Six Smashing Series for the Summer

The summer vacation is a boon for children but can be intensely nerve-racking for parents as we desperately seek activities to occupy the young ‘uns. For parents like me, we’re hard put to it when our children ingest books like ravenous termites and keep clamouring for more. Those who share my boat (Ow, will you budge over! Make some room!) will relate to the losing battle of arranging for sufficient books to keep these young book dragons satiated. Therefore, the pressing need not just for books but for series, the longer the better. Allow me to recommend to you six excellent series that are sure to keep your keen young reader occupied during the summer hols!

The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis (7+)

Possibly the best fantasy series for this age group, these seven books by C S Lewis are classics. I read the series many times over when I was a child, and my children have joyfully followed suit! The timeless ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ is a mesmerising initiation into the world of magical creatures – both good and evil – and the rest of the books more than live up to the expectations set by the first. (No, don’t start with ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ – this is a prequel that was published after the fifth book in the series).

The Doctor Dolittle series by Hugh Lofting (7+)

Can anything be more wonderful than the ability to talk to animals? Dr Dolittle is a unique doctor indeed, with a duck for a housekeeper and an owl for an accountant! The first book in this engaging series is ‘The Story of Doctor Dolittle’, which takes us on an exciting voyage to Africa. The good doctor’s fascinating adventures with his team of animal friends have yielded a total of 15 books, so it’s the perfect series to keep the little vacationer busy and enthralled!

The Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J Sobol (7+)

Ten-year-old Leroy Brown is so brainy that he’s nicknamed ‘Encyclopedia’, and there isn’t a single case he hasn’t been able to solve! Usually accompanied by his friend and bodyguard Sally Kimball, Idaville’s boy detective is not only the go-to for the neighbourhood residents but also for his father, the local police chief. Each book is a collection of short mysteries that end with the reader being asked to solve the mystery, and the solutions are given at the back of the book. The 29 books in this series can be read in any order and are ideal for young readers who prefer short reads and relish riddles.

The Oz series by L Frank Baum (7+)

Another captivating fantasy series is ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and its sequels. The 14 books in the original series are a marvellous journey with young Dorothy into a colourful, imaginative, magical world that is home to many wonderful beings in addition to the well-known Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion. I loved the Oz series in my childhood and my children love it too!

The Three Investigators series by Robert Arthur Jr (9+)

And now we have three slightly older boy detectives created by Robert Arthur Jr. The Three Investigators are 13-14 years old and feature in over 40 books in the original series. The intelligent, versatile, stocky Jupiter Jones reminds me of Fatty in Enid Blyton’s Five Find-Outers books. Jupiter and his partners – the athletic Pete Crenshaw and the studious Bob Andrews – take the young reader on amazing adventures as they solve the most baffling mysteries!

The Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage (9+)

We’re a family of fantasy buffs, always on the prowl for a new series. When a reliable friend recommended the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage, I lost no time in procuring and reading the first book, which was then eagerly devoured by both my children. The two kiddos clamoured and wheedled for the rest, unaware that behind my feigned disinterest I was gloating over my secret stash of six that I had already bought for gifting them on special occasions! The Septimus Heap books comprise a delightful and very well-written fantasy series right up there with (and arguably better than) Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. The SH series is much less dark/violent than the later HP and PJ books, plus it stays age-appropriate from the first to the seventh book, unlike HP and PJ, which progress in maturity with each successive book. I’m a huge HP fan but if you’re looking for a fantasy series that’s consistently 9+, choose SH. Extremely enjoyable and a must-read for fantasy lovers!

(Source of pics: Internet)