What can an 8yo read between book 3 and 4 of Harry Potter?

[CustardLover]

Just that really - my DN has read the first three Harry Potter books, loved them, but his mum doesn't want him to read book four yet (too dark!) so I'd love to get him some other books to read that he might also love - he's got the reading bug right now and I want to feed that appetite! Any suggestions?

Chrestomanci series by Diane Wynne Jones
Narnia?

Diana Wynne Jones! Great thought.

I think the films are darker than the books. DS1 is 8 and had read the lot. He has recently also particularly enjoyed "The Phantom Tollbooth", and tried, but not got on with Eva Ibbotson. Roman Mysteries are another fave.

Land of stories by Chris Colfer. Tense but not as dark as later Harry Potters. A good character does die in 2nd/3rd but it is 'more natural' than in HP where good characters start dying violent deaths.

From 10/11 they have read the final few HP books, a 9 yr old should be ok with the 4th one but I think it also builds them up a bit, they work well with gaps between them and the term structure means that there aren't too many cliffhangers between the books.

The Charlie Bone books by Jenny Nimmo?

Children on the Oregon Trail (Puffin Books): A.Rutgers Van Der Loeff
Brilliant book.

Second thoughts - I think mine read it when they were about 10. Depends on his reading ability, but it is a super read.

Children of the Oregon trail has parents dying and baby nearly dying, so may not be appropriate.

Lemony Snicket and some endless Greek gods American series were the sort of thing dd1 read post HP. I've let her read up to 4 (she's nearly 8) but I think 5 is just too dark for now, so I'm also on the look out for ideas.

Witchworld and Witchmyth by Emma Fischel
Goth Girl
The Worst Witch (if she hasn't already read it)

DD (age 9) is waiting to be allowed to read book 4, too. In the meantime, she's read both Percy Jackson series (5 books in each, so it took her a while!), some Eva Ibbotson, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Wimpy Kid, How to Train Your Dragon, Barry Loser, some Clue 39 (big series, written by many different authors).

I could have written your post OP.
Dd8 is currently reading HP 3rd book. Looking for ideas for her next book.some good suggestions here. DWJ is my and DD1s favourite author.
She did not like chrestomanci but will try it a bit later.
Any other suggestions?

Some of the things my DD has loved since HP are: Chrestomanci, Howls Moving Castle, Percy Jackson (and the follow up series), a book of Greek Myths and Legends (thanks to PJ), Artemis Fowl (currently working through those) & Anne of Green Gables.
She enjoyed but didn't love Narnia but didn't love it. She hasn't got on with the Dark is Rising series (sadly).

I should add, I'm not sure what the Percy Jacksons are like, and she has read all of HP, so some other posters might be able to suggest if they are more/less/same in terms of scary.

My parents let me read anything that was in the house. Literally anything- nothing was off limits. I read stuff I probably shouldn't have, but the thing with that was the truly inappropriate stuff went right over my head. I was far more upset and disturbed by books that were seen as suitable for my age (Carrie's War, A Little Princess, Black Beauty spring to mind) than those which were aimed at young adults and adults.
That said, not my dc, not my choice. There are lots of websites with lists of fantasy or other genre books suitable for 8 year olds.

I'm just finishing the last HP book with my 9 and almost 7 year olds. Feel bad now but they have adored every second and have been fine. Will be noting down these suggestions to help fill the void afterwards though!

Small Change for Stuart
Big Change for Stuart
Time travelling with a Hamster
My Brother is a Superhero (I could have been one too but I needed a wee)
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret (beautiful to give as a gift)
Wonderstruck (also beautiful to give as a gift - same author and illustrator)
The Marvels (as above)
The Terrible Thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket
The Boy who swam with piranhas
Wonder
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
Michael Morpurgo books

Archie Green books by D D Everest could be worth a look. Also Phillip Ardagh.