Farrar Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Ds11 is a tough reading customer. I'm pretty knowledgeable about children's books, but he seems to gravitate specifically toward books that I've never heard of (is this a genre? books Farrar doesn't know? because if so, that's his genre). I guess that's cool - there are some children's authors that I've found through him finding the book at the library or asking for help at the bookstore, which is neat for me, but it's difficult when I'm trying to suggest a book. His all time favorite book ever is Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce (excellent book, by the way) BUT he's not been a fan of Boyce's other great work, like Millions (What the heck, right?). He liked The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman a lot and he likes Gutman's other non-sports books. He enjoyed the Secret Series, though he gave up on it after the third or fourth book. He likes all the Lemoncello books. He really liked The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket. His most recent read that he really liked was The Ministry of Ghosts. Oh, and he reads Wimpy Kid and lots of graphic novels as well. I guess if I had to peg him to a type, he likes books that are a little funny, a little quirky, and a little sad, with a touch of supernatural elements in an otherwise ordinary world to them. British authors a slight plus. However, when I suggest books that I think fit that - say, the Benedict Society books or Savvy or A Tangle of Knots or all those Wendy Mass birthday books - he rejects them or starts them and then rejects them after a few chapters. He's a good reader, though he's still solidly in middle grades, not YA fiction just as his interest level. He's a boy, but he doesn't mind girl protagonists. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstenhill Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Along a similar line to the Lemoncello books is Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertram: http://amzn.com/1250079802 My DD who adores all puzzle/mystery books says this one is her current favorite. Only one out so far, with another one due next January. We haven't read this one yet, but The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin (http://amzn.com/0142413887) is another puzzle/treasure hunt sort of book that sounds good to us, and DD plans to read it soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 Oh, The Book Scavenger sounds like it has potential. We've read all the Winston Breen books. They're great. Ds did like all of them, but we started the series as read alouds, so according to ds's rules of books, they had to be finished that way too for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 My son enjoyed Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones. It is kind of funny and a little sad. But telekinetic chickens were a hit in our house... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Has he read any Frank Einstein books? One is "Frank Einstein and the Brain Turbo", my son recommends them, I have not read any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emba Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Has he read any of the Roald Dahl books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc26 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 The London Eye Mystery might work. My picky DS loved it. Or some of the Stuart Gibbs books, those have all been hits here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutheart Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Chocolate Fever The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks (lots of sequels, but no e-book version) Ruth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 The Frank Einstein books are definitely too easy. His brother was gifted one and they enjoyed it and all, but it was too simple, I think. We read aloud most of Roald Dahl when he was younger. He liked them fine, but they weren't super favorites or anything. He just read Boy recently and it was enjoyed, but I couldn't interest him in Flying Solo, unfortunately. I tried to get him to try those Stuart Gibbs books at one point, but no dice. They seemed perfect. I'll see if he might like The London Eye Mystery. I liked that one though, and it seems he dislikes the books I already know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black-eyed Suzan Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Chasing Vermeer? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Do you have a Goodreads account? You can look for recommendations based on books he likes or doesn't like. You would have to create a shelf for him, it does better with the more books you rate. I've never done this for my kids but it works well for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debi21 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Has he tried anything by Gordon Korman? I find him quirky and funny. Some of them might be too easy, but there are a few with high school protagonists that are probably the right level. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc26 Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Has he tried anything by Gordon Korman? I find him quirky and funny. Some of them might be too easy, but there are a few with high school protagonists that are probably the right level. We loved the 2 Masterminds books! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place? DS just reread them and still found them amusing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbeanmama Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Floors, by Patrick Carman. There are three total - my son has devoured them more than once. Quirky, unexpected surprises, funny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 My dd11 is just like this. I really feel like anything I pick out is tainted for her. I've almost stopped because I think she'd like many if I hadn't offered them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 Thanks, guys! Some of these we've read or tried. We adore Chasing Vermeer and all the sequels. He might like Incorrigible Children just because I couldn't stand it... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 This may help you find some new ideas: http://www.indiebound.org/kids-indie-next-list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Half Magic (and sequels) (in the older but quirky category) Ben and Me (ditto) The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Gaiman) Ms. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (and sequels) The Once and Future King (classic but very funny, and very British) I imagine he has already read all the Harry Potter books? There is a new one coming out in July, with attendant midnight book release parties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 He might like Incorrigible Children just because I couldn't stand it... I didn't hate the books, but I *did* hate that you had to get the next books to finish the story. What a scam! DS received the books as a gift, so it didn't affect my pocketbook, but really, I was so annoyed by that. I've noticed it in a number of book series he has read lately. I despise this trend! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Stoker Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Polly Horvath, The Pepins and their Problems Alan Cumyn, The Secret Life of Owen Skye and sequels Alan Snow, The Ratbridge Chronicles Tim Wynne-Jones, Rex Zero trilogy (nothing supernatural) Philip Ardagh, Eddie Dickens trilogy Kaye Umansky, Solomon Snow, etc. Philip Reeve, Larklight books James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks, The Wonderful O, The White Deer JBS Haldane, My Friend Mr. Leakey Penelope Lively, The Voyage of the QV66 Joan Aiken, Felix trilogy (exciting, some supernatural elements, not really funny at all) Mary Clive, Christmas with the Savages Has he read the Green Knowe books? (LM Boston) Not really funny, but some of the best kids' supernatural books around, I always think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black-eyed Suzan Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 (edited) Thanks, guys! Some of these we've read or tried. We adore Chasing Vermeer and all the sequels. He might like Incorrigible Children just because I couldn't stand it... There are sequels to Chasing Vermeer?! :hurray: Thank you!!! Edited May 20, 2016 by Black-eyed Suzan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 My 11 year old would recommend trying the Horrible History books. He's obsessed with them right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 The correct answer turned out to be The Giver. You guys, this child is so unpredictable. Why do I bother? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.