Books to read aloud to a 9 year old boy

[Splandy]

My 9 year old is a very reluctant reader. He's fluent and reads very well but just won't. He's more likely to read comics or joke books, and will sometimes read books of facts or other non-fiction. I've started reading aloud to him again to try to capture his imagination and show him how fun it is. I'm currently reading the second Harry Potter book and he is loving it. He has found it a bit scary, though. He's quite sensitive in that way. I don't think I'll go beyond the third book at the moment.

Any recommendations? I'm struggling a bit because most books at the library which seem geared towards getting boys reading don't seem like they'd be any good for me reading aloud to him - not exactly brilliant stories.

[user1491572121]

Tom's Midnight Garden is brilliant. As is The Iron Man.

[Splandy]

I started with toms midnight garden a little while ago and can't remember it that well myself. Doesn't it feature ghosts, or some sort of after dark creepiness while he doesn't know what's going on? I vaguely remember something like that. Even slightly creepy will really bother him. Will look into the iron man.

[user1491572121]

Oh if you think Tom's Midnight Garden is too scary then I'd avoid the Iron Man too. It's probably a bit troubling.

What about something like Huckleberry Fin? Those books are brillant!

[user1491572121]

Enid Blyton too! Famous Five etc..

[picklemepopcorn]

Alex Ryder books are good, by Anthony Horowitz I think. Sort of teenage James Bond.

Artemis Fowl are good - I can't spell the author's name, something like Eioghan Coulgher.

There is a set of Roman Mysteries. Like Enid Brighton but set in Roman times and written more recently so the language is easier to read.

Oh, and books called the magic shop series. There is a character called Mr E Lives.

So many great books...

[Splandy]

Do you think Enid blyton would be good for his age and reading aloud? I have a large collection of those from my own childhood so plenty to get on with there. I bought him the first Artemis fowl book, but it was in graphic novel form so he was willing to read it. I encouraged him to boRrow the rest from the library but he wasn't bothered because they were normal books. Would they be good for an adult reading aloud or are they a bit kiddy? I don't mind reading something perhaps older than he would read himself, but then get into territory of things that might scare or upset him. I don't really want to read books designed to get children reading because I don't think I'll enjoy it as much as a really good story. We read charlotte's web and he wouldn't let me finish it because he couldn't accept that she was going to die! That's going back a year or two now but he is quite easily upset. I've been having to read any creepy bits in Harry Potter in a very breezy voice to play it down.

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

Mr Gum is good. I think the books get a little darker after the second book but they are quite funny.

My DS loved <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005H0CCSQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">George's Secret Key to the Universe and how about <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/Abominables-Eva-Ibbotson-ebook/dp/B008JELNXW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1495306604&sr=1-1&keywords=the%20abominables&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">The Abominables?. My DD is 9 and her class has recently enjoyed that one.

[user1493925592]

My seven yo DS is wading through Roald Dahl as hard as he is able. Your DS is a good reader, so you need to find something that will engage his interest. The White Company - Arthur Conan Doyle about archers in 100 year war. Treasure Island RL Stevenson -what boy can resist pirates, My Side of the Mountain - Jean George - a boy living in the wild. Rudyard Kipling has some great jungle stories. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien - not as dark as the LOTR. Amazons and Swallows by Arthur Ransomed is another classic with kids adventuring in boats.

[picklemepopcorn]

Artemis Fowl is great! I read them myself, after getting the boys hooked on them. Not at all kiddy- I worried about them being too old for your son.

[daisydalrymple]

I've been reading my Enid Blyton collection aloud to dd (8) and ds1 (10) for a couple of years now. Started with the fairytales - wishing chair, enchanted wood etc, and have progressed through the mystery series, adventurous four, circus series, cherry tree / willow farm (absolutely loved these) and secret seven. Famous five next!

[ScarlettDarling]

What about the "doctor Proctor" fart powder books by Jo Nesbo...funny and yes, fart references, but good stories. A win win I think!

[RueDeWakening]

The Mysterious Benedict Society might be worth a look - it's a series, I've read them myself and DD (age 10 and a voracious reader) enjoyed them too.

[ScarlettDarling]

The Bear Grylls adventure stories are good too.

[mamaduckbone]

Ds1 loved Michael Morpurgo at that age - Kensuke's Kingdom in particular. There are loads! I'd also second Roald Dahl.
The first books ds1 read to himself with pleasure were the David Walliams books. Prior to that he loved being read to but couldn't be bothered himself. Some on MN don't rate DW but they got ds1 reading and I'd rather have them than diary of a wimpy kid and other similar rubbish!

[grasspigeons]

We liked Broccoli Boy, Famous 5, David Walliams books, The Parent Agency, Fintan Fedora world's worst explorer, secret 7, how to train a dragon

[daisydalrymple]

I should add, ds1 is an absolute book worm now, and he too was a reluctant reader. We just did as you are and went at his pace, encouraged him to read his favourite footy magazines, got factual books (he's really enjoyed history, esp ww1 and ww2, solar system / planets, geography, so I've found the usborne series really good).

[Willow2017]

My kids and i laughed our way through all the Mr Gumm books. Took turn about reading them.

[junebirthdaygirl]

Michael Morpogos Adolphus Tips ia a brilliant book to read. And so is the Midnight Fox..cant remembeer author.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

Scott Pilgrim.

[NotCitrus]

Ds has started reading Asterix but likes them being read to him too as he gets more of the jokes as we can explain bits.

Any non-scary book works for bedtime, especially older ones - Milly-Molly-Mandy was ds's favourite! Mr Leakey, Professor Branestawm, Phantom Tollbooth all good. Faraway Tree was too scary for the kids as there's so many threats and lots of actual hitting. Might have worked in the afternoon not bedtime.

[FusionChefGeoff]

We loved Asterix aloud at that age.

[user1482079332]

Horrible histories

[Waterfeature]

Anything by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Any in the Swallows and Amazons series.
Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary.
Milly Molly Mandy.
Third grade Detective series
Boxcar kids

Either I've read all of the above to my 9yo ds or he's read them or listened on CD. Loved them all.

[Kahlua4me]

My son was just the same. He doesn't like fantasy or really scary stuff.
He loved all the Famous Five books, children's versions of Shakespeare, Treasure Island, Goodnight Mr. Tom, Mr. Gumm and Tom Gates.

Also, has he tried any David Walliams books?

[Atenco]

The Chronicles of Narnia.