Books for a 10 yrs old boy.

[Le Chat]

I wish to purchase some story books for my son. He doesn't like Harry Potter or the like but I want to buy him some books that will grip his imagination from the first page.(You know how some books can!) Nothing too long and/or labourious either!
Any ideas anyone?

[happyjo]

Artemis Foul by Eoin Colfer...
have a look an amazon and ebay...

[annie0000]

What about something by Susan Cooper, or go for the classics - eg Treasure Island

[emeritus]

I used to read books by Iam McNaughton when I was 12 (a little while ago) they were entitled

Young Jockey , Young Explorer, Young etc

Dont know if they are still in print ? but certainly remember wanting to finish them.

Although I agree you cant beat the classics

Dickens . RL Stephenson, etc

[annie0000]

Also, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the rings

[shazzzz]

just been reading poetry. to my ten year old,spike millagan hes so funny ,paul cookson s poetry collection ,its got all sorts of poems ,young and old .good luck ,

[EngTeach]

There are a series of books called Goosebumps, by R.L. Stein, There's a series of sports books by Matthew Christopher (or Christopher Matthews).

(I think "Catcher" is a little advanced for a 10 yr. old. We teach that in Grade 10 in my school.), Any books by Louis Sachar should appeal to his age. (I taught this age before moving up to High School.)

[Shadow Man]

May I recommend "Fluke" by James Herbert. Yes the horror writer!!!

However, this is his only non-horror book to date and was just a PG when it was made in to a film.

I read this book at about ten and although contains adult themes to a degree it was, and perhaps still is, the most thought provoking book I have ever read.

Basically (and I shalln't give anything away that is not in the preface) it is about a stray dog who was once a man.

The reincarnation is fairly subsidary to the plot to be honest and the story takes you on an adventure with the stray dog, named Fluke.

If your boy likes nature and animals as well, it is the book for him as Fluke makes many friends (and enemies!!) with other animals

Trust me, he will love it to bits forever.

[jake-the-peg]

I'd second the Artemis Fowl books, if he's not already read them. My son is not a great reader of fiction but loved these books at that age

This is the first:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Artemis-Fowl-Eoin-Colf er/dp/0141312122/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/026-3044313-7 569242?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185437108&sr=8-3

[Psychick]

How about trying the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett?

[spudqueen]

My son loves Tin Tin. He has most of the books now aswell as a DVD.

[amonty1144]

You can't beat the Biggles series by Captain WE Johns.

[Jibergrt]

WHat about Antony Horowitz - he does thin books (I Know what you did last Wednseday , The Falcons Malteser, etc) as well as his Alex Rider ones (whisch are teenage james bond and very amusing) and Micheal? Lawrence who writes the Jiggy McClure books (Toilet of Doom, The Poltergoose) My son is 11 and thoroughly enjoyed all those even tho' he's not a prolific reader.

[1rovert]

How about going back further, I grew up reading.
Beau Geste - Tarzan - Robin Hood - King Arthur. Many a boy has lived the parts they read about.

[katieb73]

Swallows and Amazons is fantastic!!!!