As I mentioned in Part 1, there are many gift guides for books this time of year (here’s another). But it can help to know what kind of kid a book will appeal to. In Part 1, we looked at the The Young Science Geek, The Budding Military Strategist, and the Soft Hearted Free Thinker.
Now see if you know any of these kids …
The Little Professor
Do you have a child under 8 who devours books like other kids consume Halloween candy? Whose advanced reading skills have already given them a vocabulary most adults would envy? Who uses those big words with abandon, but still plays with Power Rangers and My Little Pony, because they’re barely out of Kindergarten? These books will challenge their reading skills without robbing them of those tender childhood years:
- Harry Potter, Book 1 (RL 5.5) – with a fifth grade reading level, but innocent wizarding fun, the first book is perfect for Great Little Minds. Just beware the temptation to move up in the series.
- Little House on the Prairie (RL 4.9-5.8) – these higher reading level books are also innocent adventures, especially for little minds interested in old-fashioned living on the prairie.
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle (RL 5.1) – high reading level, adorable little mouse, sweet adventures. This series of books can be read again, and again, and again.
The Adventure Reader
Do you have a child who uses their own allowance to buy that new Commander Cody costume, because it’s different than the old Commander Cody costume available last year? Who dresses as Indiana Jones, Princess Jasmine, or some morphed combination ninja-trooper-wizard, just because it’s Tuesday? Whose imagination can turn a spatula into the most powerful wand in existence and a pot-lid into the Shield That Deflects Everything? These books will give them the adventure and colorful characters that fuel their imagination:
- Artemis Fowl – Rocket powered fairies, codes written in gnomish, and an evil 12 year old mastermind. What could be better?
- The Lightning Thief – Half-god children, Furies, Minotaurs, and satyrs. The mythical creatures abound in this hilarious adventure book.
- Dark Life – Fantastical underwater creatures, Wild West adventure, and a boy that is part fish. Coolness.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events – These books are creepy good fun, with sinister plots and evil caretakers. Look out for the Lachrymose Leeches!
- The Spiderwick Chronicles – Creepy creatures, fiendish fairies, and all manner of slinky things out to get you. Beware the Boggart!
these are so great. Thanks, Susan~ :o)
I LOVE how fantasy is such the norm for kids – why would you want to read anything else *grin*
http://www.damselinadirtydress.com
@LTM *smiles*
@Nicole Fantasy is HUGE in MG, and I love it too (although I'm partial to SF). 🙂
Oooo…so many great books on here. I LOVED The Mouse and the Motorcycle growing up. And dude, how have I missed HAMSTER MAGIC? That is going on my TBR list right. now!
AWESOME recs. Thank you!
Great books on these lists! We just listened to The Mouse and the Motorcycle (again!) because it is SUCH a great story. That Dark Life book looks awesome — I hadn't heard of it before. You're so on top of things!
@Shannon The Mouse! A perennial favorite. 🙂
@LT Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
@Sherrie Dark Life just came out in May, but I hear there's a sequel in the works that's EVEN BETTER. Sweet. 🙂
hi miss susan! wow thanks for so much good books. for sure i could like to read the dark life. thats cause im half fish just like that kid. 🙂
…smiles and hugs from lenny
Great list, Sue! I'm still working on my TBR pile…I just gave a couple books to some of my nieces at Thanksgiving. 🙂
Great recommendations, Susan! For adventure, I also recommend Nancy Farmer–The Eye, The Ear, and The Arm. Fabulous book.
@Lenny You would like Dark Life – lots of adventure!
@Sharon Yay – I have a lot of friends giving my book to their nieces this year. My niece already has it, so I'm giving her something special…but I can't say what it is, in case she reads the blog! 🙂
@MeganB Thanks for the rec! 🙂