Well, I just discovered a whole new boy-friendly series courtesy of my 8 year-old son, Dave, who brought home two new Zinc Alloy books from his school's library. He raved and cooed about them, informing me that this was a new series being read 'by all the guys'. (And yes, some of the guys are girls.)
Since the books are short -- containing under 800 words -- I was able to read both of them in a few minutes, and I pretty much liked what I found. [Note though that the reviewer for the School Library Journal thought they were 'bland', and that may well be for us adults, but sometimes we just need to listen to the kids, and if these books help children to love to read, well then, I'm going to pass on the good word.]
In general the books seem to offer low levels of 'exciting adventure' and some fantasies of empowerment that I think youngsters can identify with. And unlike the popular Captain Underpants series, the Zinc Alloy series is written at a simpler level-- which I like since there isn't nearly enough books out there for book-lovin' little guys.
Both books I read were in the low 2's. There is, however, one book in the series though that is at the 2.4 level. I think they'd be great for all those 5 year-olds that read above level. And even for guys like my Dave, who can read at a much higher level, but who still enjoys some fun and silliness.
[Note, Captain Underpants is at the AR 4 level.]
Revealed! (Zinc Alloy)
by Donald Lemke
Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
Zack tells people all about his superhero identity and kids think he's really cool. The question that arises is whether he can compete without the special Zinc Alloy suit.
Reading Information
Word Count: 763
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 123901
Lexile: GN290L
Coldfinger (Zinc Alloy)
by Donald Lemke
Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
While on a winter vacation Zack must stop Dr. Icee from putting the freeze on Metro City. He also has to deal with a bully.
Reading Information
Word Count: 665
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 130909
Lexile: GN360L
Super Zero
by Donald Lemke
Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
Our hero is always getting picked on by bullies, but then one day, he builds a high-tech robot suit and must decide how to use his powers.
Reading Information
Word Count: 829
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 123903
Lexile: GN380L
Zinc Alloy vs Frankenstein
by Donald Lemke
Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
When Zinc Alloy is chased by an angry mob out of Metro City he hides in an old house on the edge of town, but inside the house he faces his most frightening challenge yet, robo Frankenstein.
Reading Information
Word Count: 860
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 127553
Lexile: GN410L
The Invincible Boy-Bot is coming out in August 2012. No info yet. You can preorder though.
For a slightly easier boy-friendly series you might want to take a look at Fly Guy!
Since the books are short -- containing under 800 words -- I was able to read both of them in a few minutes, and I pretty much liked what I found. [Note though that the reviewer for the School Library Journal thought they were 'bland', and that may well be for us adults, but sometimes we just need to listen to the kids, and if these books help children to love to read, well then, I'm going to pass on the good word.]
In general the books seem to offer low levels of 'exciting adventure' and some fantasies of empowerment that I think youngsters can identify with. And unlike the popular Captain Underpants series, the Zinc Alloy series is written at a simpler level-- which I like since there isn't nearly enough books out there for book-lovin' little guys.
Both books I read were in the low 2's. There is, however, one book in the series though that is at the 2.4 level. I think they'd be great for all those 5 year-olds that read above level. And even for guys like my Dave, who can read at a much higher level, but who still enjoys some fun and silliness.
[Note, Captain Underpants is at the AR 4 level.]
Revealed! (Zinc Alloy) Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
Zack tells people all about his superhero identity and kids think he's really cool. The question that arises is whether he can compete without the special Zinc Alloy suit.
Reading Information
Word Count: 763
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 123901
Lexile: GN290L
- Publisher: Stone Arch Books
- ISBN-10: 1434208591
- amazon
Coldfinger (Zinc Alloy)Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
While on a winter vacation Zack must stop Dr. Icee from putting the freeze on Metro City. He also has to deal with a bully.
Reading Information
Word Count: 665
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 130909
Lexile: GN360L
- ISBN-10: 1434223140
- amazon
Super Zero Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
Our hero is always getting picked on by bullies, but then one day, he builds a high-tech robot suit and must decide how to use his powers.
Reading Information
Word Count: 829
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 123903
Lexile: GN380L
- ISBN-10: 1434208583
- amazon
Zinc Alloy vs Frankenstein Douglas Holgate (Illus.)
When Zinc Alloy is chased by an angry mob out of Metro City he hides in an old house on the edge of town, but inside the house he faces his most frightening challenge yet, robo Frankenstein.
Reading Information
Word Count: 860
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 127553
Lexile: GN410L
- Publisher: Stone Arch Books (2010)
- ISBN-10: 1434213919
- amazon
The Invincible Boy-Bot is coming out in August 2012. No info yet. You can preorder though.
For a slightly easier boy-friendly series you might want to take a look at Fly Guy!
