“My Side of the Mountain”, if you can trust your ten year old not to run off into the woods- he will be tempted.
” The Finch’s Fabulous Furnace”, out of print, but well worth looking for.
I definitely second all those who reccomended “The Indian in the Cupboard”- it’s an imagination catchng book.
“Call it Courage” by Armstrong Sperry, great book about a Pacific island boy alone in the ocean.
“Otto of the Silver Hand” by Howard Pyle, invaluable if you want your children to grow up with a love for medieval history.
“Hiawatha” is a great read aloud poem- poetry should not be an overlooked resource.
“The Trumpeter of Krakow”, another great historical novel for children.
“Dealing with Dragons” by Patricia Wrede, great light fantasy for kids- first in a series.
Dick King Smith’s Sophie novellas, for the seven year old- especially if she has any 4H inclinations.
The lesser known Dahl’s- The Fantastic Mr Fox, Danny the Champion of the World- great stuff.
And don’t neglect the classics- Heinlein Juveniles!
:D
Thanks. Lots of great suggestions. Mrs. Joe is off at the library processing my orders right now. I have a couple of the suggestions coming in via Amazon, as well.
Summer is too short to be reading mediocre lit for kids when there is so much out there.
By next September my peeps will be so different than they are today ~ it’s so important not to waste these precious days!