“Like Alex Rider but more grown up”

[LadyCatStark]

This is DS’s request for some new books. I bought him an Alex Rider book for Christmas thinking it would be right up his street but he says he likes the character but not that he has toys that turn into gadgets (I hope I’ve explained that right, I haven’t read it myself).

Does anyone have any recommendations for something that would fit the bill? He’s 11 and in year 7 at a Grammar School that are encouraging them to move on to “young adult” books if that helps at all.

Traitor Series by Andy McNab.
Spartan Series by Michael Ford.
Sure Fire by Jack Higgins.
Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan.
The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi.
Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson.
Thieves Like Us by Stephen Cole.
Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci.

Biggles
Cherub Series
James Bond

The Chris Ryan kids books are popular here, I think they're called the Special Forces Cadets.

Thanks everyone!

@RosebudMotel I think he’s love those as he wants to join the armed forces 😊

The Cherub series? My just 14 yo D's has been reading them for the last year or so. Not sure if they would be suitable for an 11yo or not.

@LadyCatStark my son loves them. He's read the first two pretty quickly and I've just ordered him some more. He liked Alex Rider too.

The Saga of Darren Shan
Stormbreaker series
Pendragon

Biggins - he was totally anti so I read chapter one to him and he hasn't stopped.

Marcus Zusak, Ray Bradbury, Agatha Christie, H G Wells.

My Alex Rider reading son also loves Henderson’s Boys but they are very maturely themed.

Theodore Boone novels by john Grisham.

@RosebudMotel I ordered the first book and DS loves it thanks 😊

And thanks for all the other suggestions everyone!

Not quite/ Not Really like Alex Rider BUT

The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

YA Dystopia

Opinions vary but I wouldn't be encouraging an 11 year old to move onto Young Adult. They have adult themes in, just aimed at /about young people. I'd check anything he brings home. (I'm a secondary librarian; am admittedly more conservative than some parents!)