Anyone have suggestions for a 10 year old who likes comic mischief? He’s a huge fan of diary of a wimpy kid series but his reading level has moved beyond that. He’s also really enjoyed the wild robot series, Matilda, and the skunk and fox books.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: thank you all for your great recommendations. I’m going to check them all out with him tonight!

  • almpeter@feddit.de
    9·
    10 months ago

    I’d recommend tje authors Jack London, Joanne Rowling, Rudyard Kipling, Terry Pratchett, Arthur Doyle… in no particular order.

    • neatchee@lemmy.world
      6·
      10 months ago

      I don’t think Terry Pratchett is appropriate for a 10y/o if only because it’s a huge waste; they won’t understand more than 10% of the jokes

  • Aaoograha_hoa@lemmy.ml
    6·
    10 months ago

    Former (Dutch) teacher here! Diary of a wimpy kid is easy reading for a lot of kids and I always found that the really engrossing books could help them move on to their actual reading level. For my students who liked comic mischief in class, I could always get them hooked to reading with The Saga of Darren Shan.

    Don’t let the ‘horror’ genre fool you: the story is dark and funny. Based on the books you named I think your kid might love it!

  • neatchee@lemmy.world
    5·
    10 months ago

    There is a large selection of Japanese light novels that are being translated into English. This is where a lot of the original source material for anime comes from. The anime is often created to sell the books, in fact.

    There’s a lot of stuff that won’t be appropriate until they hit 13yo or so, but my nephew, a voracious reader, started reading LNs around 10.

    Spice & Wolf is a personal favorite that might be a good fit. They will miss out on the romantic subplot but that’s only a small part of the story

  • gsharp@piefed.social
    4·
    10 months ago

    I’d recommend the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. It’s junior James Bond, my kids loved them.

  • B4tid0@lemmy.world
    4·
    10 months ago

    Me as an adults just gonna be here taking notes for my own reading list , you all are the best for recommending

  • Pulptastic@midwest.socialEnglish
    4·
    10 months ago

    My boys of that age enjoy the Percy Jackson book series, Harry Potter, and Wings of Fire. We also read them LOTR which they loved, but they haven’t reread it themselves yet.

  • Bahalex@lemmy.world
    3·
    10 months ago

    I enjoyed the Redwall series around his age. Yes , they are formulaic after a while, but good fun pulp adventure for kids.

  • marketsnodsbury@lemm.ee
    3·
    10 months ago
    • Unicorn Rescue Society series by Adam Gidwitz
    • Ben Yokoyama Cookie Chronicles series by Swanson and Behr
    • Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland
    • Wow in the World books by Mindy Thomas and Guy Roz (they have a companion podcast that’s absolutely bonkerballs as well!)

    All of these have a nice mix of comedy and mischief/adventure that he might enjoy.

    • burrito@sh.itjust.works
      2·
      10 months ago

      Came here to say Wings of Fire. Absolutely fantastic series. Thanks for the other recs I’ll check those out.

    • banazir@lemmy.ml
      4·
      10 months ago

      Maybe also look into Astrid Lindgren’s Bill Bergson books and Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter.

  • Can_you_change_your_username@kbin.social
    31·
    10 months ago

    Gary Paulson’s book’s are good for that age range. Most of his work is more serious in tone and survivalist (stuck in nature survivalist not doomsday bunker survivalist). Harris and Me is more biographical comedy.

    O. Henry was my favorite author at that age, and still something that I revisit. It is written in an older dialect which can be a put off for some people.

    That’s a good age for mythology. Greek mythology is the easiest to find kid appropriate translations of but Norse mythology is full of daring rogue stories.

    The Dangerous Book for Boys is a fun reference book.

    • marketsnodsbury@lemm.ee
      1·
      10 months ago

      Seconding the mythology recommendation! My nine year old loves d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths and was stoked to find a new podcast called Greeking Out by National Geographic Kids. She’s been listening to it practically everyday, and we just picked up the companion book from the library this weekend.

  • fievel@lemm.ee
    2·
    10 months ago

    Not sure it fits with what your son like but I think it’s around this age my own son started reading the Harry Potter series.

    • tyrant@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      10 months ago

      I’ve tried to get him to start those but he hasn’t been interested. When he was younger one of the movies terrified him and I think he’s still scarred from that 😂

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    2·
    10 months ago

    Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians is exactly what you’re looking for! It was written for grades 5-7 and it’s chock full of comic mischief, super powers, great morals, and a gripping story. I read it as a young adult and loved the entire series.