Suggested Kids’ Books – Seven to Ten Years

What DO primary school aged children like to read? It’s an age when they are just learning to read simple chapter books, but in seemingly no time at all they can be enjoying fairly long and complex books. There are some books that still appeal to both genders but this is also the start of the “chick lit” / “blokes’ books” divide. And what about the parents? Are they still involved in reading aloud? You betcha! And with pleasure. Advanced and reluctant readers alike continue to enjoy the ritual of being read to but now they might share the reading duties. This section of the book list has material that can cross over with the 11+ list.

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The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo (Beautiful story with a wonderful twist.)

Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton

The Bugalugs Bum Thief by Tim Winton. (“Tim Winton is an award-winning writer for adults but this is a story he’d tell his own kids. It’s great for kids just beginning to read chapter books.”)

Billionaire Boy by David Walliams (“I actually read this to the kids and quite enjoyed it myself.”)

Gangsta Granny, Ratburger, The Boy in the Dress, Mr Stink all by David Walliams (David Walliams has been referred to as the new Roald Dahl.)

The Warrior series by Erin Hunter (Warrior Cats in German). (“It’s about Clans of Cats fighting each other.”)

Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows. (“Tales about beautiful fairies having to sort out the naughty goblins. Quite repetitive but my daughter has really enjoyed them.” Another parent commented, “Daisy Meadows is a pseudonym for a group of authors who write these books. There are at least 60 books, possibly more. The themes are good versus evil.”)

Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon (“Horrid Henry is very naughty, which appeals to the kids.”)

Books by Roald Dahl:
– Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (This book was mentioned several times.)
– The BFG
– The Witches
– James & the Giant Peach

The Cay by Theodore Taylor (“This book and the next two, appeal, in my experience, to both boys and girls. They involve a sense of adventure and survival, among other meaningful themes.”)

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (According to Wikipedia, It was one of the Top 100 Chapter Books of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.)

The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay (An Australian classic still read. One grandmother wrote, “Language a bit difficult for kids but I adored it when my father read this to me as a child.”)

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey (“Did you mention underpants? Then this book will appeal to kids just from hearing that word!”)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

The Boxcar Children series by Getrude Chandler Warner (“Old-fashioned but good mystery stories involving four orphaned siblings who live with their grandfather.”)

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Ladybird books such as The Discontented Pony, Three Billy Goats Gruff, etc.

The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (8+)

The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge (8+)

Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone (“Two boys searching for dinosaurs have many adventures along the way.”)

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (9+)

Ivy and Bean (10 books in the series) by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall (“I was worried that my boys wouldn’t like this ‘girl’ story but they love the silly adventures and crazy schemes that Ivy and Bean cook up.”)

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (“Unforgettable characters and scenes.” Mentioned a few times.)

A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett (“This book hasn’t dated.” “My fave as a girl.”)

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (Recommended several times. Also suitable for older readers, but otherwise this series needs no introduction!)

Oz books by L. Frank Baum (“I’ve read six in the series to my boys and we intend to read them all. The illustrations are great so it’s nice to read from a large hard copy or e-book version where you can see the illustrations in a large format and in colour.”)

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (A classic recommended by Beth, aged 10.)

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Nanny Piggins series by R.A. Spratt

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney (One teacher said, “My Year Threes loved this book.” Max, aged 10 and Luca, aged 9, both recommended these books.)

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (“A favorite of my students.”)

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett

Nate the Great series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (‘Very simple chapter books, good for beginning readers, simple mysteries that keep kids interested.”)

Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon

The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (“Also a good read-aloud book.”)

Doctor De Soto by William Steig

Holes by Louis Sachar (“Great plot.”)

The Usborne Book of Greek Myths (multiple authors) (“This is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the Greek myths.”)

The Good Master and The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy (Two classics from 1935 & 1939 that have modern editions.)

Thank You, Mr Falker by Patricia Polacco

The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman

The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley

My Father’s Dragon trilogy by Ruth Stiles Gannet (“A strange and interesting story of a boy that runs away to rescue a dragon held captive by wild animals on an island. The short chapters are good for beginning readers…” “Lovely illustrations and end-paper maps.”)

Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Winner of the Newbery Medal 2009.)

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Was made into a film in 2006. “A dog story kids love.”)

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (“I read this to my boys and we loved all the silly adventures of Pippi and her friends. As a parent, I loved that it was good clean fun…”)

Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy (for ages 9 +)

Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan (For ages 9+, a great read but can be scary in places.)

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C O’Brien

The Borrowers series by Mary Norton

Stuart Little by E. B. White (“Timeless.”)

The Chronicles of Narnia series, particularly The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (8+)

When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead. (“A really excellent blend of realism and magic, it’s the 2010 Newbery Medal winner.”)

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr (“I have lately been trying to bring an understanding of the horror of World War II into my children’s consciousness. This classic – about a Jewish family who escapes Hitler’s Germany to eventually settle in England – and the next one on this list have that theme.”) (ages 9+)

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (“A poor boy from London is sent to the country to keep him safe from the German bombs during the war.”) (ages 9+)

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To see suggested kids’ book in other age categories, see the main article: Suggested Kids’ Books.

A list of funny books That Make Kids (and Parents) Laugh can be found here.

Photos on this page by Andrea Snashall and Tanya Deans.