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Recommendations for my 11 year old boy

10 replies

CDMforever · 05/06/2009 20:34

My DS is 11 and I think quite a slow reader. He loves non-fiction but is also reading the Hobbit which has been a long slog but a book I think he has enjoyed.We are now looking for a new novel. Some of his friends are reading Skullduggery Pleasant. Any other ideas for a work of fiction?

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5Foot5 · 05/06/2009 20:48

The Cherub books by Robert Muchamore. There are about ten of them I think - the first being The Recruit.

Basically they are about a branch of the secret service where the agents are all aged 10 - 17. Sounds far-fetched but actually they are very well-written and believable. They follow one main character and his sister through his progress as an agent.

At 11 I think he would be just the right age.

DD was about that age when she discovered them and can devour one at a single sitting. OK she is a bookworm anyway but they are very readable (read most of them myself actually) and should suit boys down to the ground.

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MrsMuddle · 05/06/2009 20:58

I was going to recommend the Cherub books too! Great minds think alike.

Also the Knots and Crosses trilogy by Marjory Blackman, although the content may be a bit adult.

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MrsMuddle · 05/06/2009 21:00

Sorry forgot - my DS really enjoyed a book called Just Henry by Michelle Magorian.

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uptomyeyes · 05/06/2009 21:02

DS1 is 11, also a slow reader, also enjoyed the Hobbit. he is currently reading the Anthony Horowitz trilogy - first one is Ravens Gate. Its on his reading list for secondary school in September.

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CDMforever · 05/06/2009 21:26

Thanks will have a look at these on amazon. Unlike me my DS doesn't have the "reading bug" despite me having read to him from day one. I wonder if he'll ever get it????

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janeite · 05/06/2009 21:30

Anthony Horrowitz's Alex Rider books.

Skullduggery Pleasant is okay - not great.

Just Henry - Michelle M is a very respected writer and it won one of the big children's book awards but I thought it was a bit dated and not necessarily all that appealing, although v well written.

The Windsinger books - William somebody

Mortal Engines series - Philip Reeve

Muddle Earth and other Edge Chronicles books

Terry pratchett - Johnny And The Dead / Johnny And The Bomb / the ones about the carpet people

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Thunderduck · 05/06/2009 23:28

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques.

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bruffin · 06/06/2009 12:06

DS 13 likes

Alex Rider
Cherub
Pendragen
Skullduggery Pleasant
Artemis Fowl
Wardstone Chronicles
Percy Jackson
Harry Potter
HIVE
Young Bond

DS didn't really get the reading bug until last august and now he always has a book on the go.

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JeffVadar · 06/06/2009 12:38

DS (10) loves Artemis Fowl and the Philip Reeve Mortal Engines books.

He has also really enjoyed:

Angie Sages - Magick etc

Cornelia Funke - Inkheart etc

Norton Juster - The Phantom Tollbooth

Michael Morpurgo

The first two are very long, which may be a bit offputting for a slow reader.

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CDMforever · 06/06/2009 15:13

Thanks. Been to waterstones today - bliss! - and think I will give Skulduggery a go.
Thanks Bruffin, it gives me hope that yourDS got the bug at that age, I'd almost given up hope considering I consumed books from a very early age as did his father. Maybe we've hothoused him??!! Disullioned at 11!