Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

can anyone please recommend a book for a relactant reader

28 replies

fedda · 08/06/2007 22:09

Hi, my son is 9 and he doesn't like reading. He finds it very borring and wouldn't even read a book based on his favourite programmes. When I was 8 I wasn't into reading and my friend took me to the library and found a very funny book. I can't remember it's name but I remember being in fits of laughter. Ever since I love reading. On occasions it even got me into trouble when I couldn't stop reading even during my lessons at school hiding my book behind my desk and secretely reading it. Reading books grately helped me in life and I never found myself bored which my son sometimes feels like. I feel a good book would be what he needs. It could also improve his writing. Would anyone please recommend a very interesting book for my child, a book he can't resist.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
popsycal · 08/06/2007 22:11

robert swindells - room 13 or Invisible!

Reading them with my class now and many of the reluctant readers are hooked

peachygirl · 08/06/2007 22:20

Would he like a magazine instead?? someone I knew had a son who read very few books but loved a computer magazine. Is he interested in films, sport, gadgets ???

singersgirl · 08/06/2007 23:01

DS1, who is nearly 9, loves The Beano and Dr. Who Battles in Time. He does also read books, but he is much keener on comics. I don't think he would often choose to read a novel, but is always reading something or other. Perhaps you could take your son to the newsagent and see if anything appeals to him.

aig · 08/06/2007 23:03

Have you tried the Jackson and Livingstone series? My son loved them at that age.

marymoocow · 08/06/2007 23:08

my ds also 9 was until a few months ago a very capable but reluctant reader (thought it was a punishment rather than an enjoyment). He read Danny Champion of the World - Roald Dahl, and couldn't put it down. Was helped by the fact that it was the class story as well, and he was desperatly trying to keep ahead and beat them to the end. This was just before Easter, and since then he has also managed to finish the first Harry Potter (which was a treat as he hasn't had any contact at all with it ie. not seen the films or anything).
I know the Roald Dahl book worked for one of his friends too.
Sorry for long ramble but hope that sort of helps

PotatoOfDoom · 08/06/2007 23:11

my brother was quite possible the most reluctant reader known to man, and even now he tries to avoid reading where he can, but the one book he loved was Stig of the Dump. No idea of the logic behind that, but its the only book he's read cover to cover

christywhisty · 08/06/2007 23:21

The only books DS has really sat down and read are the Harry Potter series, which I think he started about 9. He would much prefer comics or his Horrible science magazines. He just bought himself the Top Gear magazine to read. I had a tutor in for a few weeks and she tested his reading experience age and even though he does not read novels it was still a year ahead. (reading experience age is not the same as the reading age they test at school).
Many boys just don't like reading novels and much rather read non fiction.

jennifersofia · 08/06/2007 23:46

Maybe a joke book - not too intimidating as they are only 2 liners.

WriggleJiggle · 08/06/2007 23:51

Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon - ghastly books, but loved by even the most reluctant 9 year old boy. Very short, large print, pictures throughout, and a really 'naughty' main character to relate to.

pointydog · 08/06/2007 23:53

what about non-fiction? what's he in to?

WriggleJiggle · 08/06/2007 23:57

Non-fiction Horrible histories series often go down well.

Original poster
fedda · 09/06/2007 00:21

Thank you so much for all your advice. I've taken some names down and on Monday I'll get some books from my library. My son is itno computers and he likes minerals. He reads some magazines but I feel books would be much better.

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 09/06/2007 03:07

The book Holes (don't know the author but librarian will know it as it's had lots of awards). Also Captain Underpants series. Try comic books...spiderman. Or Asterix or Tintin for more sophisticated comics.

Freckle · 09/06/2007 03:15

DS3 has been a reluctant reader. I saw an advert for a series of books about a boy called Zac Power and ordered them. He is going through them like a dose of salts. I hope this will prove to him that reading is enjoyable for its own sake.

katelyle · 09/06/2007 06:57

Another vote for Zac Power here - ds found on one a bookshop and has now ploughed through 6 in the past two weeks.

I do think there's very little out there for boys in that between reading schemes and Harry Potter phase.

SofiaAmes · 09/06/2007 07:20

I think Zac Power is the same author as Captain Underpants, but just slightly simpler reading level. I would try both.

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 07:53

I wouldn't be too precious about the comic / book thing to be honest. All reading is reading, no such thing as good and bad reading. If he'll read the Beano and book on minerals, then job done.
Captain Underpants is very popular (and AWFUL) as are most comic books. Take him with you, and see what catches his eye and get it, whatever it is, and don't be precious about it.

popsycal · 09/06/2007 07:58

phillip ridley and paul jennings are another two that he may adore

Freckle · 09/06/2007 08:11

I did read an article where some professor or other was actually promoting comics as excellent reading matter, particularly for young boys, if only to get them reading.

singersgirl · 09/06/2007 10:28

Both mine have loved Captain Underpants, and DS1 also went through big Tintin and Asterix phases. I got a set of 10 Asterix books from the Book People for a bargain price. Haven't heard of Zac Power. I know that Dav Pilkey, the Captain Underpants author, wrote a slightly easier range called Ricky Ricotta, though these might be a bit young for a 9 yr old.

pointydog · 09/06/2007 11:37

there was a big academic conference on the merits of comics recently

ahundredtimes · 09/06/2007 12:12

See, comics are where it's at. Go with the flow, is still reading.

Original poster
fedda · 09/06/2007 13:23

Brilliant advice! Thank you so much. I'll let you know wht he likes.

OP posts:
Starmummy · 11/06/2007 09:49

Absolutely dont be precious. DS age 11, year 6, doesnt read. Adores stories and being read to. Togther we have read famous five, scret seven, just william, sallows and amazons, harry potter, horrid henry,roald dahl. Now we have moved onto a series recommended Cherub by Robert Muchamore, too old for your DS and probably for mine. However he loves them, not suitable for you I know. The other thing is he has taken up reading Ahlan, the ME version of Hello. He regals me all the way to school and back about Paris is in trouble for drink driving, Britney is back in rehab, etc you get the picture. We have had some very upfront and perwsonal conversations about points he has raised, which is also good. But nooo I'm in no position to be precious about his reading, however it did help him improve intime for his year 6 exams.
Good luck, you will find something at the book shop, let him browse in children and non fiction, travel anything if it grabs him.

BeatrootandBenedick · 11/06/2007 09:50

GRK

Holes to old I think - maybe in a couple years