Quick! I need a book for an 11-12 year-old boy who loves Harry Potter & LOTR.

Cafe Society
1

My cousin’s an extremely sharp kid who LOVES reading, so for Christmas I thought I’d get him a cool book. Thing is, I don’t really read fantasy, and that’s what he seems to like-- I know he’s read and loved all of Harry Potter, The Hobbit and any other LOTR books he’s gotten his hands on, A Series of Unfortunate Events (when he was maybe 9-10), and I’m sure he’s read the Chronicles of Narnia.

Initially I was thinking maybe Spiderwick Chronicles, but I flipped through the first book at the store, and it’s ridiculously short, plus it looks like it’s written for younger kids. Then I thought possibly A Wrinkle in Time, but then I heard it’s not so much fantasy as uh… metaphysical-journey-ish? (Otherwise it sounded like a great candidate, since his parents are VERY Christian and apparently the series mentions God a few times.) I thought of Eragon, too, but to be honest, I don’t feel those books are particularly well-written, and at any rate, since there’s already been a movie about it, he’s probably already read it.

So, now I’m drawing a blank. Does Neil Gaiman write anything suitable for older kids? He’s great at creating fascinating, immersive worlds, and that’s the kind of thing I’m looking for. I want something irresistibly exciting and enchanting, that stays away from curse words, sex, violence, drugs, and homosexuality (so his parents will actually let him read it).

Any ideas?

2

When I was 12, I started reading David Edding’s “Belgariad”. It’s a five book epic quest series, with another five book series to follow, if you like. There’s no content worries for kids, and there’s plenty of memorable characters and action. I loved 'em when I was a kid.

In order:

  1. Pawn of Prophecy
  2. Queen of Sorcery
  3. Magician’s Gambit
  4. Castle of Wizardry
  5. Enchanters’ End Game

Thanks,
thwartme

3

The first three books of Piers Anthony’s Xanth series are really good at that age. The other 1289844 books of the series aren’t good in an way shape or form.

4

My daughter turned me on to Artemis Fowl. I’ve truly enjoyed them. It’s about a genius boy about your age of your cousin’s son, so he will get a big kick out of it.

5

The Dark is Rising sequence would be perfect for his age and interests.

His Dark Materials trilogy would be great, but his parents might object.

Clive Barker wrote a great young-teens book called The Thief of Always which would fit the bill, too.

6

another vote for Dark is Rising or the Belgariad

7

Another vote for His Dark Materials - if he’s got a mature outlook.

8

I’ll second The Dark is Rising series. Lloyd Alexander, as well, if he hasn’t read them yet.

My son really liked The Bartimaeus Trilogy, but I haven’t really been able to get into it.

The Giver is also an excellent book for his age group. Challenging, in topic and theme, and a great bridge into scifi.

I would not recommend His Dark Materials until he’s older, and if his parents are Christian, my guess is they would not approve.

9

Zelazny - Amber Series, Jack of Shadows, Changeling, Madwand - all good…

I also enjoyed Stasheef around that age - get the “Warlock in Spite of himself” to start.

10

Oh, right. Gaiman’s Coraline and InterWorld are age appropriate, as well.

11

Most of Gaiman’s stuff is a little rough for kids. Coraline is good and quite scary.

I always recommend The Bartimaeus Trilogy in these cases.

12

There’s a very recent series of books by Angie Sage, the Septimus Heap trilogy. I thought they were well written and a lot of fun, though maybe aimed a little young for your needs.

Diane Duane wrote the “So You want to be a Wizard” series long before Harry Potter came out, and its been popular. and there’s the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones.

Gerald Morris has a series of retellings of King Arthur legends that are hilarious. “Pure Dead Magic” and the others in that series by Deb Gliori are also hilarious, and also well written.
I am reading the Obernewtyn books by Isobelle Carmody now, and I think they are wonderful.

13

I read the The Chronicles of Narnia at about that age. Fifth grade if I remember.

14

Oooh, yes, Lloyd Alexander – the Prydain Chronicles are just wonderful.

15

Pratchett - Start with Guards! Guards!

16

I’d bet he’d enjoy the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories. I loved these when I first read them as an adolescent. A couple of rogues go on a series of adventures. Think Conan with a sidekick and a sense of humour. Fritz Lieber is woefully overlooked when people discuss fantasy literature.

And I definitely second the Chronicles of Prydain.

Also, don’t be so quick to dismiss A Wrinkle in Time. It really is a classic of children’s literature.

17

Oh…and The Myth Adventures series by Robert Asprin. Funny and exciting. Also, the more fantasy books he reads, the more he’ll appreciate this series’ send up of the genre.

18

Diane Duane’s Young Wizard series–good, extensive, and moral in useful ways
Stroud’s Bartimaeus trilogy–excellent, well-written, but rather dark
Sage’s Septimus Heape–okay, a little toward the juvenile end
MacHale’s Bobby Pendragon series–more on the action/adventure end, with some inconsistencies that bug me, but young teenagers seem to like them
L’Engle’s Time quartet
Le Guin’s Earthsea–more stylistic but very well written
Lloyd Alexander, Cooper–yes

If I had to bolt into a bookstore and grab something, it would be Stroud.

Does anyone know how the Ridley Pearson/Dave Barry “Peter” trilogy is? They’re intended for 9-12 year olds, and have very high Amazon ratings.

19

I was going to suggest Mary Stewart’s Crystal Cave and its sequels, which cover the Arthurian legend from the perspective of Merlin, which I read for the first time at about that age. However, come to think of it, I think there are a couple of sex scenes implied that, while tame, may not please his parents.

20

I like them. They aren’t going to change the world or anything, but they’re not Sweet Valley High brain-drainers, either.