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Book reccomendations for young boys

35 replies

MaximoMark · 27/03/2026 19:27

Hello,
DS is in Year 2 and since Xmas has properly cracked reading and is now quite the bookworm!

He got assessed in school this week as having a reading age of 9.5 - any suggestions for books to read?

He’s read a few of the horrid Henry’s but not that much of a fan (and nor am i), most of the roald dahl’s and a couple of dragon based books.

He’s fairly soft and so doesn’t like any sort of danger, I considered the famous five but I think he’d freak out.

We’re going on holiday soon so would be good to take him to the library and guide him to some good suggestions.

Thanks 🙏

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DisappointingAvocado · 16/10/2026 07:31

My quite sensitive son has really enjoyed the wild robot series, Mirabelle books by Harriet Muncaster (he prefers them to Isadora Moon because Mirabelle is cheeky and a bit older), Zoe's rescue zoo, Holly Webb's kitten and puppy stories.

oustedbymymate · 16/10/2026 07:27

I was going to the magic faraway tree chapter books. They come as a set and are lovely for independent readers.

talekin · 16/10/2026 07:24

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Leafle · 08/10/2026 14:48

I really enjoyed reading these with my advanced reader:

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Rooftoppers
The Explorer
Journey to the River Sea

SlowPokeTX · 30/09/2026 21:26

I used to make up bedtime stories for my niece and nephew. He was 6 and she was 9, and they always wanted adventure stories,Percy Jackson‑type stores with quests, creatures, and lots of imagination. They would act out the stories while I cooked, turning my kitchen into a whole dramatic scene.
Recently my next‑door neighbor recommended a new adventure book he said had just come out. I’ve been looking for something to keep the kids entertained for a while, because they have so much energy that if I could bottle it, I’d be rich.
He told me the book was called Dovid and the Lion’s Pact, and said it was full of adventure. I searched for it on Amazon (US site) and decided to buy it. I’m hoping it has enough excitement to keep my niece and nephew engaged, because they can be a handful at times.

PandaCory · 22/09/2026 17:43

Mine enjoyed the updated Secret Seven books by Pamela Butchart. Also Jeremy Strong's books (My Brother's Famous Bottom, etc), they are a bit simpler but good fun.

HelenHarper80 · 26/08/2026 23:47

MaximoMark · 27/03/2026 19:27

Hello,
DS is in Year 2 and since Xmas has properly cracked reading and is now quite the bookworm!

He got assessed in school this week as having a reading age of 9.5 - any suggestions for books to read?

He’s read a few of the horrid Henry’s but not that much of a fan (and nor am i), most of the roald dahl’s and a couple of dragon based books.

He’s fairly soft and so doesn’t like any sort of danger, I considered the famous five but I think he’d freak out.

We’re going on holiday soon so would be good to take him to the library and guide him to some good suggestions.

Thanks 🙏

If he’s not ready for the Famous Five, try the Secret Seven. Similar traditional story telling but a bit more simple and certainly less danger.

BlueShoeGlue · 09/05/2026 21:58

ds (8) is an advanced reader skill wise (11/12 year old equivalent) but is a reluctant reader so if he shows any interest in a book series I will buy him all of them.
his current favourite is the ‘dogman’ series- on first glance it looks very easy reading, but it does have some harder vocab and concepts than it appears on the surface. He just finds them hilarious and happily reads them without any cajoling from me.
he also has recently enjoyed ‘the worlds worst monsters’ book by David walliams, ‘dirty beasts’ and ‘revolting rhymes’ by Road Dahl

crazycatladie · 09/05/2026 21:53

The Tree House series

Topbird29 · 09/05/2026 21:52

Also the Dragons Realm set of books by Katie Tsang

Topbird29 · 09/05/2026 21:45

David Baddiel's kids books are quite good - silly and funny too. I think The parent agency was his first. Ben Miller has also written some good ones.
My DS also liked the 13 storey tree house books, dogman, how tobtrain your dragon books and then moved onto Percy Jackson and Harry Potter when a bit older. And the Skandar series is quite good.

UtterlyExhaustedPigeon · 09/05/2026 21:39

My advanced reader really likes Tom Fletcher books; The Creakers, The Danger Gang and Space Band.

AlwaysGardening · 09/05/2026 21:37

Beaver Towers series by Nigel Hinton

Leeds2 · 09/05/2026 21:36

Paddington books by Michael Bond.
Pippi Longstocking books by Astrid Lingstrom.
Pamela Butchart books.

DraftLovely · 12/04/2026 17:51

The day my bum went physco. Loved it as a kid and my kids love it now.

Talipesmum · 12/04/2026 16:28

Louis Sachar Wayside School books are great - I think mine started on them about age 7. Quite absurd, funny but not nasty.

Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf, plus having just so stories read to him - they’re particularly good to read out loud.

PurpleFlower1983 · 12/04/2026 14:40

Beast Quest are good.

comfyshoes2022 · 12/04/2026 14:39

Dogman series
The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne

Reader19 · 12/04/2026 14:37

Martin Jarvis did some great adaptations of the Just William books for young readers. They're very true to the story and spirit of the originals, but the language is accessible for younger readers. I couldn't find any on the shelves in bookshops but managed to order some recently.

I adored the Magic Faraway Tree too!

Tove Jansson's Moomin books are wonderful too.

LittleMyLabyrinth · 05/04/2026 21:47

The Arabel & Mortimer books by Joan Aiken.
Margaret Mahy, such as 'The Blood and Thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak' (not actually scary at all, just jolly funny books)

PurpleThistle7 · 29/03/2026 22:09

Daisy and the trouble with…
Zoe’s rescue zoo (lovely gentle books, both my kids liked them for a while)
I know they might be a bit girly, but isadora moon books are lovely and the illustrations are fab
Have you tried any nonfiction? My son was super into fact books at that age.

BurningBenches · 29/03/2026 22:05

My little boy is y2 too and similarly a bookworm.

He has really enjoyed the 13 story treehouse series, so much so he’s currently rereading them.

Also enjoyed Mr Gum, Dog man, Barry Loser, Captain Underpants.

shellyleppard · 29/03/2026 21:49

Would the Percy Jackson by rick Riordan be too advanced for him?

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