Another book thread - teen boy

[zebra15]

I know we have 'what to read now' threads.  I don't want to post over in the gifted threads for a number of reasons.

My DS just turned 12 and declared himself a full time Adult book reader.  I have no problem with this, I don't censor nor I don't limit materials.  The issue I have is DS seems to be interested in science fiction and that is not my genre of choice.

Right now he is reading "The HitchHikers Guide to the Universe" and "H G WELLS, 7 Novels".

As a surprise, I picked up the first book in the Wicked series by Gregory Maguire and that too is a hit so I can probably get the others this weekend.

He did love the original Alice in Wonderland last year.

I might suggest Ray Bradbury?

This child can read upwards of 1000 pages a week so keeping him in material has always been a challenge.  I don't mind giving him free range in the bookstore or library but some adult material might be a bit umm 'too adult'  ya know??

[LaughingHyena]

He might enjoy Terry Prattchet's discworld series. I think I started reading them around that age and I still enjoy them. My favourites are probably the city guards set, starting with guards guards.

Anne Mcaffery is another author I started reading around that age. I didn't get into the dragons of pern series till rather later, I think I started with the to ride pegasus.

[kathymuggle]

Gotta run, but...

books by Salvatore

Orson Scott Card.

Both are series, I believe. Research where to start.

Kathy

Edited by kathymuggle - 10/6/12 at 8:55am

[ollyoxenfree]

Saw this in New Posts and thought I'd offer a few suggestions. One question - does he like science fiction only, or will fantasy interest him too? I think Wicked is closer to fantasy than classic sci fi, so it's a little hard to tell from your OP. 

I'll second the Orson Scott Card recommendation. Also, 

The Chrysalids - John Wyndham 

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

Feed - M.T. Anderson 

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

[zebra15]

Olly-  He likes the 'science' part of science fiction.  (that's the 'gifted' in him).  He liked the 'fantasy' part of Alice in Wonderland.  If that makes any sense.  I think he likes the fantasy part of Wicked, maybe he likes the marketing of the iconic green witch ;) and the tie in to Halloween.  With DS you just never know.  He did NOT like the Wizard of Oz.

I think he would love Frankenstein.

Last year he read the Haddix series about the 'third child/ population police' and loved them.  But those have been deemed 'little kid books mom' ??

Personally, I just get overwhelmed in the science fiction/fantasy department of any bookstore.  I know I need to just dig in and start pulling books off the shelf and reading covers.  My own genre is mystery so that is my comfort zone.

DS is only 12 so while I don't censor or limit he probably needs a bit of guidance in the transition to adult books.  I fully expect him to straddle all levels of books and I have no issue that.  It just seems kids and YA books are easier to find for some reason.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[moominmamma]

Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series might be right up his alley. My ds enjoyed a few of these around that age. Long and epic, fantasy with mythology, eastern spiritual influences and huge webs of characters. Others he also enjoyed:

Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Spin by Robert Charles Wilson.

Orson Scott Card's sci-fi, of course.

Dune etc. by Herbert.

Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy (probably technically YA but with strong a philosophical overlay that makes it appeal to deep thinkers)

Miranda

[kathymuggle]

This is similar in feel to the Hitchikers Guide to the Universe:

http://www.amazon.com/Year-Zero-Novel-Rob-Reid/dp/0345534417/ref=pd_sim_b_56

Kathy

ETA:  this site can give parents an idea of what age the book is typically rated for (and they rate based on sex, violence, etc).

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/enders%20game