The Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy
We picked this up at the airport for my 7 year old not knowing what it was about and he read in it days. Children compete brainteaser tests and 4 children are picked to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Benedict-Society-Trenton-Stewart/dp/0316003956
We picked this up at the airport for my 7 year old not knowing what it was about and he read in it days. Children compete brainteaser tests and 4 children are picked to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks.
The 39 Clues Trilogy
A wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe for a brother-sister team to figure out. My son read this at about age 6 though I think some of the story line went over his head and age 8-9 is more appropriate.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Bones-39-Clues-No/dp/0545060397/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310800217&sr=1-1
A wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe for a brother-sister team to figure out. My son read this at about age 6 though I think some of the story line went over his head and age 8-9 is more appropriate.
Charlie Bone books
Charlie can hear people in photographs talk. And so begins his amazing adventures that are fast reads for children 8 and above.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Charlie-Bone-Children-King/dp/0439474299/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344886916&sr=1-1&keywords=charlie+bone
Charlie can hear people in photographs talk. And so begins his amazing adventures that are fast reads for children 8 and above.
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His Dark Materials trilogy
Thank you to my friend Heidi H for this recommendation. This triology includes The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; and The Amber Spyglass.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Materials-Trilogy-Golden-Compass-Spyglass/dp/0375842381/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345046424&sr=1-1&keywords=Phillip+Pullma
Thank you to my friend Heidi H for this recommendation. This triology includes The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; and The Amber Spyglass.
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The Lord of the Rings
Another great recommendation from Heidi H. I think we will hold off on this one until our kids are about 10 years old but curious what others think re age appropriateness.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544003411/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345046519&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lord+of+the+rings
Another great recommendation from Heidi H. I think we will hold off on this one until our kids are about 10 years old but curious what others think re age appropriateness.
Chronicles of Narnia series
I remember these as a child and can't wait to share the Narnia stories with our children. Ages 7-8 seem appropriate.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Box-Set-Lewis/dp/0061992887/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344886279&sr=1-1&keywords=chronicles+of+narnia+box
I remember these as a child and can't wait to share the Narnia stories with our children. Ages 7-8 seem appropriate.
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
I like this that this is just one self contained book rather than from a trilogy. It also includes pictures to help tell the story.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Hugo-Cabret-Brian-Selznick/dp/0439813786/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344885916&sr=1-1&keywords=hugo+cabret
I like this that this is just one self contained book rather than from a trilogy. It also includes pictures to help tell the story.
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The Wrinkle in Time Quintet
I love that the main character is a strong girl though I think both boys and girls will enjoy this from about age 9-10 onward.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Wrinkle-Quintet-Swiftly-Tilting-Acceptable/dp/0312373511/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344886109&sr=1-3&keywords=a+wrinkle+in+
I love that the main character is a strong girl though I think both boys and girls will enjoy this from about age 9-10 onward.
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The Sisters Grimm series
Recommendation from my friend Amy M who has 3 daughters. There are 8 books in this series which is appropriate for children 7+.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Detectives-Sisters-Grimm/dp/0810993228/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346124426&sr=8-1&keywords=Sisters+Grimm+series
Recommendation from my friend Amy M who has 3 daughters. There are 8 books in this series which is appropriate for children 7+.
The Hound of Rowan and The Tapestry series
Written by our friend Henry Neff, this is one my husband has already read and my son will be starting in on soon. Ages 8+ should be good with it.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Hound-Rowan-Book-One-Tapestry/dp/0375838945/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344885752&sr=1-9&keywords=the+hand+of+rowan
Written by our friend Henry Neff, this is one my husband has already read and my son will be starting in on soon. Ages 8+ should be good with it.
The Percy Jackson Series
The Lightening Thief is the first book in the 5-book Percy Jackson series. Children will love reading about the adventures of Percy and his friends.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Percy-Jackson-Olympians-Lightning-Graphic/dp/1423116968/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344885325&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lightning+
The Lightening Thief is the first book in the 5-book Percy Jackson series. Children will love reading about the adventures of Percy and his friends.
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The Kane Chronicles
Recommended by my friend Amy M. From the same author as the Percy Jackson series but taken up a notch.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Kane-Chronicles-Hardcover-Boxed-Set/dp/1423166310/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345046966&sr=1-6&keywords=Kane+chronicles+by+R
Recommended by my friend Amy M. From the same author as the Percy Jackson series but taken up a notch.
The Dragon Slayer's series
This is an easier read than Harry Potter and there are a ton of books in this series.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-School-Dragon-Slayers-Academy/dp/0448431084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344886822&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dragon+slayer+series
This is an easier read than Harry Potter and there are a ton of books in this series.
Deltora Quest
Another recommendation from my friend Heidi H (thank you!) This series has something like 8 books. The language and violence depiction is appropriate for young (3rd or 4th grade) readers and the story is compelling enough for even adults.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Deltora-Quest-Complete-Emily-Rodda/dp/0545056497/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345047248&sr=1-1&keywords=Deltora+Quest+series
Another recommendation from my friend Heidi H (thank you!) This series has something like 8 books. The language and violence depiction is appropriate for young (3rd or 4th grade) readers and the story is compelling enough for even adults.
The Dark is Rising
Recommended by Henry Neff, author of The Tapestry series and an English teacher so you know its good. Or in his words "excellent." For children 9-10 years old.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Rising-Sequence/dp/0689829833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345046846&sr=1-1&keywords=Susan+Cooper%27s+%22The+Dark+is+Ris
Recommended by Henry Neff, author of The Tapestry series and an English teacher so you know its good. Or in his words "excellent." For children 9-10 years old.
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The Spiderwick Chronicles
My son read these 3 books when he was 6 and go through them in no time.
New York Times Book Review With their evocative gothic-style pencil drawings and color illustrations, rhyming riddles, supernatural lore, and well-drawn characters, these books read like old-fashioned ripping yarns.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Spiderwick-Chronicles-Boxed-Set-Lucindas/dp/0689040342/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345046762&sr=1-1&keywords=spiderwick+chronicles+box+set
My son read these 3 books when he was 6 and go through them in no time.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Usborne Young Reading: Series Two)
This book combines beautiful illustrations and an elaborate story about a young girl's perseverance.
This is a new title in "Young Reading Series Two", part of the Usborne Young Reading Programme, which is aimed at children whose reading ability and confidence allows them to tackle longer and more complex stories. This title is based on a...
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/East-West-Usborne-Young-Reading/dp/0794522742
Suggested by Cristina Sierra:
This book combines beautiful illustrations and an elaborate story about a young girl's perseverance.
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The Chronicles of Prydain
Recommended by my sister who is a book worm and has a son who is a voracious reader. Appropriate for ages 7/8 onward.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Prydain-Boxed-Set/dp/1250000939/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345226246&sr=1-1&keywords=prydain+series
Recommended by my sister who is a book worm and has a son who is a voracious reader. Appropriate for ages 7/8 onward.
Artemis Fowl
There are something like 8 books in this series that follow a boy genius who is a criminal mastermind who plans to rebuild his family's finances by stealing it from imaginary beings. Amazon recommends 10 years old and above.
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren’t the fairies of...
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Artemis-Fowl-cover-Eoin-Colfer/dp/1423124529
There are something like 8 books in this series that follow a boy genius who is a criminal mastermind who plans to rebuild his family's finances by stealing it from imaginary beings. Amazon recommends 10 years old and above.
The Wizard of Oz
There are many versions of this classic but be sure to get something where the main storyline is in tact. Pictures are good but this is a book that needs to be read.
amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Oz-Donna-Jo-Fuller/dp/1402766254/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344887042&sr=1-3&keywords=the+wizard+of+oz
There are many versions of this classic but be sure to get something where the main storyline is in tact. Pictures are good but this is a book that needs to be read.
