Combat Zone: (Dyslexia-friendly): Book 1 (Rugby Academy)

My 11 year old son has struggled for years with his reading and finding anything other than fact books that he will read is really hard. Although he has not (yet) been diagnosed as dyslexic it has been said that he may have dyslexic traits (?!!) and it is his poor concentration which affects his reading. I hit the jackpot last Christmas with Tom Gates as the cartoon approach went down very well but needed something new to keep him reading. He is active and really enjoys playing rugby so I thought that I would give Combat Zone a try (excuse the pun!). This is the first book in a trilogy but I only bought this one in case it didn't appeal and was left on the bookcase. It appeared in his Christmas stocking and has been left to one side neglected so I suggested we have a look together and take turns reading. Well....he has loved it. We have read it between us in two nights with me having to insist the first night that we stop for bedtime (after giving in to requests for two more chapters) and tonight when we stopped he has taken it to bed and finished it himself. It is described as aimed at struggling readers, dyslexic friendly aged 8+. Don't worry about the age though as it will appeal to older kids with the focus on a boy about to start his GCSEs at a new boarding school. The story makes reference to ipads, x boxes and skype as well as a father who is a fighter pilot in the RAF sent off to combat. This and the focus on getting involved in rugby at a new school so will appeal to older kids. What is also nice is that it is double spaced (big spaces between each line) so not too many words on each page, the font is a decent size, the chapters are short and there are a few pictures thrown in for good measure. It is not babyish in the choice of words but neither does the author pad out the pages with more words than is necessary. The paper is also off white. I am sure my son looks at small text packed onto a page and gives up on a book before he even starts. A success? Absolutely! I have been sent to order the rest of the series from Amazon. It is entirely possible that he'll read the next book on his own although to be honest it has been nice reading with him and he definitely needs the practise so all good! I would recommend, particularly for boys who enjoy rugby or who like a bit of sporting action. May appeal to girls too if they like that sort of thing.

Great book for reluctant boy teaders

Great book - all 3 of my boys have read it.

Grandson loved it so much that he read it all in one evening. Promised to get him the rest in the series

This is the first book my son has read for pleasure. He really loved it and we've ordered the next one in the series.

This book has engaged my nine year old rugby fan son into reading. I too enjoyed the story

Addictive reading for any child who loves rugby.

My rugby mad son loved this book!