Recommend me: Quirky Books for Young Kids.

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  • Unknown
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  • garbanzalo
    garbanzalo Posts: 61 Member
    Shel Silverstein's poetry.

    Harry Potter series

    Series of Unfortunate Events

    Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass

    Sideways Stories from Wayside School
  • sfh0wrd
    sfh0wrd Posts: 82
    Neil Gaiman (writes a lot of dark humor adult novels... not "adult" novels, but novels for adults, lol) also wrote a kids book called "The Graveyard Book" which was really good, and probably about the same level as Roald Dahl.

    There is also a relatively new series called The Mysterious Benedict Society. Really clever and would probably do well as a "read together" sort of book. Along the lines of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (also terrific) and Harry Potter, in a sense.
  • HeelsAndBoxingGloves
    HeelsAndBoxingGloves Posts: 916 Member
    The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. but you might want to read it first - i did for the nephews and then put it away for a few years. it's a bit dark.

    Ditto this...it IS dark, but it's also good. Coraline, same author, is also good and dark and creepy (better than the movie).

    I'd also recommend the Myth books by Robert Asprin (you may want to pre-read...I can't remember, there may be some more grown-up content--if there is, it's probably mostly double entendre). And the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'Engle. Definitely kid appropriate, and exciting. Oh, also, Charles de Lint has several collections of short stories set in the fictional Newford. Some of them are a bit grown-up, especially the later books, but The Ivory and the Horn, Dreams Underfoot, and Moonlight and Vine are all good.

    I love A Wrinkle in Time when I was a kid! I don't think I ever realized it was a series and just read the one book tho :facepalm: I remember really enjoying Time Cat - I don't remember who it's by but it's about a cat that can travel through time and takes his owner to all different places during different centuries
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    HOW could i have forgotten???

    The Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan (she's actually a friend of mine, so i'm kicking myself) - she's awesome and the story is a little dark but quirky and awesome.

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demons-lexicon-sarah-rees-brennan/1100329381



    *edit b/c i can't spell today
  • MissO﹠A
    MissO﹠A Posts: 906 Member
    Yay for more suggestions. :love: Along with the Lemony Snicket box-set I've forgotten about like a huge dunderhead, the Neil Gaiman recommendation reminds me we've got a copy of The Graveyard Book, Blueberry Girl and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish. We buy books, put them on the shelf and forget about them. Duh.

    Having two dorky parents as the culprit, she's into the 'odd' stuff already, even at her age. (She's sat next to me reading an extract from The Enormous Crocodile at this very moment.)
  • Angelap1121
    Angelap1121 Posts: 18
    I found when I re-read Phantom Tollbooth as an adult, I got so much more out of it. Love this book and tell everyone with kids to read it to them. Also on my must list to read out loud is The Princess Bride
  • TheAnie
    TheAnie Posts: 180 Member
    Former bookseller here. I'm not sure about quirky, but I can suggest good books that most kids can't stop reading.

    All of Rick Riordan's books. This means The Lightning Thief Series, the follow up series to that, his Red Pyramid series, and the 39 Clues books.
    Margaret Peterson Haddix's Shadow Children series. That one starts with Among the Hidden.
    I can second the Once Upon a Time recommendation.
    Seconding the Series of Unfortunate Events suggestion.
    Angie Sage has the Septimus Heap series, which starts with Magyk.
    The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black
    Even if you are not religious(because I'm REALLY not) the Narnia books are usually a good bet.
    The Dark Hills Divide
    Diane Duane has a Young Wizards series that is very good.
    Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles (dragons, and a lot of sarcasm)
    Into the Wild by Sara Beth Durst, a new take on fairy tales.
    Gail Carson Levine has a lot of good books in that age range(Fairest, Fairy's Return, Two Princesses of Bamarre)

    Most of what I read is young adult though, so this is just a small amount that I can suggest based on what I actually read.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    Shel Silverstein's poetry.
    Where the Sidewalk Ends --- one of my favorite books EVER.
  • barefoot76
    barefoot76 Posts: 314 Member
    The Phantom Tollbooth and The Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Yes!!
  • ak_in_ak
    ak_in_ak Posts: 657 Member
    Nims Island! I am 21 and still love this book, and they made a movie.
  • CheshireKat13
    CheshireKat13 Posts: 9
    I second all of these! My kids (boys ages 8 and 6) LOVE Shel Silverstein and I recently shared Sideways Stories from Wayside School with my 8 year old because I loved it when I was his age. I'll also mention the Encyclopedia Brown books for a fun read at that age.
    Shel Silverstein's poetry.

    Harry Potter series

    Series of Unfortunate Events

    Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass

    Sideways Stories from Wayside School
  • clairification
    clairification Posts: 71 Member
    I remember a book I read in elementary school called "The Celery Stalks at Midnight" - don't remember much about the book, but will never forget the title

    ETA: Googled it... it's part of the Bunnicula series. those are some funny books!

    So glad someone mentioned these, I loved them as a kid and still love them today.
  • davitalynette
    davitalynette Posts: 117 Member
    "Don't Touch That Toad & Other Strange Things Adults Tell You"
    Rondina, Catherine
  • Peanut0711
    Peanut0711 Posts: 88 Member
    "Everyone Poops" I swear it's a book, i had to read it, was sooo freaking cute, but I don't remember the author.....
  • davitalynette
    davitalynette Posts: 117 Member
    Also, I have an 8 year old son who is soooo into Greek Mythology now that we've started reading "Percy Jackson & The Olympians - The Lightening Thief" We're only half way through this book but we like it so far!
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    Several people have mentioned the Phantom Toll Booth... excellent!

    Harry Potter (series)

    Percy Jackson (series)

    Chronicles of Narnia (series)

    Someone brought up the Bunnicula series, I read those too! Good ones!

    Redwall (series)

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (I know it's not Christmas, but this book is phenomenal!!!)
  • tiffanyvc
    tiffanyvc Posts: 99
    I loved all the Ramona Quimby books when I was little. She's got a funny sense of humor.

    And I LOVED the Wayside Stories books, but particularly the first one.
  • Serenitytoo
    Serenitytoo Posts: 449 Member
    My favourite book as a child was Skinnybones by Barbara Park. Funniest book I have ever read. I re-read it a few years ago and it is still just as funny. :smile:
  • missymarea
    missymarea Posts: 51 Member
    My son loved "The Day My Butt went Psycho" and all the Magic Tree House books
  • bethannc
    bethannc Posts: 8
    Don't miss A series of unfortunate events by Lemmony Snicket. The first book on CD is fabulous with a hilarious interview at the end of the book. Great to listen to on a road trip.
  • bethannc
    bethannc Posts: 8
    Alas Babylon is not for young kids. Trust me I am an elementary teacher.
  • ScottyNoHotty
    ScottyNoHotty Posts: 1,957 Member
    Depending on reading level check out Xanth series by Piers Anthony...my son is devouring these currently. Full of fantasy characters, magic and puns (which is his gavorite part!)

    Completely forgot about these books...he must have over 30 in the series by now.
  • garnet1483
    garnet1483 Posts: 249 Member
    I forgot! The Chronicles of Prydain (from whence "The Black Cauldron" came--second book) is also great!

    And The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, and the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett! The last one especially...it's incredibly entertaining, and intended for younger audiences.
  • rose49petter
    rose49petter Posts: 1
    Some short story books help the young kids to gain knowledge. They cover all the relevant topics and easily share their view. Some of them are really interesting that they are very much in demand.
  • ChelseaYepThatsMe
    ChelseaYepThatsMe Posts: 457
    maniac magee (: (idk how old you were asking for, but i read this like 5th grade or something)
  • peles_fire
    peles_fire Posts: 501
    Tales of a fourth grade nothing and the Fudge books by Judy Blume

    I second that. Her books are hilarious. Blubber is another great one and a wonderful opportunity to discuss treating others with kindness and compassion.

    Did you read Ronald Dahl's Witches book? That is another great one.
  • cblevitron
    cblevitron Posts: 243
    The Phantom Tollbooth!

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