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Original poster

Science Fiction recommendations

34 replies

RubberDuck · 27/03/2009 08:39

Ds1 (will be 8 in May) has picked up Asimov's I-Robot off my book shelf and started reading it. He seems to be enjoying it so far (am hoping there's nothing wildly inappropriate in it, has been years since I've read it myself!) - but I do wonder if it's a little old for him.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good science fiction books aimed at children which he might enjoy? I would say his reading level is around Harry Potterish sort of level - it's content is more the issue as while his reading is good, I don't think he's ready for the more mature themes in books aimed at teens.

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Latchley · 13/04/2009 12:24

My DS loves the Philip Reeve books, 'Mortal Engines' is the first one of 4.

KatyMac · 08/04/2009 07:49

No we must be different people - I couldn't cope with the journey every day

Donk · 07/04/2009 22:52

Leeds - and I am a science teacher

KatyMac · 07/04/2009 21:24

I am starting to wonder........where (vaguely) do you live & what do you do?

I'm a childminder in Norfolk

Donk · 07/04/2009 21:20

In fact, KatyMac - are you me in disguise?

Donk · 07/04/2009 21:19

And blushingly admits to having been to conventions as well...

KatyMac · 07/04/2009 21:17

Actually I think they were conventions

KatyMac · 07/04/2009 21:16

I used to do conferences........[gulp]

seeker · 07/04/2009 21:14

Oh wow - katymac! I am so jealous!

KatyMac · 07/04/2009 21:11

I would agree about Anne McCaffery & I think she would too (I had dinner with her once)

7 is way too young maybe 10-12 for Dragon song/singer/drums - but older for the others much older

seeker · 07/04/2009 21:10

Interestingly, I do find that a lot of the things I enjoyed as a child- Heinlein, Garner, Norton - are too 'wordy" for my children, even though they are both good readers.

seeker · 07/04/2009 21:08

I think Anne Mccaffery is too difficult for even the best 7 year old reader. My dd is enjoying them very much at the moment and she's 13.

My ds is 8, and is working his way through the Artemis Fowl books at the moment. He's a good reader and they are just about at his level. I do think it's important not to over-face them - it's easy to put them off books at this age.

Donk · 07/04/2009 21:04

Heinlein did some good children's stories:
Citizen of the Galaxy
Space Cadet
Have space suit will travel

Just don't go for any of his later, longer stuff! (definite adult themes - and in some cases poor writing IMO)

Andre Norton wrote some good children's SF too - The Zero Stone (and sequel)

  • Beast Master, (and the sequel)
  • Catseye
  • Steel Magic

Red Moon and Black Mountain (Joy Chant)
Grey Mane of Morning (Joy Chant)

  • brilliant books, which I loved and re-read time and time again.

A wrinkle in Time (Madeleing L'Engle) terrified me at that age - but I grew to love it over the years.

John Christopher books - several series IIRC
Nicholas Fisk - Trillions

EachPeachPearMum · 07/04/2009 20:55

Ooh- just had 'Redwall' by Brian Jacques recommended to me- about monks who are all mice...

grumpyfrumpy · 05/04/2009 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mimsum · 05/04/2009 19:59

A wrinkle in time - I loved that at 8 ish and am just about to track it down for ds2

EachPeachPearMum · 02/04/2009 22:32

Asimov's short stories are excellent- Black Widow Mysteries etc.
I loved Alan Garner as a child... though ~I was more like 9 than 7...
I read a lot of weiss/hickman stuff too- dragonlance... but again was 9 or 10, so not 100% sure on sexual content.
What about Ursula leGuin's wizard of earthsea, Andre Norton- catseye.

SnowWoman · 01/04/2009 21:48

How about Douglas Hill? or Bruce Coville's Alien in the Classroom series. Louise Lawrence DreamWeaver or Moonwind might be OK too.

jeee · 29/03/2009 18:01

Nicholas Fisk, "a rag, a bone and a hank of hair" - John Christopher is very good too.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 29/03/2009 17:41

I don't think I would give the Pern series to an eight year old. There is a lot of shagging in it.

DuchessOfAvon · 29/03/2009 11:36

I remember by Sci-Fi mad sister was into books by Robert Westall.

Takver · 28/03/2009 09:27

Diana Wynne Jones has some good ones which are more sci-fi than straight fantasy (the Homeward Bounders for example). If he likes fantasy as well then she has written lots (the Chrestomanci books probably the youngest in age group)?

I would have though Hitchhikers Guide was a bit old for an 8 yr old? Maybe not .. .

neversaydie · 27/03/2009 15:58

I would support Pratchett - ds is enjoying The wee free men and hatful of sky at the moment.

Peter Dickinson writes some excellent science fiction/fantasy for children. The Weathermonger is one that I read as a child and still remember vividly.

I personally found both Alan Garner and Susan Cooper's books very frightening as a child.

The other one to look out for is Andre Norton - the Beastmaster series is one I remember enjoying about that age.

Original poster
RubberDuck · 27/03/2009 15:52

Wow, what a fab selection! Thanks all - think a trip to the library with a list is called for

OP posts:
didoreth · 27/03/2009 15:34

I loved science fiction at that age. I recommend the tripod trilogy, I bought them for my nephew recently and ended up rereading them - they're as good as I remembered. Agree John Wyndham good as well. Some early Robert Heinlein would be suitable - not his later stuff, way too much sex (though I read a lot of it before I entered puberty) - I loved 'Have spacesuit, will Travel'.

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