Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Books for a seven year old boy to read to himself?

33 replies

Tunt · 06/05/2019 10:18

He’s done some Roald Dahls, some Walliams but not a massive fan. Has read the first four Harry Potters but has abandoned the fifth as the language got challenging. Currently loving the horrible histories box set. He’s just read and loved Charlie Changes into a Chicken. Has also read Birthday Boy recently which he didn’t love.

I feel like I don’t really know what’s “out there” for kids nowadays and I only know about the bestsellers. Has anyone got any good receommendations? I’ve seen a recent similar thread but that seems to be or parents to read to kids so perhaps slightly different.

TIA

OP posts:
cheeseandcrackers · 06/05/2019 10:21

Billy Bonkers, My Hamster is a Spy, Accidental Pirates, Astrosaurs, Captain Underpants, Space Penguins all favourites with my ds but all easier to read to himself than Harry Potter

DungballInADress · 06/05/2019 10:26

My 7yo has enjoyee:

All the Dog Man books
The 104-storey Treehouse
Tom Gates
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Toto the Ninja Cat
Kid Normal
Radio Boy
David Baddiel's books

StitchesInTime · 06/05/2019 10:26

I’m currently reading the 13 Storey Treehouse series to 7 yr old DS1 and DS1 is loving those.
The language in them is simpler than in Harry Potter, so a child capable of reading Harry Potter should be fine with the 13 Storey Treehouse books.

Weepingwillows12 · 06/05/2019 10:28

How about Beast Quest? Terrible repetitive books but my ds likes them.

Or How to train your dragon?

GeorgeTheBleeder · 06/05/2019 10:29

Perfect age for Narnia. Particularly if he liked HP.

Invisimamma · 06/05/2019 10:33

My 8yt old loves Pamela Buchart's books, Diary of a Wimpy kid and Tom Gates.

I'm going to follow this thread for more inspiration. He flies through books and I can't keep up!

PotolBabu · 06/05/2019 10:33

The Story Treehouse series
Jack Stalwart series
He enjoyed an American series called Zoey and Sassafras
Captain Underpants

Farmmum7 · 06/05/2019 10:34

My son started with the 13 storey tree house he's on the 7th one now and loves them and the Captain underpants books.

jackparlabane · 06/05/2019 10:36

Stick Dog, Asterix, The day the world went Loki, Tom Gates.

Narnia is much harder to read than Harry Potter - my 10yo can't get into it yet. So much to explain about evacuees and rationing first.

FurForksSake · 06/05/2019 10:39

Go into Waterstones and have a look, honestly I had no idea of all the brilliant chapter books for my just turned 6 year old (he's about to become a free reader at school, whatever that means!) until I did. We then buy the odd book from Waterstones but mainly go and borrow from the library as he is fairly prolific and luckily they have a good selection but not so well presented.

Weepingwillows12 · 06/05/2019 11:50

Also 'the bad guys' by Aaron Blabey. It's got some pictures so not as advanced as Harry Potter but it's funny.

Chewbecca · 06/05/2019 12:07

Beast Quest were so dull to me but they really spurred my DS into reading independently around that age so I would recommend.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 06/05/2019 12:10

Iguana Boy
Pamela Butchart books
Treehouse books
Bizarrely, a Secret 7 this week!

Original poster
Tunt · 06/05/2019 17:23

Great thanks, lots to look at. We’ve done Beast quest thank goodness, that was a dire period. Has read and loved all of captain underpants too. I think I will give the treehouse books a go next

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 06/05/2019 17:30

Secret Seven was very popular in our house, as were Astrosaurs. Ask at the library? We found it really easy to order in the next book in a series if it wasn't on the shelf and you haven't lost anything if he doesn't like it.

escapade1234 · 06/05/2019 17:32

Mr Majeika is a great box set for a 7 year old. They like books set in schools with mad teachers I find.

I hated Beast Quest. Luckily it was very short lived for us.

Original poster
Tunt · 06/05/2019 18:06

Unfortunately the library have really upset me and I am boycotting it (they know nothing about it obviously) otherwise I just wouldn’t be having this problem.

OP posts:
Nifflerbowtruckle · 06/05/2019 18:07

I'd look at some of the Michael morpurgo and Malorie Blackman books for that age group they are pretty good.

Nottheduchess · 06/05/2019 18:11

My DS7 has just started reading for fun by himself. He is currently on book 4 of the treehouse series (52 story tree house???)

bookmum08 · 06/05/2019 18:16

Really curious what the library did to you!!
If he likes history (as he read Horrible Histories) he might enjoy the Hetty Feather series by Jacqueline Wilson.

Invisimamma · 06/05/2019 19:00

My son has also loved...

Magic Misfits - Neil Patrick Harris
Wizards if Once - Cressida Cowbell
Danger is everywhere series

Handofglory · 06/05/2019 19:06

Mine likes mr gum
He managed quite well with narnia which surprised me as he’s not the most fluent reader yet.
He also loves listening to an audio book and reading along with the paperback

BareBelliedSneetch · 06/05/2019 19:10

Mr Gum
Astrosaurs
Dinosaur cove
Magic treehouse
13-storey treehouse
Spy dogs/spy cats/spy pups
The beastquest Avantia books
Bear Grylls Adventure books
Dick king smith

gassylady · 06/05/2019 19:10

Dinosaur cove books not too long language simpler than HP, sweet stories and far less repetitive than Beast Quest.
Astrosaurs and astrosaur academy also good- space going dinosaurs with craft powered by poo! What’s not to like Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread