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surgestions for easy reader books for 11 yr old

18 replies

UniS · 22/06/2009 21:42

a lad who will soon be 11 but is not a confident reader yet. I'm looking for adventure stories that are not schooly or reading schemey , not babyish, not about magic, not very long and not dense text..... does such a book exist.

I'm wondering about Stanley Bagshaw- but are they too young?
Also Tin Tin??
Aterix, I suspect will defeat him, to many wordy jokes.

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JeffVadar · 23/06/2009 09:40

He might enjoy the Hiccup books by Cressida Cowell. Very funny, although they are about vikings and dragons!

Also things like Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

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LadyGlencoraPalliser · 23/06/2009 11:55

Mr Gum?
Does he like football. There is a good set of football stories on Book People that would be ideal. Angel FC
Or Doctor Who?

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UniS · 23/06/2009 16:08

ohhh, hicupo- I remember them, might be worth a try, I'll borrow from library and re-read. Viking and dragons might be the right side of the parental veto on occult imagery...

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Pogleswood · 25/06/2009 22:24

My Ds,who is younger(9) but not a confident reader either, likes the Dinosaur Cove books(2 boys find their way back to the time of the dinosaurs).He likes Roddy Doyle too - they aren't exactly adventure,but are very funny(I'm thinking of The Gigglers,The Meanwhile Adventures,and Rover Saves Christmas).

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monkeyfeathers · 03/07/2009 18:08

My son loved the Astrosaurs books by Steve Cole when he was younger.

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UniS · 05/07/2009 19:53

So far I've got him the 1st Asterix book, am looking at adding a "Frankly Frank" book and maybe a graphic novel of Treasure Island...

I'll check out Astrosaurs as well, I think the library has some.

I'm hoping that graphic novels with not much text will appeal. They have some Willard price adventure books already, are there any good chose your own adventure books still about?

Have decided against Hicup as not sure which side of teh parental disapproval line dragons fall. Asterix is set BC so I hope will pass.

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nightcat · 08/07/2009 19:51

try Voyage of Arctic Tern, it's brilliant!

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Chibault · 16/07/2009 23:46

Definitely the Mr Gum series by andy stanton. Even tho books look long, they're short as only one fifth of the page is writing.

Also try Horrid Henry or Beast Quest series.

Could also try Horrible Histories book by terry deary they're really popular and have plenty of illustrations.

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monkeyfeathers · 18/07/2009 16:34

If you're looking for graphic novels without much text, you might want to look in the manga section. There's usually much less text and it's more spaced out than in European or American comics. The only thing is that you may need to watch out/explain how to read an unflopped adaptation (they give instructions, but it might seem weird at first). Although, reading 'backwards' might appeal to your son a lot.

You may also want to check through for suitability of content first too (and not just magic etc). There is loads of 'slice of life' type stuff out there though. Yotsuba& is cute and funny.

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LIZS · 18/07/2009 16:44

Horrible Histories, Michael Lawrence "Jiggy McCue" series, Jack Stalwart series, Eoin colfer's Legend of Spud Murphy and Captain Crow's Teeth

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Arewenearlythereyet2009 · 30/07/2009 12:27

Have a look at the DiscoveryBox books - they are aimed at 9-12 year olds and are very visual, fun and interactive but are in line with the curriculum too which should really help him out. Good luck with it all

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squilly · 30/07/2009 12:40

Have you tried this

www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/search.asp?cid=9437

It does say they're for dyslexics, but that's because they're slightly larger print on cream paper (helps with the visuals apparently).

They tend to be higher interest with a lower reading ability, so they're good for slower readers...not too patronising and often quite funky themes.

Hope this helps.

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UniS · 30/07/2009 19:37

The childrens librarian has been a great help, has shown me where they keep lots of their barrington stoke and other "quick reads" I'm working my way through some to see what content is like. some look like good candiates , others not ( too much magic & paranormal stuff for his parents taste)

Tis a nephew so I'm working on birthday and christmas presents.

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sflower · 21/08/2009 17:08

Message deleted

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chichichien · 21/08/2009 17:20

I cannot imagine a title more inlikely to appeal to 11 year old boys than 'koko the sparrow and friends' - lol

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chichichien · 21/08/2009 17:21

I was going to suggest manga novels too

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teamcullen · 21/08/2009 17:35

I was going to suggest Barrington Stoke too.
DS is 10 and a very reluctant reader. He can mannage The Barrington Stokes as they are in short chapters, so not too demanding, and written in simple text so there is not too much stumbling over difficult words.

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admylin · 25/08/2009 09:40

Shadow Forest was great and quite easy reading. There is a follow up book too, The Runaway Troll.

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