Getting boys into books: the tricky years, ages 7-9

We’ve all been at that crossroads with our children: they have reached the top of their reading scheme and announce proudly to everyone who will listen that, today, they have become ‘free readers.’ A cold dread fills your stomach. Your skin prickles with fear because suddenly YOU are in charge of what they read… and where on earth do you start?

This can be especially difficult for parents of boys and those with girls who love humour, adventure and adrenaline. Lots of the books aimed at the 7-9 year old bracket are filled with fairies, cupcakes and sleepovers… which is fine if you like fairies, cupcakes and sleepovers. But what if you prefer dragons to dandelions? Or bottoms to bunnies? Then this reading list of authors is just what you need.

1.       Jeremy Strong: With titles like ‘Batpants,’ ‘My Brother’s Famous Bottom,’ and ‘My Mum’s going to explode,’ Strong’s uncanny knack for finding the ridiculous in everyday situations is un-precedented. His books are always bonkers!

2.       Cressida Cowell: Best known for the award wining series ‘How to Train your Dragon,’ Cressida Cowell is the current Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate. She writes stories with strong, compelling plots that manage to stretch children without stressing them. Full of imagination and loveable characters, her books are always a pleasure to read.

3.       Roald Dahl: The original and, in my opinion, best author (children’s or otherwise). His stories are wide ranging in content- animal stories sit happily alongside stories of giants and rhymes of witches and gun toting Cinderella’s. The children are always the heroes in these wonderful books while some of the adults’ behaviour will make your hair curl.

4.       Beast Quest is a series of books written under the pen-name Adam Blade. There are many books in the series, all with a very similar remit of action and adventure. These books provide a good springboard for children who need a confidence boost before exploring other, more imaginative texts.

5.       Dav Pilkey: Author of the renowned series, ‘Captain Underpants,’ and more recently, ‘Dog Man,’ these books are utterly daft. Their illustrations are funny and children will be charmed by the characters and their crazy exploits.

Happy reading everyone