Hot books for children aged 9-14

[roisin]

Charlie Higson: Young Bond Series the first is Silverfin, then Blood Fever. The third one (title as yet unannounced) is due out 4 Jan.

Anthony Horowitz: Alex Rider series of course - I think there's about 5 now, and another one due out in 2007.
The Power of Five series Raven's Gate etc. are very popular too. They are teenage horror, and a bit disturbing in places; so parents who like to censor their reading may not approve: but the kids love them. The third one - Nightrise - is due out 2 April.

Back with more in a mo.

love you!

(do you have any 14+ boy suggestions please?)

Tanglewreck is a recent discovery of ds1's. It is fast-moving, and has short chapters, so may encourage less keen readers. The author - Jeanette Winterson - has previously only written for adults. (Oranges are not the only fruit, among others.)

DS1 was very taken with Cry of the Icemark and the sequel, by Stuart Hill. It spent far too much time describing battles for my liking, but may appeal to boys! (A girl from school is reading it this holidays, so if I remember I'll let you know what she thought.)

What sort of books does he like Marslady?

Has he read Noughts and Crosses, and sequels? Have you? I'd be interested to hear what you thought of it.

If he likes fantasy, then Eragon and Eldest of course. DS1 has been branching out into teenage/adult writing and has read His Dark Materials this holidays, and last term read a load of the Anne McCaffrey dragon books, which he adored. The first one is Dragonflight, I think.

My biggest tip this year is Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books. He is American, but don't let that put you off! They are a bit young for Marslady's ds1, but ideal for 8-14 yr-olds (fluent readers) I would say.

It's adventure, hidden unrealised powers, mixed with Greek Mythology. Tremendous fun, and very well-written. The first one is Percy Jackson and the lightning thief

He's moved into a difficult age my darling. He has always loved reading but now that he is at senior school the demands on his time are heavy!

He's read the Malorie Blackman series and really enjoyed them. I recently got him Tamar by Mal Peet but he hasn't had time to read it.

Private Peaceful went down well. DD1 is my voracious reader. She's read PP and will undoubtably read Tamar as well.

Oh here's one for you Marslady - it's brill, but definitely not for U13s (despite the cartoon-style cover), as there as some rather graphic descriptions of bullying/violence, and other teenage stuff! Henry Tumour - superbly written, and guaranteed to engage teenage boys, particularly the ones who are likely to be reading (nerdy, bookish types). Fabulous shocking ending too.

I came across it because it recently won a prize for teenage books. Another one from the shortlist has been recommended to me, but I haven't read it yet. Be back shortly.

The other book I mentioned is The Beast but I can't vouch for it personally.

This is the site of the teenage book prize I mentioned, which might be a good starting point.

I've only read one of them, but I do love Marcus Sedgwick, so I'm sure his is fabulous.

I know what you mean about time to read; so many of our secondary schools just don't seem to value reading for pleasure at all, and when it's set against so many other time pressures, and possible entertainment, reading so often gets squeezed out. Then the only thing they are reading are their school texts, some of which destroy any love of reading they had.

I just hope many of them do come back to reading later.

Sorry not to respond yet Roisin. Am busy reading the reviews and any excerpts that I can!

Now to read the teen site!

Now that looks like being a very useful site. Thank you!

Philip Pullman's The Broken Bridge is a good one, all about family secrets and set on the lovely Welsh seaside.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - comedy / apocalypse / teen adventure.
I really enjoyed A Clockwork Orange by Antony Burgess at 16, would have done younger if I'd found it and 14yr old boys (who can be trusted not to copy the violence LOL) would definitely. Got me back in to reading after 5yrs of secondary school had made it uncool.

"Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke.

The Sally Lockheart series by Philip Pulman.

"Windsinger" trilogy - William Nicholson (I think

"Mortal Engines" series - Philip Reeve - these are brilliant!

I just read Inkheart - got it for my 9yr old DD - it is terrific. She is also reading the Roman mysteries by Caroline Lawrence - prob too young for a 14 year old but really terrific for 8-13s. Also I recently read Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker - good for 10-15 I would say.

Did you know Inkheart is being made into a film right now! Currently casting.

Janeite - have you read Mortal Engines? I didn't like the first one at all - I just couldn't get beyond the concept of mobile cities, I just couldn't visualise it. A girl in my reading group is very keen, and I was intending to read another in the series this holidays - but haven't done so yet! Should I persevere? I know the 4th one won the Guardian Children's book prize in 2006.

I love you Roisin!

Roisin - the "Mortal Engines" series is brilliant! Both dd (11) and I loved them; yet to read the final one though.

Oh and I've just got "Inkspell" (the follow up to "Inkheart" from the library - will let you know if I enjoy it!

I really liked "Inkspell" but dd didn't - she found it a bit too graphic I think. She also didn't like the Caroline Lawrence ones as she said they got a bit samey.

The "Across The Nightingale Floor" series by Leane Hearne is also absolutely wonderful - epic!

How old is your daughter Janeite? DD1 is 9 and I am always looking for new books that other children her age are enjoying - unfortunately not many of her friends are big readers.

Let her watch the dvd of Stormbreaker and fall in love with the gorgeous boy actor and then she'll want to read the books!

She's 11 now Rosa. She read a couple of the Alex Rider's at about your daughter's age, then said they were "too boy-ish". They are great books though.

Bucketsofdynamite - great idea! He's going to be very dishy when he's 10 years older isn't he?!!!

Yes Janeite, DD1 also tried Stormbreaker and thought it too boyish. She likes adventure - is very keen on Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket and stuff with a lot of black humour in, but not so good with guns and physical violence. Was wondering about Ruby in the Smoke? Has your DD read it?

Sorry Rosa, i thought I'd replied to this last night but it doesn't seem to be here!

"The Ruby In The Smoke" series is utterly brilliant but tbh I think it's too "old" for a nine year old and dd hasn't read it yet either.

Has she read "Muddle Earth" which just featured on Jackanory? That's quite fun; a bit Terry Pratchetty. Also - how about "The Hobbit"? If the full version sounds a bit overlong, you can get a really lovely abridged version.

What about the Narnia books too? As an adult, I get cross with all the Christian allegory but I loved them as a child.

If she's not easily scared, "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman is really good too. Will keep trying to think of more!