Recommendations for competent but reticent 9 year old male reader - nothing seems to "grab" him

[fredfortoday]

He has started and left numerous books recently. I am not keen on wimpy kid or Tom Gates or anything else that seems to require picture illustration. He recently read the slightly easier Caroline Lawrence book called the Sewer Rat [which incidentally I thoroughly recommend] (similar but easier than her Roman Mystery series) but cannot get on with the Roman Mystery books themselves. Anything with humour seems to entertain. Can anyone please suggest books that might appeal? Thanks very much.

Keith Grey is a fab author for boys. I can really recommend him.

The Bolds by Julian Clary is very funny, Frank Cotterell Boyce books, eg Millions have been well received here. The Fizzlebert Stump books by AF Harrold are great, and his poems (eg "Things you find in a poet's beard) are v funny - my 9YO DS likes to cackle over 4 or 5 poems before he goes to sleep. Actually poems generally can be great to dip into. Try Michael Rosen ones, then he can watch them being performed on YouTube.

Mine has recently taken up avid reading thanks to Darren Shan books. Not humour though, horror going by the covers. Probably too old for him but I think that is part of the appeal.

Why don't you like books with illustrations? Ds is 10 and is still daunted by whole pages of words. However he's avidly read diary of a wimpy kid and Tom gates. He's currently reading the last children on earth and has chosen goosebumps to read next. He also really likes fact books.

So long as he's reading something I don't mind what it is

Getting on this thread as I too have a competent plus reticent nine year old.
he's enjoyed parent agency and goosebumps recently.loved spiderwick but seems to have gone off them.

How to train your dragon (and follow ups). It has pictures, but I'm not sure why that's be a problem. DS2 loves them. They're funny too.

Ds liked the 'world of norm' books and a couple of books by Danny Wallace. Is currently reading the Charlie Bone series of books

My 9 year old would rather read factual books or comics most of the time. I've been reading him Harry Potter and now we are on the last one he keeps sneaking the book away and reading ahead.

He loved Mr Gum a while ago and is enjoying Mr Stink at the moment. He loved Philip Pullman's Adventures of the New Cut Gang last summer, that was one of the first things other than Mr Gum that really got him enthusiastic.

Anything that he's interested in is good, regardless of illustrations, he needs to get inspired.
(Btw have you read diary of a wimpy kid? They are laugh out loud funny in places, me and one of my ds' often end up in hysterics, the author is very funny)

I agree that anything he's interested in is good, whatever it is. I notice that you say that you're not keen on Tom gates or diary of a wimpy kid, but that doesn't mean that your DS won't love them. DS2 adores Tom Gates.

The best way to nurture a love of reading is to encourage him to read what he enjoys, even if you think it's crap.

I wouldn't diss Tom Gates or Diary of a a wimpy kid. These were what got my son into independent reading. Took me a while to wean him off them but at 11 he happily reads a wide range of books.

My 9 year old DS has been a hard nut to crack with reading chapter books too. However, he adores comics and so long as he is reading, I don't mind. He's progressed from comics to illustrated chapter books like Tom Gates and has recently started to read unillustrated ones like Captain Underpants. So I would say, anything they will read gets them started, just keep putting irresistible books in front of him!

Anything by Roald Dahl or David Walliams.
I agree with previous opinion, anything he enjoys reading will nurture his love of books.
As the mum of boys, I would say mine were often fascinated by non fiction books on subjects ranging from space, dinosaurs, gruesome facts, deadly animals, anything that grabbed their attention.
Remember that looking up information on the net is also classed as reading.

Rick Riordan - The Percy Jackson series about the Greek Gods are excellent
How about the Terry Pratchett ones for younger readers - things like Diggers/Wings

Varjak Paw by S F Said
Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer
Definitely how to train your dragon- those books are outstandingly good. Funny, gripping, moving.
Would he like TinTin? I know they're comics but they're great adventures.

Mine also enjoy wimpy kid, Tom Gates and factual books.

Fiction that has been a hit are

Everything by David Walliams.

Some stuff by Jeremy Strong

Percy Jackson books and in fact anything to do with Greek Mythology.

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Tales of of 4th Grade Nothing and Superfudge by Judy Blume

Horror (Cliff McNish is a favourite but read at age 10)

Mine loved 'accidental prime minister' and currently reading 'captain underpants' and also liked the series by Stephen Hawkins and his daughter Lucy.

DS1 likes the Alex Rider books, Harry Potter and David Walliams

I have a 10 year old who needed the light hearted, easy read style of Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates to get him interested, now he's moving on but I'm SO glad those books were there at that point to help him!! They are funny, his friends were reading them, it's also encouraged him to draw too so that's also a plus. Really don't dismiss them out of hand OP - as long as he's reading something, even cartoon style, it's progress! which could lead into the more demanding style you seem to prefer.

Thanks for all these posts. I am just working through them now. I have looked but cannot find anything for Keith Grey - is that definitely his name? Thanks very much.

It's spelt Gray

Would second Jeremy Strong books.

Also the Jiggy McCue series by Michael Lawrence.

David Baddiel's books - especially "The Person Controller"

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents - darker than you might expect but very funny, especially for children familiar with how traditional stories are supposed to work (and who enjoy having that overturned).

Or take him to a library and let him choose a few books - you can always throw in one you think he should read rather than one he wants to read if you think it will be productive. Then let him take them back, don't worry if he hasn't read them, and choose some more. Repeat until something strikes a chord with him.

THE RED PYRAMID

Just a thought: have you considered mixing it up a bit with some audio books, to get the enjoyment element back?
Non-fiction?
Mr Gum series: silly and entertaining.
David Baddiel's stuff made my son laugh out loud.