I'm starting to do my Christmas shopping (yes, I'm just starting), and every year I buy my kids books. (Of course!) I need some suggestions for my son. Here's a bit of backstory for him, as a reader:
Reading didn't come as easily to him as to his older sister, and yes, that's kind of part of what is happening with him. For a long time, up until mid-last year (2nd grade), he was only into graphic novels. Which was fine with me (I love graphic novels!), but I was always on the lookout for opportunities to broaden his range. The first "novel" he read was How To Eat Fried Worms -- which appealed to him, I think, not only content, but the short length of chapters. From there he moved to the Encyclopedia Brown series, the ABC Mysteries, and other shortish-chapter, "not so fat" books. At some point, we discovered the "& Me" series by Dan Gutman -- son is a huge sports kid -- and he started tackling longer works. And is loving everything!! Most recently, he's read (and loved) the Origami Yoda/Darth Paper books, the Wimpy Kid series, and some Roald Dahl. He's currently obsessed with How I Survived Middle School, and is plowing through it.
So, there you go. I want to get him a few newer titles to keep him riding this current wave of total love of reading -- and his newfound confidence in reading "long" books. The above are his tastes (and, no, he hasn't really latched on to HP, the way the rest of us in the house have), and I'm wondering if you all have some suggestions for Santa to leave under the tree. I have lots of books, old and new, but wondered if there was something published lately that I've missed that you think he would just soak up. While he loves fast & funny, he was also very intrigued by the discussion his sister and I had of WHEN YOU REACH ME, and seems interested -- so I'm not convinced his tastes are limited to humor or "boy books". But I do think with some books that are not as fast & funny, shorter chapter length would be important.
So, what books would you recommend for a third grader like my kid?
Thanks!