Book Recommendations for 8 year old boy gifted in reading

[Zingzilla]

Hello

Just wondered if any of you out there with children gifted in reading had any recommendations for books suitable for 8 year old boy with reading age of 13.

I am looking for a present for my nephew, who's parents are not big readers and don't tend to buy him many books in spite of his interest and ability in reading.

He loves the Harry Potter books and has read all these. Is there anything similar you could recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I've just posted on your other thread!

For ease of reference, I suggested the Percy Jackson books (adventure stories based on the Greek myths, on the basis that the gods continued to exist and have children with mortals, these children then have legendary adventures).

The Alex Rider books - stick to the first six, as the last two are noticeably darker.

Skullduggery Pleasant

Thanks folks! Didn't realise this topic existed - so posted message twice. Isn't Mumsnet useful?!

My son is 8 and a very good but not very keen reader, so I have to try quite hard to find good books for him. He has really enjoyed Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbottson - a real story without any topics that were too old for him (I read it too and it was really good). I have bought another couple by her but he hasn't read them yet. He also really likes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books - I haven't read these so can't comment. David Walliams 'Billionaire Boy' was a hit, but not so much Mr Stink. I have ordered him The Boy in the Dress for Christmas.

Clockwork
The Firework makers daughter
I was a Rat
The scarecrow and his servant

All by Philip Pullman

The William books by Richmal Crompton are good. They are innocent enough for a younger child by virtue of them being written ages ago and William is only 11 but the language is challenging.

the Edge chronicles
new David Walliams - Gangsta Granny
Ali Sparkes - the Shapeshifter series

Super! Thanks so much x

He might like The Children of Green Knowe which, being an older book, is less formulaic and quite challenging in terms of some of the language, although the content is fine for an 8 year old. Ditto the John Masefield books The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.

I agree with the Philip Pullman ones; they're great.
Skellig (though a few choice words in there!)
Stig of the Dump
Spiderwick Chronicles
Series of Unfortunate events
Indian in the cupboard

Something like this www.amazon.co.uk/Orchard-Book-Greek-Myths/dp/1852133732/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1322077192&sr=8-3

would make a nice present.

DS is 8 - not sure what his current reading age is but a couple of years ago, it was 12+ - and he has read and enjoyed:

the William books
the Chronicles of Narnia
Michael Morpurgo books
the Alex Rider series
the Roman Mysteries
Percy Jackson
Artemis Fowl
all the Roald Dahl stories

and for Christmas, we have got him the Wilbur Price adventure stories, and the Bear Grylls stories for children.

He is absolutely obsessed with all the Horrible Histories.

Some of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett are aimed at younger/teen readers - he would probably enjoy them a lot. He also has some standalone kids' books.

Brian Jacques' Redwall books are wonderful, and timeless. Perfect for boys as well!

www.redwallabbey.com/