Good books for competent 6 yr old reader

flipper_72

My son likes Astrosaurs which is about Dinosaurs in space. We got a box set from the book people.this thread has made me think that I should probably move some of the Roald Dahl and horrid Henry books into his room from my daughter's.
Some of the classics like the borrowers, treasure island, and some of the Michael Morpurgo books are good like the butterfly Lion. War Horse and some of the others might be a bit too old yet, my 9year old loves them but at 7/8 found it hard work and she is a pretty advanced reader.

northofthewall

I was this kid, and can say with confidence that as long as you can manage frequent trips to the library and he's allowed to give up on books that don't interest him, he'll be ok. I think working out your own taste is really important in developing as a reader, and part of that is trying books which turn out not to be right for you.

A couple of people have recommended Diane Wynne Jones and Horrible Histories and I'll second both of those. I also used to read a lot of adult classics retold for a younger audience - things like A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist can be enjoyed as fun stories about ghosts and pickpockets without needing to understand the wider context.

My parents bought me some books which I think they wanted me to like before I was really old enough for them, and they sat on a shelf for years sometimes before I got around to them. I think I must have started and given up on Swallows and Amazons 3 or 4 times before I really got into it but when I was ready I absolutely loved it (still do in fact!).

onlyroz

Series of Unfortunate Events
Spiderwick Chronicles
Beastquest
Tom Gates
Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Quite a few of the Terry Pratchett books are also aimed at Children, e.g. the Wee Free Men books, or Johnny and the Dead etc etc.

Potternerd

DS enjoyed Jeremy James and Mr Majeika books for humour, Jamie Johnson football books and Rob Childs. He also loved A Series of Unfortunate Events and Michael Morpugo.

Hopefully he'll enjoy Harry Potter in a couple of years.

lisa110rry

My son was not a particularly advanced reader, a good, solid slightly above average I would have put him at. However, when he found a book about something he was interested in, he would read it and ask about words he couldn't work out. He loved rugby from 7 years old, so read Tom Jones School Days at about 11. More astonishingly, on a holiday when he was 8, he found an adult book about the development and history of the SAS, and read that cover to cover.

So, the library I think, and let the child wander where he will!

You must be extremely proud of him, congratulations on supporting his interests! Please don't think I mean that patronisingly, lots of parents don't support their kids' interests, and you will find discipline so much easier! How many times did I say to mine 'if you continue behaving like this you will be walking to rugby' ( replace with library in your case). The immediate behaviour change will be astonishing!

bouicca21

At that age, much to my horror, my two both became addicted to the Famous Five. It didn't last long, but it bridged the period between baby type books and those aimed at older children.

But the real answer, as indicated above, is just to let him loose in a library.

cliffsgirl

I know they are a bit old now but what about the just William books?

Armchair23

There are no 'good' books just books !
If a child is reading and enjoying it they'll explore and read all kinds of things.
Books are there for information, fun, relaxation and everything else that ails you.

So as you're doing a great job so far keep it up !

dondo

Hi there

My son is 7 and loves reading and is of a high standard (not being boastful just context) and he loves Jeremy Strong, D. King-Smith and Michael Morpurgo books (though I know that some of Michael Morpurgo books deal with some quite serious topics of death etc. so we haven't tried him with those)

culpepper

My son loved Those Jeremy James books (David Henry Wilson) and also super gran and flat stanley.

What about Just William books(Richmal compton)?
I liked Jennings books (Anthony buckeridge I think)which are about a little boy and his friends at boarding school but very funny .I remember reading Jennings goes to School in class and laughing so hard it hurt.

Bobby Brewster books are quite nice if he likes shorter stories.