Recommended 7th/8th grade reading level books for a 9-year-old?

[justlearning]

DS just turned 9 and is capable of reading at the 7th/8th grade level (according to his recent literacy testing results) but lately has been only reading the books that his younger brother chooses from the library, which are at the 4th grade level. He recently started the Harry Potter series and will likely spend a lot of time reading over the summer, so I'd like to have some books in mind for when he's done with Harry Potter.

So what books would you recommend that would be at the 7th/8th grade level, engaging, yet age-appropriate for a nine year old?

[wendmatt]

I would take him to the library and let him pick. My dd is a high level reader but that doesn't mean she wants to read at that level! We battle a bit with it but I've decided to let it go and let her read what she wants to read.
Depends what your ds likes. DD likes fantasy so has liked Inkheart, Artemis Fowl series, Eragon, Harry POtter of course. Also, Diary of a Wimpy Kid books (v.easy but fun)

[justlearning]

When we go to the library, he seems clueless about what books to choose, so he leaves with none of his own and then reads the ones DS2 gets. I wish I had known his test results before now (I had no idea they'd be that level) because school's out and I can't ask his school librarian.

We're going to the library tonight so I'll try to ask someone there but I thought I'd get ideas here too. Thanks for your suggestions!

[NN317]

The Looking Glass Wars, by Frank Beddor is the start of a trilogy about a re-imagined Alice in Wonderland, with more action/fantasy adventure style.

[Binkandabee]

My 8 yo DD is also a high level reader and I just let her pick what she wants to read. She even still has some picture books she enjoys reading, yet she read Harry Potter a year ago. She likes a challenge, but at the same time also enjoys light reading as she says.

Right now she's completely enthralled with anything by Rick Riordan. The Percy Jackson books are her absolute favorite. She also likes the How to Train Your Dragon Series. She also loves Hank the Cowdog, although, it's not advanced.

What about the Hardy Boys? The 39 clues?

[marie]

8 yo DD1 is also a high-level reader. She recently read The Mysterious Benedict Society series and loved it. I'll be watching this thread for more ideas!

http://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Benedict-Society-Trenton-Stewart/dp/0316057770

[MamaKath]

I was going to suggest many of those that Wendmatt and Binkandabee suggested. I would also suggest going and making an effort to befriend the children's librarian. Our children's librarian has become someone dc will ask for suggestions now! ;)

[new_mommy25]

My DS loves all the Rick Riordan books. The Wrinkle in Time series is also really good. There are also all the Wizard of Oz books. My DS read and loved the Ink Heart series. My DS also is a high level reader but like someone else mentioned, I just let him pick whatever he wants. Right now he is on a huge manga kick. You might also consider introducing him to the classics. Some books I can think that boys might enjoy are Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Wind in the Willows, The Jungle Book, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (maybe?), Peter Pan, Dracula, Frankenstein, Treasure Island, Jules Verne. That's tough before your DS is only 9 years old so you don't want him reading subject matter that is more appropriate for a fifteen year old. There are other books that I can think of off the top of my head that I LOVED as a child but don't know if they are too girly: Island of the Blue Dolphins, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, A Little Princess, Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gable. Also maybe Where the Red Fern Grows, White Fang, Old Yeller, Hatchet, The Giver, Number the Stars...

eta. CS Lewis?

[karstmama]

is he socially mature? because i used to love rudyard kipling (jungle book, second jungle book), but there are some themes you might need to chat about.

[Tondi G]

earthsea quartet ... there are 4 individual books in the series

http://www.amazon.com/The-Earthsea-Quartet-Puffin-Books/dp/0140348034/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1

The city of ember

http://www.amazon.com/The-City-Ember-Books/dp/0385736282/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1774A7XIFACH7&colid=15D4KFQBWPQF2

The Indian Trilogy: The Indian in the Cupboard / Return of the Indian / The Secret of the Indian

Eragon

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Kane Chronicles

Artemis Fowl

Melonhead

The Magic Thief

100 Cupboards (100 Cupboards, Bk 1)

Wishworks, Inc

The Stoneheart Trilogy

Alabama Moon

Holes

Tangerine

Maniac Magee

[wendmatt]

Some great ideas. We've just started Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (I still read to dd as well as her reading to herself) and so far it's really good. He has won lots of awards, this one got a newberry and says age 10 up.
http://www.amazon.com/Hoot-Carl-Hiaasen/dp/0440419395/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

[swrc00]

Any of Gary Paulsen's books would be good. His most well know book is Hatchet. The BFG by Roald Dahl is a good one too. Both are favorites of my high level reading groups every year.

[mom2khj]

DD1 is also an advanced reader. She loves Harry Potter, anything written by Rick Riordan, The Kingdom Keepers series, and The Sisters Grimm series. I know there are more, but those are the only ones I can remember this early, LOL.

[MelissaTC]

My son has recently discovered the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. It is a fantasy series.

[tribe pride]

I'd go with the classics, too- Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer, Captains Courageous, Treasure Island, etc. And I love the Gary Paulson and Roald Dahl suggestions.

Another author for boys that I love is Christopher Paul Curtis. His books are not quite as advanced as the ones suggested above (probably more similar in reading level to the earlier Harry Potter books), but they are wonderful. Written from a boys' perspective, generally about African-American history, and very funny and touching. Bud, Not Buddy and Elijah of Buxton are my favorites.

[ECMom]

Our local library puts together summer reading lists based on school grades. Maybe yours does too.

Also, a student may test at a higher grade level, but the comprehension at that grade level may not be there. A student in my son's class tested at 9th grade level. When her Mom got her books at this level & tried to get her to read them, she shut down. I agree with the PP who said children should read what interests them.

ETA: Here's the reading list for middle school students - http://www.hclibrary.org/uploads/book%20list%20MS.pdf

[sophiesmom03]

I was going to suggest many of those that Wendmatt and Binkandabee suggested. I would also suggest going and making an effort to befriend the children's librarian. Our children's librarian has become someone dc will ask for suggestions now! ;)

Children's librarians are such a gift! I'd definitely second this recommendation. They know so many books and have seen so many kids...they've recommended some very good books for us in the past.

[hellbennt]

my ds, 3rd grade read all of these (each year, media specialists across the state of Florida come together to choose 15 books they deemed worthy of a Sunshine State Young Reader Award):
http://myssyra.org/grades3_5/35list.html

they're for grades 3-5. he loved the N.E.R.D.S. series (N.E.R.D.S. I is on the list and then he read the rest)

here's the list grades 6-8:
http://myssyra.org/grades6_8/68list.html

[Still-in-Shock]

You might want to try the Sherlock Holmes books. Most of the books have short stories, which might be a good way to get your DS acclimated. The first book has 4 novellas though, and then there is always the Hound of the Baskervilles, a full length book.

[hellokitty]

Does he like non-fiction? My 8 yr old is an advanced reader too, and he really enjoys reading pictorial encyclopedias, like the more advanced eyewitness series books and other encyclopedia type of books. I think it has really helped him to continue expanding his vocabulary too.

[lovin2shop]

Anything Rick Riordan for sure. Also, if your DS is into sports, the Mike Lupica books would be good. Can't wait to check out some of these other suggestions for my Ds's summer reading list!

[lizzywednesday]

My son has recently discovered the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. It is a fantasy series.

I positively adored those as a kid!

Yes, a thousand times over.

Where the Red Fern Grows and Sounder have similar storylines with male main characters. (I read both for summer reading.)

If Huck Finn concerns you, try A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

I'd also recommend The Hobbit ... as a bonus, there's a movie version coming this Christmas, so that might be a treat.

[justlearning]

I did talk with the children's librarian on Thursday and got some recommendations, but you all have provided lots more. Thanks so much for your suggestions--I really appreciate it!

I also appreciate the reminder that reading should be fun and let him choose what he wants to read. I will continue to do so, but now it's nice to be able to suggest other options to him too.