My dd (7) is a good reader, but she just doesn't enjoy it. We have tried many of the typical books/series. She has enjoyed a few Junie B books but not enough to want to read more of them. It's the same with magic Treehouse books, and many of the more popular series. I'm looking for recommendations -- maybe some I haven't thought of or that are new to us. My dd LOVES to laugh and play and joke around, so I'm looking for something that is on the funny side. Perhaps even some that are thought of more as "boy" books would work for her.
So, what are your child's favorite funny books/series?
My crew are 7 and almost 9.
We had a lot of Magic Treehouse with my oldest and 2 of my quad girls. They LOVE the adventure and they learn a lot. That would have been my first suggestion.
Others that my kids have enjoyed are Bailey School Kids, Boxcar Kids.
Not sure of your dd's reading level, but we had a lot of fun with Roald Dahl books this past spring. I brought home "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for my 2nd grader during "Turn Off the TV Week", thinking it would occupy him most of the week. He started Friday afternoon and had it finished by Sunday. Most of the time, one of my Kindergartners was looking over his shoulder. When he finished, she picked it up and read it in about 3 or 4 days. Then the another took about 5 to read it. They have not seen the movie, and I checked their comprehension and the "got it". I think "Charlie", "The Great Glass Elevator", and others are about 3rd or 4th grade level, so I'm not sure if your DD is ready to them on her own. My other 2 are not at that level- maybe just getting into Junie B.
I wouldn't recommend "Saddle Club" as a PP mentioned. Only because it's more "pre-teen" in subject matter. But there is a series for younger kids based on it that might be of interest. The name escapes me, but you can find it when you find the Saddle Club website. We are just hoping to avoid some of the "coupling" and relational aggression, snottiness that we've on the Saddle Club TV series.
My other 2, who are reading at more of "end of 1st grade" level like "Frog and Toad". Might be too simple, though. And another favorite of all 4 is Magic Pony Carousel. Kind of Magic Treehouse like, but the ponies on the carousel take riders on adventures based on their painted on decorations.
Then there is always Captain Underpants- since you asked for boyish examples. I think there is also a series of sports related books too. The name escapes me again, but a friend's 1st grader was reading it.
She may enjoy Nancy Drew at this age, and maybe some of the American Girl books. There are a ton.
I'll try to look at the 50 library books that are floating around here and see what else my kids are reading. I have a hard time keeping up.
ETA: OH, what about Goosebumps???
I've popped into the library and just asked the question and have left with an armful of books. One DD in particular felt quite special when Mr. George, the librarian, chose some books just for her after we talked a little. He would say things like "I think you'll REALLY like this...." She totally bought into it and it encouraged her to try new things. Also, keep in mind that there are some very lovely picture books that have more complicated text that are great for that age. OH, Patrick O'Brien is a good author in that regard. He does his own illustrations and they are works of art. He has a great book on sharks, one on lesser known dinosaurs, one on knights. He visited our school and talked to the kids about his writing process and the research involved.
In fact, he loved it so much that we just got a few more books by the same author. Hopefully, he'll like the others books just as much.
