Book suggestions for 9 yo boy?

[beccaroo]

My nephew doesn't read much, but he was excited to show me his library books last time I was over, so I'd like to get him a good book or two for x-mas. He's a skate-boarding, Nintendo DS-playing, babeball and Pokemon-card collecting kind of kid. Grandma has already gotten the Harry Potter books. I don't know if there were read or not. I didn't recognize the library books - maybe young sci-fi themed? I think he's missed the Magic Treehouse stage. Besides the Pokemon book I've already picked up , what else might he enjoy? Narnia? Dahl?

[Momily]

I vote for series books for reluctant readers, especially if someone reads the first book to them to get the momentum going.

I don't know his reading level, but the books you're mentioning are pretty challenging books (except for some of the easeir Dahl books). Many many 9 year olds aren't ready to tackle them on their own. I might look for something a little shorter and easier to allow him to build his confidence.

A few series that DS8 really enjoys that aren't too challening but have older boy themes include:

Beast Quest (fantasy adventures, somewhat formulaic but pretty well written)
Little Wolf (hilarious, quick easy reads)
Dragon Slayer's Academy (very funny, silly fantasy)
Ghosthunters

As you can see fantasy is a theme for us.

Another thing to think about is non-fiction, a lot of little boys who won't read a novel love books about animals, or disasters (things like Balto, and the Titanic are hits in my house). A magazine might be a good choice.


eta: Another thought if he's a really reluctant reader is Audible credits to download and burn CD's. DS8 still has a big gap between the books he likes to listen to, and those he can read. I read to him a lot, but he also likes to listen to books on CD. It builds his vocabulary and his comprehension, and lets him share book conversations with other more skilled readers his age which makes him think of himself as a reader. If you decide to go that route, big hits in my house have been: Dragon Rider, The Bunnicula series, and Robin Hood. If he's a strong reader those would also be good choices for him to read to himself.

[fivi2]

My just turned 10 year old nephew sounds a lot like him. The other day my nephew talked our ears off about a book called Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. A plane crashed in the widerness sort of thing (with a young boy as the protagonist) Amazon seems to think it is for slightly older readers, but I know my nephew loved it.

Other thoughts - Holes
Hoot (I think Hiassen also has another one...?)
The same nephew didn't love Narnia, but does like the Rick Riordan Lightning Thief books.

[Linda on the move]

Hank the Cowdog.

There is a whole series, they are VERY funny, and they are difficult enough to read to not be "babyish" and yet easy enough to read that a reluctant reader can enjoy them. I love Hank.

[Dabble]

I second Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, along with the sequel The River. Both excellent reads.

The Indian in the Cupboard is an awesome fantasy in reality type book.

My Side of the Mountain (actually a trilogy of books) is also totally awesome - boy runs away from home and lives in a hollowed out tree and trains a falcon to be his friend and hunter.

The Haymeadow, also by Gary Paulsen, totally rocks the world.

[kathymuggle]

Time warp trio is similar to Treehouse - only more funny!

Captain Underpants can be a bit babyish - but they are good for reluctant readers.

Perhaps some Anime (magna)? Dragon Ballz Z, Bleach, Zatchbel, Megaman (which Ds informs me is a lot like Pokeman). Check out before you buy...there may be some violence)

Goosebumps (scary, kind of junk lit, but the kids love them!)

Gordon Korman - his older books. No Coins, please. The war with Mr. Whizzle, etc. Funny books.

As Stand alones:
Hoot, Holes, Frindle (Frindle is probably the best bet for a nine yr old)

Guiness Book of World Records is cool, as is Ripley's Beleive it or Not

Courtesay of DS, age 11 (in addition to helping me with anime series):

The "absolutely series: absolutely gross; absolutely disgusting
The day my butt went psycho
spongbob comics
simpsons comics

[Twocoolboys]

Originally Posted by beccaroo

He's a skate-boarding, Nintendo DS-playing, babeball and Pokemon-card collecting kind of kid.

I didn't recognize the library books - maybe young sci-fi themed? I think he's missed the Magic Treehouse stage. Besides the Pokemon book I've already picked up , what else might he enjoy? Narnia? Dahl?

You just described my 8 yr old! If your nephew is into sci-fi, then try Artemis Fowl. My ds is really into that right now. It's a series, but there are only about 5 in 6 in the series so far. Artemis is a 13-14 yr old genius who is very technologically minded and often walks on the dark side of things. He also has connections with the fairy underworld. My son got one Artemis book last year and loves it. He just got another at the school's book fair and he's getting two more for Christmas.

The Pokemon book you already got sounds great. We've also got a few of those kicking around the house and they have all been read several times.

I'd definitely skip Captain Underpants and Magic Treehouse. I think they are for younger readers.

ETA - Here is the Amazon link to the Artemis Fowl book that my son has.

[rmzbm]

Lurking as my boys are 9 & 8, can always use ideas!

[ancoda]

Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
Also this web site has some good stuff www.guysread.com -if you have dial up this one takes a while to load.

[isulari]

not exactly literature, but something to peak a reluctant readers interest...

check out the graphic novel section in your local book store. browse through and find a few that you think are appropriate for him. most nine year olds i know enjoy graphic novels and are eager to read more when they finish one.

comic book subscriptions are also great for reluctant readers.

time warp trio series by jon scieszka

i second the guiness book of world records recommendation... it's a huge hit here (for all ages).

oh yuck, the encyclopedia of everything nasty by joy massoff is actually really interesting... full of fun facts.

star wars: a pop up guide to the galaxy by matthew reinhart
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Pop-...d_sim_b_img_22

seriously... all the boys (all ages) in my family want this book. it is amazing! the amazon ad does not do it justice. go seek it out at the book store and spend some time checking it out. it's fantastic and i'm not even a star wars fan.

[Pynki]

My 7 & 9 year old enjoy the Series of Unfortunate Events books. We have Frindle and they DID absolutely love it. They also got The Report Card with it. It was a 2 pack book deal.

hmmm... My oldest (the 9 yr old) loves the anime graphic novels. You know, the ones you can tell were originally in Japanese becase the books read back to front....

[BusyMommy]

Check out the grade lists for Battle of the Books. They're awesome, interesting and high quality. If your school district doesn't have them, just google.

We just read Frindle which they loved. Currently reading Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World--I may have that wording slightly askew.

Oh Sirens and Sea Monsters by the Magic Treehouse author was fabulous.

[BusyMommy]

Originally Posted by isulari

check out the graphic novel section in your local book store. browse through and find a few that you think are appropriate for him. most nine year olds i know enjoy graphic novels and are eager to read more when they finish one.



star wars: a pop up guide to the galaxy by matthew reinhart
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Pop-...d_sim_b_img_22

Thanks--I'm going to order that for my dh

And, yeah, ITA about graphic novels. My sons and my dh LOVE them--family reading time.

[warriorprincess]

As well as more modern ones my kids love some of the old school graphic novels like Asterix and Tintin.

[mamasgroovin]

Warriors by Erin Hunter
6 books in each of 2 series. About 4 clans of cats trying to settle their differences in the wild.

My kid (#2) HATED reading until we happened upon this series. Now he can't stop!!

[tm2840]

LOVE this thread! I second the comic book option. DS can't wait for his montly Sonic fix (and he pays for it himself!).

Bunnicula was very much loved by my son, who is almost 8 and began enjoying reading just a few months ago. His teacher had a reluctant reader who really got into books by Henry Winkler. It's true that reading the first book of a series really helps.

It's also amazing how quickly they become fluent readers once they begin to enjoy reading. It's almost exponential!

Maybe the Candlewick Chronicals?

[jeca]

DS(10) is reading the Hatchet now, he likes it. Captain underpants he has and likes they are a bit crude. Usbourne books sells a few that DS loves. The pirate handbook, the roman soldier's handbook and the knight's handbook.

[AmyB]

How about some mathematical adventures? A 9 yo might like "The Phantom Tollbooth" or "The Number Devil".

Another good series for boys is The Black Stallion (etc...)

A 9 yo would probably love "A Princess of Mars" or "Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs (but his mom might not especially like that you gave it to him).

--AmyB

[mamasgroovin]

Ditto on Hatchet. Then Brian's Winter and The River ~ sequels that are different ending to Hatchet.

[mamabeca]

My dd is 9 and a reluctant reader - and anincongruous one, too. Does NOT love the fairie stories, or anything really girlie. She's reading Hatchet in school, and Mrs. PiggleWiggle right now at home. Ripping through it, more exactly. She also really likes the Cornelia Funke Books, the Thief Lord and Dragon Rider. She stopped reading the Inheart Trilogy because it spooked her out. It's VERY good stuff. She's getting Igraine the Brave for the holidays.

Other stuff: The Dangerous Book for Boys is SUPER popular w/all the kids at her school right now (there's a girl's version as well).

Goosebumps? I have a ton, they are not hard reading, are kinda scary but not too bad.

Oh I LOVED My Side of the Mountain. AWESOME books! Also The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler, The Rats of NIMH, The Cover to Cover Mysteries are good too.

What's that rabbit one, where the rabbits are living under the Hares and they escape and ... kwim? I can't remember the name, but I was about 9 or 10 when I read it. Very cool stuff. Also Redwall is a good series.