Recommendations for reading to my son

[Krisfer the Cat]

We are rapidly approaching the end of George Selden's "Cricket Series". And my son, who is a precocious 7 yr old, has enjoyed them a lot! I also have a complilation of several of Margery Sharp's "Miss Bianca" series. We will start that one soon.

However, I haven't kept up as much with children's books in the last 10 years as I did when my Mom and I were involved in RIF and the local library. So recommend me YOUR favorite books for the 7 to 10 year old age group.

P.S. Nothing against you "Harry Potter" fans but he has zero interest in the books at this point. I have read them but he says "Later Mom."

[twickster]

Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Black Hearts in Battersea, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, ... (I forget the titles of the others) by Joan Aiken.

[Lao Tsu]

I'd recommend The Great Brain series. I loved these as a kid, my boys loved them too. Tons of fun, particularly for a fellow denizen behind the Zion curtain.

Here's a link to check out:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...080363-1211314

[Shirley Ujest]

Chinaberry is a great source for books that have either fallen by the wayside due to commercialism or have come back into print recently. Their reviews on the books are excellent, IMHO.


Some of the books I have in my pile to be read for my kids that appeal to me:

Swallows and Amazon

Without a doubt, the wonderful books in the SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS series, written in the 1930's, are some of my all-time favorite read-alouds for older children. The series revolves around four English children. In the first book, SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS, they spend the summer alone camping on an island in the middle of a lake. Adventure and excitement become everyday companions as the children fend for themselves in all sorts of scrapes and close calls. They are forced to use their good characters and solid good sense to find their way to safety. Their days are filled with sailing, searching for buried treasure and fighting pirates - all things that have the makings of a great adventure. The plots change throughout the series, but each book maintains the wonderful sense of children capably and kindly caring for themselves in the midst of an exciting adventure

The Waiscot Weasel I am presently reading and enjoying.

Wolf Story is a pure delight to read and listen too. ( I have the audio tape for this and my kids love it.)

The Wonderful Flight To the Mushroom Planet Looks mighty entertaining and I've bought a couple of copies ( www. strictlybargainbooks.com) for the little boys in my life.

[Shirley Ujest]

The Door in the Wall

Grade 4-8-This Newbery Medal winning story, set in medieval times, is about a boy who learns his own strength when he saves the castle and discovers there is more than one way to serve his king.

I tend to gravitate towards pirates, knights and weasels.

[Shirley Ujest]

I also cannot recommend more ( from chinaberry) the audio tapes read by Jim Weiss.

From young kids stuff on up, he does a wonderful interpretation of some classics ( robin hood, 3 musketeers, Knights of the Round Table) that tones down the violence and gore.

Absolutely priceless at bed time. ( even for me.)

[Fretful Porpentine]

Bunnicula and its many sequels by James Howe.

[Politzania]

For the beauty of the language: Just So Stories - Rudyard Kipling.

[Tanaqui]

Gordan Korman's books were absolutely hilarious when I was younger and still amuse me now. I like his older stuff better than the newer. I Want to Go Home!, his Bruno and Boots series and No Coins Please would probably be appropriate for that age range. Possibly some of his other stuff.

Also, Diana Wynne Jones' Chrestomanci series might work... or they may be a bit too mature, I'm not very good at judging these things. Either way, she's one of the best YA fantasy writers out there.

Casting my mind back to the hours I spent browsing in the children's section, there's also Louis Sachar and his Wayside school stories... strange stuff, but good.

Also, there's this series that I remember very clearly, but the title/author has completely slipped my mind. It was a very funny series, about this strange family. They were all over-achievers and were obsesssed with having "strings in their bows." One of the kids played violin, one was a photographer (I think) etc. The father was a writer. The youngest kid, our protagonist, had a dog. There was also a very.... strong-minded grandmother and a devil-child, Daisy. They were an EXTREMELY funny bunch of books and I highly recommend them. If anyone has any idea what I'm talking about, a reminder would be great... I need to re-read them.

Another fairly mature book that might work is Megan Whalen Turner's "The Thief." It's a Newberry honor book, extremely well-written, and an entertaining and action-packed read.

[Krisfer the Cat]

Twickster I have most of the Joan Aiken Alternative England Series. We are going to get to them. Soon as he gets pass the "that's about GIRLS Mom!" stage

I have considered Bunnicula. I have never read it so it would be a first time treat for us both!


SHIRLEY!!! I had FORGOTTEN about "The Door in the Wall"! I loved that one whenI first read it. I will have to put it on our list.

I don't think he has the attention span for Kipling yet. But soon as he does I will introduce him to "Rikki tikki tavi" and company.

Odd that the "Great Brain" series had slipped my mind.. considering the big discussion we had here about it earlier this summer. That's one that should be right up Bear's alley

THANKS EVERYONE!
Great suggestions.. keep them coming!

[boobah]

How to eat fried worms by Thomas Rockwell.

Half Magic by Edward Eager.

From the Mixed up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon, I mean Noel by Ellen Raskin.

I loved the Great Brain series too.

[Fretful Porpentine]

Also, there's this series that I remember very clearly, but the title/author has completely slipped my mind. It was a very funny series, about this strange family. They were all over-achievers and were obsesssed with having "strings in their bows." One of the kids played violin, one was a photographer (I think) etc. The father was a writer. The youngest kid, our protagonist, had a dog. There was also a very.... strong-minded grandmother and a devil-child, Daisy. They were an EXTREMELY funny bunch of books and I highly recommend them. If anyone has any idea what I'm talking about, a reminder would be great... I need to re-read them.

Sounds like you're describing the Bagthorpe Saga, by Helen Cresswell.

[Primaflora]

At 5, my kid loved the _Number Devil_. It's a fun read aloud. Wynne Jones has done a lot of books for younger kids as well as YA and we read them.

Paul Jennings is good.

[Cat Fight]

I second The Great Brain series and anything by Gordon Korman and
Louis Sachar's Wayside School books. All will keep you entertained while you read.

[Tuckerfan]

I was a little older than your son when I first read it, but The Adventures of Ulysses won't be over his head, and it's a book I still reread from time to time (along with The Odyssey) some twenty odd years later.

[Helena]

Gordon Korman! Yes! Edward Eager, good, if he likes that sort of thing. Dick King-Smith does some great animal-based stuff.

I read to my brother for years. We did Ruth Chew's witch books, Walter Brooks' Freddy the Pig books (rather outdated, but worth a look), and even Trixie Belden and Anne of Green Gables. (He didn't care if the books were about girls.) The first book we read together was No Flying in the House, by Betty Brock. I still have a soft spot for that one. (Found my own copy at a library sale, later)

Oh! Another I just thought of--Out of the Bug Jar, by Kathleen Thomas. It's about a boy who catches a tooth fairy. The tooth fairy's name is Marvin (he's from Duluth, of course, where else would a tooth fairy be from?)

The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek, by Evelyn Sibley Lampman. She also wrote City Under the Back Steps, which is about a brother and sister who get shrunk and spend some time in and anthill.

I love Joan Aiken's books about Mortimer the raven. They're just so weird. Great read-alouds, too. I read them to my roommate in college.

The Indian in the Cupboard books are good, too.

[Johnny Bravo]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Any of the Choose your Own Adventure stories.

[Zenster]

Pooh

The Singing Tree

My Friend Flicka

Rascal

The Yearling

[New & Improved Scott]

This Can't Be Happening at MacDonald Hall by Gordon Korman was easily one of my favorite books growing up.

[Bunnylady]

"Charlotte's Web" is still one of my top five favorite books of all time (I'm 40, with a B.A. in Literature)! I highly recommend all the E.B. White books: the aforementioned, "Stuart Little" (which is so much better than the movie!!) and "The Trumpet of the Swan."

I'd also suggest the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engel.

Also, if he likes Miss Bianca, he'll love the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques!

Happy Reading!!

[Krisfer the Cat]

Golly! Been a whole day since I dropped in on my OWN thread. And more suggestions YAY!

I, personally, loathe Narnia but of course thats just me. Brian Jacques is a good one; I have been thinking of getting back into that series.

We would have finished Tucker's Countryside by George Selden last night but I was so darned tired I couldn't see to read!

Charlotte's Web is also on our list of future reading and thanks for the reminder of "Charlie" Pity I can't imitate Gene Wilder.

How ya doin Zenster? Sorry we missed you at dopefest. We know Pooh inside out! YAY! POOH! I remember trying to read "Flicka" when I was about 10.. maybe I will have to give it another go now.

[Blonde]

Where The Wild Things Are!

[jennbr]

How about the Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka? Most boys his age love them.

Here's a review from a 10-yr. old on Amazon.com for the first book, Knights of the Kitchen table:

We suggest The Time Warp Trio, Knights of the Kitchen Table to you because it is funny and interesting. There was a magic book called "The Book" that sent Joe, Sam, and Fred back in time. An evil Black Knight wanted to hurt them. A powerful magician named Merlin was jealous of the three boys. It's so fun and exciting; you'll want to pop into the story, just like they did. It's a mix of fantasy and funny history. The author, Jon Scieszka, is extraordinary, he makes the story seem like you're part of it. It will take you off to a magical land. This book is so exciting that you won't want to put it down. The pictures are so hilarious; you'll laugh your head off.

I think his recommendation says it all! Also check out The Stinky Cheese Man by the same author - it's a parody of fairy tales that is quite funny, even for adults.

[rolandgunslinger]

Originally posted by Bunnylady
"Charlotte's Web" is still one of my top five favorite books of all time (I'm 40, with a B.A. in Literature)! I highly recommend all the E.B. White books: the aforementioned, "Stuart Little" (which is so much better than the movie!!) and "The Trumpet of the Swan."

I'd also suggest the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engel.

Also, if he likes Miss Bianca, he'll love the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques!

Happy Reading!!

"A wrinkle in time"- One of the most wonderful books I ever read!

Great choice.

[Mofo Rising]

I'm going to put in another vote for the WAYSIDE SCHOOL series. Inventive and often very funny.

If he shows any interest, I would also recommend the OZ series. Very good, but if you don't read them by a certain age they lose most of their magic.

If you can find it, I would also recommend Sesame Street's THERE'S A MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK with Grover. Simplistic, but pretty funny.

[Ukulele Ike]

Seconding Half Magic, by Edward Eager.

To be followed by Knight's Castle, Magic by the Lake, The Time Garden.

My 7 year old loved them, when he was 6. But he may be even more precociouser than yours.

We'll move on to E. Nesbit's magic books when he's ready for the Edwardian language.

Oh, and we read Charlotte's Web, too, and it was a big hit, but he didn't cry when Charlotte died, even though Dad did. Am I raising a Republican?

[Ukulele Ike]

And I'm thinking the next read-aloud may be L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. A big favorite of mine, and his older sister's.

[Krisfer the Cat]

Just a quickie update and another THNAK YOU! to all of you for your recommendations.

This week we found a quiet little bookstore tuck away in an inconspicuos spot. Inside was paradise. A whole shelf of just Newberry and Caldecott Award winners. Over all I'd say between a quarter and one third of the store was devoted to children. Apparently they do great things for teachers trying to encourage reading in their students.

Anywho, we spent 36 dollars, after the 10% discount for being a school district employee. Among our treasures were A Door in the Wall (thanks Shirley) a HARDBACK copy of The Great Brain for 7 bucks, an interesting sounding one that takes place in The Globe Theatre with William Shakespeare and an Artemis Fowl book. He sounds like the anti Harry Potter.. I admit I bought that one for me

We also got Ben and Me by Robert Lawson. I read that one ages ago and liked it a lot. Its about a mouse who helps Ben Franklin with his experiments.

We picked up Mossflower by Brian Jacques last weekend. Ukulele Ike: I will watch for your recommendations. He likes magic and dragon.. and I admit to a liking there as well.

So we are set for reading! HOORAY!