Independent readers for a 7yo boy that are high interest yet not "twaddle"?

[Jennefer@SSA]

I have been looking for books that ds6 (7 next month) can read independently that are inspiring and considered excellent literature. Read-a-louds are no problem but independent reading for young children is a little bit trickier, I've found.

I would love to compile a list and start stocking up. Magic Tree House just has to go after the first 20 books. ;)

Thanks so much!

[ga girl]

Have you tried using this book? I used it for my very advanced reader. Lot's of good starting places.

Connie

[Jennefer@SSA]

Thanks so much for the reminder! :) I'll see if our library has it and if not, I'll order it this week!

[daisychics]

I would love to hear this list... I also have a 6 year old boy.
I did get "Mr. Popper's Penguins" --- I asked him to read just one page and when he kept reading silently (which he prefers) I didn't stop him. That's working for us right now.

[two2homeschool]

I would suggest Thornton W. Burgess books, especially the "Adventures" series such as the Adventures of Reddy Fox and the like.
Trish

[Kathie in VA]

My boy really liked the Great Illustrated Classics.
He has also read some of the books from Wishbone.. these he really liked. It's a great way to introduce great, classic literature to young kids. We checked the out of the library. They also have some of the videos, which we started with so he was familiar with it before reading that style book.

hth

[King Alfred Academy]

I would suggest Thornton W. Burgess books, especially the "Adventures" series such as the Adventures of Reddy Fox and the like.
Trish
I second these! My ds7 loves them!

We are doing the same thing in our house...cleaning out the "twaddle" (although we actually didn't have a whole lot)...just feels lighter!

He has also liked the My Father's Dragon triology (twaddle?)

[bethben]

There's a huge series although I think the first 30 or so are considered the original author.
Beth

[OhElizabeth]

VP has a list of books like that in their catalog. I think it's in the 1st grade section and is meant to be more challenging books, beyond early chapter books but still not 3rd grade readers. Here it is. Advanced Readers Collections, one for boys, one for girls. The boys is item #490-030 costs $22.05 and has Balto and the Great Race, the Bears on Hemlock Mountain, The case of Hermie..., Ice Wreck, Tall Tales..., A Taste of Blackberries. And of course the rest of the readers they list and their First Favorites books would all be good.

[Darcy from LWM3B]

While these may not all be the most quality, they have been encouraging here:

Early 7 yr old:
Nate the Great (series)
Dragon Slayer Academy (series - not quality lit, but decent vocab)
Hank the Cowdog (there are about 50 of these)
Mouse & the Motorcyle, Ralph S. Mouse, etc.
Level 4 readers - I choose science and history topics
My Father's Dragon (3 books)

Later 7 yr old:
Hardy Boys (we bought the first boxed set 1-6)
Chronicles of Narnia
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Little House on the Prarie (we will use this along with westward expansion in american history)
Charlotte's Web
Trumpet of the Swan (beautiful story with a good boy character)


I know this is a short list, but it might get you started. I'll be checking this thread for more ideas, too. :)

[Jules in MI]

Our son is 8yo now and is an advanced reader and devours everything he can get his hands on! I have found Sonlight's readers to be excellent. No twaddle in my opinion. Have you checked them out? You can just look at their lists then find the books at the library, that's what I do. My son really likes the Boxcar Children series, anything by Beverly Clearly, and even Laura Ingells Wilder (he just read Farmer Boy and loved it).

The gifted/talented teacher at our local private school recommended history or science related reading materials for young advanced readers, since we don't necessarily want them reading books meant for upper elementary age kids.

Hope this gives you some ideas!

[Linda...inOwasso]

My dd7 is a bit of a tomboy and prefers books that most would consider on the "boyish" side. Here's what she's enjoying right now:

1. Dragon Slayer's Academy (Series by Kate McMullan) Not exactly classic quality, but she reads them vorociously!

2. Encyclopedia Brown
3. Happy Hollisters
4. Wishbone

[Carol in Cal.]

...of the formulaic MTH series. They were just about right for her at that point.

Next, I would have him try "Half Magic" which is a little harder but very entertaining.

[Uccnorsworth]

I, too, have this issue. I have found the Scholastic catalog (not the club pamphlets) to be an excellect resource. This book divides books out by reading level, by grade, by gender, by content area, by age range, and by many other sorts that I can't remember. It is an excellent way to find great books for your blessing!

Stephanie

[Jennefer@SSA]

thanks to everyone who responded! I appreciate it very much!

[Kayaking Mom]

If you are interested, I have the SL readers for levels 1-3 listed in order of difficulty on my blog here (http://deuteronomy6.blogspot.com/2008/01/using-sonlight-reading-lists.html). It's been helpful to me to have DD read them in that order vice the order in the reading list to avoid frustration. DD has also enjoyed The Boxcar Children (the tooth fairy left a new one last night, LOL!), Nate the Great, B is for Betsy (though their is a boy character too - Eddy maybe? - they are by Haywood), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Magic School Bus chapter books and the Stanley books. HTH!

[Sasha]

SWM, thanks for the list!

I, too, struggle with books for my 6 year old. He's a very good reader and excellent at decoding words so he's in this in-between, awkward stage where the easy readers are too easy for him but 'real' books are too intimidating.

[Jennefer@SSA]

That list will be very helpful. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it!:p