books for fluent readers

[robinw]

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robin, just seen your message of a few days ago. I'd always recommend Northern Lights - I found it a really good read. See for yourself. I think the subject matter is way too advanced for my 9 year old, especially in the last of the three books, but you might feel differently about your dd reading it soon.

I'll look out for Coraline. Thanks. My son took a couple of books from the library (not the school one) a few days ag since he's finished the Harry Potter and all his Goosebumps books. He's stuck in a mystery and horror groove at the moment, so the library books looked remarkably similar to the Goosebumps ones

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You have got to read this book

You can get it anywhere, but this is a fantastic price from Redhouse.

This is a review from their magazine, which could have been written by me (but isn't!):

"I've always been a fan of Morpurgo's work, but Private Peaceful has now pushed him up to becoming one of my favourite authors of all time. This book is a particularly moving tale about a young boy growing up and fighting in the First World War, surrounded by death, heartbreak, guilt and treachery, the latter of which is caused by his own 'allies'. A very insightful read, full of constant reminders that life is much better than you think, and there is always someone worse off in the world than you."

This is, by far, the best children's/young people's book on war I have come across. It is extremely well written - the dramatic structure is fantastic, one of my top five books this year (as an adult!) I believe MM aimed it at 10-12 yr olds, but I would recommend it for all. It is very moving in places, and I would advise parents to read it first before U9s, but personally I will be encouraging ds1 to read it, and he is only 6.5 (but a very fluent reader) ... and I tend to err on the over-protective side.

It also wins my prize for best cover of the year - gorgeous sexy matt cover in brown and grey monotones, then this pair of striking gloss yellow and orange butterflies.

Sorry for the length - my enthusiasm ran away with me MM isn't a relative, honest, but he is a superb writer. BUY IT!

Just like to thank you all for this thread...
I've got a just 7 very fluent reader and on your recommendations she has just read books 1 & 2 a series of extrodinary events by Lemony Snicket(I've read them too!), book 1 of the Spiderwick chronicles, and Utterly Me Clarice Bean....(couldn't put that one down!)

Happy Reading

Glad you enjoyed them, Sonnet. Clarice bean is just the best! The only prob is when dd starts speaking like her (oh mum you're like, sooooo utterly mean)!

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my 9 year old really enjoyed The Wind Singer, too. Artemis Fowl didn't appeal to him, but I hope it will in time. I understand it's aimed at slighty older children. He enthusiastically raced through the first Lemony Snickett book and now wants to get more in the series.Also liked 'Cool' by Michael Murpurgo (sp) mostly because it was about a boy in Devon, so he could relate to it well. Right now he's back on the Goosebumps books.

Tigermoth - I recently read the William Nicholson trilogy (just to check it out for ds1's consumption, you understand ) and was very impressed - excellent writing, complex but clear plot, interesting characters, compelling reading, etc. Until the last 30 pages of the final book (Firesong), which I found to be rather disappointing. The trilogy builds up to some great climax, and for me it just didn't happen.

Anyone else (or their kids!) read this one and felt similarly? Or differently?

Bargain book! Jenny Nimmo: Midnight for Charlie Bone is now available from Ottakars for £1. It actually has the price on a rather tasteless flash on the cover but it is a great book. It's on a very similar level to the first Harry Potter book, and the scenario is very similar, even derivative. Nimmo is a great children's writer, ds1 loved this book when he first came across it. (The sequel is now out in paperback too).

Also, if your children have struggled to get 'into' Artemis Fowl (by Eoin Colfer), the £1 sampler book (60 pp) produced for world book day may do the trick. It's called The Seventh Dwarf, and there are still copies in the shops. DS1 went straight on to read the first Artemis Fowl book, and is half way through the second.

Oh, how nice to see other people's kids are at the same stage, as dd1 (8) is rather out on a limb at school, readingwise.

I would add to the many great suggestions here:
Eva Ibbotson, particularly Journey to the River Sea, but other books by her as well;
Cornelia Funcke, particularly The Thief Lord.
Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

The last two both have boys as heroes.

When dd1 has found it difficult to make the leap to a new author, I've found that getting the story tape has often motivated her to make the leap to the book, as has seeing filmed versions on TV.

Good tip about the storytape Frogs...I sometimes have a similar problem with DD1.

Great thread, didn't see it before. Our dd1 recently read a book called Quadehar by Eric l'Homme. It's sort of fantasy stuff like Harry Potter, but much better written, and has a happy ending. Would be good for boys too I think.