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Original poster

Book recommendations for 10yo DS please

32 replies

daisydalrymple · 11/08/2017 09:52

Ds1 finished Harry Potter and after looking at reviews and on here I bought the Percy Jackson series, knowing a couple of his friends had enjoyed them too.

However, he reached a scene where they got stuck in a gaming land for a few days and he really didn't like it. It's quite upset him so we've put the books away for now.

So I'm basically looking for recommendations for real life adventure as opposed to fantasy. He's loved all the Enid Blyton books and loves sport / football. Any modern day EB equivalent or similar I'm missing? Many thanks.

(Also read swallows & amazons, toms midnight garden, wimpy kid)

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2014newme · 13/10/2017 19:36

Ruby redfort series by Lauren child's about a teenage secret agent

ojell · 13/10/2017 19:33

The later books in the Swallows & Amazons series are good too - 'We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea' and 'Great Northern' were my favourites.

If Tom's Midnight Garden worked for him, try the Green Knowe series. For some more 'realist fantasy', if that's a thing, 'Archer's Goon' by Diana Wynne Jones is excellent.

Daffydil · 07/09/2017 16:52

Oh, and Charmed Life.

Daffydil · 07/09/2017 16:51

Artemis Fowl
Sabriel
The ogre downstairs

Alittlepotofrosie · 07/09/2017 16:50

The Indian in the cupboard and the demon headmaster.

spiderlight · 07/09/2017 16:49

This series by David Scheffe is a bit Secret Seven/Famous Five but set in the modern day. My DS (10) has enjoyed them all.

Charlie Bone? Similar to Harry Potter but more real-world.

humblebumble · 25/08/2017 20:28

How about The Boy Who Biked the world? by Alistair Humphries. It's based on his own experiences of cycling around the world but told from a child's perspective.

Backingvocals · 18/08/2017 16:27

DD has just read Letters from the Lighthouse. Loved it.

Silver Sword if he might like the history element.

Hermonie2016 · 16/08/2017 20:50

My ds11 loved Brotherband chronicles and Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan.He just adored them.

Another vote for Wonder.

Original poster
daisydalrymple · 12/08/2017 18:29

Oh brilliant, I'll look at that thanks.

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MsMarple · 11/08/2017 23:57

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is very good, for a clever-kids-beat-the-dastardly-baddies adventure, although it isn't exactly real life...

Also, have you ever had a look on the Goodreads website? If you put in the name of a book you have liked it makes suggestions for ones you might also enjoy.

Original poster
daisydalrymple · 11/08/2017 22:10

Oh brilliant, I love the wide variety here, thanks all so much! He was a very reluctant reader till about age 7, when he suddenly got the reading bug, I'm so pleased to give him all these suggestions thank you.

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Singingforsanity · 11/08/2017 21:46

I strongly suggest Wonder by RJ Palacio (for both him and you, it's awesome). About a boy with facial disfiguration and troubles he has at school, particularly interesting as it gives the story from various characters' points of view.

Letters from the Lighthouse is another great 'real life' book, set during WW2.

QueenNefertitty · 11/08/2017 21:23

I know you'd prefer real life, but maybe the Narnia series? Well worth reading before he's old enough to notice the heavy handed allegory. Nothing against the religious element- I just found them less enjoyable as a child, once I realised what was going on in the (not very sub) subtext. Still love them though.

Wind in the willows? Toot toot!

AuntSponge1 · 11/08/2017 21:20

My DD works at a bookstore. Tom Gates if he likes Diary of a Wimpy Kid, anything by Emma Carroll or by Katherine Rundell she recommends. The crooked sixpence also if he liked Harry Potter.

Wigeon · 11/08/2017 20:50

DD has recently loved:

Wolf Wilder
Moonlocket
Cogheart
The Apothecary
The Legend of Podkin One Ear

dementedma · 11/08/2017 20:50

Very funny books are the Mr Gum series by Andy Stanton.Start with "You're a bad man, Mr Gum"

teaandakitkat · 11/08/2017 20:49

My 9 and 11 yr olds are really enjoying books by Louis Sachar right now, Holes is their favourite. I think they're really clever. I thought the kids might not quite understand them but they seem to follow them no problem.

Original poster
daisydalrymple · 11/08/2017 20:48

Ooh thanks, that's another one I think he might enjoy from the synopsis.

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PhilODox · 11/08/2017 20:39

DD (11) has just finished The Blackthorn Key, which is set in the pasta- she raced through it in a day (not a particularly keen reader) so it must be good.

Original poster
daisydalrymple · 11/08/2017 20:05

Yes he's enjoyed the how to train your dragon, and I think he's read a couple of David walliams at school, thanks I'll suggest looking at both lots again. All the other suggestions are great too, thanks everybody.

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PhilODox · 11/08/2017 19:20

Also, has he read Stig Of The Dump?
There's the Eagle of the Ninth series, by Rosemary Sutcliffe too, but not sure how dated they are to modern children!
Has he read the How to Train Your Dragon series? They really are fun, well-written too.

KatherinaMinola · 11/08/2017 19:19

Not modern day but he might like Five Children and It, and the sequels.

PhilODox · 11/08/2017 19:18

What about Amazon Adventure by Willard Price?
Or the Just William books? (My DC were horrified by the antics he got up to!)
The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann is a classic, and great too- ok, it's not rl, because it's the animals having the adventure, but a great book nontheless.

newusernamefornow · 11/08/2017 19:16

David Walliams books are well loved by my DS age 10.