjoy theme related things and it will guide them to read things they haven't before/different genres.

[NumTumDeDum]

Try The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Its good if it encourages them to read other things then. My DS is a good reader but has always been very specific about what he will and won't read.

A couple of years ago he theme was circus, think I would have struggled getting him to read 6 books on that theme

[fuzzpig]

We (as in the library I work in) are a bit worried that younger readers may be too scared by the Creepy House theme this year! We are having spooky events but not in the main part of the building so hopefully we will be ok...

My DCs aren't on chapter books yet but IIRC Holly Webb writes some magical themed books. Oh and there's a 'Midnight Library' series by Nick Shadow which is quite popular.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Thanks for those suggestions fuzz, will mention them to DS. He's just started reading a series of unfortunate events so think that might be most of the reading challenge accounted for...

[MadeOfStarDust]

For adults - creepy and magical - I would second James Herbert, also Dean R Koontz - wouldn't let the kids anywhere near them though

[fuzzpig]

Oh I loved the Series of Unfortunate Events. Started reading them when I was, um, 18 or so? DH got into them too and from about book 4 onwards we actually read them to each other.

(PS - the film version is an abomination )

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Never seen the film, thankfully. DS asked me tonight when the reading challenge starts and said "think I'll read all the Lemony Snicket book and a couple of maths books". He's such a predictable geek boy

[fuzzpig]

He sounds awesome :o

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

That's lovely.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

We have been to the library tonight. Dd has chosen 2 books. When we got home dd told me she is going to start reading them now, then register on Saturday. She wants to take the 2 books in next Minday and be ahead of the game. Is it worrying that she is so competitive? She's 5....

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Haha, I wouldn't worry, it sounds lovely.