They are too old for picture books, but not quite old enough for young adult books. Finding books for boys ages 7 -12 can be a nightmare, but no parent wants to see a child lose interest in books. So many parents tell me their boys just don't like books. All I can say is they haven't found the right books. Boys love books just as much girls do - they just don't love the same books girls do and finding the right ones can be a real challenge. Below are some of the very best books we have found for this age group.
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O Hara has everything boys love - a mad scientist, a computer hacker, a zombie (even if it just a goldfish) and huge helpings of humour. This is a very firm favourite of both of my boys - ages 4 and 8 and we absolutely can not wait for the sequel - or should we say
Sea-quell ? If you have a son between the ages of 5 -12 this book is a must have. Please see my complete review @ http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=My_Big_Fat_Zombie_Goldfish_by_Mo_O%27Hara
Astrosaurs by Steve Cole:
There seem to be certain subjects that are certain to get young boys interested in a story. I think Steve Cole wanted to make sure he didn't miss any of them with this book. There are sword fights, poop fights, poo filled missiles, a green slime monster, pirates, dinosaurs and more in the wacky space adventure.
I started buying these books for my youngest, who is only 4, as he always wants dinosaur stories at night, and after telling our own make up stories, I like something I can just read and not have to think. I really didn't expect my oldest, who has just turned 8 to like these at all. After all, he complained bitterly about other series having dinosaurs and humans in the same story - which is of course impossible - so I didn't really think he would fancy the idea of talking herbivores flying about in poo powered space ships, having battles with poo torpedoes and poo blasters as they travelled through the Jurassic Quadrant, but I failed to appreciate the attraction of loads of **** in a story.
The entire Astrosaurs series is based on the premise that before the meteor hit earth, the dinosaurs abandoned the planet - flying off to colonise space. The herbivores have the Vegetarian Sector, while the meat eaters reside in the Carnivore Sector. These two areas are separated by a thin "veg meat" or neutral zone. Our heroes are a small band of Astrosaurs dedicated to patrolling the Vegetarian Sector and protecting it against attacks by unscrupulous carnivores. The main characters are: Captain Teggs the stegosaurus, Arx the triceratops, Iggy the Iguanodon and Gypsy who appears to be a cross between a Corythosaurus and a Parasaurolophus. This team is assisted my a crew of Dimorphodon.
There are 30 books in print so far, ( including the Astrosaurs academy books) of which we own over 20, and I expect to have the whole collection soon. One of the wonderful things about this series is that it gets boys reading and keeps them reading. These books are action filled, full of humour, much of it toilet humour, and just gross enough to keep boys interested, but the series would have petered out after a few books if that was all there was to it. They are also well written, with excellent characters and friendships between the characters, and often have a moral to the story as well. I can't recommend them highly enough,
See my review for Astrosaurs: The Star Pirates @
http://members.dooyoo.co.uk/junior-book/astrosaurs-the-star-pirates-steve-cole/1690637/
or Astrosaurs The Castle of Frankensaur @
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Astrosaurs_22:_The_Castle_of_Frankensaur_by_Steve_Cole
Magic Ink by the same author is another unmissable book for tweens. It has a very unlikely pair of superheroes, a young boy who wants to be a comic book illustrator, and of all things a talking pig, combines modern day comics with Arthurian lore and has quite a moral to the story but it pulls all of these things off perfectly. Please see my complete review @
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Magic_Ink_by_Steve_Cole
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
We originally started this series based on a misunderstanding. My son had heard about the book but thought it was called something like "Diarrhoea Wimpy Kid". However once he got started with this series he loved them and raced through book after book, finishing the entire series win less than a month - and it would have been less than this if he hadn't had to wait for new books to arrive.
The book is about a very ordinary 11 year old boy, and the trials and tribulations of his life. It is a book that will have children laughing out loud. Most boys are going to relate to some aspects of the book and most off all - it makes boys want to read. There are plenty of jokes and enough situations that are close enough to real life to make them funny.
This book is very easy to read. I would put it on the same level as Horrid Henry, but while he outgrew Horrid Henry some time ago, this still captures his interest and I feel this will appeal to an older audience than Horrid Henry. It is difficult for me to place age levels on a book as every child reaches reading milestones at different ages, but at age 7, this book gave my son no problems at all. In fact it is far to easy to present any challenge - but sometimes that can be a good thing. Of course children do need to read more difficult books and stretch their ability - but some times it is nice to just relax and coast for awhile. This book just makes reading fun for him. It has him waiting on the postman with more anticipation than he shows for a new video game and has made reading one of his favourite activities again. He says this book should get more than 5 stars as it one of the best ever. I can not give this anything less than 5 stars after my sons reaction.
http://members.dooyoo.co.uk/comic-book/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-jeff-kinney/1675927/
Varjak Paw
Don't write this book off if your son does not like cats. There is so much more to this book than just a story of a karate kitty. Varjak Paw will learn martial arts, but more importantly he will learn how to survive, how to trust others and to be worthy of trust, and how to trust himself. This book touches on racism, prejudice and selfishness, but even more on the triumph of good over evil, once good takes a stand - and it does have something for dog lovers as well. An incredibly moving, fast paced story of action and adventure that will never be forgotten.
http://members.dooyoo.co.uk/junior-book/varjak-paw-s-f-said/1707834/
I'm Dougal Trump . . . Where's My Tarantula? by Dougal Trump
Another favourite with my 8 year old son, this book follows the standard diary format, but with a clear standard font type which is double spaced to make it easier for struggling readers. This is a quick moving, humorous read about the misadventures of a fairly normal wee boy who gets mixed up with an evil animal thief while looking after a Goliath Bird Eating Spider. There are plenty of other boy friendly animals as well, and a few scientific facts to boot.
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=I%27m_Dougal_Trump_._._._Where%27s_My_Tarantula%3F_by_Dougal_Trump
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