Any thoughts on these teen books?

[cruisnfamily]

I guess we are reading the original post differently. I just saw it as a mom asking for opinions on some fun reading for her son over the summer, and not a mommy trying to micromanage and censor her baby's reading assignment.

And a schools suggested summer reading list is just that... suggestions for reading.

Thank you! This is exactly the spirit in which I meant my post.

Frankly, I'm astounded at all the "back off and let him do it" type of comments I received. That was completely unexpected! If the posters knew me at all they would know I was in no way, shape or form trying to "do his homework" or "censor" or "micromanage".

13 little blue envelopes is what I consider a chick flick kinda book. I loved the book but I don't think a teenage boy would.

I was actually thinking this one sounded good for DD17 but wondered if it was typical teen drivel or anything better.

OP, since you asked for thoughts on the books themselves....

The first one is for girls. Really. Typical teen froth.

The next two both deal with much deeper themes. They are quite different but I could see both appealing to a teen boy. The Octavian book has sequels, so if your son tears through books and like series, it would be good. Little Brother would be a hit if he likes modern techno thriller books.

Beastly is a modern retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story, with a male perspective. Perfect for a Disney freak, and there is a movie version of it coming out. Not as well written as some of the other books, but possibly engaging anyway.

Oz is a classic but imo way too easy for a high schooler and probably seems stupid to a teen boy. otoh, the subsequent oz books are darker and if he is into social commentary he might enjoy reading them all over the summer...plus, remember that this is the book John Conner's mother read over and over to him in the Terminator mythology, so....

Any Jules Verne book is a classic. If you like to set reading tasks for him over the summer, you could suggest he read that plus a modern steam punk novel and compare and contrast what is considered wildly adventurous today vs a hundred years ago.

Hope that helps!

Thank you! You are 1 of only 2 people that actually answered my question Re: the books. That does help very much!

I remember reading the Oz series as a child and I'm not sure how many children today actually know it is a series or have read it. I thought it might be fun for him but it's been a looong time since I read it and thought I might get more current opinions.

 

[cruisnfamily]

OP-Full disclosure. I work for a major publishing company in the sales dept. I ahve worked here for 3 years. before that I worked for another major publishing company in the kids marketing dept for 7 years. I read ALOT and have read all of the books on your son's list.

First i have to say I applaud, No give a standing ovation to the english teacher who came up with this list. Too often summer reading lists are made up of books that we published 50+ years ago. Often the newest book is the OUtsiders and while that is an INCREDIBLE book it can be dated to some kids.

Okay back to the topic. not knowing exactly the type of book he likes to read i think the ones he would most enjoy would be the Cory Doctorow and the Alex Finn or 20,000 Leagues, always a classic. Beastly is being made into a movie coming out this summer and should be hot with his age group (my 14 year old cousin is going to write her summer book report comparing and contrasting the book with the film. She will read the book first and then see them film).

13 little blue envelopes is more of a chick lit type book. More along the line sof Meg Cabot of princess Diaries fame.And Octavian Nothing is a WONDERFUL read but a bit challenging. the author did extensive research on how people spoke back then and for MONTHS he would only speak in this 'dialect'. I guess it's a form of old english or something. but i was fascinated by that fact.

Hope that helped and again i am so happy some teachers are putting books pulished in the last 5 years on lists. it does my heart good.

L

This was such a nice and helpful post. I'm especially happy to read that you feel the list was well thought out. This is a brand new "tech" high school here in town and this will only be it's 3rd year open so I like to hear good things as it is so new. The list was much longer but I just picked a few that, knowing my son, I thought might appeal to him but wanted to see if they were junk or not. Most online reviews are written by people who feel strongly pro or against a book that it's hard to get a real feel. Thank you!

 

[cruisnfamily]

So we discussed these books at dinner last night and decided the following:
My husband and I are both going to read the wizard of oz series...or at least give it a shot. Sounds interesting to both of us, I read 1 or 2 of them as a child and he didn't even know it was a series.
My son(14) wants to read the beastly book
My daughter(17) doesn't want to read anything ever, lol!

We (my son and I) looked up some reviews on Octavian and Little brother and upon further review they do not look interesting to my son.

So, here are some more titles I wondered if anybody was familiar with.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (I've seen the movie, is it the same or better? I didn't think the movie was all that great)
Everlost by Neil Schusterman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson (this is short stories)
Nation by Terry Pratchett

So have you or your child read them? Any feedback for me?

 

[cruisnfamily]

So we discussed these books at dinner last night and decided the following:
My husband and I are both going to read the wizard of oz series...or at least give it a shot. Sounds interesting to both of us, I read 1 or 2 of them as a child and he didn't even know it was a series.
My son(14) wants to read the beastly book
My daughter(17) doesn't want to read anything ever, lol!

We (my son and I) looked up some reviews on Octavian and Little brother and upon further review they do not look interesting to my son.

So, here are some more titles I wondered if anybody was familiar with.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (I've seen the movie, is it the same or better? I didn't think the movie was all that great)
Everlost by Neil Schusterman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson (this is short stories)
Nation by Terry Pratchett

So have you or your child read them? Any feedback for me?

So I thought I'd bump this up and see if anybody had any thoughts on any of the bolded titles. Thanks in advance!

 

[kristilew]

On the new books, Everlost and Nation were both enjoyed by DD. Terry Prachett books in general are pretty entertaining.

Since your first post, OP, DD and I both read Little Brother. Please encourage your son to give it a try. It is hilariously funny, smart, and fast paced. Soooo many great discussion points too. DD also read Beastly (in one day!) she said it was a fun "popcorn for the mind" kind of book.

 

[soccerchick]

So we discussed these books at dinner last night and decided the following:
My husband and I are both going to read the wizard of oz series...or at least give it a shot. Sounds interesting to both of us, I read 1 or 2 of them as a child and he didn't even know it was a series.
My son(14) wants to read the beastly book
My daughter(17) doesn't want to read anything ever, lol!

We (my son and I) looked up some reviews on Octavian and Little brother and upon further review they do not look interesting to my son.

So, here are some more titles I wondered if anybody was familiar with.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (I've seen the movie, is it the same or better? I didn't think the movie was all that great)
Everlost by Neil Schusterman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson (this is short stories)
Nation by Terry Pratchett

So have you or your child read them? Any feedback for me?

Love Neil Schusterman; just read Unwind. He's very popular with boys and girls here. Same with Terry Pratchett. Haven't read the Wilson or Marchetta books, though Jellicoe Road is a Michael Printz award winner - those tend to be a little more mature. I enjoyed Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Didn't see the movie as I really need to be in the mood for depressing/mankind at its worst "entertainment." The book was good and it was a very fast read. That said, what does your son know about the Holocaust? Has he studied it yet? The book is from the kid's pov and the kid is young and inexperienced. Does your son have the knowledge about that part of history to fill in the inferences?

 

[IDoDis]

OP-Full disclosure. I work for a major publishing company in the sales dept. I ahve worked here for 3 years. before that I worked for another major publishing company in the kids marketing dept for 7 years. I read ALOT and have read all of the books on your son's list.

First i have to say I applaud, No give a standing ovation to the english teacher who came up with this list. Too often summer reading lists are made up of books that we published 50+ years ago. Often the newest book is the OUtsiders and while that is an INCREDIBLE book it can be dated to some kids.

Okay back to the topic. not knowing exactly the type of book he likes to read i think the ones he would most enjoy would be the Cory Doctorow and the Alex Finn or 20,000 Leagues, always a classic. Beastly is being made into a movie coming out this summer and should be hot with his age group (my 14 year old cousin is going to write her summer book report comparing and contrasting the book with the film. She will read the book first and then see them film).

13 little blue envelopes is more of a chick lit type book. More along the line sof Meg Cabot of princess Diaries fame.And Octavian Nothing is a WONDERFUL read but a bit challenging. the author did extensive research on how people spoke back then and for MONTHS he would only speak in this 'dialect'. I guess it's a form of old english or something. but i was fascinated by that fact.

Hope that helped and again i am so happy some teachers are putting books pulished in the last 5 years on lists. it does my heart good.

L

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but could you give me your thoughts on the book "Anthem" by Ayn Ryand? My DD has to read it over the summer as an incoming freshman. It's one of those oldies you referred to (1938). Is it anything a 14 year old would be able to dig her teeth into? I'm not a fan of Ryand and I haven't read this book.

 

[aprilgail2]

.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (I've seen the movie, is it the same or better? I didn't think the movie was all that great)
Everlost by Neil Schusterman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson (this is short stories)
Nation by Terry Pratchett

So have you or your child read them? Any feedback for me?

My daughter (10) read the Boy in Striped Pajamas, she said it was very good but she cried while reading it since it was sad.
Our high school choices include (and its mandatory and counts for 40 percent of the first trimester grade- if you don't do it you fail first trimester!) You have to read two of the following and in September you take a test on the book- Now if you read the book the week school gets out in June- you are supposed to remember all details of it until Sept!

War and Peace
Hamlet
Romeo and Juilet
Jane Eyre
Anna Karenina
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Lovely Bones
Black Boy
Flags for our Fathers
Lost Boy
Fences
Nickel and Dimed
Hot Zone
Manning
Tuesdays with Morrie
Inside Delta Force

My daughter has read the whole Harry Poter series and Lovely Bones already but I have only heard of 6 or so of those books.

ETA- incoming 12th grade the list is different- you have to read two of the following:
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Snow Falling on Cedars by Dacid Guterson
Not much choice for this grade!

 

[Feralpeg]

I have Beastly, but have not read it yet. I did read Breathing Under Water by Alex Flinn. It was a good story, but did have some sexual content. Nothing explicit, but implied. I don't know if Beastly would be the same, but I think it might. I met Alex Flinn last January and she talked about Beastly. She made it sound like it would have a similar target audience to her other books. Very nice lady, by the way.

 

[Acklander]

I loved "A Prayer for Owen Meany". It was one of those books that stuck with me long after reading it.

 

[klacey1]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but could you give me your thoughts on the book "Anthem" by Ayn Ryand? My DD has to read it over the summer as an incoming freshman. It's one of those oldies you referred to (1938). Is it anything a 14 year old would be able to dig her teeth into? I'm not a fan of Ryand and I haven't read this book.

Anthem is very, very, very similar to the novel 1984. I also work in publishing and have a degree in English Lit and find it dull. Anthem is a cheap version of 1984-- nowhere near as good. However, it's also very short and she should be able to get through it quickly.

 

[kristilew]

I loved "A Prayer for Owen Meany". It was one of those books that stuck with me long after reading it.

Oh, me too. One of my very favorite books of all time.

 

[Scurvy]

OP, if your son hasn't read it before I recommend "20,000 Leagues". It's such a classic; I think everyone should read it. If he enjoys it, he might also like the other Verne books. (And if he has AR at his school, those are an easy source of AR points!) You can't ever go wrong with Terry Pratchett, in my opinion, and he has a ton of books to choose from if your son discovers he likes Pratchett's style.

I guess we are reading the original post differently. I just saw it as a mom asking for opinions on some fun reading for her son over the summer, and not a mommy trying to micromanage and censor her baby's reading assignment.

And a schools suggested summer reading list is just that... suggestions for reading.

I don't understand the problem with a mom helping to suggest some summer reading for her child, either. Actually, I always swing by the bookstore and buy my son a few books from his suggested reading list at the start of each summer, and of course I tend to pick the ones I think he will enjoy. If we already own any of them, I pull them out and stick them in his room. We take him to the library and book store to choose his own as well, but he's much more likely to read more often if he has a stack of books lying there waiting for him. When he has an actual assignment and can select a book for it, then he always chooses that himself. But for a summer reading list I see no reason why I should insist on that. Maybe if he was just going to read one book over the course of the summer I would feel differently, but giving him a large selection of books usually means that he reads all of them by the time the summer ends.

OP, if you're getting into the Oz books you may at some point want to check out "Wicked" and the other Oz books by Gregory Maguire. But be warned, they are not kid's books. They can be surprisingly adult in nature. I know some people who got "Wicked" for their kids after the kids worked their way through Baum's Oz books, and they were not happy when they realized what that book is like. I would suggest not doing that unless you've read it first.

 

[soccerchick]

Anthem is very, very, very similar to the novel 1984. I also work in publishing and have a degree in English Lit and find it dull. Anthem is a cheap version of 1984-- nowhere near as good. However, it's also very short and she should be able to get through it quickly.

Kids actually like it okay (brevity) and it was written BEFORE 1984, and by a woman

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think you should talk to your son and see what he would be interested in and suggest some books with him rather than talking to us.

 

[IDoDis]

Anthem is very, very, very similar to the novel 1984. I also work in publishing and have a degree in English Lit and find it dull. Anthem is a cheap version of 1984-- nowhere near as good. However, it's also very short and she should be able to get through it quickly.

Thanks for the heads-up. She's going to read it in mid-July so it will be fresh in her mind when she goes back to school.