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recommendations for my 13 y/o brother
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Holly
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Jul 10, 2009 01:09pm
Ok, so my brother does not read much as he is a 13 year old boy (you know how that is) but I convinced him to give me a chance to come up with a book for him. He has agreed to read one book, or series of books, and if he likes it I think he will read more often. Ok, so he liked the Alfred Kropp series by Richard Yancey, and he loved the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. He could not put that series down. I suggested Harry Potter to him, but he refuses because he tried it once before and didn't like it, but I think it was because he tried it too young. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks for any help.
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If he liked Rick Riordan, how about The 39 Clues? I got this for my niece and she thinks it is just so cool.
Oh, also he likes greek mythology - that may help with recommendations. Thanks Debra, I will look into those.
Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer (which is a series) sort of fantasy about fairies who live underground. Don't let the faries put you off, they're hard-core faries and it isn't a girly book.Redwall by Brian Jacques.
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve - I read this a short while ago and it's really good. It's sci-fi about cities who have uprooted themselves and move around eating up other towns and cities. Very good.
Shadow of the Wall/Beyond the Wall by Christa Laird - ww2 Polish jews.
My fave author is Diana Wynne Jones and she writes some brilliant children's fantasy -
The Game (elements of Greek mythology)
Dogsbody
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1 Charmed Life / The Lives of Christopher Chant
Howl's Moving Castle
Are the ones I'd immediately recommend for a person of your brother's age.
Also - Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransom. Rather old fashioned but good sorta adventure books. I loved them as a kid - though when a bit younger then your brother.
The Ranger's Apprentice series by Flanagan - my 14 yr. old loved them. or the boy spy series by Anthony Horowitz - Alex Rider series.
-- the Pendragon books by DJ MacHale book 1 The Merchant of DeathThis is a pretty nice adventure series. They're similar to the Percy Jackson books in that they have a very contemporary sounding 1st person narrator, but it's more traveling to other worlds than bringing myth into this world.
Truthfully, I thought book 1 was pretty mediocre and the only reason I went further was because I had them on audio, but the series picks up with book 2 and then a lot with book 3, I'd still start with the first though because it sets a lot of precedents and establishes some ground rules for its sf (which is important when the characters start breaking those rules, causing repercussions).
-- The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs
I don't know if it's his first book, but it's the first in one of his series and a good intro to the kid-level suspense genre. Substantially more worthwhile and age-appropriate than Goosebumps.
-- Heat, Travel Team, and Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica
I don't know many sports genre writers. Lupica is pretty good, and his books that are more age appropriate for a 13y.o. than Matt Christopher, who is the only other kids' sports author I know. He does have a few other books that I am not familiar with.
-- Ranger's Apprentice book 1 The Ruins of Gorlan
-- Alex Rider book 1 Stormbreaker
Oh, and I *agree strongly* with rebecca j (I even filled in the fifth row bubble) about John Flanagan and Anthony Horowitzs' books.
Quick warning about the Ranger's Apprentice books: one and two can be read each on their own, but three and four sort of make a pair as do five and six, and I don't think six is out in the States. You can order it on Amazon if you're willing to pay lots of shipping to get the Australian version, but I hate graphic design conflicts (and the Aussie covers aren't as nice as the US ones).
I hate to contradict Fiona, because I personally love all the books she recommended (except The Game; I don't know that one), but some of those may be intimidating/off-putting to a boy who doesn't like reading.
The Artemis Fowl books I think would be good, but the others.... They're all good to great, but they can also be long. If you don't get the Chrestomanci books in volumes, the books aren't too long at all; but DWJ's books are more about high quality writing and are very character development driven, and that makes them great, but I find progressing readers need actiony or otherwise high octane books. I'd hook him on reading with other stuff, then get him started on Fiona's other suggestions once he comfortably considers himself "a reader."
Wow, thank you, everyone, for all of the suggestions. I am thinking I am going to go with the Pendragon series or the Ranger's Apprentice series. I thought about Artemis Fowl since I enjoyed them when I was younger, but decided on giving him something that I haven't read yet.
hey maybe the Uglies trilogy. It consists of Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras. They are by Scott Westerfeld.
I like the Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo. It's often compared to Harry Potter, but Charlie is easier to read.
Sami wrote: "hey maybe the Uglies trilogy. It consists of Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras. They are by Scott Westerfeld."oh ya! the uglies series was really good, he should read that.
Fledgling Jason Steed by Mark A. Cooper is a great book for that age range. Most boys who read it (12-15) have fallen in love with the novel.
1o yr old and 16 yr old boys in house, both love to read ( thanks to harry potter) Harry potter on audio might be a way to reintroduce them or have him read the first one and then watch the movie with you?
Charlie bone series
pendragon series
days of the week series Gary Nix
Eragon, ( might be too big)
Magyk
Mike Lupica sports series
What are his interest? It helps if they read what they like, my 10 yr old is currently in all that boy humor I dont get ( spongebob, underpants etc)
I can come up with some more.
Maybe this is an outdated suggestion, but I was a rabid fan of the Hardy Boys when I was that age. It's not technically a series, but they are addictive books. :-)
Oh good more suggestions. He is going out of town with a friend's family so I will have a week or so to choose. The Jason Steed book sounds very interesting. He already read Eragon and I believe he enjoyed it. Oh, I loved the Hardy Boys when I was younger; I would read them at my grandparents house every time I was over. Hmm his interests, well, they are multifaceted right now; he is really into hunting/fishing now if that helps at all. Good suggestions everyone. Thanks so much again.
What about the Jack London books like The Call of the Wild/White Fang/The Sea-Wolf/40 Short Stories. In my bookshop, I get kids asking for these all the time. Also Hardy Boys, but its more the parents that buy the Hardy Boys books.
Holly wrote: "Oh good more suggestions. He is going out of town with a friend's family so I will have a week or so to choose. The Jason Steed book sounds very interesting. He already read Eragon and I believe h..."did he read Eldest?
Gary PaulsenGary Paulsen
this might be a good author for hunting/fishing. Hatchet is a good one to start with.
Shane wrote: "Maybe this is an outdated suggestion, but I was a rabid fan of the Hardy Boys when I was that age. It's not technically a series, but they are addictive books. :-)"I second that.
They used to be with me constantly wherever I went.
Teresa mentioned Gary Paulsen, and I can definitely say that I've had non-reader students who found themselves very pulled into the series.I've never seen the books numbered, but I believe the sequence is:
1. Hatchet
---2.alt Brian's Winter
2. The River
3. Brian's Hunt
4. Brian's Return
Brian's Winter is a direct sequel to Hatchet (I suggest reading it before The River), but it wasn't part of the original timeline. It is a what-if book that Paulson wrote because many kids wrote him letters saying that they thought Brian got out of trouble too easily in Hatchet and wanted to know what would have happened had he been stuck in the wilderness for the winter. He also has a bunch of other books, but they aren't part of the series.
Guts
If the boys like Paulson's books, Guts is his autobiography. He tells about all his personal life experiences that tie in to the Brian books.
Skeleton Creek was a very good book but does he have access to the internet? I'm only asking because the book is divided into parts that you read and then you can go online to watch the video links. I thought it was a really cool idea but a little unfair to the kids that don't have a PC readily available.
The Chronicles of Narnia - I was introduced to these when I was about seven or eight and my teacher was reading them to the class. Even if you don't know what they are originally based on they're just a good story to read.
Chris Ryan - If he's into the SES or action type books he might like some of the Young Adult books written by Chris Ryan.
39 Clues - I'm not all that familar with these but I've read about them and from what I can see they seem like a good series.
Than there is also the Ink Heart Trilogy (can't remember the actuall name of the trillogy!) The Series of Unfortunate Events is also a good series to read! I also find if I can't find anything good to read I go to my favourite author as a child and read Roald Dahl - he covers a range and there just funny!
Chris Ryan - If he's into the SES or action type books he might like some of the Young Adult books written by Chris Ryan.
39 Clues - I'm not all that familar with these but I've read about them and from what I can see they seem like a good series.
Than there is also the Ink Heart Trilogy (can't remember the actuall name of the trillogy!) The Series of Unfortunate Events is also a good series to read! I also find if I can't find anything good to read I go to my favourite author as a child and read Roald Dahl - he covers a range and there just funny!
A great book for a 13 year old boy is Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. She's is writing the second book in the three books series and is supposed to come out sometime in the fall.
My Brother Sam is an excellent book for thirteen year olds. Also The Maximum Ride series by James Patterson will keep him spell bound with adventure.
I can't think of any other suggestions to add, you have a bunch of good ones posted here. I just wanted to give Holly kudos for taking the effort to get her brother to read. May it foster a great love of reading for him and a greater sibling bond for the two of you!
How about anything by Jerry Spinelli, especially Maniac Magee or Loser. I also think this author has a series out there too which is supposed to be good.If he's a mature 13, I would recommend
The Chocolate War by R. Cormier
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by S. Chbosky,
but check these out first because of the content.
Hello!My step-son was also not much of a reader but he loved two books ~ Holes and The Giver. He read one in grade 6 and one in grade 7, so around the same age as your brother.
If your brother is an advanced reader, The Book Thief could be a possibility, along with other novels by Markus Zusak, such as I Am the Messenger, who has written for the YA market.
Good luck, and I think it's cool your brother is open to this idea of yours!!
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Game (other topics)Howl's Moving Castle (other topics)
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol. 1 (other topics)
Dogsbody (other topics)
Miracle on 49th Street (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Diana Wynne Jones (other topics)John Flanagan (other topics)
Mike Lupica (other topics)
D.J. MacHale (other topics)
Anthony Horowitz (other topics)
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