Books for Tanner

So the other day my nephew Tanner comes up to me and says, “Claire, I finished The Last Olympian and now you have to tell me what to read next!” Now, while I’m flattered he’s asking me, I’m also panicking because, I mean really, what do you give an 11 year old kid who’s just read Percy Jackson?!?* I started thinking and decided to share the resulting list with all of you, because, let’s face it, Rick Riordan’s a bit much to live up to. Tanner actually decided to tackle The Hobbit next, (all on his own to I swear!) and I gave him The Lost Hero** for Christmas so he should be set for the foreseeable future. Enjoy!  

*Outstanding series, btw, if you haven’t read it yet, go read it now! Seriously, stop reading this blog and go beg, borrow, steal (or buy if you must) a copy of  The Lightning Thief! Do it now!
**More about the excellent Percy Jackson for those of you who are still reading this blog despite my advice. What are you waiting for people!?! Go!

 

The Cooper Kids Adventure Series by Frank Peretti
I loved these books when I was a kid. Archeologist Dave Cooper and his kids, Jay and Lila, run into some strange stuff. Curses, giants, dragons, sinking islands… I’m pretty sure we can blame these books for my 6th grade obsession with Biblical archaeology and the book of Revelations. The Tombs of Anak is a particular favorite of mine.
Ages 8 and up, grades 3 and up.

Derwood Incorporated by Jeri Massi
Siblings Penny and Jack Derwood are just trying to adjust to their new stepfamily and make it through another Wisconsin winter without having to shovel too much snow. Sadly a scheme of Jack’s to earn some extra money exposes them both to a smuggling ring! In a button factory! No really! Laugh out loud funny. The whole series is excellent.
Ages 8 and up, grades 3 and up.

A Way Through the Sea by Robert Elmer
In Nazi-occupied WWII Denmark, Jews are being rounded up secretly. Concerned for their Jewish friend Henrik, twins Peter and Elise become involved in the Danish resistance effort to smuggle Jews to nearby Sweden. Book 1 in the Young Underground series.
Ages 8 and up, grades 3 and up.

Flight of the Eagles by Gilbert Morris
Excellent fantasy. Josh went to sleep on the eve of a nuclear holocaust and awakens fifty years later in a changed world as one of the seven sleepers of ancient prophecy.
Ages 12 and up.

 

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis
Colt McAllister was just an ordinary California sufer dude until his parents were killed and he moved to Arizona to live with his grandfather who just might be the Phantom Flyer of comic book alien fighting fame. But if the Phantom Flyer was a real person did he actually fight aliens?…
Ages 11 and up, grades 6 and up.

Swipe by Evan Angler
Life hasn’t been the same for Logan Langly since his sister disappeared when she resisted getting her “mark.” As Logan’s 13th birthday looms ever closer he begins to question everything he knows about the mark, his sister’s disappearance and himself.
Ages 8 and up

The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers
Aidan Errolson is just an ordinary twelve year-old when he hears the bark of a bog owl, meets a real-live feechie named Dobro Turtlebane, and is told by Bayard the Truthspeaker that he will one day be the Wilderking!
Ages 9 and up, grades 4 and up.