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Original poster

12yr old grandson, not an avid reader, suggestions for books?

33 replies

wink1970 · 10/01/2019 16:23

Hello MN

My 12yr old DGS isn't an avid reader, he would much rather be playing Fortnight or watching YouTube. He also thinks he's cooler than he really is, and older.

I mention this as I want to engage him in reading so want some 'cool' teenager-y books to buy in and have here for when he stays over (which is a fair amount as I actually love him to bits!). His Mum, my DSD has recently started a 'screen reward scheme' that 'buys' him 1/2 hour of screen time for every 2 hours of pleasure reading (as opposed to homework) and I want to encourage that too.

Any ideas most gratefully received. He tried HP but didn't get past the second book, likes conspiracy theories and myths, has a growing interest in history, and we managed to get through the wimpy kid books together a few years ago.

Thanks in advance,

OP posts:
theknackster · 10/01/2019 17:34

DS2 is enjoying the 'Mortal Engine' books...there was a film of the first one released before Christmas, which may or may not act as a sweetener.

comebacksoonsusan · 10/01/2019 17:32

Wolf Brother series.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 10/01/2019 17:30

My 11 year old really loves the Alex Rider books. There's another series by Anthony Horowitz, The Power of Five, which he got for Christmas but has not read yet. They look good though and aimed at perhaps a slightly older audience than Alex Rider?

Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid are also popular. He really likes David Baddiel's books too.

If your grandson likes myths and history, has he tried the Percy Jackson ones? They are all based on Greek myths.

I keep trying to get him into Terry Pratchett but he's not keen, which is a shame as I love the Discworld series.

My DS usually only reads fiction at night or first thing in the morning. It's rare that he picks up a fiction book during the day as there's too much else he'd rather be doing (like Fortnite...Hmm) He will pick up non-fiction for a browse though - football annuals and magazines, books of facts and he absolutely loves sports programmes. My boyfriend has a season ticket for a rugby team and brings him the programme from every match and he reads every single word!

rightreckoner · 10/01/2019 17:15

There are Alex Rider graphic novels which my son likes (same issues).

Nandocushion · 10/01/2019 17:13

We have the same issue with DS11. He likes the Tom Gates series by Liz Pichon - not sure if that's too young for a 12yo. But we also do graphic novels because they are more like comics to him so he prefers them. He also seems to prefer nonfiction, so how about something like this, which is one of my son's favourites atm: And Then You're Dead

Original poster
wink1970 · 10/01/2019 17:11

hi Shimy

I was forced too as a kid, decades ago, & I am a massive bookworm as a result. I like to think of it more as 'encouraging' Wink

Ah, the Alex Rider ones sound a good idea, I vaguely remember DSD and DSS reading those... thanks,

OP posts:
Shimy · 10/01/2019 16:36

Branleuse - I forced mine and it worked.took away every single gadget when they were about 7 and 10yrs, all they had was books. It took a while. 15minsreading everyday andthey couldn’t do it fast enough. Then one day they were reading and each dc was chuckling at something..in their book! I thought aha! Ds1 went up to to top set for English and though he doesn’t read for pleasure much anymore managed to get an A* in English and Literature at GCSE. Ds2 became a voracious reader and writer and has entered many competitions and plans to become an author.

I don’t know if this would work with a 12yr old. But it can work if nothing else does. They read the usual popular teenage series ( all gone off my head now) Alex rider series, etc

Branleuse · 10/01/2019 16:26

forcing or bribing a child to read for pleasure defeats the object.
Have you tried comics or non fiction?

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