Book suggestions for my son (un-enthusiastic reader)

[SBarsky]

My son (11 yrs old) struggles with books so I try to read to him daily which can be one of the most rewarding times as a parent yet equally one of the most frustrating. Finding the right book for me is hugely important and its about getting the balance between fun & gripping and taking on a real and valuable message.
We've just finished a new book - The Dream Dealer by Marita Phillips - and it is absolutely fantastic. for the past week we have been living in an exciting and actually very moving world of troubled teenagers, brave children, muddled adults and the terrifying dream dealer! Unable to put it down and gripped equally we have been on an extraordinary adventure and are both very sad that it is over.
so now my question is what next? id be very grateful for any suggestions based on the above.
Thank you

[IndigoBell]

The Golden Compass?

Enders Game?

[0131trojan1]

So great to hear that you've both got so engrossed in The Dream Dealer. If you get to the stage where you think he's interested enough to try some reading on his own, have a look at Barrington Stoke books. THey have books with higher interest age than reading age, but are also great because they're short. Actually finishing a book is such a huge achievement- it really boosts their confidence, and makes them keen to try more.
My daughter is dyslexic and they've been amazing for her, but a friend tried some from the local library on her 13 year old son, who 'hates books', and he's read 2 already. ( Not sure of the titles, but one was about aliens, and one about bullying.) Good luck!

[iklboo]

If he likes Dr Who a lot of the books are aimed at your son's age group and a little older (I love them myself!).

[ragged]

Holes, Louis Sachar.

[roguepixie]

Has he read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - my DS says they are great fun?

In the same vein, there is Diary of a Wimpy Teenager (not the same author) which has two books in the series so far.

There is a new Young Sherlock series (Andrew Lane), Jimmy Coates series (Joe Craig) and Young Bond (Charlie Higson). Also by Charlie Higson is The Dead and and The Enemy.

I will ask my DS and post again if I can think of any more.

[SecretSpi]

My own son is 11 tomorrow! English is not his first language although he's pretty fluent so I still read to him. One book we both enjoyed recently was "Frozen in Time" by Ali Sparkes - about two 1950s Enid Blyton-style children who are defrosted in the 21st century - thrilling, moving and funny, too. My ds was so taken with it that he took over reading it by himself.

[SBarsky]

thank you very much for all your suggestions - exactly what i was looking for. Also out of interest have any of you read The Dream Dealer - just wondering if she has any others books out? I really couldnt recommend it more.

And i agree i think this could be a turning point in getting my DS to read by himself so im very keen for the next book to be the right one to keep up this momentum. anyway thank you all again.

[nightcat]

will check out Dream Dealer for my v reluctant reader ds, just wanted to suggets "The Watch House" by Robert Westall for yours :)
Watch House
I can see that this book will make us him to read more of his books, what I liked about it is that it's fiction but based in a location that really exists and it brings history and present together, wish there were more books like that.
Another book based on a similar idea is London Eye Mystery by S Dowd

Both have elements of humour in it too :)

[RosieRed]

Just to add my voice to 0131 Trojan's, I think he might well find the Barrington Stoke books good to read on his own or with you. We did a sort of paired reading with my DS - school helped us get going - to get him reading solo and those books made such a difference.

(PS 0131Trojan - we meet so often on Mumsnet that we should probably meet up & share a bottle of wine sometime. So what if your 0131 suggests you're about 400 miles away from me?!?!)

[0131trojan1]

Bottle of wine sounds good, RosieRed, always good to chat to other mums who know what we're going through!

[BikiniBottom]

The Percy Jackson series is amazing, I really can't recommend it enough.

[TwistAndShout]

Anthony Horowitz - The Alex Rider Series is very good.

[lovemyboysandbeagles]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid are good, my son (10) has read them all. My eldest (12) has read all the Alex Rider series.

I'm not sure how good your son is at reading, whether he is good but just reluctant or whether he needs to start with a younger age group book? If he needs a younger age Horrid Henry books are very funny, not very long so he will get through them quite quickly. Again my youngest has read them and absolutely loved them, although admittedly I didn't always agree with the 'pranks' etc from Henry, but at least my DS was reading.

I think I am going to try the book you have recommended because we also read together and have recently read Born To Run by Michael Morpurgo. At the moment I am trying to educate him on Enid Blyton - the Enchanted Wood series, a personal childhood favourite by my DS isn't impressed :(

[lovemyboysandbeagles]

Just read your OP again, Horrid Henry won't really give you 'a real and valuable message' but they are funny and may just ecourage your DS to read alone.