Appropriate books for 13 y/o boys?

[Sandyrella]

Hi all,

I'm so inspired by the "Read any good books lately?" thread that I thought I would try to get some ideas for my 13 DS for our...ahem...March 2004 cruise (or the summer, whatever comes first!)

He is quite an advanced reader...had read quite a few Michael Crichton books before age 11 (NOT Disclosure!). He really enjoys mysteries but nothing too scary or violent. I don't mind him reading books geared more towards adults as long as there is no sex.

With this said, he is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Harry Potter book but other than that, any good suggestions? Can anyone recommend a series that would keep him interested? I find most of the "teen" series are geared towards girls.


HELP!

 

[bassoongirl]

Sandyrella,

Has your son read the Artemis Fowl books yet? They are almost as entertaining as the Harry Potter books, except that Artemis Fowl is not such a good guy. He is a very smart (and greedy) 13-year-old boy. There are currently 3 books published so far. My 12-year-old daughter loves them. I have read them with her, and I like them too.

bassoongirl

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Being from Michigan I originally picked one of these up for our son because of that connection. But they are pretty good.

The author is Robert A. Lytle. While he was in college he worked summers on the island. At the time he was reading them there were 3 in the series - not sure if there are more now.

"A Summer Adventure"
"The Boathouse Mystery"
"The General's Treasure"

Happy reading

Deb

 

[floridaminnie]

There is the Unfortunate Series out which all my kids love at school.

 

[mobetsy]

How about the Horatio Hornblower novels? It is a big series, beginning with Midshipman Hornblower and ending with Admiral of the Fleet. My nephew, who is a very good reader, loved these at 13 (and I loved them when I first read them at 22!). Even a nautical theme to go with your cruise He is a British sailor around the turn of the 19th century, so there are lots of cannons and sailing ships! Most libraries will have them.

Which March 2004 cruise will you be on? We're going 3/20-27...

 

[Michelina]

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Science fiction story about Battle School in space that children in the future get sent to to train for war with mysterious buggy aliens. Very enjoyable even for a non-sci-fi fan. The main character is a young boy so there should be things for your DS to relate to.

 

[AnnMorin]

I don't know if they would be too young for him, but my DS loves them (he is 10.5) losts of mysticism and saving the world kinda stuff. if you go to scholastic.com/deltora you can get info on them, there are several series out.

 

[house_of_princesses]

There's the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. I think there are 10 or so books in that group.

Another author I highly recommend for young people is G.A. Henty. He writes historical fiction. Studies a period of time and creates a story based on facts from that time period. The books are sizeable, great vocab workout (not too strenuous to keep him from reading) and an exciting history lesson to boot!

 

[3Dbunch]

The Hobbit is a must for his age i read it at 13.

 

[Sandyrella]

Thanks so much for the great ideas! I know that he has read some of the suggestions but he reads so much I can't keep up. He actually just read the first Artemis Fowl book over the weekend so I may pick up the other two for him.

He is up to date on the Series of Unfortunate Events books so we look forward to the next installment of that series.

I am going to print this list and bring it with me to the book store.

Keep the suggestions coming! This has to last the summer.

Thanks again

 

[trishy]

"Hatchet" by Gary Paulson
(has others that are very good, also)
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry
"Holes" by Louis Sachar
(after reading Holes, he can do a follow up with Louis Sachar's "Stanley Yelnats' SURVIVAL GUIDE To Camp Green Lake" - very funny! )

Even though these are typically favorite 'Boy' reads, my girls loved them too.

 

[pamelajean]

My DS 11 loves the Pendragon series. There are three so far with 4th coming. The third is called The Never War (can't remember the first two). I cannot remember who wrote them but you should be able to find them with the title.

Pam

 

[PatsMom]

Abarat by Clive Barker. My DD has had from the library about three times and is eagerly waiting for the paperback. Or maybe its out and we missed it - but she loves that book!! Also second the Redwall books. She loves those also. And we'll be among those lining up for our reserved copy of Harry Potter this Saturday!

 

[TeensMom]

Does he have a hobby or anything he is passionate about? Try nonfiction. My son loves all things airplanes and has several books on the history of flight, history of airlines, different kinds of planes, etc.

 

[lancerguys]

if he read michael crichton then he would probably like tom clancy. I read like four of his books when I was his age. specially rainbow six, red rabbit, clear and present danger, hunt for red october, and patriot games are all good. and then john grisham is great also.

 

[mobetsy]

Thought of a few more...C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia...I will say that although "The Magician's Nephew" is theoretically the first in the series, my son and I think it is the weakest of them all.

Also, if he likes police stories, Ed McBain's police procedure novels; I read many of these at about his age. I do recall vaguely that you'd want to do some quick previewing; I think some have material I'd consider a bit too explicit at 13. The 87th Precinct ones were the ones I primarily read.

 

[DizMare]

Mine like the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz - Alex is 13 and works for Britain's MI6.

 

[Sandyrella]

I had to do a search for this thread because I need some new suggestions for our trip. I can't believe that when I originally posted in June that March would actually get here

All of the suggestions were great! My DS read a lot of the books mentioned and then some. Now we are looking for more for him to bring on our trip. I think even with all the activity he will still need at least two. I would prefer paperbacks for the cost and the practicality of being able to carry them easily.

Any new suggestions since we last met in June?

 

[phorsenuf]

My son (13) just finished reading the Everworld series by K.A Applegate (I believe it was 13 books in all). He is now reading the Remnant series by the same author. I used to have to fight to get him to read and he has a learning disability (reading actually) and to see him reading these books is awesome!! I think a series is the best way t go to keep one reading....they always want the next book!

 

[tkd lisa]

I also agree on the Pendragon series. I got my DS 2 of them for Christmas and he couldn't put them down. He's now read all 4 that are out (all are in paperback). The 5th is due in June, and he's so disappointed that he has to wait. Author is MacHale.

Happy cruising!