Books for 11 year old boy

[AliceWhiteRabbit]

Hello,

Please can you recommend some books for my son. He isn't keen on fantasy. He likes books he relate to. So loved Alex Rider.

He's an able reader and has read Holes and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which he enjoyed.

I would like to get him some other books to get him hooked again.

[lotusbell]

For more ideas, look at the threads in the Children's books subcategory.

[5foot5]

And thanks for saying the Cherub series not yet.
DD was definitely reading the Cherub books while she was still at primary because I remember we got her a Cherub T-shirt to wear on her Y6 residential.

I think a 12 year old could easily cope with the themes in the early ones while the main characters are still young themselves. Maybe some of the later ones would be a bit more adult in theme. It is a longish series so that still leaves plenty to choose from.

[PhilODox]

The THWhite classics Sword in the Stone, and Once and Future King fall into the great classic category too.

[PhilODox]

I did mean my DS when I said he's not yet ready for cherub!
I have found that older books (by which I mean written longer ago) are more challenging and better for good readers or mature children, without the teen-type issues such as sex and drugs. I was reading Norman Mailer, Truman Capote and Robert Heinlein at 14, but most of it went completely over my head!
Dianna Wynne Jones, Alan Garner, Leon Garfield, Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Rosemary Sutcliffe etc are all really good authors with absolutely gripping stories... but a huge element of fantasy in their writing of course. Treasure Island (non-abridged) is great for language though, and similar.

Just to say though, Tom Gates are v much British- the author does tours regularly with an interactive musical and drawing stage show which is hilarious

[missyB1]

My ds also loves all the Anthony Horowitz books. But also enjoys anything by David Baddiel.

[Thehogfatherstolemycurry]

My 10 year old has enjoyed lots of the Michael Morpurgo books. Also Terry Pratchetts Johnny and the bomb.

[AliceWhiteRabbit]

Thanks you all so much for your suggestions. Especially PhilODox - our boys sound very familiar. Oh I totally agree that Alex Rider isn't real-life, he also reads other things that aren't real-life. But it's something he can relate too - It's just that full on fantasy that isn't for him.

But the suggestions you make are fab. And thanks for saying the Cherub series not yet. As although he's mature, a very able reader and a very bright boy. He's still a kid. So thank you.

I'm not keen on the American comic-y type books (Tom Gates, Wimpy Kid etc) - he will happily read them and that's fine. But I like him reading proper books too which he loves when he gets hooked on something.

Thanks everyone a loads of suggestions to get going with!

[Phoenixrise]

Have a look at Brotherband and the Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan.
Some of Rosemary Sutcliffe’s books are very good as well

[Biscuitsneeded]

Oh yes the Lisa Thompson books are great. Oh, and A monster Calls - but read it with him and have tissues ready.

[bookmum08]

whattodo2019 has your boy read the Cherub prequel series Henderson's Boys? They are very good - but very intense and lots of violence (they are Second World War set).

[BoysRule]

My son really likes books by Ross Welford and Lisa Thompson.

[ThirdOne]

My 11 DD would recommend Boy 87 and Boy at the Back of the Class.

[DancelikeEmmaGoldman]

Evil Genius and sequels by Catherine Jinks. Sort of sci-fi, with lots of gadgets.

Joanna Baker’s Devastation Road -YA mystery.

[PhilODox]

I have an 11yo DS, and he loves Alex Rider- he's read them so many times now!
His absolute favourite books though are the Urban Outlaws series by Peter Jay Black. Alex Rider is a close second.

He too prefers things set in the 'real world' but I'd take that with a pinch of salt if you've actually read any of the Alex Rider books!

Anyway he's a huge reader, and he loves:
Skulduggery Pleasant series
Percy Jackson series
Heroes of Olympus series
Artemis Fowl series
A Series of Unfortunate Events (13 books)
Tintin (rl-ish)
Horowitz's Diamond Brothers (he loves bad puns ) and other stand alone books like Groosham Grange etc
How To Train Your Dragon (still re-read)
Wizards of Once Series (more grown up series from Cressida Cowell)
Tom Gates series (rl, not fantasy)
Last Dragon Chronicles series by Chris D'Lacey
Gods and Warriors series by Michelle Paver (I think he may be ready for Wolf Brother soon too)
Varjak Paw
The Cabinet of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Mortal Engines series (I loved these too!)
Johnny series by Terry Pratchett (though he learnt new swear words there

He's just begun the Tiffany Aching series by Pratchett too, and he is loving them. He's definitely a Pratchett fan!

Yes- many books are fantasy, aren't they? Though I kind of think that is the point!

I don't think he's ready for Cherub series yet. They seem to cover very mature topics.

[whattodo2019]

My 12 DS has just finished the Cherub Series. He thought they were fabulous.
Young Bond?

[Biscuitsneeded]

Skulduggery Pleasant. A bit violent but very funny and there are loads of them. Aged 13 DS2 is just reading the most recent one very happily.

[RomaineCalm]

Would he enjoy autobiographies linked to a hobby or interest? Some of the sports ones are good and DC likes reading about real people.

[RomaineCalm]

A bit different but DC enjoyed reading Agatha Christie at that age - also an able reader. Loved 'Murder on the Orient Express' and still reads a lot of 'whodunnits'.

[StrawberryJam200]

Skulduggery Pleasant books are brilliant. My son discovered them at 11 and introduced them to me. Soooo funny too.

[tilder]

How about Kid Normal or the Tree house books?

[AliceWhiteRabbit]

You are all wonderful. Thank you so much for the suggestions!

When he get reads something he enjoys he won't put it down!

I just need to find that something. You've all made amazing suggestions!

[Whatdayisit2]

Train to impossible places?

[Br1ll1ant]

The James Bond books for children - maybe Charlie Higson? - we’re popular with my Alex Rider loving DS

[HeadPotato]

Cherub series, Skulduggery pleasant series

[AlsoKnownAsMillicent]

The Power of Five also by Antony Horowitz was enjoyed by my son who had devoured the Alex Rider series. It's not about spies apparently but about five children who have a special power/ability.