[Richardb]

My son enjoys fantasy, and specifically loves books with Rangers or Knights. He recently LOVED the Rangers Apprentice series. I've read him Lord of the Rings, which he also loved (but could not have pounded through due to complex language and style).
So, what's out there good for kids in this style?
A few limitations: I don't want foul language, and he does not like anything that involves demons, or is really scary, or details out the wounds in a horrific manner. Just good for all ages adventuring fighting fun.
Ideas? Christmas is coming and I'd love to present him with a nice stack of reading material!

[Esmenet]

Hmm I'm not sure if this is ok for him, but maybe The Windsinger by William Nicholson?? I started reading Lord of the Rings when I was 9 and loved it. So maybe he could read those (or you could read them to him). Hmm what else did I read. I really liked a book called the Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen and I think that one would be a good one. I was really into King Arthur so I loved having my parents read me those. I don't know if this helps but I hope it does.

[Severn]

You said you read him LotR - did you try The Hobbit as well? That's fantastic for kids.

I think a great one might be the Arthur trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland. The first two are called The Seeing Stone and At the Crossing Places. They're not about Arthur himself but about a boy in 1199 who finds King Arthur (his namesake) in his seeing stone. They're not just a contemporary Arthur story, but a look into life in the Middle Ages. The age group they're aimed for is 9-12 I believe.

There's also a series out by Clare Bell called The Named. It's wonderful, I read the first Ratha's Creature when I was a girl in the 80's. Ratha is a prehistoric cat who finds she can control fire. The cats are divided into two groups - the intelligent ones who can speak, and the dumb, who can't and have no intelligence beyond their own instincts. There's a whole series of the books now, still going strong. The first couple were out of print for awhile, but have recently been reprinted.

[Michigan]

I'd check out Lloyd Alexander, maybe Susan Cooper. I'm sure I read a bunch of other authors when I was that age but that was too long ago, can't remember any of them.

[rushking]

A Game of Thrones is the perfect choice.

[Eventine]

I agree with the Lloyd Alexander recommendation.
Summerland by Michael Chabon might fit the age bracket, but isn't the epic style fantasy you've mentioned.
I'd normally be tempted to recommend Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom books, or maybe Coraline by Neil Gaiman, although I think they may cross the demon/scary line.

If you're the one doing the reading maybe The Sword of Shannara is more accessible in terms of language and complexity than Lord of the Rings.

[AuntiePam]

A Game of Thrones is the perfect choice.

Not for a 9-year-old.

How about this -- http://www.amazon.com/House-Clock-Walls-Lewis-Barnavelt/dp/014036336X

John Bellairs, The House with a Clock in the Walls, illustrations by Edward Gorey.

Now that I think on it, Edward Gorey books would be okay for a 9-year-old. Amphigorey would be a good start.

Another one I like is Jon Scieszka, but his stuff might be too young for your son. (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is a classic.) Actually, there's nothing wrong with an occasional book that's below his reading level. Confidence builders.

[Richardb]

We read the Hobbit of course, and yes, it is great for kids. I'll check out the rest of the ideas you mention, some look like good ideas. I think we will pass on Game of Thrones, considering it would hold an R rating if it were a movie (yes, I assume your answer was very tongue and cheek). I'm sure those Tyrion scenes would go over well... lots of explaining to do.

[Bear]

"The Neverending Story" by Micheal Ende.

You might look into some stuff from Garth Nix. I haven't read much from him, but I liked what I did.

The "His Dark Materials" trilogy is a good one, too, and might fit the bill.

[halldorvagn]

Stardust ,by Neil Gaiman.

Regards
Dori