8 yr old boy - need new book suggestions!

[florenceuk]

DS seems to be racing through all his books and I am not quite sure what to get out from the library next. To give you an idea, he has read:

• all the Horrible Histories we can find
• all the Alex Rider books except the very latest one
• all the Cressida Cowell books
• quite a few of the Roman Mysteries
• the Terry Deary Fire Thief series
• all the Astrosaurs, Cows in Action, Mammoth books in the local library plus the latest one about a dinosaur T-rex
• all the Molly moon books
• all the Nelly the monster books
• Charlie Small books
• some of the Narnia books - I've been a bit selective as I don't really like some of these
• pretty much all the suitable Roald Dahl books, including his biog, Going Solo

Currently on a WW theme:

• lots of Morpurgo (over the hols he read the latest one about a tsunami, plus War Horse, and the Diary of Adolphus Tips)
• has read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, something like this might appeal but don't want too much about the Holocaust as he is only 8
• currently reading Johnny and the Bomb by Pratchett

• Also got the latest book by Geraldine McGaughren for Xmas - the Death Defying Pepper Roux - which he loved, but not anything else of hers - not sure what else might be similar
• also some series called "Rangers Apprentice"

Did not like Lemony Snicket, found the Diana Wynne Jones Christpher Chant books a bit hard. Hasn't really warmed to Artemis Fowl yet but I might get him to try it again.

Trying to find books that are a bit more complicated than, say, Astrosaurs but not too complicated - the Edge Chronicles stuff, for example, seems too complicated. He doesn't seem to like "gothic" books or stuff about ghosts/vampires etc but obviously likes both history and fantasy - would he be ready for those Percy Jackson books? Also suggestions for any other WWI or WWII themed books (but not too grim - I wouldn't give him, e.g. the diary of Anne Frank.)

Mmm Harry Potter so obvious I forgot to mention them in the long list of things DS has already read. He has reread them a number of times, more times than perhaps I think healthy! He was very keen on Beast Quest but I think once he'd read about 20 of them seemed less inclined to seek them out in the library. I think we will try more Pratchett as well.

Notanidea, I'll let you know what those books are like. You can get some from the library as well.

Mmm Harry Potter so obvious I forgot to mention them in the long list of things DS has already read. He has reread them a number of times, more times than perhaps I think healthy! He was very keen on Beast Quest but I think once he'd read about 20 of them seemed less inclined to seek them out in the library. I think we will try more Pratchett as well.

Notanidea, I'll let you know what those books are like. You can get some from the library as well.

If he likes fantasy he might like the Susan Cooper 'Dark is Rising' series. Also perhaps The Hobbit.
There is also a trilogy by William Nicolson which he may like; the first book is called the Windsinger.

Second also the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, but agree that your DS maybe wait a year or two.

More old fashioned, but fun, are the Jennings and William books. DS likes those for light relief

If he likes fantasy he might enjoy the Susan Cooper ?Dark is Rising? series. Also the Hobbit?

There is also a trilogy of books by William Nicholson which he may like; the first book is called The Windsinger.

I second the recommendation of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness but agree that your DS might to well to wait a year or two.

More old fashioned, but fun stories, are the Jennings and William stories, which DS still reads for a bit of light relief.

Thanks - lots of ideas now! Have gone to library and got some Tintins, a Willard Price book called Tiger Adventure (I remember these!), and one of those True Stories about the Blitz, plus another Johnny Maxwell. Notanidea, the True Stories are included in the non-fiction section if you are looking for them. I couldn't see any Knowledge series, but will try the reservation system.

JeffVader, he tried the Chronicles series but stopped when they got too scary (I think the one called Soul eater which does sound quite grim) - why isn't Harry Potter so scary (maybe the pedestrian prose style!)

Wow, Willard Price! I had forgotten about him. My brother and I used to LOVE those books...

Try the Demon headmaster series (Gillian Cross)
Also Michael Lawrence - Jiggy McCue (Lighthearted, but my DS LOVED them)

• Bruce Coville - Magic Shop series (may be a bit more challenging includes books like

Jeremy Thatcher, dragon hatcher

Diamond Brother series e.g. I know what you did last Wednesday By Horowitz, Anthony

Framed By Frank Cottrell Boyce (and others in the same series - e.g. Cosmic)

Has he read
George's cosmic treasure hunt By Lucy Hawking (and the earlier one - Guide to the Universe?)

gearges secret key to the universe - Lucy Hawking.

I loved treasure island as a child - dd did not want to start the book.

Iron man - Ted Hughes, Five children and it - E.Nesbitt. Journey to the centre of the eath- Jules Verne.

Cant get over the fact DD does not want to read treasure island - do the wise Mners think it appeals more to boys

Not read the entire thread but have you tried the Pet Finders Club, and what about Enid Blyton - Famous Five, and all the rest.

If you can still get them I used to read the Willard bPrice stories plus the Malcolm Saville Lone Pine club books (I still have all mine for dcs)

Rosemary Sutcliffe does some good historical books, and I also loved Cynthia HArnett's books.

Thanks all. The more suggestions the better! This has become a very useful reference thread for me.

Notanidea, it's interesting what kids do and don't like. Sometimes, it's just the packaging - old scruffy books aren't as appealing as nice new ones with nice fonts and nice paper, for example!

Ds2 loved Cosmic by Frank cottril boyce. varjak Paw by SF Said. Gideon the Cut purse, by Linda Bucley Archer. Just started the Joshua Files. Its at school so cant tell you the Author Oh and of course Diary of a Wimpy Kid!

haven't read the whole thread, but on a skim through saw that you were looking for WW books......Have you tried the Lion and the Unicorn by Shirley Hughes?? It beautiful illustrated and about a boy called Lenny Levi who is evacuated...it's a thought provoking book that has lots of lessons and points of discussion. My 6 year old really enjoyed it.

bookmarking this as my 8 yr old ds seems ot have similar tastes!
On a MN recommendation I bought him a willard price - it seems to be going down well so far though I am not as keen as I thought I would be.
he has also spent hours poring over Dorling kindersley non fiction WW1 and WW2 books.

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks is the first in a fantastic series which combines history with contemporary life.

I work in the children's section of a bookshop and there are some really good suggestions here although a lot of them are kept in our teen section - not because of the reading ability but more because of the content. There are so many good books still in the 9-12 section waiting to be discovered - you could try the 'Children of the Lamp' series. You could also give the Edward Eager 'Half Magic' books a go - old fashioned but still a good read.

Robert Westall's Blitzcat is a good book about the war. Anthony Horowitz's Diamond Brothers series are humorous and 'The Invisible Fiend' by Louise Arnold is a good book if you like less dark Harry Potter.

You will also find 'Skulduggery Pleasant' in the 9-12 section - this series is very popular at the moment. Try also 'The Beastly Boys' series and 'Map Makers Monsters' (very funny - monsters meets history!) Ali Sparkes is a popular author and she writes the Shapeshifter series - one of her books (Frozen in Time)has just been shortlisted for the Blue Peter award).

Susan Cooper may be a bit dark at 8.

If he coped with Pink Rabbit, then you could try him on Goodnight Mr Tom although I wouldn't personally give him 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' yet.

Sorry for long post - hope you haven't dropped off!!

Soory - not had a chance to read this thread but how about the Percy Jackson bookd

Thanks for more suggestions. Isn't Goodnight Mr Tom a bit grim - my memory is of the film which is a bit harrowing. He did love the Silver Sword, which I admit I have not read, and may have been just as grim. And DH pointed out there were child prostitutes in the Jacqueline Wilson book he just read (Hetty something) which I picked up at the library because it had a Victorian theme. It is tricky trying to make sure what they're reading is suitable.

dalek, DS really liked Percy Jackson, wants to see the film now!

The Silver Sword was quite grim, but I remember reading it over and over again. (Marking this thread for a good look later for my little boy).

Anthony McGowan's Bare Bum Gang Books are very highly recommended - great reviews in the Guardian, Times and Telegraph (eg here: www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/jul/08/teaching.schools )
Should perhaps explain - I am Anthony McGowan, so this probably seems a bit cheesy! I'm only here because I wanted to post asking for some advice (which I will, in a minute).
As your son is obviously a voracious reader, I'd set him on The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings - my 10 year old, who is not a great reader, has been staying up late steaming through them.

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The Demon Defenders series by Jake Lancing is great fun. As are the Astrosaurs and Cows in Action series by Steve Cole.

My son is the same, we have gone through the same titles. Its hard finding appropriate material. How about Varjck Paw ( fantastic zen like cat story subtitles 'this cat must learn to fight' beautifully written and impossible to put down)Charlottes web ( a classic), Cosmic and Framed , very funny books.Im now trying out a dog called Grk,Measles and Mallockee, the Killer Underpants, Wolf brother. The My story series have some good war tales, check them on amazon and good luck

hi I've come back to this thread as looking to make more library reservations. Have got out the Time Travelling cat books which look excellent (recommended on another thread) and ordered Rosemary Sutcliff's Eagle of the Ninth and her book on Troy as having read Percy Jackson, DS is now very keen on myths and legends. DH has asked me to avoid the WW themed books as he thinks they are too grim!

I second the Horrible Science books - they are great, I used to prefer them to the Horrible History and started reading them at about 8.

Paul Jennings was a favourite too - The Gizmo etc and the books of short stories were great, very quirky! My year 6 teacher used to read them to the school in assembly and lend them around the class to get us all reading.

And also second the Indian in the Cupboard but not sure it's quite contemporary as it was written in 1980

Snotty Bumstead by Hunter Davies

Pongwiffy and other books by Kaye Umansky

Paul Jennings was great BertieBotts!

These are silly lighthearted books, that I loved for years whilst around that age. My Sis who is nine has also read these and loves them to.