What to Read While Harry's On Vacation
October 29, 2015 5:05 PM Subscribe
We have been reading Harry Potter aloud to our third grader and sixth grader, and we need suggestions for possible next series/books to read.
At night, between dinner and bedtime a couple nights a week, our family is reading Harry Potter aloud. We just finished book two, and we want to wait until next school year to start the third book so they can know thepain anticipation of waiting for the next book. However, as we have finished already with Book Two, we want to keep this as a habit while we wait for the next book, so we're looking for suggestions to read.
Both kids are girls and are well-read, and like lots of different types of stories, so anything that is fun to read out loud to the family would be welcome. Please nothing with any "adult" themes, as we are aiming at the third-grader.
Thanks in advance for your help!
At night, between dinner and bedtime a couple nights a week, our family is reading Harry Potter aloud. We just finished book two, and we want to wait until next school year to start the third book so they can know the
Both kids are girls and are well-read, and like lots of different types of stories, so anything that is fun to read out loud to the family would be welcome. Please nothing with any "adult" themes, as we are aiming at the third-grader.
Thanks in advance for your help!
The Percy Jackson books FTW!
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:13 PM on October 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:13 PM on October 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
Some suggestions:
* Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci series, which has male and female leads
* Diane Duane's "So You Want to Be a Wizard", which is also a series and has male and female leads
* Rick Riordan's Lightning Thief Series (on preview, this is seconding the Percy Jackson rec)
* Beverly Cleary's Ramona and Beezus series, which has good female leads and a great sibling relationship
* Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons books (strong female lead!)
* Tolkien's The Hobbit would be decent too
* The Anne of Green Gables series might work too, but there are some "adult themes" in the form of challenges that come up later. IF you stick to just the first one or two though...
* My parents did Alice in Wonderland and Little Women around that age. The former should be ok, the latter depends how you feel about death in books.
posted by eleanna at 5:18 PM on October 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
* Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci series, which has male and female leads
* Diane Duane's "So You Want to Be a Wizard", which is also a series and has male and female leads
* Rick Riordan's Lightning Thief Series (on preview, this is seconding the Percy Jackson rec)
* Beverly Cleary's Ramona and Beezus series, which has good female leads and a great sibling relationship
* Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons books (strong female lead!)
* Tolkien's The Hobbit would be decent too
* The Anne of Green Gables series might work too, but there are some "adult themes" in the form of challenges that come up later. IF you stick to just the first one or two though...
* My parents did Alice in Wonderland and Little Women around that age. The former should be ok, the latter depends how you feel about death in books.
posted by eleanna at 5:18 PM on October 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
Oh and word to the wise: I know some parents who've tried to do what you're doing (which is an admirable thing! I loved waiting for new Harry Potters) - or I guess I should say, I know some kids whose parents tried to do it, and then the kids came to the library/me and checked out the next book and read it in secret.
Sooo. Be prepared for that possibility, especially with the 6th grader, depending on your kids obviously.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:22 PM on October 29, 2015
Sooo. Be prepared for that possibility, especially with the 6th grader, depending on your kids obviously.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:22 PM on October 29, 2015
I read Wonder aloud during a family car ride when my kids were 3rd and 6th graders. We all loved it.
When my son was in 2nd grade we started reading the Ranger's Apprentice series and the whole family really enjoyed the first book. There are at least 10 now. I'm not sure you'll want to keep going but maybe it would segue into books they read themselves. The author started these for his son - good backstory.
posted by RoadScholar at 5:28 PM on October 29, 2015
When my son was in 2nd grade we started reading the Ranger's Apprentice series and the whole family really enjoyed the first book. There are at least 10 now. I'm not sure you'll want to keep going but maybe it would segue into books they read themselves. The author started these for his son - good backstory.
posted by RoadScholar at 5:28 PM on October 29, 2015
"Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School)" by Gail Carriger
Seconding "Dealing with Dragons" and "So You Want to Be a Wizard"
posted by hush at 5:29 PM on October 29, 2015
Seconding "Dealing with Dragons" and "So You Want to Be a Wizard"
posted by hush at 5:29 PM on October 29, 2015
The earlier "Little House" books should work.
I would also recommend Edward Eager's Magic series, starting with either Seven-Day Magic or Half Magic.
posted by gudrun at 5:43 PM on October 29, 2015
I would also recommend Edward Eager's Magic series, starting with either Seven-Day Magic or Half Magic.
posted by gudrun at 5:43 PM on October 29, 2015
We found the Lemony Snicket books to be quite excellent for this.
posted by SLC Mom at 5:47 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by SLC Mom at 5:47 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Elvis and the Underdogs.
The Little House books.
A Wrinkle in Time.
The Hobbit.
The Narnia books.
Wonder.
The Phantom Toll Booth.
posted by alms at 5:59 PM on October 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
The Little House books.
A Wrinkle in Time.
The Hobbit.
The Narnia books.
Wonder.
The Phantom Toll Booth.
posted by alms at 5:59 PM on October 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
My kids loved the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver and the Silverwing series by Kenneth Oppel. And I enjoyed reading them aloud.
posted by angiep at 6:04 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by angiep at 6:04 PM on October 29, 2015
N'thing Narnia. It's perfect for that age and so great.
posted by youcancallmeal at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by youcancallmeal at 6:32 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I was going to suggest Gregor the Overlander too. Great series!
posted by Calzephyr at 6:46 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by Calzephyr at 6:46 PM on October 29, 2015
We loved Lloyd Alexandef Book of Three and the series that follows. And the Rangers Apprentice series was quite enjoyable.
I second Percy Jackson.
posted by chapps at 6:47 PM on October 29, 2015
I second Percy Jackson.
posted by chapps at 6:47 PM on October 29, 2015
These are all books my 5th-grade daughter has enjoyed in the past few years:
Castle Hangnail was a book I heard about here on MeFi and it is delightful. Everyone should read it.
Rick Riordan also wrote the Kane Chronicles, which feature Egyptian mythology and a brother/sister team.
Nuts to You by Lynne Rae Perkins is a great (squirrel) adventure story and a fun read-aloud.
Frank Cottrell Boyce was authorized by the Fleming estate to write sequels to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and they're quite fun. The first is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again.
Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens is a British girls' school mystery (books 2 and 3 have already been published in the UK).
Greenglass House by Kate Milford is a mystery where the characters play a really cool role-playing game as part of the story.
Audrey (cow) by Dan Bar-el is about a cow who writes poetry and who doesn't want to get sent to the slaughterhouse. Funny and touching. Lots of different characters, great for reading aloud.
One of her favorites was The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry (watch the book trailer and you'll get a good idea why).
One that my daughter couldn't get into but that your girls might enjoy was The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood.
posted by mogget at 7:02 PM on October 29, 2015
Castle Hangnail was a book I heard about here on MeFi and it is delightful. Everyone should read it.
Rick Riordan also wrote the Kane Chronicles, which feature Egyptian mythology and a brother/sister team.
Nuts to You by Lynne Rae Perkins is a great (squirrel) adventure story and a fun read-aloud.
Frank Cottrell Boyce was authorized by the Fleming estate to write sequels to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and they're quite fun. The first is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again.
Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens is a British girls' school mystery (books 2 and 3 have already been published in the UK).
Greenglass House by Kate Milford is a mystery where the characters play a really cool role-playing game as part of the story.
Audrey (cow) by Dan Bar-el is about a cow who writes poetry and who doesn't want to get sent to the slaughterhouse. Funny and touching. Lots of different characters, great for reading aloud.
One of her favorites was The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry (watch the book trailer and you'll get a good idea why).
One that my daughter couldn't get into but that your girls might enjoy was The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood.
posted by mogget at 7:02 PM on October 29, 2015
I'd say...
Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series.
Nancy Farmer's Sea of Trolls Trilogy.
For a start.
posted by Hildegarde at 7:02 PM on October 29, 2015
Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series.
Nancy Farmer's Sea of Trolls Trilogy.
For a start.
posted by Hildegarde at 7:02 PM on October 29, 2015
Great list! Try The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde.
posted by banjonaut at 7:14 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by banjonaut at 7:14 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon are great. And Book of three has Hermione's precursor in Boom of Three.
posted by chapps at 7:42 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by chapps at 7:42 PM on October 29, 2015
Michael Ende! I really enjoyed The Neverending Story and Momo.
posted by capricorn at 7:43 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by capricorn at 7:43 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex! A lot of fun, and fun and funny for adults too. There's a sequel too, though it's not essential.
posted by yasaman at 8:25 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by yasaman at 8:25 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and Silverwing recommendations.
Some other recommendations:
Ronia the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren
The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stuart
the May Bird series by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
The Silver Crown also by Robert C. O'Brien
The True Meaning of Smekday (and sequel Smek for President) by Adam Rex
posted by Redstart at 8:29 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Some other recommendations:
Ronia the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren
The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stuart
the May Bird series by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
The Silver Crown also by Robert C. O'Brien
The True Meaning of Smekday (and sequel Smek for President) by Adam Rex
posted by Redstart at 8:29 PM on October 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Coming back to add the Green Knowe books of Lucy M. Boston.
posted by gudrun at 8:51 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by gudrun at 8:51 PM on October 29, 2015
The Wrinkle In Time Series - WIT is a great, classic story and there's a short series to continue with if your kids end up liking it. Nowehere near as long as the Harry Potter books, though.
posted by atinna at 8:57 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by atinna at 8:57 PM on October 29, 2015
My daughter (4th grade) and I just enjoyed The Last Dragonslayer by Japser Fforde.
You will appreciate that the story continues in sequels ("The Chronicles of Kazam") but that the fourth installment is not written yet.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 11:04 PM on October 29, 2015
You will appreciate that the story continues in sequels ("The Chronicles of Kazam") but that the fourth installment is not written yet.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 11:04 PM on October 29, 2015
If the kids haven't read Harriet the Spy and The Long Secret, definitely do those! Although The Long Secret is a summer book, to me.
posted by BibiRose at 5:09 AM on October 30, 2015
posted by BibiRose at 5:09 AM on October 30, 2015
The Little Prince.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:00 AM on October 30, 2015
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:00 AM on October 30, 2015
The Redwall series by Brian Jacques. My son loved them when he was that age.
posted by tuesdayschild at 6:05 AM on October 30, 2015
posted by tuesdayschild at 6:05 AM on October 30, 2015
The Wingfeather Saga, by Andrew Peterson.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:08 AM on October 30, 2015
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:08 AM on October 30, 2015
Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books - start with Wee Free Men.
posted by ChuraChura at 6:12 AM on October 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 6:12 AM on October 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic quartet or Song of the Lioness quartets! Protector of the Small might be good as well but I think that one gets a little darker. Her other series are great too, just lean darker (though not ALL that much darker than later HP). Those are great books with really wonderful, strong female characters. Your older girl in particular might be into them.
Lots of other good suggestions here (yes Wrinkle! yes Ronia! yes Anne!) ....what about Laura Ingalls Wilder? Or Little Women?
Do you know the FB page A Mighty Girl? They have tons of good book recs for kids of all ages.
posted by john_snow at 11:43 AM on October 30, 2015
Lots of other good suggestions here (yes Wrinkle! yes Ronia! yes Anne!) ....what about Laura Ingalls Wilder? Or Little Women?
Do you know the FB page A Mighty Girl? They have tons of good book recs for kids of all ages.
posted by john_snow at 11:43 AM on October 30, 2015
The Earthsea books by Ursula K. Le Guin, starting with A Wizard of Earthsea
posted by Prunesquallor at 12:20 PM on October 30, 2015
posted by Prunesquallor at 12:20 PM on October 30, 2015
Are older books ok? When I was generally that age, I loved the All-of-a-Kind Family books. I think they might scratch a similar transport-your-kids-to-another-world itch.
posted by lunasol at 1:29 PM on October 30, 2015
posted by lunasol at 1:29 PM on October 30, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you for this wonderful list of books!! My daughters have read some of these, and my wife (a YA enthusiast) is looking forward to going through some of these herself. I'm certain we have a number of winners in these suggestions!
posted by China Grover at 10:47 AM on November 2, 2015
posted by China Grover at 10:47 AM on November 2, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Percy Jackson? Inkheart? Narnia? A Wrinkle in Time? (but maybe skip "Many Waters" if you don't want the sex talk)
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:11 PM on October 29, 2015 [2 favorites]