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Original poster

What else will my 8 year old DS enjoy?

34 replies

2022HereWeCome · 01/12/2021 09:52

He is just finishing off Harry Potter and loves them. We have percy jackson lined up next but I don't know what to recommend beyond this. A lot of what he wants to read may be a bit old for him (Magisterium series, Cirque du Freak, Skulduggery pleasant).

He has previously enjoyed reading the Spiderwick Chronicles, some of the Narnia books, the Scarlet and Ivy books, Knitbone pepper, all the Goosebumps books and the Bolds. He's read some Roald Dahl - liked the witches, BFG and Matilda the best. He did not finish the two Beastquest books (dull and boring), didn't like the the Grunts or Mr Gum or David Walliams.

Any ideas

OP posts:
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BigFatLiar · 07/12/2021 16:07

On a lighter note, OH suggests Jennings or Biggles. I did point out that youngsters now wouldn't be that keen. (He did give our two Enid Blyton to read!)

Original poster
2022HereWeCome · 07/12/2021 15:21

Thanks everyone. We have one of the Chrestomanci books but it is still sitting on the shelf. DS currently reading Judy Blume Superfudge for the umpteenth time and his friend has recommended 'The Nowhere Emporium' so I've ordered that.

I've actually read a lot of the YA books such as Maze Runner and there is no way I would recommend to a child. I've a much better idea of what to recommend to a 13/14 year old as a result. It was bad enough explaining about young girls being locked up in asylums and the stigma of being an unmarried mother 100 years ago (thank you Scarlet and Ivy)

OP posts:
minipie · 07/12/2021 09:39

Thank you TheSpiral! Will put them on my list

TheSpiral · 07/12/2021 09:26

Noel Streatfeild not Neil, of course!

TheSpiral · 07/12/2021 09:25

@minipie

Watching as he sounds like my DD who’s just 9.

She loved the first couple of Chrestomanci books but then was disappointed that some of the remaining books in the series have different characters. Same with another Diane Wynne Jones series.

Goodnight Mr Tom has been a surprise hit, maybe as she is into history. Horrible histories and Adam Kay are big hits.

She liked the Dragonology Chronicles. Likes Michael Morpurgo (I don’t but she does!) and some Walliams.

Didn’t like Percy Jackson or Wizards of Once.

not heard of half the ones in your OP so will have to try them!

mini pie, if your DD liked Goodnight Mr Tom, she might like Carrie’s War, Midnight is a Place, Thursday’s Child (Neil Streatfeild) - I remember reading Goodnight Mr Tom at the same time as reading those books.
minipie · 07/12/2021 00:01

Watching as he sounds like my DD who’s just 9.

She loved the first couple of Chrestomanci books but then was disappointed that some of the remaining books in the series have different characters. Same with another Diane Wynne Jones series.

Goodnight Mr Tom has been a surprise hit, maybe as she is into history. Horrible histories and Adam Kay are big hits.

She liked the Dragonology Chronicles. Likes Michael Morpurgo (I don’t but she does!) and some Walliams.

Didn’t like Percy Jackson or Wizards of Once.

not heard of half the ones in your OP so will have to try them!

Skysblue · 06/12/2021 23:58

George’s Secret Key to the Universe.
Hilo.
Tintin.
Calvin & Hobbes.
Terry Pratchett

Skysblue · 06/12/2021 23:56

Has he read Andy Griffiths? It’s all good but Just Shocking is our favourite.

So fed up of people suggesting violent teenage books as appropriate for 8 yr olds. Please ignore the person who suggested the Maze Runner!

NoFitStateMum · 06/12/2021 23:51

Also Mr Stink by David Walliams (though I really dislike Walliams!) and for non-fiction, Kay's Anatomy.

NoFitStateMum · 06/12/2021 23:49

The Ickabog by JKR

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher

The Dogman series

Skysteppers and others in the series by Katharine Rundle (?)

Mumatoo · 06/12/2021 23:41

Matt Haig’s A Boy Called Christmas (3 other books in the series too)
We’re listening to the Polar Bear Explorers Club at the moment and really enjoying it.

WellTidy · 06/12/2021 23:30

The switch or Private Peaceful or Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo

Other Morpurgo ones about animals eg The Butterfly Lion or Shadow or The Eagle in the Snow or Mr Skip

Holes by Louis Sachar

Dragon Mountain series by the Tsangs

Something much lighter (may be a bit young, but would be an easy read) Harry The Poisonous Centipede books

canarycages · 06/12/2021 23:20

My 9yo nephew has just finished the Cogheart series and really enjoyed it. If he likes horror, "Scary Stories for Young Foxes" sounds good, but it's recommended for ages 9+, so I suppose it depends on your DS (perhaps you could read it together?)

BlueChampagne · 03/12/2021 11:36

Edge Chronicles

Hilda41 · 03/12/2021 11:18

Hi, my 9 year old son has similar taste. He's loving the Artemis Fowl graphic novel series. Also Ali Sparkes "Wishful Thinking." He found the Diamond Brothers by Anthony Horowitz really funny. Also enjoyed the Charlie is a Chicken series by Sam Copeland and the Land of Roar series by Jenny McLachlan (as an audio book)
He enjoyed Ronia the Robbers Daughter by Astrid Lindgren and The Explorer by Katherine Rundell (but both of those were me reading to him, not sure if he would have read independently)

Peaseblossum22 · 01/12/2021 14:24

Mine would never read Lemony Snickett , just never took to them. Tbh they weren’t that keen on Percy Jackson either .

Strangevipers · 01/12/2021 14:21

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 01/12/2021 13:59

My 8yo loves the 'Adventures on Trains' series.

Original poster
2022HereWeCome · 01/12/2021 13:56

Thanks everyone - quite a lot here I've not heard of including the dragons one, dead magic. Heard of Michelle Paver but wasn't sure if the chronicles books were aimed at this age group.

He refused to read 'a series of unfortunate events' but sometimes he is just like this .... I think sometimes longer books / series intimidate him and he definitely likes the fantasy / horror stuff alongside the easily relatable books like the pamela butchart ones.

OP posts:
TheSpiral · 01/12/2021 11:31

[quote Peaseblossum22]Anthony Horowitz The Diamond Brothers series, I think the first one is The Falcons Malteser. Then moving onto the Alex Rider books.

Second the This Dead Magic Series and mine liked Flat Stanley, don't forget classics like The Hobbit , and Toms Midnight Garden and The Wind in the Willows, ds3 enjoyed some Eva Ibbotson but I can't remember which one and Michael Morpurgo. This list is quite useful

www.keystonetutors.com/news/prep-school-years-4-to-8-reading-lists#[/quote]
Oh yes, mine liked Eva Ibbotson - Which Witch?, and Secret of Platform 13 (about a secret platform on Kings Cross that leads to another world but written before Harry Potter!). And they also really liked Katherine Rundell’s books eg The Rooftoppers.

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 01/12/2021 11:10

The horrible histories series has been a hit here as son loves Greek mythology. He also love the Pamela Butchart books which include the spy who loved school dinners.

Peaseblossum22 · 01/12/2021 11:02

Anthony Horowitz The Diamond Brothers series, I think the first one is The Falcons Malteser. Then moving onto the Alex Rider books.

Second the This Dead Magic Series and mine liked Flat Stanley, don't forget classics like The Hobbit , and Toms Midnight Garden and The Wind in the Willows, ds3 enjoyed some Eva Ibbotson but I can't remember which one and Michael Morpurgo. This list is quite useful

www.keystonetutors.com/news/prep-school-years-4-to-8-reading-lists#

Runningupthecurtains · 01/12/2021 10:54

Another another vote for Michelle Paver. Also A series of Unfortunate Events.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 01/12/2021 10:50

Another vote for Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

Newuser82 · 01/12/2021 10:47

Land of stories books. The wizards of once