I wanted to do a post about the books that Emma (11) and Ian (8) are reading these days, so I'd remember. They've always been pretty avid readers, but lately we've all had a harder time finding more in depth, more challenging reads that truly interest them. I try and push them to read outside their favorite genre (manga books, graphic novels, Calvin & Hobbs...), and usually they go along, but the book has got to grab them in some way (they take after their mom, I am a book club dropout). After much quiet, solitary browsing at bookstores, thrift stores, and online, I've gotten pretty good at spotting books they might like. (Sometimes I even get lucky and they both like the same book.) Right now they both are enjoying series books (such suspense while waiting for the next one!), emphatically do not like scary stories at all, (not conducive to pre-bedtime reading in our house), yet love a simple good versus evil story that ends in a positive way.
(The amazon page will give you a summary of these books better than I could.)
The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy by William Boniface- there are 3 books in this series and I hope there are more in the pipeline, because they are fantastic. Ian immediately loved this series. There are great illustrations sprinkled throughout the text (all in black in white) and I find that makes reading more enjoyable for him. Because Ian's reading level is ahead of his grade level, often the subject matter is too complex in books that match his reading ability (no girl troubles here yet), so I think those illustrations help a read feel less intimidating in some way, who knows?
The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch- Emma is currently anxiously awaiting the 3rd book in this series and can hardly stand the wait. The first book was read aloud to one of the 5th grade classes at our school and it was such a hit, many of the kids bought their own copies to reread. Seriously, the name alone makes me want to read it.
Secret Agent Jack Stalwart: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaurs by Elizabeth Singer Hunt- I bought the first 2 books of this series for Ian last Fall and he zipped through them in 2 days. They are fairly easy reads, (also have black and white illustrations sprinkled within the text). Ian got several more of these from Santa last Christmas and poured through all of them during winter break. He could hardly wait to go to bed at night! (Our kids read for 30 minutes or so before bed each night.)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Ian got the first 3 in this series for Christmas and quickly decided it was a little too scary for him (something about not liking that the mythical creatures seemed so real). I think he will definitely grow into them though. Emma, on the other hand, couldn't put them down, and has now read them all and is asking for The Demi-God Files (a guidebook to the series). Andrea wrote a few words on this series over at her blog (which is a great resource for insight into kid's books, by the way).
The 39 Clues: Book One, The Maze of Bones also by Rick Riordan. A new series we are starting this week, so I don't know what the opinions about it will be, but given the success we've had with this type of book, hopes are high.
Travels of Thelonious: The Fog Mound by Susan Schade and Jon Buller- a 3 book series that Ian absolutely loved! (Emma read and enjoyed them too, but not with the enthusiasm Ian did.) The book is described as "part graphic novel, part heroic fantasy, its an adventure like no other" right on the cover. I hope there are more to come in this series also. Fantastic illustrations.
American Girl Books- Having these books for Emma to read (or, as we sometimes do, read together) has made parenting so much easier in many ways. As she enters into that lovely 3 year vortex that is middle school, I am sure that she, like me as a kid, just wants to know that her peers are changing (or that they are as confused) as she is. She has found a lot of comfort in these books, and we now have a small collection of them. Emma really doesn't gravitate toward the typical girl stories and books these days, but these, she likes.
Girigami: A Fresh, Fun, Fashionable Spin on Origami by Cindy Ng. Books that have the type of crafts Emma can just jump into are a big hit, and this one has fun new ways to do our current favorite craft- origami.
There's many more, but I'd love to hear what your kids are reading too. Please let suggestions in the comments. (And thank you all for the kind comments about the Hills n Hollers quilt!). Have a great day!
