DS7 started with the horrible science, then math, then geography. I don't think he started at 5, maybe 6, I don't remember exactly. But he has read all except the histories. He just did one horrible history. We kept history for the last because it seemed to be the most blood thirsty. They all skew towards inappropriate in terms of focusing on odd bits of death and dismemberment - but DS loved it - he loved the English humor, and for awhile was amusingly using English terminology. Like "Maths" so if your kid is comfortable with an approach to things focused on snot and boils and bad smells they will love it. And they are all like that even with the different authors. You can absolutely tell which books DS adores, they are falling apart, while others are bent but not broken. But none of them unfortunately look new.
And surprisingly they are very age appropriate or cautious on reproduction - no pictures, no explicit discussions of sex, but a hilarious discussion about how puberty makes you smell because of the hormones. And for knowledge, you can't beat them. And DS started with the math books uninterested in math and because of them became very interested in it. So now while doing all the rote crap in school, which I don't object to because he does have to learn it, he already knows that math is a lot more interesting and has a good understanding of theory. We adore them. Wish there were more.
I also recommend the basher science books and the brainwaves books. All really quirky and great on supplying knowledge.
DeHe
