Miss Grainger Suggests (TM)

[binkie]

Following on from masses of threads about book recommendations for particular kinds of children, and the depressingness of school library resources: a suggestion: we pool our knowledge and put together a range of booklists.

First step is to decide what categories to cover. Suggestions that I can remember so far are:

• a very advanced early reader (so 4/5/6 - reception/year 1)

• a reluctant older reader (let's say 8-9)

• an advanced older reader (8/9/10) not yet ready for "teen" or "worldly-wise" books. Would split this one into girls and boys, I think

• we could do thematic - like horse-mad, ballet shoes, dungeons & dragons, funny.

Any others? (And votes as to whether the above are good?)

(And PS, I know there's a Mumsnet Best for books, but that's a Top Ten For Everyone sort of list. Idea of this is that it's targeted.)

That's quite a boy-based list, possibly, roisin?

Maybe 'Coram Boy' would be good on a more girl-based list, which could also include things like "Chinese Cinderella"?

Non-Tiresome Train Picture Books (with some padding from other modes of transport).

(More candidates much appreciated.)

1. Mark Haddon, Ocean Star Express (Collins).
2. Robert Louis Stevenson, "From a Railway Carriage" (Orion Children's Books) (just the (short) poem, illustrated with a line per page).
3. Richard Scarry, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Collins).
4. John Burningham, Oi! Get off our Train! (Red Fox).
5. W.H. Auden, "The Night Mail" in The New Oxford Treasury of Children's Poems (OUP).
6. Chris van Allsburg, The Polar Express (Andersen Press).

I have an idea for a completely different booklist, which is to be called Small Hours Reading for New Mothers - ie the book that makes waking for that 2.15 am feed nearly bearable. It will have Agatha Christie and Katharine Mansfield on it; any nominations from those who've been there recently??

Private Peaceful - DD at 8yo has been absolutely fine with it and has recently been to see it live. I think she's read pretty much every Morpurgo book tbh.

Did anyone else think Michael Morpurgo thought the presentation of his award was a wind-up to start with? He was v taken aback.

SueW - It was very funny watching MM on the BP book awards, wasn't it? I thought he would be very witty and eloquent, and he just seemed rather confused!

Is it a boy list Frogs? Maybe? I'm not sure! I'm not a boy, and I've enjoyed them. Having said that I don't exactly feel "in touch" with the teenage girls at school, so I've no idea what appeals to them.

The basis of the list is those books I've read for censorship (and particularly enjoyed) but decided ds1 is not yet old enough to read/appreciate.

I don't know Coram Boy.

Two more lists:

SO YOU LIKE READING HARRY POTTER? WHAT ELSE MIGHT APPEAL ON A MAGICAL THEME?

Magic, magicians, and Magical worlds (fluent readers age 6+)
J K Rowling: The philosopher?s stone (+2)
Georgia Byng: Molly Moon?s incredible book of hypnotism (+2))
Elizabeth Kay: The divide (+2)
Jenny Nimmo: Midnight for Charlie Bone (+3)

Magic, magicians, and Magical worlds (fluent readers age 8+)
J K Rowling: Harry Potter and the goblet of fire (+2)
Eva Ibbotson: The secret of platform 13
Theresa Breslin: The Dream master (+3)
Garth Nix: Mister Monday (+2)

For little boys who like pirates:

Ian Whybrow: Little Wolf, Terror of the Shivery Sea (+4)
John Farman: The Short and Bloody History of Pirates
Jeremy Strong: The Indoor Pirates
Pete Johnson: Pirate Brother
Richard Hamilton: Violet and the Mean and Rotten Pirates.

Slightly longer but does Cressida Cowell: How to be a pirate fit in that list Frogs?

We've just discovered Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third in this house, and both boys are loving these books.

Can anyone recommend Frank Cottrell Boyce: Millions?

I keep coming across it recently, and wonder whether it would be up ds1's alley?

Yes, Roisin, I can recommend "Millions. ds1 and ds2 (aged 10 and 7 at the time) both enjoyed it, and talked about the moral issues raised by the story for some time afterwards.

frogs, Captain Pugwash? I've fond memories of the 5-minute 70s cartoons, but the stories don't seem to have the same vogue now - is that because they don't stand up?

Yes, Cressida Cowell definitely, roisin. Binkie, now you mention it, ds came back from a weekend away with friends clutching a Captain Pugwash book that his friend's mum had given him. Not sure where it is now, must track it down.

Small Hours Reading for New Mothers:

Re -read all my Georgette Heyer books! esp These Old Shades, Venitia and Devil's Cub

Also Dianne Wynne Jones & Terry Pratchett

The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith

Hmm, I would add gory psycho-horror to that list, R.

really, MI? - with a weeny baby snuffling about in the semi-darkness? All I wanted then was deeply soothingly settled reading - so sprigged muslins, absolutely yes indeed.

I was wondering whether the first two Barbara Vine novels would be suitable, Binkie - A Dark-Adapted Eye and A Fatal Inversion?

Do you know, I've never read a Barbara Vine. Do you think I should have another baby so's to get the full glory?

Perhaps we should have two lists - one for New Mothers Who Want to be Cosy, and one for New Mothers With a Bit of Spirit?

I think you could read them anyway, Binkie. New baby not necessary to get full effect. Both are utterly compelling and can be read anywhere, but to get full effect you probably want a winter's evening and a crackling log fire. And no interruptions.

MI - sorry can't do gory pscho horror at night! also v emotional when BF ing, needed sprigged muslins and lots of laughs!

Binkie,

did you get my email last week? which lists still need doing? let me know and I'll get on the case.

Err... is anyone else playing? A couple more from me:

Science Fiction and Fantasy (experienced readers 8+)
Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl (+3)
William Nicholson: The wind singer (+2)
Ann Coburn: Glint
John Wyndham: Chocky
J R R Tolkein: The Hobbit
Madeleine L?Engle: A wrinkle in time

Science Fiction and Fantasy (suitable for age 12+)
John Wyndham: The Chrysalids (and others)
Anne McCaffrey: Dragon Flight (+loads!)
J R R Tolkein: Lord of the Rings
Ursual Le Guin: A wizard of earthsea (+3)
Douglas Adams: Hitchhiker?s guide to the galaxy
David Almond: Skellig

Radida, thank you - yes I have got your e-mail but I am bouncing around between systems so haven't been able to answer. But, in fact, because of needing to use this thread as the holding pen you can see immediately from here (+ list of proposed categories I sent) what's being done & what needs help ...

Sounds like you would be ideal for doing Small Hours Reading for (Softy) New Mums - do you want?!

But, otherwise, you can do anything you like, that's the beauty of it.

(roisin, there is a children's library located (in)conveniently close to my office & your lists are making me want to move in there. That and the promise of Barbara-Vine-crackling-fire.)

Strongly agree with you issy mum, also was going to add Austen and PG wodehouse to the list - perfect nightime reading!