To be thinking about Stephen King for my 11 yo

[talksensetome]

So DS is an avid reader with a reading age far above his actual age.

I am thinking back to what I was reading in high school and I know I read Stephen King (along with Mills and Boon) so would I be unreasonable to get DS one or two for Christmas and what would you recommend? It has been so long since I read them that I can't remember too well what is in each one.

He likes quite dark books with a supernatural theme.

I was thinking Pet Cemetery or IT as a first read?

[girlandboy]

As an ex librarian I couldn't encourage an 11 year old reading SK. Yes he may have an advanced reading age but it's all about content. There's a reason certain books are not in the junior section (or YA) in bookshops and libraries and it's not reading ability.

How about Alex Scarrow's "TimeRiders" series? Or the Pittacus Lore "Lorien Chronicles" series?

[Musicinthe00ssucks]

I read IT when I was 11 and from then on I was hooked on Stephen King. If he is mature and well read then why not.

[IsItNotTimeThatIDid]

There are other SK that might be less freaky than Pet Sematry - what about Four Past Midnight?

[FloodMud]

See I was fine reading Stephen King at 11 but I think that like Jilly C, he is much better discovered surreptitiously and read furtively!

[Fortitudine]

Goosebumps are far too young for an advanced 11 year old reader - I'd say they were more for 8 to 10.

I don't think Stephen King would be too much - I remember reading Dennis Wheatley at that age, and Carrie at not much older. My daughter watched The Shining at 13 as part of an English class assignment - we did have to give permission. I think you will know if it's right for your son.

[Temporaryname137]

I was reading SK at 11, and I turned out ok! "11.22.63" is great as is "under the dome" - that's not horror and he might find that easier than all the history of 11.22.63.

You could try the "miss peregrine" books, they're quite dark. there's also the "hunger games" trilogy? or Philip Pullman?

[birdsdestiny]

I don't judge my parents at all! I think there are a few that aren't suitable such as Gerard s game, IT, etc, as I said I think many of the later ones when he moved away from outright horror are fine.

[Temporaryname137]

just remembered that "carrie" was for fourth year upwards only in our school library (guess now they call it year 10?). I had to sneak read it under the cover of something else!

[harderandharder2breathe]

I read SK at that age or not much older, and enjoyed it. Some 11 year olds I would say no way, others I'd say ok, you know your child best.

Terry Pratchett is good for that age, the Gone series, The Knife of Never Letting Go

[atticusclaw2]

There are loads of fantasy/dystopian books out there which are far more suitable. I have a very advanced and avid 11YO reader and there are so many things to read

The Boy in the tower
The tripods trilogy
Mortal engines series and the prequel series fever crumb
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel series
His Dark Materials
The divide series
The never ending story
The inheritance cycle (Eragon)
The giver series
City of Ember series
Howls moving castle
A letter for the king/secrets of the wild wood
House of secrets series
Hitchhikers even (although I doubt he'll get many of the references - I'm leaving this until about 13)

Even 11.22.63 is wasted on an 11YP. Yes he'll be able to read it but he won't get the cultural and historical references.

[chipsandpeas]

Christine. Fire starter, needful things the cell might be a good start

[HumphreyCobblers]

A good start to fantasy fiction is the Belgariad by David Eddings. I read this at 11 and thought it was brilliant. It has every fantasy trope going but I didn't know any of them at that age, it burst upon me with great enjoyment.

[MyKidsHaveTakenMySanity]

My older sister and I were avid readers as kids. At age 11 and 10 we had pretty much read the school's books and had moved on to my dad's collection. I had Stephen King's IT and my sister had Misery I think. Our teacher had to let my dad know that we probably shouldn't be bringing those books to school! Obviously we hadn't bothered to tell him as books were all over the house and no restrictions on reading. Whoops.

It never affected me. Though perhaps with my own children I may go get the Point Horror or Goosebumps books instead.

[Nanny0gg]

He hasn'tread Terry Prachet, It is something I never read and so I have never thought to buy them for DS.

Well you should! (see username)

But not the children's ones if he's reading above his age.

[talksensetome]

Thanks, there are lots of suggestions here that I wouldn't have thought of. I love that he is such a keen reader and want to encourage him as much as possible!

[noblegiraffe]

you remember the bit in IT where all the boys have sex with 11 year old Beverley in the sewers?

Not sure I'd want an 11 year old reading that, tbh.

For horror which is less graphically sexual, how about the Gone series by Michael Grant. Similar to SK but YA.

[AnaVanda]

I wouldn't buy him Pet Semetary. It''s probably the sickest book ever. Even Stephen King wondered whether he'd gone too far with it!

[HumphreyCobblers]

I also read a lot of very adult themed books at an early age, I feel it did me no good at all. To be fair they were dreadful crap mostly (John Saul anyone?) but I think I developed a bit of a strange outlook because of it.

[NotSoEagerBeaver]

As a rule the books aren't as bad as the films. The books sort of have more implied horror, the films really show it which gives people who don't read Stephen king writes terrifying stories. Needful things is not bad, and (it's called something like) through the eyes of the dragon would be ok for his age. Why stop there, you could find some of the stuff he wrote under "Richard Bachman" too

[talksensetome]

I am now thinking I haven't read IT because I don't remember that bit. I have read that many books over the years, I devour them and then move on to the next one.

I know I have read pet cemetery but I don't remember it being sick and horrendous. Maybe my young self blocked it out.

I remember cujo but I wouldn't get that as we have a big dog and wouldn't want to terrify him.

[Welshmaenad]

SK's The Eyes of the Dragon is specifically aimed at teens but is beautifully written and I love it as an adult. Maybe start with that?

[NotSoEagerBeaver]

Gives people the impression* he writes terrifying stories. Should really check before posting

[giddyasakipper]

I started with Cycle of the Werewolf when I was around his age. From what I can recall the copy my dad had also had fantastic illustrations - perhaps you could start with something like that and he can work his way up to the more intense stories?

[NotSoEagerBeaver]

welsh that's the one!

Anthony Horowitz power of five series is good too if you like more fantasy things. I think it starts with "ravens gate"

[JustAnotherSadOldNumber]

Doesn't IT have the 11 year old boys taking turns to have sex with the girl, who in turn is abused by her father?

I'm not sure it's suitable for an 11 year old.