# Quick! I need a book for an 11-12 year-old boy who loves Harry Potter & LOTR. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478 "2007-12-18T18:39:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nevermore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/1 "2007-12-18T18:39:26Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/2 "2007-12-18T18:46:31Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/3 "2007-12-18T18:49:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/4 "2007-12-18T18:53:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/5 "2007-12-18T18:55:10Z")
The _[Dark is Rising](http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Rising-Boxed-Set-Greenwitch/dp/1416949968/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198003975&sr=8-1)_ sequence would be perfect for his age and interests. _[His Dark Materials](http://www.amazon.com/Materials-Trilogy-Golden-Compass-Spyglass/dp/0440238609/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198004024&sr=1-1)_ trilogy would be great, but his parents might object. Clive Barker wrote a great young-teens book called _[The Thief of Always](http://www.amazon.com/Thief-Always-Clive-Barker/dp/0061091464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198004066&sr=1-1)_ which would fit the bill, too. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/6 "2007-12-18T18:56:02Z")
another vote for Dark is Rising or the Belgariad ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/7 "2007-12-18T18:57:21Z")
Another vote for _His Dark Materials_ - if he’s got a mature outlook. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/8 "2007-12-18T18:58:55Z")
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](http://www.bartimaeustrilogy.com/), but I haven’t really been able to get into it. [The Giver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/9 "2007-12-18T19:00:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/10 "2007-12-18T19:01:51Z")
Oh, right. Gaiman’s Coraline and InterWorld are age appropriate, as well. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/11 "2007-12-18T19:02:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/12 "2007-12-18T19:02:37Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/13 "2007-12-18T19:03:30Z")
I read the _The Chronicles of Narnia_ at about that age. Fifth grade if I remember. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/14 "2007-12-18T19:04:07Z")
Oooh, yes, Lloyd Alexander – the _[Prydain Chronicles](http://www.amazon.com/Prydain-Chronicles-Cauldron-Wanderer-Foundling/dp/B0006DBJOC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198004608&sr=8-5)_ are just wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/15 "2007-12-18T19:05:52Z")
Pratchett - Start with **Guards! Guards!** ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/16 "2007-12-18T19:11:06Z")
I’d bet he’d enjoy the [Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser](http://www.amazon.com/Lankhmar-Book-Swords-Deviltry/dp/1595820795/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198003988&sr=8-2) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/17 "2007-12-18T19:18:46Z")
Oh…and [The Myth Adventures](http://www.amazon.com/Another-Fine-Myth-Conceptions-2-in1/dp/044100931X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198005237&sr=1-1) 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. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/18 "2007-12-18T19:20:37Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/19 "2007-12-18T19:24:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478/20 "2007-12-18T19:29:17Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] 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. [/QUOTE] I like them. They aren’t going to change the world or anything, but they’re not Sweet Valley High brain-drainers, either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-i-need-a-book-for-an-11-12-year-old-boy-who-loves-harry-potter-lotr/430478.md?page=2)