Life's too short for mediocre books. What is you favourite book for 7/ 8 year olds?

[SprinkledGlitter]

I am looking for suggestions for my nephews for Christmas. Both confident readers, i have been told.

The Abominables. Great if they're into animals! The Jeremy James books are funny. The Mum MInder and Cliffhanger by Jacqueline Wilson?

Oh yes Mr Gum and How to Train your Dragon are really good too.

The CDs of Mr Gum read by Andy Stanton (the author) are hilarious - I don't know who loves them more, the DC or me and DH.

Thanks for all this help.

Apparently the 7 yr old likes to treat all his books like scripts, acting out all the different characters. Are there any books that would be really good, taking that into account?

My suggestion would be the dragon book series. 'The boy who grew dragons' by Andy Shepherd. There's 5 of them. We also like Diary of a wimpy kid, 13 storey treehouse and Mr Gum. I hated Mr Gum but DS thinks they're great!

@SprinkledGlitter

Thanks for all this help.

Apparently the 7 yr old likes to treat all his books like scripts, acting out all the different characters. Are there any books that would be really good, taking that into account?

Mr Gum is excellent for this. The characters are all very distinct and have exaggerated comical personalities. There are make, female, and talking biscuit characters. Might not be great for vegans though.

Thanks very much x

Really depends what type of books your nephews like reading. My Ds (8) has no time for David Williams, or Mr Gum and was disappointed with how to train your dragon (because we'd seen the films).

He's recently enjoyed The Danger Gang, and loved The Spiderwick Chronicles at age 7. It's all Harry Potter at the moment and then we are moving on to Percy Jackson ...

Oh he also loves 'The Bolds' series by Julian Clary. They are surreal and very funny.

He's also quite enjoyed Frank Cottrell Boyce's books - Broccoli Boy and Millions.

The 'Nothing to see here hotel' series would be great for acting out. About hotel for mythical creatures. Very funny and chapter book with pictures so great for just getting into longer books stage.

There's an awful lot of weirdos in our neighbourhood. Colin McNaughton
I loved it, DD, DS1 and DS2 loved/love it and every child I've ever recited bits of it to has loved it.

Seconding the Janet & Alan Ahlberg books too.

Thanks everybody.

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I loved The Worst Witch books at that age.

I am assuming they have Harry Potter already?

I have bought my 9 year old The Legend of Podkin One-Ear books (Five Realms series) and I am quite excited about them. Heal so also currently likes the Percy Jackson books.

My 8 year old is not a confident reader and likes Dogman, Claude and the Treehouse books.

Yes, I would think they have Harry Potter. Thanks for all these replies x

Mine are this age and I've bought them the Guiness Book of Records.
They love Roald Dahl and Davix Walliams
Currently reading Enid Blytons Christmas Stories.

They really loved Matilda BFG and Charlotte's Web. Going to go for the Lion Witch and the Wardrobe next.

Oh yeah, DS used to love Guineas Book of Records at that age too. And some other fact books.

The Mr Gum books are brilliant! Really recommend them. DS loved them and the author Andy Stanton is wonderful. Sent DS a signed copy and a handwritten letter. First in the series is "You're a bad man, Mr Gum"

All the Roald Dahls, especially Matilda

Mr Gum. For sure.