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Original poster

Books without magic, spies, quests etc for a 13 yo boy?

43 replies

snowynight · 22/09/2013 10:52

DS is a keen reader and has read and enjoyed the Percy Jackson, Gone, Hunger Games series and others like them, but today asked if he could have some books that were just about family life - no magic, no quests, no spies. He has "had enough of them"!

Incredibly, this seems a tall order, as most YA books seem to rely on these elements.

Can anyone suggest some authors or series? His request was prompted by reading Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel, which he loved, and which has opened his eyes to a different style of book.

Many thanks!

OP posts:
oversomeniagara · 23/09/2013 10:54

Yes to Adrian Mole! Also, Submarine by Joel Dunthorne might fit the bill.

RussiansOnTheSpree · 23/09/2013 10:53

I would not suggest Catcher in the Rye for a 13 y/o!! Shock

It sounds like he wants something modern, otherwise I'd suggest classics (Dickens - but not Christmas carol because of, you know, the ghosts). There are some good historically set books such as The Silver Sword and The book theif but again - not modern. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is alright. Actually, most of Roddy Doyle's books (well - not the woman who walked into walls - but The committmets is good. And The van. And The snapper). To kill a mockingbird is superb.

SecretSpi · 23/09/2013 10:50

I wondered about Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. It's not a children's or YA book, but if he is a good reader and mature for his age, he might enjoy it.

UptoapointLordCopper · 23/09/2013 10:45

The graveyard book by Neil Garmain. So weird and yet so ordinary. Most definitely about growing up, though in a weird but ordinary way.

DS1 (9) loves the swallows and amazon book. I think he read 3 of them, all of them great big fat books.

IndianMummy · 23/09/2013 10:43

Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer

derektheladyhamster · 23/09/2013 09:54

Adrian mole - My ds loved it as did I when I re read it

PatriciaHolm · 23/09/2013 09:52

My family and other animals, Gerald Durrell.

Original poster
snowynight · 22/09/2013 21:33

Thanks all. Quizzed DS again this evening and he said he wants stories about family life and growing up, rather than adventures. Looks like the Willy Russell one might be in the right area.

He hasn't done Swallows and Amazons - would you recommend? I didn't read them myself as child.

OP posts:
Waswondering · 22/09/2013 15:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 22/09/2013 15:44

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
To Kill a Mokingbird
Lionboy
Animal Farm
Anything by SE Hinton
Z for Zachariah was v popular when I was a teenager, and may be topical again now ( is about nuclear holocaust)
Anything by Aidan Chambers,

BikeRunSki · 22/09/2013 15:43

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
To Kill a Mokingbird
Lionboy
Animal Farm
Anything by SE Hinton
Z for Zachariah was v popular when I was a teenager, and may be topical again now ( is about nuclear holocaust)
Anything by Aidan Chambers,

ohforfoxsake · 22/09/2013 15:41

The curious incident of the dog in the night time (I think it's called - read it ages ago, both DSs have now read it)

Sherlock Holmes.

KoalaFace · 22/09/2013 15:37

Buddy by Nigel Hinton
The follow up is called Buddy's Song which is hard to get hold of but me and my brother loved it as teenagers.

The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell is completely wonderful.

MoreThanWords · 22/09/2013 15:18

When I was Joe by Keren David

applebread · 22/09/2013 15:08

Susan hill books like strange meeting?

booksteensandmagazines · 22/09/2013 15:06

The Outsiders by SE Hinton

Spud by John van de Ruit (I've had such good comments from teens about this series)

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen by Susin Nielsen

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Heroic by Phil Earle

Nought and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

I've listed my favourites here, but there are more complete reading lists for 13 year olds that I've created below (with a quick review so he avoid the ones he doesn't like).

www.booksteensandmagazines.com/blog/reading-list-year-9-13--14-year-olds
www.booksteensandmagazines.com/blog/reading-list-year-8-12-to-13-year-olds

Original poster
snowynight · 22/09/2013 11:25

Catcher in the Rye might do it Easy -thanks. Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
EasyMark · 22/09/2013 10:56

I know why the cage bird sings
catcher in the rye

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