# Recommendations for reading to my son **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414 "2003-08-15T16:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/1 "2003-08-15T16:58:46Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/2 "2003-08-15T17:27:07Z")
Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Black Hearts in Battersea, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, … (I forget the titles of the others) by Joan Aiken. ---
**Author:** ![Lao\_Tsu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lao\_Tsu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lao_Tsu)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/3 "2003-08-15T17:32:54Z")
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/stores/series/-/21/ref=pd\_sr\_ec\_ser\_b/102-2080363-1211314](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/21/ref=pd_sr_ec_ser_b/102-2080363-1211314) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/4 "2003-08-15T17:58:56Z")
[Chinaberry](http://www.chinaberry.com) 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](http://www.chinaberry.com/showbook.cfm?invnum=5920&userid=84309745) > [@](#): > > 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](http://www.chinaberry.com/showbook.cfm?invnum=6853&userid=84309745) I am presently reading and enjoying. [Wolf Story](http://www.chinaberry.com/showbook.cfm?invnum=5992&userid=84309745) 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](http://www.chinaberry.com/showbook.cfm?invnum=9688&userid=84309745) Looks mighty entertaining and I’ve bought a couple of copies ( www. [strictlybargainbooks.com](http://strictlybargainbooks.com)) for the little boys in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/5 "2003-08-15T18:05:58Z")
[The Door in the Wall](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0440402832/ref=cm_wl_ovu-pg.1-pos.1/104-7273449-7311138?v=glance&coliid=I2K5Y2DDOS99FD&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER) > [@](#): > > 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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/6 "2003-08-15T18:08:51Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/7 "2003-08-15T18:40:23Z")
[Bunnicula](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0689806590/qid=1060973218/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-0324533-8287874) and its many sequels by James Howe. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/8 "2003-08-15T19:23:20Z")
For the beauty of the language: _Just So Stories_ - Rudyard Kipling. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/9 "2003-08-15T19:57:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/10 "2003-08-15T21:50:39Z")
**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:D 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! ---
**Author:** ![boobah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@boobah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boobah)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/11 "2003-08-15T22:29:40Z")
[How to eat fried worms](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0440445450/103-6757343-7112624?v=glance) by Thomas Rockwell. [Half Magic](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-6757343-7112624) by Edward Eager. [From the Mixed up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0440431808/ref=cm_bg_d/103-6757343-7112624?v=glance) by E. L. Konigsburg. [The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon, I mean Noel](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140329455/qid=1060986625/sr=5-1/ref=cm_lm_asin/103-6757343-7112624?v=glance) by Ellen Raskin. I loved the Great Brain series too. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/12 "2003-08-15T23:22:10Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/13 "2003-08-15T23:26:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/14 "2003-08-17T04:16:56Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/15 "2003-08-17T04:52:23Z")
I was a little older than your son when I first read it, but [_ **The Adventures of Ulysses** _](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0590425994/qid=1061095961/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-3547903-1343838) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/16 "2003-08-17T05:20:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/17 "2003-08-17T05:57:24Z")
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Any of the Choose your Own Adventure stories. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/18 "2003-08-17T08:22:24Z")
Pooh The Singing Tree My Friend Flicka Rascal The Yearling ---
**Author:** ![New\_Improved\_Scott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f17d59/32.png) [@New\_Improved\_Scott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Improved_Scott)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/19 "2003-08-17T12:27:36Z")
**This Can’t Be Happening at MacDonald Hall** by Gordon Korman was easily one of my favorite books growing up. ---
**Author:** ![Bunnylady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Bunnylady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bunnylady)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414/20 "2003-08-17T14:00:08Z")
“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!! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-reading-to-my-son/195414.md?page=2)