What is a good book please?

[Goofy]

I help at the local school as a volunteer reader. I've got an 11 year old boy who never reads, so doesn't know what sort of book he likes.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to which books I might read with him?

His reading is pretty poor, so it would need to be fairly simple.

[Count-A-Strong]

Some of the Famous Five books have recently been brought up to date.

[boxtops]

Do you know what his literacy level is? I'd think I'd want to find out, so I didn't start with something too ambitious.

[Goofy]

He's not a very good reader - which I suppose is why he is still having help at S1 level.
I'm not sure we have the F5 in the library - would they still authored by Enid Blyton?
I don't want to put him off by having books that are either too difficult or too adult. But ditto, not too young!

Are the Alex Rider books any good?

I thought about Harry Potter. He hasan't read them (natch!), but the films were "OK". He didn't sound too enthusiastic.

I played a game today - making words up, but would like to do some reading as well.

[LeMarchand]

They do Alex Rider with the older kids at the primary schools that I support.

I'd suggest Philip Reeve's "Larklight" series, as you may well enjoy them too.

[karenmac60]

You might want to start off with something that is fun - I'd suggest the Captain Underpants books by Dave Pilkey, or maybe something by the 2 Steves http://www.fantasticf...w-and-steve-skidmore/
or a wonderful book called Fattypuffs and Thinifers by Andre Maurois.
Also, check if your library has a section for emergent readers. These are books for older readers with literacy problems - so the writing itself is pretty simple, but the content is aimed at older readers rather than them reading nursery type books. It'll give him a sense of satisfaction that he has completed a book on his own without making him feel babyish.
While the famous 5 and Enid Blyton have their place, very few kids are actually interested in them these days - it tends to be parents borrowing them thinking 'oh, I liked this when I was young' but there isn't much in them that today's kids can relate to.

[Goofy]

Thanks - that should keep me busy finding and sourcing them! We have funds, so could buy if nexessary. I'm sure they'll have the emergent readers boosk - somwhere.
Half-term now, so 2 weeks holiday for me!

[karenmac60]

These might help
http://www.barrington...k/article.asp?aid=535
http://www.lovereadin...yslexia-friendly.html

[askyourgran]

Beatrix Potter books Tale of Peter Rabbit. Is that too young for him? Or will Philp Pullmans books be too complicated.

[sophie_1003]

Try Louis Sachar- Holes; fantastic book and my brothers (who were very reluctant readers) loved it!

[grasscarp]

My daughter had a similar experience with a child. She asked him what he was interested in and managed to find a book about what did interest him. It took off from that point.

[saxy_jag]

Why not ask him what sort of things interest him? Does he like jokes, or football, or animals? What sort of TV programmes does he like. If he likes Doctor Who, for instance, then have a look at some sci-fi stories.

Or if the school has a library, see if you can't take him in there and let him look at the books for himself. Even if he only chooses by the pictures to begin with, he will likely as not take more something he has chosen himself.

If you're trying to get him reading himself, consider introducing him to graphic novels. They're quite valid reading and very popular these days. We sometimes get graphic novel artists in to do drawing workshops for kids, and they're always over-subscribed.