Eeegads, having second thoughts, book recommendations for 7 year old boy, please

[aboveH20]

Not sure I can even stretch to make this a Disney topic, but I hope someone can help.

We are going to my son's wedding in two days. I bought a couple gifts for his nephews-to-be whom I've never met. In addition to a toy, I bought each of the boys a book, and had NO idea what to get the seven year old, so following online recommendations bought Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

This morning as I was rethinking it, I wondered if that sounds like an insulting title to buy for a kid whom I've never met and know nothing about. If you have a son that age please make a recommendation whether or not I should return it. And, of course, what I should buy instead.

Thank you!!!

 

[MomOTwins]

Is it at all possible to ask the parents to test the waters? You could kind of frame it as "I heard this is a really fun book for kids your son's age, could you let me know if your kids have it yet, and if you think that is something they would be interested in?" That would also help to make sure they don't have it already. Our kids around that age love the "Magic Treehouse" series, so that might be an alternative to consider, but best is to ask the parents as a lot of popular items might be things they have read already, or they may have a favorite series you could get them a new book for.

 

[smiths02]

I wouldn't give a 7 year old that because I see it as a 4th grade and up book as the tween is just getting to start middle school.
And I just looked up the lexile (reading level) which is 950 and well above most 7 year olds (more like an average 6th grade reading level)

 

[aboveH20]

Is it at all possible to ask the parents to test the waters? You could kind of frame it as "I heard this is a really fun book for kids your son's age, could you let me know if your kids have it yet, and if you think that is something they would be interested in?" That would also help to make sure they don't have it already. Our kids around that age love the "Magic Treehouse" series, so that might be an alternative to consider, but best is to ask the parents as a lot of popular items might be things they have read already, or they may have a favorite series you could get them a new book for.

That's exactly what I should have done two months ago. I was actually looking for a book that my son enjoyed but it's been out of print for ages. Thus, the online research. I've never met the bride's parents (we're NY they're CA) let alone the nephews' parents, but I think I've got the return the book. Grrrr.

I wouldn't give a 7 year old that because I see it as a 4th grade and up book as the tween is just getting to start middle school.
And I just looked up the lexile (reading level) which is 950 and well above most 7 year olds (more like an average 6th grade reading level)

Thank you for the research. I'm kicking myself for buying the book -- it's already wrapped -- but with less than 48 hours until we leave, I've decided the title could be considered insulting, and I've got to return it. A trip I don't need to make!

 

[NYCgrrl]

That's exactly what I should have done two months ago. I was actually looking for a book that my son enjoyed but it's been out of print for ages. Thus, the online research. I've never met the bride's parents (we're NY they're CA) let alone the nephews' parents, but I think I've got the return the book. Grrrr.



Thank you for the research. I'm kicking myself for buying the book -- it's already wrapped -- but with less than 48 hours until we leave, I've decided the title could be considered insulting, and I've got to return it. A trip I don't need to make!

When you get to the bookstore ask the bookseller what is popular for boys that age; they'll know.

 

[MarBee]

There is a book called Captain Underpants that boys that age love! (It has lots of potty humor, which I don’t mind but others may.) And the kids are prob familiar with Wimpy Kid and won’t find it insulting.
One safe bet for books that every kid I’ve known at that age loves are books in the Magic Treehouse series. You cannot go wrong with them.
Don’t overthink it though- it’s the thought that counts

 

[DopeyDame]

Mom of a 9 year old boy here. It definitely wouldn't be insulting. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a very popular series with kids, so no worry that they'll think you think he's wimpy or anything.
That said, DS definitely wouldn't have been able to read it at 7, and he was pretty much average reading ability. It's better for slightly older kids.

So... IF you want to go get a different book before your trip, I'd suggest:
Anything from the Stink series. (They are AWESOME for 7 year old boys, and a lot "nicer" than Captain Underpants)
Anything from the I Survived... series (but I'd avoid 9/11 - who knows how the parents are handling that with him)
Any "I am..." book by Brad Meltzer

But for real - Diary of a Wimpy kid is a perfectly fine book as a present. If he can't read it yet, he'll be able to in a year or so.

 

[aboveH20]

When you get to the bookstore ask the bookseller what is popular for boys that age; they'll know.

Good point. I do trust the opinion of book store workers.

There is a book called Captain Underpants that boys that age love! (It has lots of potty humor, which I don’t mind but others may.) And the kids are prob familiar with Wimpy Kid and won’t find it insulting.
One safe bet for books that every kid I’ve known at that age loves are books in the Magic Treehouse series. You cannot go wrong with them.
Don’t overthink it though- it’s the thought that counts

I'm trying to decide if I'm overthinking it. I bought the book 6/19 and was fine with it until now -- with less than 48 hours before our flight! Ugh. I really don't want to make the half hour drive to the book store.

Mom of a 9 year old boy here. It definitely wouldn't be insulting. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a very popular series with kids, so no worry that they'll think you think he's wimpy or anything.
That said, DS definitely wouldn't have been able to read it at 7, and he was pretty much average reading ability. It's better for slightly older kids.

So... IF you want to go get a different book before your trip, I'd suggest:
Anything from the Stink series. (They are AWESOME for 7 year old boys, and a lot "nicer" than Captain Underpants)
Anything from the I Survived... series (but I'd avoid 9/11 - who knows how the parents are handling that with him)
Any "I am..." book by Brad Meltzer

But for real - Diary of a Wimpy kid is a perfectly fine book as a present. If he can't read it yet, he'll be able to in a year or so.

I bought the book because of online recommendations I had read. I'm thinking if it's a little beyond his ability, at least he won't have read it!! I must have spent at least an hour at the book store before buying it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Good point. I do trust the opinion of book store workers.



I'm trying to decide if I'm overthinking it. I bought the book 6/19 and was fine with it until now -- with less than 48 hours before our flight! Ugh. I really don't want to make the half hour drive to the book store.



I bought the book because of online recommendations I had read. I'm thinking if it's a little beyond his ability, at least he won't have read it!! I must have spent at least an hour at the book store before buying it.

Probably, which is the way of gifts at times.
Were the book too young for him this would be a problem. Something he can grow into reading? Not really. It will sit on his bookshelf waiting for the time a new world is ready for him and him, it.

 

[aboveH20]

Probably, which is the way of gifts at times.
Were the book too young for him this would be a problem. Something he can grow into reading? Not really. It will sit on his bookshelf waiting for the time a new world is ready for him and him, it.

I like that perspective.

Are you in NYC? Have you seen Hamilton? I'm in Saratoga county, just north of Albany and I've been trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for tickets. I love to take the train down to see a show.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I like that perspective.

Are you in NYC? Have you seen Hamilton? I'm in Saratoga county, just north of Albany and I've been trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for tickets. I love to take the train down to see a show.

Ohhhhhhh do go! The way things are going on Broadway currently there is Hamilton and then everything else. Amtrak is waiting for ya.

 

[JediBonas]

My son is 6, I have to agree with another poster about Captain Underpants. My son (and 6 year old daughter) really like the Owl Diary books as well.

I like that perspective.

Are you in NYC? Have you seen Hamilton? I'm in Saratoga county, just north of Albany and I've been trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for tickets. I love to take the train down to see a show.

^^ Hi neighbor (I'm in Southern Saratoga County).

 

[cmarsh31]

I like that perspective.

Are you in NYC? Have you seen Hamilton? I'm in Saratoga county, just north of Albany and I've been trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for tickets. I love to take the train down to see a show.

Totally OT but Hamilton is coming to Proctors this year!

 

[mjkacmom]

If it’s above his reading level, no problem, eventually it won’t be. My boys LOVED that series, I finally had to make them read more mature books. It could be a motivator (and some of my kids would’ve been fine reading it at 7, albeit my girls).

 

[aboveH20]

Ohhhhhhh do go! The way things are going on Broadway currently there is Hamilton and then everything else. Amtrak is waiting for ya.

Amtrak is such a beautiful ride down the Hudson.

My son is 6, I have to agree with another poster about Captain Underpants. My son (and 6 year old daughter) really like the Owl Diary books as well.



^^ Hi neighbor (I'm in Southern Saratoga County).

I haven't heard of Owl Diary. I'll have to check it out.

Totally OT but Hamilton is coming to Proctors this year!

Yeah, I know, but I love making a day of the trip to NYC.

If it’s above his reading level, no problem, eventually it won’t be. My boys LOVED that series, I finally had to make them read more mature books. It could be a motivator (and some of my kids would’ve been fine reading it at 7, albeit my girls).

If he's like my son, it'll get thrown in the back of his closet never to be read or seen again.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

my son loves Diary of a Wimpy kid, and I think it's a good choice.They are so popular that they have been made into movies as well. I don't think it is too old for your nephew, and he will quickly grow into it. Or the parents can always read it to him. It is a good series, and your nephew will appreciate you introducing them to him they are funny.

 

[stace1214]

I like that perspective.

Are you in NYC? Have you seen Hamilton? I'm in Saratoga county, just north of Albany and I've been trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for tickets. I love to take the train down to see a show.

Hi! I'm from Queensbury- just a little north of you! Did you see that Hamilton is coming to Proctor's next year? I'm really hoping I can grab a few tickets when they go on sale!

 

[stace1214]

My son started getting into those books in 3rd grade (8 turning 9). When he was 7 he was into Magic Tree House, Captain Underpants. The Wimpy Kid books are hilarious and even if he can't read them yet, I'm sure both he and his parents will enjoy reading them together.

 

[aboveH20]

my son loves Diary of a Wimpy kid, and I think it's a good choice.They are so popular that they have been made into movies as well. I don't think it is too old for your nephew, and he will quickly grow into it. Or the parents can always read it to him. It is a good series, and your nephew will appreciate you introducing them to him they are funny.

I started reading some of it, and I agree, the humor is good. I was afraid maybe the family would think I was implying he was wimpy, but since I've never meet him, I think that was me just doing too much rethinking.

Hi! I'm from Queensbury- just a little north of you! Did you see that Hamilton is coming to Proctor's next year? I'm really hoping I can grab a few tickets when they go on sale!

A friend of mine signed up to be an usher for that reason. In addition to 18 Broadway shows she also has to usher one graduation and one dance recital.

My son started getting into those books in 3rd grade (8 turning 9). When he was 7 he was into Magic Tree House, Captain Underpants. The Wimpy Kid books are hilarious and even if he can't read them yet, I'm sure both he and his parents will enjoy reading them together.

I've decided to unwrap the book and add a note saying the book was recommended for boys his age, maybe a little older [because I have absolutely no idea what level he's at] and that I hope he enjoys it.

Buying each of the boys a book seemed like a good idea at the time . . . Although as I said in my first post I originally had books in mind for each of the boys and both books are out of print.

Thank you to all who took the time to reply. I truly appreciate the thought that went into your responses.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Mom of a 6 year old boy here. He loves Captain Underpants.