Any Stephen king fans who can advise on book for teen son?

[pollycazalet]

In my never ending quest to find books for my son to read Stephen King has been suggested. Son is 13. Can anyone advise on a good one for him to start with? have never read any so feel free to advise that they are completely inapproriate. I had Cujo in mind - only because I remember the film vaguely....

[alwyn]

I definitely wouldn't recommend Carrie. Movie was excellent, but the book is just FAR too dry.

I'd go for IT (similar age to the gang in it) or Misery.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Apt Pupil is pretty horrible, and the all American teenager is even more horrible than the Nazi!

YA series that I recommend (these have been around a while though, so he may have read them all):

Philip Reeves - Mortal Engines (this is the first in 4 iirc)

Obviously the Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials but tbh I prefer his Sally Lockheart series (make sure he reads it in the right order)

Across The Nightingale Floor - the first in a series set in a version of ancient Japan and absolutely excellent

Patrick Ness - I can't remember what the first in the series is called: one of them is The Ask And The Answer

If he likes zombie stuff, he might also like Myra Grant's 'Feed' series - they are not young adult but they are v teen friendly

[StantonLacy]

And, I know this is a supposed to be a Stephen King recs thread (sorry OP) but I would urge all teens (and above, no upper age limit here) to read Railsea by China Mieville. It is great.

But then again, China Mieville must be one of the most hugely imaginative and inventive authors EVER - The city and the city is just amazing

[StantonLacy]

With regards to Different Seasons, that's the one with Apt Pupil in it, isn't it?

Apt Pupil has got a quite a few really horrific scenes in it of a sadistic sexual sort that tie in with the Nazi aspect of the plot. I read it again quite recently and I'm really not sure I'd recommend it to a 13 year old...but, then again I don't know any 13 year olds at the moment and I can't really remember what I was like at that age as it was so long ago

Anyway, it is grim IMO and I am normally a massive King fan.

Ray Bradbury is always worth a look and definitely agree with the Phillip K Dick rec.

Read the Patterson ones last year and they were truly dreadful.

[Frawli]

I was thinking; when my brother was around that age he really enjoyed reading Terry Pratchett Discworld novels. I've only read a few myself, quite enjoyed them actually.

[rockinhippy]

Great thread - thank you, I have the same problem finding suitable reading for my DD - I hadn't thought of Steven King, so adding lots of these to her reading list now :)

If he's not already read them, my DD has recently finished the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson - 8 books in the series which saved me tearing my hair out for a while kept her busy for a while - she loved them so much that she was literally bereft when she finished the last one - DDs tastes aren't at all "girly" whatever that is & these came highly recommended by a friends 17yr old DS, so if he's not read them, he should enjoy them too

[pollycazalet]

Remus - I would love a list of recommendations. He's recently been reading the last of the Power of Five series , has read all the apocolyptic/ zombie stuff (of various quality). I've just also ordered Bloodtide by Melyn Burgess and Keeper (can't remember author)

[pollycazalet]

Thanks so much everyone who's posted on here. I've ordered Different Seasons for him and if he gets on with that we'll go and have a browse in the bookshop at others. I think he'd be overwhelmed looking online as there are so many.

He used to read all the time. As he's got to secondary it's become more difficult to find books to engage him, he tends to revert to series he knows, but am plugging away.

Thanks too for the John Wyndham and Philip k Dick reminder - had forgotten those. Not my cup of tea at all (nor is S King really altho have seen a couple of the films) but might be DS's.

[FriedSprout]

I would suggest Christine - about a car with 'attitude'. or The Dark Tower series.

How lovely to have so many unread books before him.

I knew an old chap once who reckoned the only good thing about getting old and forgetful, was that he could now read, as though for the first time, all the books he used to love when younger.

[bringbacksideburns]

I'd say The Tommyknockers or Under The Dome. Under The Dome drags a bit but the second half is good.

Actually I think i might point my DS in his direction. He's into Zombies and post apopoclyptic shennanigans. Wonder if he'd enjoy The Stand.

Very first King book i read was Carrie and i still love him.

[HumphreyCobbler]

The Chrysalids. I love that book.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Yes to Dick and to Wyndham. Can write a huge list of YA recs if you want them too, Polly.

[SarahMumsnet]

... am guessing he's already been down the John Wyndham route? Do try him on a couple of those if not - Day of the Triffids and The Chrysalids were (are!) my favourites

[Frawli]

Another thing I liked at around his age was short stories of Philip K Dick. He wrote the original stories that became lots of famous films, such as Total Recall, Blade Runner, Minority Report etc.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Needful Things probably not suitable - lots of masturbating women writhing around with pictures of Elvis Presley etc. It is also (again imvho!) a load of twaddle: his very, very worst I think.

[Frawli]

Personally I found Cujo really upsetting and I'd never recommend it.

I used to love Stephen King when I was a teenager. My favourite was Misery, I enjoyed Rose Madder but if I am remembering it right there may have been some sex in that one, not sure if you want to steer clear of that. IT is scary. I know I enjoyed the Tommyknockers and Needful Things but I really can't remember any details so can't say if suitable. Looking back my post is not that helpful is it! Go for Misery, fab book.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

The Langoliers is brilliant - one of my very favourites. Sad though. :(

[NoMoreMarbles]

Val I was just going to post exactly that!

Different seasons as well specifically 'the body' is a very good place to start.

[Valpollicella]

Four Past Midnight is also very good. 4 of his short stories, one of which is the Langoliers

[OzmaofOz]

at losing the E key, didnt the A fall off too ?

[Procrastinating]

The Talisman. Ideal for a boy his age. I loved it and read it lots of times.
I wanted to marry Stephen King when I was 13.

[Svrider]

I'd go with the talisman
More fantasy than horror
Young boy at its centre

Also needful things

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I just live in fear of losing my 'E' key. :)

[StuffezLaBouche]

Haha! Yes just you, ozma! :-)

[OzmaofOz]

oh dear, just read that properly and you don't actually do it. Just me then.