C.Z. asks from Huntington, NY on August 17, 2009
Book(s) for a 9 1/2 Year Old Boy
Hello wise and helpful sisters,
I am a nurse practitioner who will be serving as psychotherapist for a nine-and-a-half year old boy for the next few months; and I would like to do some reading with him.
He is starting 4th grade in a special education class and "sort-of" likes school. He has a problem with reading, but I don't know yet how severe. When he's not at school or camp, his favorite activities are bike riding and playing Grand Theft Auto. (Yikes!)
He lives in a difficult situation and has witnessed violence. He is one of the youngest in his family and is bullied and teased by his older siblings. Consequently he bullies his mother and younger sister.
With that in mind, do any good books come to your mind?
Thank you in advance.
1 mom found this helpful
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A.S. answers from Rochester on August 29, 2009
Diary of A wimpy Kid are really popoular - my 9 1/2 year old loves them. He is a slower reader and since they are in comic fashion it makes it enjoyable.
B.A. answers from New York on August 18, 2009
You know, there is always the Harry Potter series. There is an underlying concept of good vs evil and the push to do what is right. They are easy to read, and I think 9 1/2 might be a good age to start. It might also be a good treat to allow him to watch the movie after reading the book. If he's having trouble, it will give him something to look forward to. I don't know if they're still around, but I absolutely loved the Encyclopedia Brown books when I was a kid. They are mysteries that a kid can help solve. I hope that helps! Good luck!
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M.T. answers from New York on August 22, 2009
P.S. I meant to mention also the movie "How to Eat Fried Worms," which involves bullying. (I haven't read the book, but it's evidently quite different, without the bullying theme.) Anyway, it turns out that the main bully in the movie is bullied by his older brother, so it might be useful for your situation. And that aside, the movie is fun!
Dear C.,
I have to say, my boys (now 13 and 15) really loved the Captain Underpants books. They're a bit gross, but I think that's why they appeal to boys! Also, there are lots of drawings, so the reading part isn't too heavy going. You should also take a look at the Goosebumps series--mild horror stories, so they also have that appeal of the semi-subversive.
Since his reading isn't too strong, I would certainly read aloud to him as well. It's a good way of letting him enjoy literature that he couldn't read comfortably on his own. (The Harry Potter books are probably in this category right now.) A great book, with lots of recommendations, is "The Read-Aloud Handbook," by Jim Trelease. One book my younger son and I loved is "Hoot," by Carl Hiaasen. It's about a boy who rides his bike everywhere, and ends up saving the day for some endangered owls. Also a little subversive, but in a good way. Hiaasen's web site (www.carlhiaasen.com) describes it thus: "Three middle schoolers take on greedy land developers, corrupt politicians, and clueless cops in this mystery adventure." We also liked Hiaasen's "Flush," and I see he has a new one, "Scat."
My older son also really enjoyed "The Dangerous Book for Boys," "The American Boy's Handy Book," and field guides to insects, reptiles and amphibians, etc.
Good luck with it!
M.
K.G. answers from New York on August 19, 2009
Take a look at Where the Red Fern Grows. Both my boys loved that book around that age.
P.P. answers from New York on August 21, 2009
I would recommend that you check out the book store near your home. They have some wonderful books on Bullying and they may help your charge to understand it is not acceptable. With regard to other books the book section for pre teen would be great to provide him with outdoor adventure stories young male adventures and perhaps something of friendship. I wish you the best and at 61 you should be very proud of your continued dedication to helping children improve their life. Warm regards,
T.J. answers from New York on August 20, 2009
The Hank Zipser/Zipzer series by Henry Winkler would be a great start. I used to teach fourth grade and they loved the books. It's easy reading and very funny. The chapters are extremely short. The Magic Tree House series was also a big hit and not difficult. They're mysteries which the kids enjoyed. A bit meatier than the other series I mentioned.
One more...There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. I think it's by Louis Sachar. It's also funny but deals with the subject of bullying. It's about a boy who is hated by everyone and is a bully. At the end he learns how to make friends and be kind to other. Again, my fourth graders loved it as a read aloud book.
D.L. answers from Rochester on August 18, 2009
There is a great catalog called Chinaberry that has a huge selection of kids books with terrific reviews. They have a website and, since they are a small company, I bet they would answer any email that you send to them. Good Luck and God Bless you for helping this young man!
D.
K.Z. answers from New York on August 17, 2009
Hi C.,
My little cousin loved the Animorphs series, which is about a group of kids who can morph into different animals. There's also the Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, which is about an incredibly intelligent young man who gets into criminal trouble with various mythical creatures. You could also start him on Harry Potter as the earlier books are too terribly long.
Good luck!
A.G. answers from New York on August 19, 2009
C. - I think you are doing a wonderful job! Keep up the good work - more people like you are needed. My daughters who are now 16 and 13 loved the Magic Tree House books when they were younger. They also, have a lot of history in them and it will keep his interest Also they are not too difficult to read - I really think your new friend would enjoy them. Best of luck! A.
A.S. answers from Rochester on August 29, 2009
Diary of A wimpy Kid are really popoular - my 9 1/2 year old loves them. He is a slower reader and since they are in comic fashion it makes it enjoyable.
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