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Book recommendations for 13 year old boy

30 replies

PersisFord · 29/11/2025 09:20

Please help me with book recommendations for my nephew. He was always a completely voracious reader but is struggling to find things that grab his attention but that are reasonably age appropriate. He particularly likes adventure stories, but he's too old for Alex Rider and the like. When I have looked at adult books for him there is a surprising amount of low grade sexual violence which I dont think he needs to read. Same with torture. He also likes fantasy but isn't into romance at all, which is again difficult.

He has read every percy Jackson and the spin offs about a million times
He likes the Skandar books
He liked the Eragorn books
Loved the Hunger Games
Liked the Inheritance Games but they got a bit samey and too much romance
Liked Skulduggery Pleasant
Not keen on Terry Pratchett (i think he is a bit young and the humour doesn't work for him)
Liked Lord of the Rings "ok"

Any thoughts very welcome! He has asked for books for Christmas (just like his auntie!) but I just dont know where to start.

OP posts:
Snicksnacksnora · 29/11/2025 09:49

malamander series by Thomas Taylor is really good I don’t know if it will be too young though?

SpotTheCat · 29/11/2025 09:45

I sympathise OP, it’s a difficult age, even browsing in the library or bookshop we’re back and forth between the kids and teen sections feeling like theres nothing suitable in either! My DS isn’t a fan of fantasy but likes adventure and dystopia, so he’s enjoyed the Maze Runner series, and the Gone series.
Book trust website is good for “if you liked this, try these”, eg: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recommendations/what-to-read-next/the-hunger-games/
but will be at the top of the age bracket.

Or https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-9-pupils-ks3-age-13-14/ is worth a browse.

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PersisFord · 29/11/2025 09:45

Thank you!

Dark Materials is a surprise no - he liked the first one but think it got a bit surreal. Ive seen lots of Robin Hobb books in thr library, I'll get one out and investigate, thank you

Neil Gaiman is a good shout. Ill ask my sister if he's read it. He has definitely read the Hobbit and liked it!

OP posts:
Snicksnacksnora · 29/11/2025 09:43

The graveyard book- Neil Gaiman ?

GrumpySparkler · 29/11/2025 09:36

Have a look at Robin Hobb. I haven't read her books myself, but DH loves them - he's well in to his fantasy. I'm not sure if they might be too "adult" though.
How about The Hobbit? Again, not cup of tea, but DH prefers it to LOTR.
Or Phillip Pulman's His Dark Materials series.