Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Books for year 9 boy who has never read a book

36 replies

geogteach · 09/02/2011 16:42

I am working with a boy at the moment who admitted today he has never read a whole book. We are talking about using language for effect and his lack of vocabulary is a big sticking point. He agreed today he might give reading a try but i don't know what to recomend, his functional reading ability is fine, don't want anything too long but need some suggestions. He is able but behind, fairly streetwise and into football. Has anyone got any recomendations?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
IHeartKingThistle · 26/03/2011 22:28

A fourth vote for Robert Muchamore!

saffronwblue · 26/03/2011 22:27

Tomorrow when the war began by John Marsden. It won an award from the Swedish government for being the book to get teenagers to read.

TapselteerieO · 26/03/2011 22:23

foul football books might be worth a look, I haven't read them but a friend's football daft ds likes them (he is 10 and an avid reader), dd loves horrible histories and her and my dh share them. Maybe a couple of audiobooks might be good too?

quirrelquarrel · 26/03/2011 22:04

Roald Dahl short stories.
Absolutely fantastic, especially for teenagers.

Otherwise, try Starseeker by Tim Bowler. Or in couple of years or so I bet half his classmates will be reading Animal Farm/1984 (their token books). Why not propose one of those to him?

TeaOneSugar · 23/03/2011 21:19

The Outsiders is a fantastic book, and film.

gramercy · 10/03/2011 15:08

More Bloody Horowitz - horror tales by Anthony Horowitz but they are set out in a magazine-y style.

Graphic novels? My ds went through a "I hate reading books" phase but he'd read these.

Lack of vocabulary is a stumbling block when arriving at reading late. Books aimed at older readers have more advanced vocabulary and a 14-year-old boy does not want to have to read - or be seen to be reading - babyish material.

I was helping a child with reading at school. Like OP's boy the mechanics were ok but her vocabulary was so limited that understanding, let alone enjoying, a story was a long uphill struggle.

LadyG · 09/03/2011 22:26

Bali Rai? Does lots of football stuff. Barrington Stoke publish lots of stuff aimed at older kids interest-wise but at a lower reading level iyswim

gabid · 02/03/2011 20:14

There are plenty of suggestions here, let him choose.

TooJung · 28/02/2011 23:56

Joke books, (Tim Vine); wikipedia on topics he likes; Top Gear magazine; it depends on what appeals to him, to state the obvious.

inspireddance · 25/02/2011 17:57

Robert Muchamore defiantly. Very readable and great for boys.

The Lemony Snicket books are good but are probably not so readable.

Goosebumps books.

You could try some manga or graphic novels. Few words, lots of pictures.

mathanxiety · 25/02/2011 15:36

oops <
I think the Sharon Creech one might still work. But Despereaux probably not.

SeeJaneKick · 25/02/2011 01:14

Doh...The Outsiders by S E Hinton.

SeeJaneKick · 25/02/2011 01:13

What about Kes? Maybe dated to him but it's brilliant...and The Outsidersby S E Hinton...very well written and great for young males. (and young women! I lived that a 14.

notrightnow · 22/02/2011 08:56

Would agree about Robert Muchamore.

How about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime?

My son has really enjoyed that series of three that begins with The Knife of Never Letting Go - science fictiony without being nerdy, good strong story.

There is a great book which our librarian recommended called The Ultimate Teen Reading Guide which you and he might find useful.

cory · 22/02/2011 08:34

Note to some of the posters: this is a Year 9 boy, not a 9yo boy. So about 14 years old.

madamehooch · 22/02/2011 07:48

Would second Robert Muchamore. Very readable, full of action and dialogue, relevant for his age group and a series, so if he likes the first one 'The Recruit' then there are lots more to read.

SerendipityAlways · 21/02/2011 12:30

My 8 year old loves the "How to teach your dragon..." series of books by Cressida Cowell. Partly illustrated but still "big boys" book, ideal for the reluctant reader!

serin · 19/02/2011 19:23

Private peaceful.

Short and thought provoking.

Ponders · 15/02/2011 20:51

he might enjoy a \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Match-Annual-2011-Bestselling-Football/dp/0752227424\football annual} - it's not a whole book to wade through, lots of different stuff & not too tough to begin with?

scroll down & there are lots of other suitable annuals to try

YodaisaCat · 15/02/2011 20:46

The Mr Gum books by Andy Stanton are hilarious and all ages love them, although they do look quite young with crazy covers and lots of inside illustrations. But that makes them friendly too. I should say that I work for the publishers, but I would recommend them anyway as they are genuinely funny and boys do love them. Good luck!

5Foot5 · 15/02/2011 20:01

What about the Cherub books by Robert Muchamore

Greeninkmama · 14/02/2011 19:54

Try Diary of a Wimpy Kid - my DSS loved this series. There are shortish chunks of text plus little drawings - makes it less intimidating to read.

mathanxiety · 14/02/2011 18:02

'Love That Dog' by Sharon Creech might be right up your alley. The central character/ narrator is a boy whose teacher is pushing him to appreciate poetry and to express himself more. The story is very moving. Simple, spare language and a powerful wallop. The language picks you up and carries you along with its rhythm. There's also 'Hate that Cat' by the same author with the same sort of theme.

'The Tale of Despereaux' by Kate di Camillo was the first book my DD3 ever read at age 9, after learning basic decoding at age 5. She hasn't been without a book since.

FerociousBeast · 09/02/2011 20:07

Maniac Magee Jerry Spinelli

FerociousBeast · 09/02/2011 20:05

Also Hoot by Carl Hiaasen similar to Holes in some ways.