Book Recommendations GL 5-12

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

My son loves to read, but we seem to have problems finding books for him to read. Would love some suggestions. Part of the issue is that they need to be GL 5.0 or higher, but still interesting and not to mature for a 4th grader. Would love to hear any suggestions!

He is just finishing up the Hunger Games trilogy after asking to read it for more than one year.

Some series he has enjoyed:
Fablehaven
Kingdom Keepers
Harry Potter
Peter & the Starcatcher
Warriors
Gregor the Overlord
Heroes of Olympus
The Kane Chronicles

So fantasy is his preferred genre! :)

[fivi2]

He might do okay with the Garth Nix series that starts with Mister Monday (Grim Tuesday, etc). I can't remember any questionable content in that, but I couldn't swear to it. I also liked his Abhorsen series, but in my memory that for older kids.

What about the Ranger's Apprentice series? I know my nephew liked that one. I haven't read any of them.

[Mali]

I loved the Wizard of Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin. It's been a while since I've reread them though so I don't remember if they're too mature.

You might also check out the few that Patrick Rothfuss recommended on his blog and read through the comments as well. I saved it to get ideas when we're at that age. :) http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2010/09/fanmail-qa-ya-recomendations/

[brittone2]

Will he read classics? My Side of the Mountain, Swiss Family Robinson, The Sign of the Beaver, The Twenty One Balloons, Around the World in Eighty Days? I can usually persuade DS1 to try some of the classics that fit his interests.

Narnia?

DS1 likes Percy Jackson, etc. and enjoyed the Artemis Fowl series a lot. Guardians of Ga'Hoole? Both of those kind of fit the genre and I can't imagine are much more intense than The Hunger Games (which I haven't read, so could be wrong). eta: Lemony Snickett?

DS1 has enjoyed the Haissen books: Chomp, Hoot, and Flush

He just read this on vacation and really enjoyed it. He devoured it in a few hours. http://www.amazon.com/Dead-End-Norvelt-Jack-Gantos/dp/1250010233/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378767562&sr=1-1&keywords=dead+end+in+norvelt It won both a Scott O'Dell medal and a Newberry.

Palacio's book Wonder

Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains as well as her book Forge http://www.amazon.com/Chains-Seeds-America-Laurie-Anderson/dp/1416905863/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378767934&sr=1-1&keywords=chains http://www.amazon.com/Forge-Seeds-America-Laurie-Anderson/dp/1416961453/ref=pd_sim_b_1

George's Secret Key to the Universe and George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt: http://www.amazon.com/Georges-Secret-Universe-Stephen-Hawking/dp/1416985840/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

The Birchbark House, Chickadee, and The Porcupine Year (Native American themed books) http://www.amazon.com/Birchbark-House-Louise-Erdrich/dp/0786814543/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378768162&sr=1-1&keywords=birchbark+house


(http://www.amazon.com/Birchbark-House-Louise-Erdrich/dp/0786814543/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378768162&sr=1-1&keywords=birchbark+house)

[sariana]

He might do okay with the Garth Nix series that starts with Mister Monday (Grim Tuesday, etc). I can't remember any questionable content in that, but I couldn't swear to it. I also liked his Abhorsen series, but in my memory that for older kids.

What about the Ranger's Apprentice series? I know my nephew liked that one. I haven't read any of them.

The only Garth Nix books I have read are the Seventh Tower series, and they are fine for 4th grade. If he likes Harry Potter, he may like this series.

Redwall series by Brian Jacques
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

[ray7694]

Series of Unfortunate Events series, Swindle series, Lightning Thief series. We also like Hank Zipzer for funny.

[schrocat]

What about the Charlie Bone series? I can't convince my 8 year old to read any books in the fantasy genre (he's the only kid I know who doesn't want to read Harry Potter) but I think a child who likes fantasy type books would like the Charlie Bone series of books.

There's also the Nathaniel Fludd books.

[fivi2]

The only Garth Nix books I have read are the Seventh Tower series, and they are fine for 4th grade. If he likes Harry Potter, he may like this series.

Redwall series by Brian Jacques
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Seventh Tower series is definitely younger than the other two. I would say age goes 7th Tower => Mister Monday/Keys to the Kingdom => Abhorsen. (young to old). But I don't know enough to say what is too mature for this particular child. I have heard good things about Seventh Tower and Redwall, but haven't read.

That Rothfuss link had some great suggestions! The Lloyd Alexander Prydain series (Dark Cauldron?), Susan Cooper's - Dark is Rising series (ignore the recent movie), The Tiffany Aching books (Terry Pratchett's Discworld for younger readers) the Madeleine L'Engle books, Pullman's His Dark Materials, etc.

Again, not sure of age for this but Westerfeld's Midnighters books seemed younger (and more boy-friendly) than his Uglies books.

Oh, Artemis Fowl (and his other series. Or was it just one book? something Detective agency).

[hellbennt]

dds1 is in 5th gr
he loved Harry Potter, but won't read others in this genre - weird!
He did like the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett...

He also LOVES the N.E.R.D.S. series by Buckley

Did I see the How to Train your Dragon series mentioned?

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

So many great suggestions! :) Thank you! Now I have to cross reference with AR, library and DS to find the right mix. Ha. Sometimes it seems very difficult.

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

What about the Ranger's Apprentice series? I know my nephew liked that one. I haven't read any of them.

This one was a winner! He just finished 1-8 (got a set on Amazon for his birthday) and is not off to hunt down the last 3 from the library.

[fivi2]

Oh good - I am glad he found something he liked!

[hellbennt]

how was the 'content?' Could a second grader read it (he could ability-wise, but it's hard to find 'content' for him)... :)