Another book-recommendation thread: 7-8yo boy bookworm needs new reading ideas

[frogs]

What is a 7.5yo bookworm to do once he's worked his way through the obvious? Ds has read:

Harry Potter (natch)
Fergus Crane
Anthony Horowitz (inc. the Alex Rider books)
Enid Blyton (up to and including Malory Towers!)
Horrid Histories
Roald Dahl
Just William
Berlie Doherty
etc

I'm very aware that most of the books in the house were bought with dd1 in mind, and I'm less familiar with the boy end of things (assuming there is one).

He will read more girl-themed books if there are no alternatives (witness his little foray into the world of Malory Towers), but ideally likes a good strong adventure story. A historical theme or background is a plus. Bizarrely I haven't been able to persuade him to get into the Caroline Lawrence Roman Mysteries stories, though I'm sure he'll like them once he gives it a go. Pirates are good too. He's probably not quite old enough for the more oldfashioned language in classics like Treasure Island or Moonfleet.

Any other undiscovered gems I should look out for?

Oooh absolutely get hold of the Susan Cooper novels - "The Dark Is Rising" sequence! There are five of them - and it's a really great good-vs-evil battle set in the real world, in Berkshire, Cornwall and Wales, featuring Merlin, quests and other really cool stuff! (I re-read them recently - still as good!)

Ds enjoyed Pirates of the Deep Green Sea by Magnus Linklater, but because of its archaisms I think it might be more of a read-aloud with parental intervention. It's a magical retro read though. Ditto Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kastner.
He has just really enjoyed Mrs Frisby and the rats of NIMH, Varjak Paw and Grrrk.
Ds has also enjoyed the Eoin Colfer books, not just Artemis Fowl (open mind on those myself) but also Spud Murphy.

Historical: I liked a book called The Wool Pack by Cynthis Harnett - it's set in 15th century England and features a couple of children who crack a plot that threatens the livelihoods of their parents. Very well written and totally engaging.

Has he tried The Hobbit yet?

Emil and the Detectives - good call!

Oh, and Willard Price. Lots about animals and geography, but attitudes towards conservation and indigenous peoples have changed a huge lot since they were written fifty years ago in some cases. So maybe also a read-aloud, but they are very exciting!

Try any thing by Terry Pratchett,(he wrote the Hogfather that was on sky over xms)but there are a whole series and might be just what he`s looking for

Oh, I adored the Wool Pack, and The Namesake, by C Walter Hodges . Also Brother Dusty Feet by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
And Alison Plowden's Danger for Elizabeth.
Some of the "younger" Michael Morpurgos might be good for your ds too frogs - ours has like The Butterfly Lion especially.
And if you can get them on abebooks etc the Paul Berna adventure stories that were translated from the French during the 50s and 60s are a gripping read. They are no longer in print, which is such a shame.

Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula le Guin (might be a bit old); Neverending Story by Michael Ende; Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis; Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones (I think); Silver Brumby books (can't remember author).

I second the Susan Cooper books - they are really good and there's about 5/6 of them.

Wizard of Earthsea and Narnia both good calls too!

Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce - it was on Radio 7 recently, I'd forgotton what a great story it is.

E Nesbit? - Five Children and It? Might be horribly dated by now but I loved them. 'It' is some sort of strange creature with magical powers. There are sequels too.

Some of the E Nesbits are o/p in Penguin, unbelievable (the Wouldbegoods and the rather alarming one about the Amulet)
Was also going to suggest A Dog so Small but the Penguin ed of that has a sparkly chihuahua on a lilac background and ds has vetoed it for now
Lucy M Boston and the Green Knowe books, also good

Vampyrates seem to be popular amongst DS1's friends although I've not looked at them myself. One of the Book Day free books was a Vampyrates one so I'm guessing they're not too bad!

Lemony Snickett?

Marina, you alarmed me! - so have looked at well-known online bookshop and Five Children And It is £1.99 (published by Wordsworth Classics) They all seem to be there and available - some also published bt Puffin (Penguin).

One of the reasons I want kids is to revisit my childhood books - is that a bad reason?!

I'll second Terry Pratchett. Get him started young with The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. The full DiscWorld can come later.

I think I made the wrong assumption that because the Penguin eds were OP no-one else had reprinted them Anne - so that's good to know.
Being able to share your books with your children is a huge perk of the job and makes up for being vomited on, being closely observed in toilets, watching your bosom travel south etc

The Green Knowe series by Lucy M Boston
All of Rosemary Sutcliff's huge output but especially The Eagle of the Ninth.

his dark materials trilogy is great, and boyse. inkspell series by cornelia funke.

can you tell I wanted to be a boy when I was younger?

: )

My 2 dc are getting old enough for me to pass on their inheritance of books from my childhood. Can't wait for them to read some of them. Alot are more geared up for dd - loads of girly classics passed down to me from my mum. Sorry can't suggest much - I'm looking for tips myself for ds. At the moment he's reading Children of the lamp by P. B. Kerr which is excellent.