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....

[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)

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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.