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Post by kidsandpets on Sept 16, 2016 19:33:16 GMT -5
So DS is now at almost 5th grade reading level. But the thing is that he is only 7 years old. AND he is a sensitive 7 yo - he does not like things that are scary or sad (even remotely scary or sad.)
Right now he is reading and loving Boxcar Children (although on his own he rejects ones that even look scary), Encyclopedia Brown and Ranger in Time. He also loves the Mouse and the Motorcycle books. I can keep him occupied with that for awhile still. I've also got a few other books on hold at the library I need to pick up for him to try still.
But thinking ahead a bit, does anyone have any suggestions for books that would around 5th grade level difficulty but with content appropriate for a SENSITIVE 7 year old??
TIA!
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Post by purpleowl on Sept 16, 2016 20:07:40 GMT -5
You have the male version of my DD#1! She's also 7, an advanced reader, and extremely sensitive/anxious. Beverly Cleary seems "safe" for my DD, so more of her books would probably be good. DD really enjoyed Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (but not so much other Dahl books) and Mr. Popper's Penguins. She's not a Narnia fan, but the books don't bother her, they're just not her style--in her words, "I think I would like it better if Aslan were a unicorn."  But when she read LWW, I talked about each part with her and kind of led her to understand what would have to happen, drawing the Christian parallels so she would know to expect resurrection. She handled it well. All that to say, the Narnia books might be a good option for your DS. DD also loves Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web (I was worried about Charlotte's Web, but again, talking with her through it I made sure she was handling the content okay, and it's one of her favorites now). One of her favorite things is the Rainbow Magic fairy books, but those probably won't be that interesting to your DS. She liked All-of-a-Kind Family, but again, might not appeal to a boy so much. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler--DD didn't love it but didn't hate it either. Since your DS enjoys mysteries, it may be up his alley. Or maybe The Westing Game (but I haven't read that one in a while, so I'm not certain whether there's anything that would trip DD's sensitivities--she hasn't read it yet). DD's current VERY FAVORITE THING to read is the Beast Academy math guide books, lol. But that's probably not what you're looking for. If your library has someone who specializes in children's lit, he or she might be a good resource. I still pre-read pretty much everything for DD though...I don't take anyone's word for it. |
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Post by kidsandpets on Sept 17, 2016 15:17:51 GMT -5
Your DD and my DS sound a lot alike! Crazy!  DS liked Charlotte's Web too - I had forgotten about the ending of that book (or almost end) and I'm a bit surprised that it didn't bother him. I'll have to try Trumpet of the Swan for him. He liked the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory too as well as Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. He read some other Dahl books but was only someone interested in them. He's read several of Beverly Cleary's books and liked them (yes, "safe" for him. ) The Mouse -Motorcyle ones were his favorite. I'll have to look to see what else other Cleary books are out there. "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" - that sounds like something that he would like! I'll look into the Westing Game too. I think he'd look at me pretty funny if I offered him Rainbow Magic Fairy though. He wasn't much interested in the Narnia stuff yet either. I may try the Voyage of the Dawn Treader though - he might like that one. I should re-read it first though to make sure its not too much for him. Its nice to have someone around who relates so well to where we are at! Thanks for the suggestions! |
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lucy
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 1,353 
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Post by lucy on Sept 20, 2016 12:57:16 GMT -5
Get the book Honey for a child's heart.....from the library. It is filled with about 500 books that will be great for kids of all ages. My kids always read above grade level....but I resisted moving them up too fast, there are so many great books at the age they are....read them , then move up. I would agree....anything Beverly Clearly....henry huggins (just re read this myself), and Everything Ronald Dahl, but Enclopedia brown, the box car children series, moving into the hardy boys (not the rewritten ones, get the original ones)... I liked the mixed up files of Mrs. Basil e Frankweiler. if you look at these websites... http://www.sonlight.com.....go to the age level, then the curriculum book list, and print it off (or better yet, order a catalog) and then find books you think he would like to read in the correct age group, and borrow them from the library. www.veritaspress.com also has a great book list in its catalog Honey for a child's heart.....excellent resource. |
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Post by kidsandpets on Sept 20, 2016 13:23:22 GMT -5
Thanks Lucy - those sound like great resources. I will check them out! I don't want to move him up to fast either. He's enjoying what he's reading right now and that's good. I want to have a plan if he starts getting bored or ready to look for something else. (He read a few Magic Treehouse books last year but I think with a combination of interest and reading level, he got bored with them after a short time.) Or maybe mixing a few harder ones interspersed with with current age-level ones. I don't want him to speed through so much that he misses out on fun ones. Besides, I still like to read easy books - nothing wrong with a good easy, fun read. |
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lucy
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 1,353
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Post by lucy on Sept 30, 2016 15:42:47 GMT -5
I do have to say - I loved the Trumpet of the Swan ....when I read it for the first time a few yrs ago. Then not to long ago, I was at a dinner, when the guest speaker (who climbed Mt Everest....)....was talking about hard times, pushing through, etc.....and mentioned that long ago when he was in 1st grade, the teacher told his mom he wouldn't be able to learn how to read....and how she sat at home and read him The Trumpet of the Swan and how he even now remembers that time, his mother's patience, and that book particularly.
He obviously learned to read, is successful in career, and in his past time of mt climbing.....
And -----let your ds read to himself, but get books and you read outlout to him.....it is a great way to pass time, and create shared memories.
In the beginning of Honey for a Child's heart - she talks about reading to your kids. some of the best parenting advise I have ever received
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Post by kidsandpets on Sept 30, 2016 16:28:18 GMT -5
I do have to say - I loved the Trumpet of the Swan ....when I read it for the first time a few yrs ago. Then not to long ago, I was at a dinner, when the guest speaker (who climbed Mt Everest....)....was talking about hard times, pushing through, etc.....and mentioned that long ago when he was in 1st grade, the teacher told his mom he wouldn't be able to learn how to read....and how she sat at home and read him The Trumpet of the Swan and how he even now remembers that time, his mother's patience, and that book particularly. He obviously learned to read, is successful in career, and in his past time of mt climbing..... And -----let your ds read to himself, but get books and you read outlout to him.....it is a great way to pass time, and create shared memories.
In the beginning of Honey for a Child's heart - she talks about reading to your kids. some of the best parenting advise I have ever receivedGood thoughts. We have gotten away from reading stories outloud together much right now. We still have outloud Bible reading time. I still read to DD (who doesn't read on her own yet) and DS will sometimes listen along. But more days than not, I don't read stories outloud to DS as we are just busy doing our own things. I think I will try to re-instigate that though - maybe not everyday but at least a few times a week. |
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lucy
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 1,353
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Post by lucy on Oct 5, 2016 11:17:26 GMT -5
I had one in college, and 2 in highschool, who would still come in and listen to be read outloud to the youngest.
If you start with a great book - and make it special.....maybe fire, marshmallows, blankets, after the dinner dishes are done.....and spend family time together.......
I trained my kids to audio books, so they enjoy hearing the spoken word.
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paliz
Oldies but Goodies
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Post by paliz on Oct 21, 2016 19:12:07 GMT -5
If he likes horses you could try the misty series, I think they would be okay. If non fiction interests him you could try the Who Was series. Going with E.B. Webb don't forget Stuart little. Oh or the littles or the borrowers, they are cute.
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Post by kidsandpets on Oct 21, 2016 19:36:54 GMT -5
If he likes horses you could try the misty series, I think they would be okay. If non fiction interests him you could try the Who Was series. Going with E.B. Webb don't forget Stuart little. Oh or the littles or the borrowers, they are cute. My DD will LOVE the Misty books when she gets there - she's a lot like me in that respect. DS, not so much.  I'll have to look for the "Who Was" series - I think DS might like those. |
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paliz
Oldies but Goodies
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Post by paliz on Oct 25, 2016 12:40:21 GMT -5
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Post by kidsandpets on Oct 25, 2016 14:51:42 GMT -5
Those look like fun. Thanks! |
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Post by purpleowl on Oct 25, 2016 21:49:45 GMT -5
DD#1 recently enjoyed The Cricket in Times Square - that one might work well for your guy, too. ETA - Forgot to include this info--there is a fire in one chapter, but it's quickly contained, and everything turns out all right. I had to tell DD "this is going to happen. It works out okay - if you want to look ahead at the start of the next chapter, you can see how they get things under control." She wanted to stop reading when I warned her, and she wasn't *happy* about it when she finished that chapter, but actually she became a lot more interested in the book starting the next day (reading more than I had assigned). And it did not lead to any nightmares. |
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Post by kidsandpets on Oct 25, 2016 23:25:40 GMT -5
DD#1 recently enjoyed The Cricket in Times Square - that one might work well for your guy, too. ETA - Forgot to include this info--there is a fire in one chapter, but it's quickly contained, and everything turns out all right. I had to tell DD "this is going to happen. It works out okay - if you want to look ahead at the start of the next chapter, you can see how they get things under control." She wanted to stop reading when I warned her, and she wasn't *happy* about it when she finished that chapter, but actually she became a lot more interested in the book starting the next day (reading more than I had assigned). And it did not lead to any nightmares. I remember that book - I'd forgotten that I liked it as a kid. Good thought. Thanks for the fire warning too. |
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But when she read LWW, I talked about each part with her and kind of led her to understand what would have to happen, drawing the Christian parallels so she would know to expect resurrection. She handled it well. All that to say, the Narnia books might be a good option for your DS. DD also loves Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte's Web (I was worried about Charlotte's Web, but again, talking with her through it I made sure she was handling the content okay, and it's one of her favorites now).
