Sci Fi for 11 yr old...?

[timetosmile]

DS is a good reader, casting around for what to read next, and I am wondering whether he would like some Sci Fi (in the broadest sense)

Terry Pratchett? If so, where to start?
The CS Lewis sci-fi (or too difficult)
Asimov prob will make his head hurt, no?

He likes fantasy, but not 'magic'/wizardry like Harry Potter.

Any other suggestions? It wasn't really what I read at his age.

Thanks

Has he read the Hunger Games? Very popular in this household (I have an 11 and a 13 year old). There are quite a few books in the same sort of genre.

Hitchhikers guide.

Check out John Christopher: wrote a lot of kidlit sf. John Wyndham wouldn't be too old for him either, I'd reckon. Jean Ure's Plague 99 and sequels are good too.

Asimov is good, but make sure the print isn't tiny. I'd probably try short stories first.
I would avoid CS Lewis (much as I love his other books) as his SF annoyed me, because the lack of science.

My DD read all the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchet and loved them. I think that the other Discworld novels may be a bit too gown up for her. She's now started on Artemis Fowl and has Percy Jackon lined up for after that. If these don't appeal how about Wyndham? I loved the Midwich Cuckoos.

Asimov will be fine. Also Arthur C Clarke.
Also the Heinlein juveniles (but watch out - any book thicker than about an inch is his dirty old man period).
Orson Scott Card - Enders Game is absolutely fantastic.
If he likes fantasy try the Belgariad by David Eddings.
The Amber books by Roger Zelazny.
Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars books (I read all of these around that age) - get him to pick holes in the science for these!
Trudi Canavan The Apprentice etc.
Definately John Wyndham - we did the Chrysalids at school year 8
For slightly older/braver - Michael Grant Gone etc

Robert Swindells.
Brother in the Land is about a nuclear war breaking out.
Eater of Worlds is good for that age too - he's written quite a few sci-fi ones, some are for younger readers and some are aimed more at older ones. Daz 4 Zoe is set in a dystopian future but might be a little bit old for an 11 yr old - the couple fall in love (I can't remember if they actually have sex or not, it's not explicit, they snog a lot but it might be a bit more than you would want him to read yet)
I second John Christopher - Tripods Trilogy and Prequel, the Prince in Waiting trilogy, Wild Jack, just about any of his except The Pendulum Swings, that isn't really a kids book at all I don't think, and Wrinkle in the Skin deals a bit with rape of some female and a male survivor with sn, so that could be a bit much for an 11 yr old. (Again, it's not explicit at all, not even a "rude word" but it is upsetting)
Louise Lawrence, Children of the Dust, Patchwork People, and Calling B for Butterfly.
Monica Hughes has written LOADS of great books - I love Invitation to the Game, but every one of hers I ever read was good.
HM Hoover if you can find them - The Children of Morrow and its sequel, and This Time of Darkness are the best, but again, all hers are good. The Lion's Cub isn't sci-fi though, it's a historical one based on real people. All her others are sci-fi.

I think the ones I'd suggest have already been mentioned - David Eddings, Terry Pratchett (start with Tiffany Aching), Asimov for real sf - short stories like I Robot, and The Rest of the Robots will give him a feel for them. John Wyndham is always reasonably "safe" for younger readers, he doesn't do sex and gore.

I used to love Asimov as a teen, don't recall them being too complex and I wasn't really 'into' SF, it was just because my DF had them on the bookshelf. DS has really enjoyed the Hunger Games, even though he wasn't sure when he first saw them (maybe because of the female protagonist?!) so would def recommend them.

Just brilliant, thankyou all!

How could I have forgotten about all these authors? maybe because I am still in 'Dear Zoo' land with the smaller DCs

Terry Pratchett (start with Tiffany Aching)

I'd have said start with The Bromeliad Trilogy, but I would, wouldn't I?
They are IMO the 'youngest' TPs - might even be a bit young for the OPs DS. Also the Johnny books (Only you can save mankind, johnny and the dead, johnny and the bomb.) And the first Discworld I'd go for would be The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents.

"A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle is a classic.

DD really enjoyed the Dragonsong trilogy by Anne McCaffrey - more fantasy than sci-fi - but very good.

I loved the Tripods series when I was a young teenager, but that was a very long time ago!

If he hasn't read Diana Wynne Jones he might like things like the Homeward Bounders and The Power of Three (again probably more fantasy than sci-fi, but not wizards & magic type fantasy).

a bit off the sci-fi theme, but have any of your DCs enjoyed Alan Garner?

Everyone at my school loved him, but I hated him.

The Last Dragonkeeper by Jasper Fforde
Jules Verne

I lapped up Asimov at that sort of age, couldn't get enough of it - but not sure if the English in them will be "up to date enough" to read now, so do find recent print copies & read a bit yourself - I've fallen into the trap a few times with giving DD old classics only to find myself having to explain things that are just not common language any more

Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad trilogy, Johnny books and Tiffany Aching stories,
Asimov "Robot visions" has lots of short stories.
Jules Verne's journey to the centre of the earth and the first men in the moon.
Tolkien's The Hobbit.

good advice rockinhippy. However he has read his way through most of Enid Blyton and loved Just William on audiobook. His sister is ploughing through the Little House on the Prarie series so 'retro' seems pretty normal in our house!

Oh good - lucky you :) - mine gets very put off by "old fashioned" English - mind you I think the constant Gay references in one old Enid Blyton book had her very puzzled, as even back then she knew what it means nowadays, so I had quite a few funny conversations with her

How about Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat books? I was probably 12 or 13 when I read them but they ought to work for an 11yo who's an advanced reader.

Also my favourite books ever are Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence - it's fantasy but grounded in our world.

Another vote for Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. The John Wyndham novels are good too.

Maybe I'm getting old but I feel the quality of their writing is superior to Hunger Games some of the guff out there these days.

Ladywellian they are my favourite books ever too!
Growing up in West Wales always made them extra-alluring!

Marketing them as 'Mummy's favourite books' would not be a winner but they are on the bookcase!

But that's exactly the kind of thing I'm thinking of and keep the sci fi recommendations coming too please

rockinhippy the funniest moment was when we were all in the car with 'Paul Temple Mysteries' circa 1930 on the CD

' "By Timothy!" he ejaculated, spinning round suddenly...'

snorts from DS1 and DD2 asked "Mum, what does ejacoolated mean...?"

timetosmile I grew up in Cornwall so I got to indulge a bit too.