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Children's books

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Original poster

Books for a 10 year old boy who doesn't like Harry Potter, Roald Dahl but does like Dr Who stories.

30 replies

nevergoogle · 13/09/2014 00:13

Birthday coming up and DS1 is showing an interest in books at last. Hurrah!

He likes action, mystery and history.

He doesn't like magic, or posh kids with wands.

What's good?

OP posts:
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smokeandglitter · 29/09/2014 23:46

I also thought the Redwall series. I loved them as a child and recently heard an audiobook of one - still impressed! There's lots too if he does like the. They'll keep him occupied a while! Grin

FeelingTwitchery · 29/09/2014 08:40

How about Willard Price's Adventure books?
Possibly slightly old-fashioned in some ways, but loads of action and adventure and interesting facts, and perfect for a 10 year old. My brothers and I used to love them.

BertieBotts · 29/09/2014 08:37

Yes to hitchhikers guide! Loved those.

Try The Subtle Knife. I would usually say start with Northern Lights first but I think from your description he'd be better starting with book 2 and then he could read book 1 for backstory, the second one works as a standalone story.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 29/09/2014 08:33

The Printer's Devil is good - that's Victorian London, murderers, sailors, eastern cargo etc.

I started reading some Terry Pratchett at that age too, he might like The Bromeliad (sort of a more action-y version of the borrowers, but no magic other than the size I don't think. They end up on Concorde at one point!).

The Blood Red Horse, Green Jasper and a third one I can't remember the name of are about the crusades.

Girls in the Velvet Frame by Adele Geras is nice, and a good 'daily history' book about a family in Israel whose brother has gone to America to seek his fortune.

The Breadwinner is a good but hard read - a girls life under the Taliban. We read that at school when I was eight or nine, but not sure if reading it on his own is a good idea.

There's also the My History series, told in diary form. Some are maids at Tudor courts etc. , but there are probably more male-centric ones if you have a google. I think there's one about a boy who goes to Australia on a convict ship.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 29/09/2014 08:16

What about Wolf Brother etc? Lots of history and action, and the magic is shaman/primitive belief stuff and quite possibly hallucinogenic drugs.

I also loved Hermux Tantamoq - definitely detective/action books, the only thing is the main character is a mouse which might put him off.

claraschu · 27/09/2014 07:47

The Silver Sword

TerrariaMum · 27/09/2014 07:45

To add to the classics
Around the World in 80 Days
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Taffeta · 27/09/2014 07:42

A bit off piste but my 10 yo DS has really enjoyed

Wonder - RJ Palacio
Holes - Louis Sachar

gamescompendium · 24/09/2014 23:40

How about some classics: Treasure Island, Coral Island, Tom's Midnight Garden, The Machine Gunners, Carrie's War, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (the last 3 are all war stories), Little House on the Prairie, Swallows and Amazons.

Inkspellme · 16/09/2014 07:50

the young james bond series is excellent - it was a hit with my son.

Skullduggery also fantastic but it is magic based ( not posh kids though).

The Indian in the cupboard is just fab - beautifully written old fashioned adventure.

The Percy Jackson series is great - not magic based but does have mythical gods - do they count?

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 15/09/2014 09:58

Good point, Madamehooch - I tend to forget in the pursuit of good literature!

madamehooch · 15/09/2014 09:46

Sorry to be negative but Noughts and Crosses does contain sexual references so may not be suitable for a 10 year old boy.

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 15/09/2014 07:23

Gene Kemp might suit - The Turbulent Term of Tike Tyler or The Clock Tower Ghost.

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 15/09/2014 07:21

Alex Rider - Anthony Horowitz
Lion boy trilogy - Zizou Corder
My Side of the Mountain - Jean George
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell
Noughts and Crosses - Malorie Blackman
The History Keepers

Angelto5 · 15/09/2014 06:34

David walliams books are good too.

madamehooch · 15/09/2014 06:31

I've been giving TIITC to my Year 5 reading groups for the past 5 years now and I've yet to find a child that doesn't like it.

Original poster
nevergoogle · 14/09/2014 21:59

he does like horrible histories, but i'm hopeful he'll start to enjoy fiction.

i loved indian in the cupboard at that age. i think they are reading stig of the dump in school right now.

keep the suggestions coming, i hope to return to the thread for more ideas once he's tried the ones i've ordered.

OP posts:
picnicbasketcase · 14/09/2014 19:04

DS says Alex Rider, Mr Gum, Skulduggery Pleasant and the Dark Lord books.

Ludways · 14/09/2014 18:59

My ds used to love the Skulduggery Pleasant series at that age.

madamehooch · 14/09/2014 18:57

Young Bond is also aimed at teens.

madamehooch · 14/09/2014 18:56

Robert Muchamore is not intended for a 10 year old. The content is aimed at teens.

My recommendation is 'The Indian In the Cupboard' which is a wonderful combination of history, action and adventure.

Angelto5 · 14/09/2014 17:03

Can't go wrong with horrible histories/science etc

MrsCakesPrecognition · 14/09/2014 16:51

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy?

Takver · 14/09/2014 16:44

Roman Mysteries series ? (Set in ancient rome, so both history and mysteries!) There's lots of them, but probably best to start at the beginning, as you get to know the characters over time.

KittenOverlord · 13/09/2014 00:45

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