Rachel
Member
I have a friend who's son is turning 9 tomorrow. I want to get him a book and his mom is happy about that, especially one with G-dly character. She says he's not a big reader. I was looking at either the first book in the Sugar Creek Gang series or Kingdom's Dawn?
What do ya'll recommend? Is there another book that would be better?
I never had this problem so I'm stumped.
Thanks!
houseofchaos
Member
The Kingdom series is great! It gets my vote.
These are fun also:
http://castleberryfarmspress.com/mystery%20books.html
Sugar Creek Gang is phenomenal! We own the entire series. It's a long standing favorite with boys and girls of all ages at my house and with those who've borrowed it from our home library. 
csmamma
Member
Oh boy thats a hard choice because both are SO good, but also completely different - so its difficult to compare. I'd say the Sugar Creek gang is an easier read, more to the point but fabulous nonetheless. The Kingdom Series is an allegorical fantasy and sometimes harder for younger ones to connect the biblical dots but is definitly a must read series! Another series rich in character qualities, is The Viking Quest Series . This was one of my ds's favorite series when he was 9/10. Also, I second the Castleberry books, although we enjoyed these more as family readalouds. Imho, you really can't go wrong with any of these books.
Sugar Creek Gang is an all-time favorite in my lending library as well. Right now I have kids hooked on the audio. Not helpeing you much, are we? 
HiddenJewel
Member
It would depend on what direction he leans in interests. But I would lean toward the Sugar Creek Gang. There are a lot more in the series if he gets hooked. He can read the Kingdom series when he gets older and still enjoy it.
terramade
Member
We also love the Sugar Creek Gang.
Rachel
Member
Thanks everyone! I'm leaning towards SCG, too with a recommendation to the mom of the Kingdom Series for later. She said "he doesn't like to read much", mentioning that she'd like for him to read more, so she was happy with my idea of gifting him a book-I just can't stand the thought of giving him a modern superhero toy! My assumption is that his reading may not be advacned enough for the Kingdom books, yet-just a gut feeling.
Now I just have to find SCG by tomorrow afternoon...
Rachel
Member
Well, I can't find the SCG books anywhere near me-I've called 7 bookstores and none of them have it. I may end-up getting Kingdom's Dawn after all. Where I'm checking tomorrow is a homeschool bookstore, so I'll look around. I"m just concerned that KD is going to be too advanced for him
Britney
Member
Have you checked your local used bookstore? That's where we have always found each book in the series.
Yes, Rachel, try the used book store. I love the look of the vintage paperbacks. There's always Amazon overnight shipping, but you'll get the new edition - same story, differenct cover and binding.
Rachel
Member
Oh yes, I called four used book stores that are around. No dice...
I did find out that her son reads the HArdy Boys Mysteries, so that gives me a "level" to judge against. What ages would you say those are directed towards? I read them when I was little, but I don't remember how old I was. Say 8+? Or 10+?
Thanks again.
amama5
Member
I think the Kingdom's Dawn series are harder to read than Hardy Boys, but that's just my opinon.
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