Modern children's books for new adult reader

I'm an adult with a grown-up son who has just left home and used to love the Summer Reading Challenge (http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/) that goes on the libraries over the summer holidays, and decided that this year I'd take part. Yes I'm a bit old but my local library said it was okay! I have to read 6 books for the various prizes although I can continue to read books for vouchers for other things.

I've read two books already, The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, which I loved, and Igraine the Brave, which was entertaining enough but not as good. I've just picked out my next three books: I, Coriander, The Water Horse, and The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm.

Looking at the publishing dates, I realised I have no idea what's really new in children's books. The most recent book is the David Almond one, and obviously Professor Branestawm is older, but I didn't realise how old the others were - 2007, 2005 and 1990.

What are the big children's books, authors and series since 2000, and especially in the last year or two? I'm talking chapter books/young adult books. Which ones would you say had the most adult appeal?

here are a few:
City of Ember & 2 sequels
The Hunger Games & 2 sequels
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (This is the only one I've read and I loved it)
Maximum Ride series (more for boys I think)
I also read Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi

eta, these are not in the last two years. and are mostly for teens. And I thought of another series to add: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Thanks DK :)

Good to have some other opinions. I'm having fun discovering modern children's books but it's comforting to know I'm not the only one.

The Mysterious Benedict Society sounds like my kind of thing! I'd try City of Ember too. Are The Hunger Games books worth all the hype?

Hi Moomin,
They are on my TBR pile, so I don't know first hand. My high school age son reads a ton. He does not like the fantasy and werewolf stuff that is so popular with teens today. He prefers historical fiction and lately has delved into the classics. He did enjoy the Hunger Games. I think he even spent his own money to buy the last one. Yes, I've heard from others that they are very good. I think the intended audience is teens & YA while the City of Ember is younger teen. Both are Dystopian in nature. I only read two off my recommends, the Princess Academy (very good) and The Girl in Blue which is OK but shorter. I just noticed a sequel to Princess Academy, I wonder if I should look for it.

I've taken to reading children's books because that's where I am at the library with my kids and I can't help myself. Some I read to my kids and some just for myself depending on what they are (my son is picky and my daughter a bit young for most chapter books).

I second the recommendation for The Mysterious Benedict Society

Other recommendations:
*The Penderwicks (2007) and sequels . My favorites of all the ones I've read recently.

*the Paul Stewart Far-Flung Adventures series (2004-2006) -- Corby Flood was my favorite of these.

*Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (2013)

*The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman (2010)

*The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke (probably considered YA, but from 2013)

*Shadows by Robin McKinley (again YA-ish, but from 2013)

at a somewhat lower level,

*A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (2010)
*Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath (2012)

>4 DK1010:: "I think he even spent his own money to buy the last one"! That sounds very familiar :)

>5 merrystar:: I enjoyed going to the library with my son years ago, which is why I joined the reading scheme. I think the last book I read to my son was the first Harry Potter book - a chapter per evening. He was old enough to read it himself but still loved me reading to him, and I loved the book.

Good selection of books, I will be looking up some of these after I've done my 6-book challenge.

> moomin to merrystar - How funny! The second chapter of the second Harry Potter was the last book I read out loud to my child - and he was only in 2nd grade! I would read long books to him when I had time between chores and errands. We started the 2nd one when it came out. I was reading one afternoon & went to make dinner. After dinner, I learned he read two more chapters alone! I didn't think it was possible, so quizzed him on comprehension. It was for real. That was the end of my reading out loud career. I did occasionally read him poetry but no more long books. It wasn't long before I couldn't keep up to prelim the books before he got a hold of them. He was reading so far ahead of his age level; I tried to pre-read any book for mature content. I gave up on that sometime in 4th grade because he was frustrated with how long it would take me to approve his books. I'm not a very fast reader, but he is. I'm so glad he loves to read.

My son's been reading chapter books himself for a few years but he still likes us to read to him also, so we do a chapter or two every night of whatever is on hand. Often it's his choice but sometimes it's my "sneaky" way of getting him to try new books -- he's hooked after a few chapters and reads them himself. I did that with the first Harry Potter in fact :).

I will be sad when/if he outgrows reading out loud.

I read to my daughter every night until she was in junior high. It was our time together, and so precious to remember.