[HPforGrownups] Recommended Book for 4th Grader

[summers.65 at osu.edu]

No: HPFGUIDX 2050

>
>Like millions of other kids this past summer, my grandkids have been
>reading Harry Potter.  Nick, who is going into 4th grade was a
>special surprise.  He never showed much interest in reading or
>academics in general, but he devoured all four books this summer,
>with some help from his mother and Jim Dale.
>
>I'm wondering what would be an appropriate book to get him for his
>9th birthday. I'm considering either The Hobbit, which I read in high
>school, or Narina, which I have not read.  Can anyone tell me what
>would be more appropriate?  What other books are kids in his peer
>group reading now (after HP)?
>
>Thanks
>Jim Flanagan
>
Jim, I'm a bookseller at a Borders Books & Music so I'm an expert at
answering this question.

First, there's the Diane Duane series that begins with "So You Want to Be a
Wizard."  There are I believe three more in the series including "Deep
Wizardy" and "High Wizardry."

Also, "Holes" by Louis Sachar is a popular after-Potter book.  I also
recommend John Bellairs who wrote a series of stories about a young boy
names Lewis Barnevelt who went to live with his Uncle Jonathan who, along
with his across-the-street neighbor Mrs. Zimmerman, is a wizard.  Lewis'
best friend Rose Rita Pottinger also figures largely.  It starts with "The
House with a Clock in Its Walls" and goes on to "A Figure in the Shadows"
and "The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring."

These are all classified as Intermediate fiction, which is usually the 9-12
slot.  None of them are as complex and creative as the Potter books...the
Bellairs series are simpler but creepier and the Duanes are more
fantasy-oriented, Holes isn't really fantasy at all...but they're good.

Never too early for Narnia.  A lot of kids who are a little older, like 12
and up, are reading the Brian Jacques books, which I'm not familiar with
but appear to be a fantasy series something like Terry Goodkind or Robert
Jordan are for adults.  If he's a good reader for his age they might be
okay.  I can't speak to the suitability of the content.

If you can find him any Margert Mahy, rejoice.  She now writes young kids'
books but she used to write really cool young adult supernatural type
books.  PoU readers will be familiar with "The Changeover," I also
recommend "The Tricksters" and "The Catalogue of the Universe," though all
three have romantic elements that may turn off boys and are intended for
slightly older readers.

Hope this helps.
Lori


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Lori   "Too Much Ponch, Not Enough Jon"  Summers

        "I always say you can get further with a kind word and a
                two-by-four than just a kind word."  -Marcus

Last movie seen:  "Satyricon"
Reigning car-CD:  Austin Powers soundtrack
Current book: "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" by Bill Bryson
                               "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb
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