Book suggestions for 5th grade boy

[RyJMom]

When my 10 yr old was younger he really enjoyed reading but the last 2 yrs or so it has been like pulling teeth to get him to read. He came home this week with a book from the book fair called Diary of a Wimpy Kid and read the entire book that evening and went back the next day for the 2nd book in the series which he also read right away and really enjoyed. This is way below his reading level but I don't care I'm just glad he wanted to read something. He's read all the Harry Potter books but I think with them being so long they become work. Any suggestions for funny books or series that a 10yr old might enjoy. I'd just like to reignite his love of reading.

 

[fauna74]

My 5th grade son loves to read. He really enjoyed the Kingdom Keepers Books (2 so far) and they're about Disney!! They are by Ridley Pearson. In fact, Ridley Pearson has written a lot of great kids books.

He also really liked the Wayside School books - they are just silly and goofy.

If you are looking for more suggestions, try calling the librarian at his school - she/he will know what all the kids are reading right now.

Good Luck!

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS10 (5th grade) also loves the Diary of a Whimpy Kid books. He's also not a huge fan of reading, & there's only a few series he really loves.

The others are:
The Bone series...I think there's 8 in that series now.
The Capt. Underpants series.

He also likes the book Nightmare Academy...but I think part of that is because he has an autographed copy. The author is one of my SIL's best friends.

 

[Deb8821]

I have 2 DS who are 11. The Big Book of Boy Stuff has been a big hit at our house. The Wimpy kid books are also a favorite. The Carole Marsh Mysteries are good too. They really are for a bit younger - quick reading, but I have one who will read but only if he can do it quickly and get to the end and find out what happens. My other one likes series, like the Kindgom Keepers, Star Wars. Ironically all three of my DS like the old Nancy Drew series, and each has read a bunch of them - (but only at home!!). They also have really liked the Kids Book of Poems and the youngest DS 8 likes the Hank the Cow Dog series. I have taken them to the bookstore and let them choose a couple books they want to read. I was surprised at the Poetry book, but it was read by all three as well as a history book on WWII Dog Fighter planes. Guess they got that from the history channel, but again all three read it. Take him to the library or bookstore you might be surprise what he picks out to read. If they are reading I am happy.

 

[tasha99]

DS10 loves the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books by Rick Riordan (book 1 is The Lightning Thief). He also loved The 39 Clues by the same author.

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

The REDWALL series by Brain Jacques.

 

[JESW]

You might want to look into some of the Japanes anime series. My ds13 is not a big reader but loves these books as they are more like comic books - lots of pictures - but he's reading! (We are hoping he will eventually get back into "real" books.)

Two favorite series are Case Closed & Fruit Basket - my dd9 also LOVES both.

Good luck!

Jill

P.S. We met Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series as he is a local author and he had a book signing at Barnes & Noble. Real nice guy and my kids got to look through his drawing journal - both loved that as they both draw and write.

UPDATE: - ds13 was reading this over my shoulder and wanted me to say that the correct term is MANGA, not anime!

 

[abcboys]

I was reading your post and I was thinking "I don't remember writing this?" Excpept my 10 year old son does not like reading but he did come home with Diary of a Wimpy kid from the book fair this past week and had it read in a couple of days. That is not like him at all. Mine struggles with reading but he has also read Captain Underpants within the last week and really like it and thought it was funny. I don't have any other suggestions as mine is just in 4th grade.

 

[SLK1]

You might try books by Andrew Clements - I remember my kids liked those (didn't love them but liked them). My son ran into the same problem about that age - he just didn't like all those "fantasy" books that were out there. A few others they liked: City of Ember, Tale of Despereaux, and Holes.

 

[tasha99]

I second the anime suggestion--DS loves Shonen Jump magazine.

 

[averysmom]

The Warriors series by Erin Hunt. At first glance, they sound dumb - they are about personified wild cats - but I can't keep them on my shelves in my class. They are my number one choice for high interest books for 5-6 grade.

 

[ajk912]

Diary of the Wimpy Kid is going to have a third book out January 13th. I am kind of bummed it's not before Christmas, but at least it's soon!

 

[lntsmom]

I just read a good one...Nick of Time. It is right up a 5th grade boy's alley.

If he can read Harry Potter, try the Septimus Heap books and the Nicholas Flamel books. The first is a series of 4 (so far) and the second has 2 (so far).

He might also like the Molly Moon books (I think there's 4 in that series now, too) and the May Bird Series (I think that one's on book 3....)

If he hasn't read the Chronicles of Narnia, those are great 5th grade favorites. As are A Wrinkle In Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Gently Tilting Planet, all by Madeline L'Engle.

 

[Stephres]

My son is the same way. I am always looking for books that are not sad or not scary. He loves the Wimpy Kid books too. I let him read a lot of magazines in his spare time, that way it doesn't feel like a lot of work. He read Ask, National Geographic for Kids and Highlights. I am still trying to find good funny boy books too!

 

[OU1247]

My 4th grade boy reads like crazy. Bookfairs are a scary thing....LOL

Harry Potter Series...LOVED THEM
BONE BOOKS are great there are 8 of them.
FOUND by Haddix

I am with you know matter what they read it is a good thing.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Check out this year's Battle of the Books list:

http://www.battleofthebooks.org/4-62009.html

DD9 has been enjoying the books she has read so far this year, and last year's list (if you can find it online) had a lot of books the boys enjoyed - Million Dollar Shot by Gutman, a book by Matt Christopher (I think - DD might have just read one on her own), Summer of the Monkeys by Rawls. DD particulary enjoyed Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix and read Found by Haddix this year. She also liked Dealing With Dragons by Wrede, Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by Coville, and enjoyed The Hobbit (but it took her a long time to read it). These are all from last year's 4th-6th grade list. There is also a 6th to 8th grade list.

Redwall that a PP mentioned is on this year's list, and every kid I know who is doing BOB can't wait to read that book.

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have a series about Peter Pan - Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. DD read the first two a couple of years ago. They are long books, though, so he may not want to get into it if he was losing interest in Harry Potter before the end.

DD also enjoys the Wayside School books that a PP recommended. The author (Sachar) also wrote Holes and There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom.

 

[Anonomom]

It's an older series, but he may enjoy The Great Brain books. They're about a turn-of-the-century Utah boy with a "great brain and a money-loving heart." He's always hatching schemes to make money and break rules, but it's all pretty lighthearted and cute. I think the author's name is Fitzgerald.

Other old standbyes from when DH and I were that age are Encyclopedia Brown (maybe your son's too old for him?) and the Trixie Belden mysteries.

 

[Shelton123]

The Westing Game is hilarious! He might need some motivation through the first few pages, because they aren't that entertaining, but you need to read them to understand the story. After that, he won't be able to put the book down.

 

[MiniGirl]

Other old standbyes from when DH and I were that age are Encyclopedia Brown (maybe your son's too old for him?) and the Trixie Belden mysteries.

These were 2 of MY favorites as a kid. I LOVED Trixie, but I d't know if they would appeal to a boy. My 9 yo dd loves The Kingdom Keepers and Goosebump books.

 

[sndfan]

My DS9 LOVES to read, but sometimes if I get a series I know he'll love from the library, but he looks at the cover and doesn't want to read it, I'll start it with him and read the first chapter out loud. Typically, that's all it takes. I read too slow out loud, so he takes the book and is "into it"!

Best of luck!