Kid is an advanced reader (Lexile score hovering around 10th grade) with great comprehension, but typical 4th grader attention span and maturity. Fart jokes are still king.
Some of the books he’s enjoyed recently:
– Harry Potter books 1-4 (later books got a little too dark for him
– several of the Alan Gratz books
– literally anything DogMan or Captain Underpants (he’s been reading these for years and goes back to them again when he wants to read but doesn’t have a new book)
Baseball is his favorite thing in the world. He also enjoys historical fiction, military history (WW2 in particular), and of course, fart jokes.
I would love to find him a series, so he can have several books lined up, but I’m not opposed to standalone books. I appreciate your help!
by almost_cool3579
13 Comments
– Since he’s an advanced reader, I’d recommend [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6a6d5ca1-b2f5-47be-828c-018144d3bbc7) by Jessica Townsend! (You can tell him that the main character will become best friends with a major prankster, since that sounds like it might be up his alley)
– The [Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/857d341b-6e0b-4142-93c6-872d62e64e4d) series by Brandon Sanderson— my siblings and I thought they were *hilarious* when we were kids
– [Sal and Gabi Break the Universe](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e2983156-c0df-4398-9a26-773e9f49b369) by Carlos Hernandez— super heartwarming, but also things like a kid making a documentary on the different types of wedgies
– The [How to Train Your Dragon](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ff3e1842-770c-41dc-ae8c-336a37f8b922) series by Cressida Cowell— *much* heavier on the middle school boy humor than the movies are
My kids loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Last Kids on Earth, any of the Who is series, and all the I survived. Lots of easy reads but tons of books in the series.
Some good historical fiction: A Night Divided (post-WWII Berlin), Words on Fire (Russian occupation of Lithuania), and Resistance (Nazi-occupied Poland) by Jennifer Nielsen, Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (WWII Siberia), The Blackbird Girls (Chernobyl) by Anne Blankman, Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee (Korean War), and The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh (1930s Ukrainian famine).
Since he is interested in fart jokes, you might consider fart-related novels for kids. One series is called The Disgusting Adventures of Milo Snotrocket by O’Neil (includes The Fart Book, Ninja Farts, Fart Wars, Caveman Farts and Dog Farts). Not sure if these would be too young for him.
He might really like Mary Roach’s book “Gulp” https://maryroach.net/gulp.html
If he likes fantasy (Harry Potter), my 4th grader loved the Fablehaven series by Brendan Mull. There’s also a sequel series Dragonwatch.
Or another fantasy series she loved was The Unwanteds (and Unwanteds Quest) by Lisa McMann.
I loved the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. My kiddo and I still read together, and we’re reading this one at bedtime right now.
Theodore Boone series by John Grisham/Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins/Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
What about Piers Anthony? The Xanth books are a series, and are fantasy/juvenile humor that I LOVED as a kid (although in retrospect I think they’re probably misogynistic, so you might want to gatekeep).
He may really enjoy some of the Discworld books. Especially the Discworld Witches Series.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Jpod by Doug Copeland
My son loved Hazardous Tales
The Mysterious Benedict Society. A short series about exceptional kids being exceptional. My son loved them when he was that age.
At the risk of repeating myself – Carl Hiaasen’s YA novels
Hoot
Flush
Scat
Chomp
Squirm
David Wallim’s books are pretty popular with kids. Good humour. Try the World’s Worst Teacher series