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.

[Biscuitsneeded]

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

[Phoenixrise]

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

[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!

[Thehogfatherstolemycurry]

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

[missyB1]

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

[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

[PhilODox]

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

[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.

[lotusbell]

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