10yr old boy reading age 14

[jessieminto]

He's been a reluctant reader for the past few years and is being assessed for ASD. He enjoyed diary of a wimpy kid and captain underpants but obviously they are not at a level that will challenge him.

Any suggestions? I've read through the recent Horror thread and ordered a Stephen King book but would love to have something else to try.

It take a lot to get him engaged and can be put off by just the cover of the book or it's title. TIA

I loved and still frequently re-read the edge chronicles, beyond the deepwoods was the first I read but it's technically the fourth book, there are sky pirates in some, there are some illustrations, the stories are suitable for teenage reading ages with nothing I would consider inappropriate as a topic even for younger children.

Take him shopping and see what he picks up? Ds2 is 10 and likes things like Pages and Co, the Morrigan Crow series, Adventures on Trains, Dragon Mountain and Skullduggery Pleasant.

Harry Potter? I'm mostly just here to follow to rob some ideas for DSS

If he was a reluctant reader, I'd let him read stuff that interests him.
I also be wary of going upto his reading age because the themes aren't particularly suitable.

Terry Prachett?
Alex Ryder?
Percy Jackson?
Harry Potter?

What are his interests? We got DS2 reading by finding a series about cats....

Terry Pratchett's discworld - but not in the published order! You could start with the ones written for younger readers, or if you think he'd rather read a "proper one" I would say start with the guards series, beginning with Guards! Guards! and then Men at Arms. If he gets into them he can go back and read the others, though the first three aren't as good as the rest. There will be a lot in there that goes over his head, but there's nothing inappropriate, the plots are great, they're funny, and there's a real richness in the language.

There’s an abridged version of The Da Vinci Code which is suitable for that age www.penguin.co.uk/books/298/298406/the-da-vinci-code--abridged-edition-/9780141372563.html

DS enjoyed the Mission Survival series by Bear Grylls and then read his autobiography Mud Sweat and Tears. If your son likes non-fiction, then there’s a survival guide called How To Stay Alive which DS enjoyed too.

If he enjoyed Diary of a Wimpy Kid and wants something similar but a bit harder, then try:
Max Grumbly
Kid Normal
I Funny
Timmy Failure

If he liked the graphic novel format of Captain Underpants, then I’d suggest Big Nate or The Last Kids on Earth

Have you tried him with graphic novels? They are a really good gateway to reading and there are so many out there which are not just children's 'comics' but have actual storylines and require attention and reading.

If he likes a bit of horror/ something a bit dark, Locke and Key might interest him, and there's also a TV show of it on Netflix so he could read and watch.

Other good ones are Bone, Ms Marvel, or even just the general Marvel stories (although you have to be selective and find the good ones).

You could try Infinity Gauntlet: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0785156593?ascsubtag=grd-gb-7169817235483885000-20&geniuslink=true&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

If you have a tablet/ device, you can get a subscription to Marvel online with unlimited access to their comics. It could be perfect for him.

www.marvel.com/unlimited

(I just realised he's 10, sorry thought he was 14. Locke and Key might be a bit adult for him - you'd have to check the themes)

My 14 yo adores Rick Riordan (percy Jackson) but just suggesting it really-they are a huge jump from captain underpants but you suggested stephen king so they'renot quite as hefty. I'd suggest a happy medium that can be found in the library or book shop from a wander about?

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur trilogy - starts with The Seeing Stone

Second Terry Pratchett and Edge Chronicles (started reading them to DS2 when he was 5 or 6).

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm going to go with a few and also take him to the bookshop. He refuses to step foot in the library and I don't want to argue with him, just encourage.

You need to be careful as even though his reading age is high some of the content in books would not be appropriate for his age. You will find a lot of swearing and some sex scenes in books for 14 year olds. For example Robert Muchamore’s Cherub series starts off okay but by book 6 or 7, there is prostitution, rape, swearing and sex scenes. Stephen King books also have some sex scenes. At his age I would point him towards Skulduggery Pleasant and Alex Rider Books.

What about nonfiction? My ds1 (similar age and reading level to your ds) only reads fiction when forced but he reads books about gaming, computers and science. He loved Horrible Histories.

The Space We're In by Katya Balen is brilliant

I and my DS also loved October October by her.

(I've been reading them to my 9 year old DS)

But Space has a boy hero - and October is about a girl... not sure if that might put your DS off?

The Dark is Rising Trilogy by Susan Hill.

I loved that at about your sons age and was an advanced reader too (unlike my own DS )

Sorry Susan Cooper not Susan Hill... and it's now a sequence of five - was only a trilogy when I first read it...

The Dark Is Rising Sequence Collection 5 Books Set By Susan Cooper ( Over Sea, Under Stone,The Dark is Rising, Green Witch, The Grey King, Silver On The Tree) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782959416/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_5VGAYKEF3XGV4VZJX5RY

My 10 yo would be terrified by Stephen King, just because the reading age is 14 doesn't equate to being able to handle the content.

What about Discworld?

My son at that age (also advanced reader ) loved

Percy Jackson - and all the wider series, demolished the lot
Skullduggery pleasant
Started to get into Terry Pratchett - we started with the Tiffany Aching series - wee free men is the first and he found it hilarious the way they speak lol.

This with bells on.
stick to books for ten year olds, he will get through them quicker but they are appropriate.

My DS also enjoyed The Edge Chronicles. His favourite is Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. Alex Rider and Percy Jackson are v popular with 10 year olds but may not challenge him much. Personally I think Stephen King is too dark for that age. It's a tricky balance to find something just right for able teen boys who don't want lots of violence.

I had a similar problem, by 8 I was already reading books well past my age. Maybe try older, "classic" type books, aimed at teens or adults, as they may be less likely to have excessive violence or sex in. Also, try this list.

imaginationsoup.net/challenging-books-for-young-advanced-readers/

I used to read James Herriott, Austen, Bronte, Tolkien etc.

James Herriott is a good call, could also try Wodehouse, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Gerald Durrell.

But I would try to be guided by him if he’s a reluctant reader. There’s nothing wrong with reading books aimed at 10yos even if he could read something more advanced. The key thing is that he enjoys it and so develops a love of reading, and if that means he’s not always challenged by what he reads, that’s fine.

What about the short stories of Ronald Dahl - the ones which were turned into Tale of the Unexpected? Lamb to the Slaughter and The Landlady are stories which really captured the imagination of teens I have taught. You could then watch the episodes and see which he preferred - the story or the film?