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Pre-teen Boy Free Reading
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Well, I suddenly have a boy who wants to read. Woo hoo!
Let me explain that – we learned this past spring that he is dyslexic. Since then we’re working on the reading, and got him signed up on Bookshare so he could follow along with text to speach. I did that mainly for scouts, but he started re-reading the Percy Jackson series that I had read aloud with him. Then he asked to start reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I was so excited to see him reading chapter books of his own accord I said, “Sure!” Then one day he made the comment, “These parents are so stupid.” Oops. I should have checked that one out first. They are terrible!
So, we need some recomendations for an almost 12yo boy to read for his free-reading time. This year we are enjoying audio of Journey to the Center of the Earth, Treasure Island, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and Where the Red Fern Grows, for our literature. So I imagine if he really enjoys any of those he’ll read them again on his own as he’s done Percy Jackson. Any other recommendations of a more positive outlook towards parents and peers than that Wimpy Kid?
Thanks so much!
Melissa
Since he’s reading Percy Jackson and Diary of a Wimpy Kid I’m assuming some level of twaddle is allowed. (No judging….we totally read it here too!) The following are books I felt of higher quality (and better morals) than most popular children’s series and really got my reluctant boys reading.
Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan
Leven Thumps series by Obert Sky
Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
Adventurers Wanted series by M.L. Forman
Childhood of Famous Americans
A Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (three in the series so far) – Christopher Healey
John Paul Jones – Iris Vinton and other Landmark books
Around the World in 80 Days – Jules Verne
LOL! Well, Wimpy Kid was a mistake. If I had checked that out first it would have been a “NO way.” Percy Jackson came about when his good friend in our neighborhood who is an avid reader gave him a copy of the first book for his birthday earlier this year. I wasn’t too sure about it at first, nor did ds seem interested in reading it. But after it sat on the shelf for a couple of months, he asked me to read it with him. This was about the time we were looking in to the dyslexia. I was so surprised to discover that the main character is dyslexic. Turns out the author wrote these stories for his dyslexic son. Anyway, I decided that since we were reading it together we could discuss things as we went along. We haven’t studied any Greek mythology yet. But when we do get to it, he’ll now be pretty familiear with the characters, in a unique way. I know some of the slang/causual language used in the books probably qualifies it as twaddle. But I have to admit I have really enjoyed reading the books with him. 🙂
I’ll have a look at your recommendations. He does like history and historical fiction, so those look good. We read Around the World for geography and really enjoyed it. I’ll have to look at some other Jules Vern books.
Thanks!
Melissa
I had no idea Percy Jackson was considered twaddle, my kids read all of them, oh well!
They also read every books of Gary Paulsen
the Kingdom Series is good
Narnia
My side of the mountain
I think what is considered twaddle will vary from person to person, really. 🙂
As I mentioned, I, a grown up, really enjoyed Percy Jackson. The stories are well told, IMHO.
Sometimes we just need something to really catch their imaginations, you know? My dd has never liked reading due to her learning struggles. She finally started reading the Harry Potter books and I have to keep telling her to come up for air and move. LOL If she hadn’t watched the HP movies, I promise you that she would never have looked at those big fat books at all! I think that I feel the same about reading those as you do the Percy Jackson series. 😉
Here are a couple of living book lists I’ve compiled over the last few years:
http://mysouldothdelight.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/great-books-for-boys/
http://mysouldothdelight.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/great-authors-series-for-boys/
My sister really likes Will Hobbs as a more contemporary author. He got her reluctant boys going.
The Kingdom Series and The Knight Series are amazing. My son loved them so much, he started giving the set as birthday presents to his reading reluctant friends. They are all hooked now, as well.
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