Kids/YA series (Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, etc.)

[Aletheia]

My DH and I like to read outloud to each other- that's how we read all the Harry Potter books, the Lemony Snicket series so far, and some other fun kids' books. We find that kids books are easier to read outloud and are a good intersection between both of our interests. We like series so we can really get into them before they are over!

But we need some more recommendations! We started re-reading HP and I'm ready instead to do something else.

I just picked up a book called "Redwall" at the library this morning; it's the first of 11 big fatty books. But I'm looking for other recomendations of lively, preferrably witty, and fast-paced kids books that are preferrably a series... any recommendations?

[KarenS]

If you liked HP and LS, pick up the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. They're great to read and well plotted and written.

Karen

[Sabrina]

You might like Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.

[elladee]

I second Karen's recomendation for the CS Lewis Narnia series.

I also really enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time and the following books by Madeleine L'Engle. They are a little bit more sci fi, but not over the top so.

[amberfiddles]

the tale of despereaux by kate dicamillio :)

[muguet27]

Wow, I could have written your post, Aletheia. Except I'm the one who does all the reading. We, too, love children's books. I tried to read DH The Davinci Code, but it's just too hard to transfer from the easier reading style of children's books to more complex "adult" writing. I love the Narnia series and plan to start on that when we're done with the 6th Harry Potter book (2nd time through, to catch what we missed the first time). I'm bummed about the fact that I know DH wouldn't appreciate my all-time favorite children's series, Anne of Green Gables.

I remember my mom reading my brother and I The Boxcar Children, and we really enjoyed them, but those may be a bit too "little kid"ish.

[rebeccasmommy]

Try the Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer. My kids really enjoy them.

Also, Inkheart, Dragon Rider and The Theif Lord by Cornelia Funke are popular. And, there's a sequel to Inkheart called Inkspell that just came out. I'm dying to read it! Kids also really like Eragon and the sequel, Eldest.

Lois Lowry is a GREAT author, and kids enjoy The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Messenger. The first two are companion novels (they take place around the same time, but don't have characters or plots in common), and the third one ties the first two together.

The Amulet of Samarkand and The Golem's Eye byt Jonathan Stroud are wonderful. There's a 3rd one that's either just out or will be soon.

I really enjoyed The Divide and Back to the Divide. Again, there's a 3rd one coming soon.

Let me keep thinking on this one. This list is a lot of the fantasy-type books, which I really enjoy, but sometimes people want something else, too. I teach 8th grade reading and language arts, so I can look at my classroom library and see what kids are checking out! :)

[SierraStar]

Kids also really like Eragon and the sequel, Eldest.

The Amulet of Samarkand and The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud are wonderful. There's a 3rd one that's either just out or will be soon.


I LOVED, LOVED all of these books.
Eragon and Eldest are by Christopher Paolini.
I can't wait for the last book in the series.

What I really thought was entertaining about the BARTIMAEUS TRILOGY books was the footnotes of Bartimaeus.
His narration really was irreverent and very witty.
The final book is Ptolemy's Gate and it's due out in January.
I also can't wait for that one either.

[Photobug]

For a witty fast-paced fantasy series try the Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings.

[tgr68]

It sounds like everyone has covered all the fantasy series for YAs. There is the Spiderwick series for a bit younger ones. It's really popular amongst 4-6 graders, if you are looking for an easy read.

Other YAs series I love, even though they aren't fantasy, are Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Princess Diaries. They're both teen chic lit if you like that at all. I have read bits and pieces of these series aloud to DH (we do the same thing you do), and he has laughed and cried right along with me. I even got him to watch the movies! LOL.

[sublime311]

It sounds like everyone has covered all the fantasy series for YAs. There is the Spiderwick series for a bit younger ones. It's really popular amongst 4-6 graders, if you are looking for an easy read.

I also recommend the Spiderwick Chronicles (http://www.spiderwick.com/)series. I was first introduced to these books as a substitute teacher in a 4th grade class. The kids were hanging on my every word as I read one of the books to them!