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Original poster

Sci-fi for an 11 year old

37 replies

PepeLePew · 31/05/2018 08:44

I got such good recommendations from this board when I asked for funny books for dd that I am going to try again - 11 year old has just discovered sci-fi and his grandfather wants some recommendations for things to buy for him (he does a “new book a month” for his grandchildren which is rather sweet).

He loved Ready Player One and I, Robot and was scared half to death by the first book in The Tripods. He’s a very competent reader so adult books are fine from a language point of view (and I’d like to encourage him to push himself a bit) but he’s nervous and also quite innocent.

Series are obviously good as it helps my dad but also very open to one offs. I know dystopian fiction is huge in the YA sphere and we will give that a go but DS feels strongly that books like that aren’t sci-fi. I think it probably needs robots, space ships or damn good tech to qualify!

OP posts:
PetraDelphiki · 01/06/2018 10:58

With the heinlein you are safe with anything less than 2cm thick...avoid the bigger books they have a lot of inappropriate sex going on (incest)...never bothered me at that age but just re read them and am a bit wtf!!!

cloudtree · 01/06/2018 10:56

I'd be careful with the YA stuff since a lot of them have sex in which might be a bit much at 11.

cloudtree · 01/06/2018 10:55

I was going to suggest the tripods books which dS2 is currently gobbling up but see they were a bit much.

The boy in the tower is excellent (a bit like the day of the triffids)
Chocky? (although mine found it a bit old fashioned)
Mortal engines - predator cities (there are about 6 in the series) will be very popular with the movie about to come out

MissConductUS · 01/06/2018 10:50

Robert Heinlein wrote many YA (young adult) novels. Have a look at The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress as well these.

www.amazon.com/Teen-Young-Adult-Robert-Heinlein-Books/s?rh=n%3A28%2Cp_lbr_one_browse-bin%3ARobert%20Heinlein&page=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Original poster
PepeLePew · 01/06/2018 09:16

Ray Bradbury is a good idea.
What about HG Wells? Worried it might drag a bit for a small boy.

OP posts:
SquitMcJit · 01/06/2018 08:54

Ray Bradbury. Especially The Illustrated Man (Grandpa may also approve as “proper” writing.) Loved it myself at that age and have just read to my 10 year old, who also loved it.

Thanks for this thread - I’ll be looking for ideas too.

Taytotots · 31/05/2018 10:31

I loved John Wyndham at that age - day of the triffids, the chrysalids etc. He'd also be old enough for Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker series if he fancies some silly Sci-Fi.

Dottierichardson · 31/05/2018 10:25

Pepe you might look at Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines it's the first in a series of steampunk/SF, written for young adults, but a lot of adults like it too. I think the first title won a children's book award.

I subscribe to an online mags that recently published a list that's specifically SF for young adults - still a lot of dystopia but some of the titles look possible. I bookmarked it for pressie ideas.
I don't know how to do that elegant one-word-link thing
bookriot.com/2018/03/01/young-adult-science-fiction-books/

Original poster
PepeLePew · 31/05/2018 09:32

I’ll check out the Thrawn books - he does love Star Wars. And more Isaac Asimov is a good idea too - Grandpa will approve of that as “proper” writing. I’m going to suggest The Martian too. Minor swearing aside I think he might enjoy that.

He’s reading Enders Game at the moment and enjoying it. No idea of its suitability for that age group but the man in the bookshop said it was good!

OP posts:
Footofthestairs · 31/05/2018 08:51

What about the Star Wars extended universe books? There are absolutely loads and they tend to be made up of a series of 3-6 books that cover one particular story arc or character. The Thrawn trilogy is brilliant.

CharDeeMacDennis · 31/05/2018 08:50

Also very interested in the replies to this as my 9yo (almost 10) who mostly reads non-fiction has expressed an interest in this. I had a Google, but mostly found dystopian YA, when your last line describes exactly what he wants:

I think it probably needs robots, space ships or damn good tech to qualify!

Guilin · 31/05/2018 08:48

All of Isaac Asimov’s books on robots!

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