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Children's books

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Original poster

Like hetty feather - with a love story too - and not so sad

35 replies

BYOSnowman · 05/04/2016 20:42

So ds (9) has just read the first three hetty feather books. He enjoyed them (he loves history) but found them a bit sad.

He told me he wants a book that has a love story. I think he wants a happy ending - not mills and boon or anything!! He is very naive so nothing too 'love'

Any suggestions??

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 12/04/2016 09:43

What about the James Herriot books?

Jennings by Anthony Buckeridge (not love by very funny)?

Would be be too young for Mortal Engines? There's a love story of sorts in that. Some sites same 11+, others say 9-12 so it should be ok.

Poppystellarcat · 11/04/2016 23:47

Have just stumbled across what appears to be an extremely clever little gizmo on the scholastic website. It's called 'book a like' and you type in the name of a book you / your son had enjoyed and it comes up with suggestions of similar books. Seems a pretty cool idea to me (though I may just be easily impressed!)
www.scholastic.com/tbw/bookAlikeSearch.do?Ntk=TBW_BookAlike7_SI&workId=1286749

Poppystellarcat · 11/04/2016 23:28

Think 4th grade equates to about Year 4 so about 9 I think. As far as I can remember the protagonist - Peter - is about 9, with an annoying little brother called Fudge and at some point in the series a baby sister is added into the mix. I remember absolutely loving these books as a kid and re reading them fairly regularly.

hareinthemoon · 11/04/2016 18:04

Sorry - but with a time travel element - set in "modern" (1980s, but hasn't dated too badly) and then 1870s Sydney.

hareinthemoon · 11/04/2016 18:03

DD's favourite book for ages was Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park. It is an absolutely cracking read with a love story that is sad but ultimately hopeful, some fascinating characters, and brilliantly realised historical detail. Set in Sydney in the 1870s or thereabout.

Original poster
BYOSnowman · 11/04/2016 17:54

I will have a look - thank you

He read all the judy moody books so the judy bloom books sound good (how old are 4th graders)?

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KtDee · 11/04/2016 17:54

Has he read any of the Land of Stories (Chris Colfer) series? Book 3 has a bit of first love interest (the main characters are twins who are 13/14 and both find first loves). Both my girls have loved these books which give an alternative take on fairy tales, with lots of adventure thrown in.

Poppystellarcat · 11/04/2016 17:51

I realise none of those are remotely history orientated but they're still really good books, honest! The Carl Hiaasen ones are set in Florida and have an environmental theme to them

Poppystellarcat · 11/04/2016 17:48

Hoot or Scat by Carl Hiaasen are both ace books. Real life, comedy, crime thriller, some boy girl relationships plus adult ones but nothing too heavy. Happy endings (good triumphs) in both books. Also if he's not put off by potentially 'girl' orientated books how about jury blume's fudge series (tales of a fourth grade nothing, super fudge, fudge mania and otherwise known as Sheila the great). All excellent.

Melfish · 10/04/2016 19:25

As an adult I read a book called Arthur and the Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland which I think is part of a triology targeted towards children/young adults. They weren't bad, but may be a bit fantasy-esque.
I also enjoyed Cynthia Harnett's The Wool Pack and Leon Garfield's December Rose which are mysteries solved by. children. I think neither is in print but can be found on ebay. The latter might be a bit sad, the former isn't.
How about Rosemary Sutcliff's books? Eagle of the Ninth is usually available at the library so he can test drive it first.

LordTrash · 10/04/2016 19:17

My dds (and I) loved Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll - Victorian setting, ghosts and a friendship/love story too.

Dd2 has moved on to another of her books, again Victorian setting, about a girl who works in a circus - that might suit too.

drspouse · 10/04/2016 19:12

Sally Lockhart series? May be a bit too old yet but worth a look.

Sadik · 10/04/2016 16:38

Has he read any Eva Ibbotson? Journey to the River Sea is lovely - no romance exactly IIRC, but the developing friendship between two of the characters is an important part of the plot.

And I'd second the Casson Family series starting with Saffy's Angel, again no romance but lovely real life stories that deal a lot with relationships, friendship, family dynamics (as well as having excellent plots!).

Original poster
BYOSnowman · 06/04/2016 18:37

Thanks for suggestions - will look at them with ds!

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Paperm0ver · 06/04/2016 17:17

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madamehooch · 06/04/2016 15:47

How about Saffy's Angel?

Original poster
BYOSnowman · 06/04/2016 08:39

Thanks - I will look at these too

I'm not sure it has to be history just more 'real' rather than fantasy. He really enjoyed Holes by Louis Sachar for example.

He's not bothered by a book being for girls

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RosaliesGinBottle · 06/04/2016 08:32

Edit: Sandhurst obvs not 'ham. Coffee not in yet.

RosaliesGinBottle · 06/04/2016 08:31

(I believe Sandringham sets Heyer as recommended reading for Waterloo, so boys do read her books!)

RosaliesGinBottle · 06/04/2016 08:30

The Owl Service? It's all complicated FEELZ and Welsh history and myth and owls.

Margaret Mahy generally - The Changeover perhaps?

I'm better at fantasy recs than history tbh. I guess Georgette Heyer isn't his style, although she is very accurate! He might enjoy The Grand Sophy or the ones set in Spain and Waterloo - A Most Infamous Army, The Spanish Bride. Last named has the fab love story of Sir Harry Smith and his brave and lovely Spanish wife, plus Peninsular battles.

Original poster
BYOSnowman · 05/04/2016 23:27

He didn't take to it.

He's at a junction where he is beginning to understand adult relationships without understanding them at all iyswim! I wonder if that's what he wants the book for - to try and answer some questions!!

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PerspicaciaTick · 05/04/2016 23:25

The Secret Garden is very uplifting if he can get passed the first chapter or two.
What about Swallows and Amazons?

Original poster
BYOSnowman · 05/04/2016 23:21

That's ok fink - all suggestions very welcome!

He does have Arthurian books so I will migrate those as well!!

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Original poster
BYOSnowman · 05/04/2016 23:20

I don't think the fact he's a boy should restrict choices - jetty feather books are deemed for girls as I understand it!!

We have the secret garden on the shelf so might migrate it to his bedside table. He's read the Dahl.

I guess the problem is that he doesn't like fantasy and reads a lot of non fiction

Even the two David Willian's he read left him sad due to deaths!!

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Fink · 05/04/2016 23:19

Sorry, took so long to type on phone that x post over Noel Streatfeild.

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