Translated books suitable for 12-15 year old boys

[2020again]

I am looking for books suitable for 12 to 15 year-old boys written in a foreign language but then translated into English. Can anyone suggest suitable titles that do not run to hundreds of pages and may grab this age group. It does not have to be full on action but heavy description and no action books probably wont be interesting enough I am guessing.

Off the top of my head

Inkheart (originally in German)

I was going to say Cornelia Funke as well!

Carlos Ruiz Zafón wrote several YA books that have been translated into English, start with The Watcher in the Shadows. I've seen Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi described as a YA book but I would read first, from what I remember she went off the rails in Germany (lots of sex and drug taking) so it might not be so suitable for the bottom of that age range. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder was very popular a few years ago but I have heard it described as turgid so maybe not the best first choice.

I recommended The Godmother by Hannelore Cayre to my daughter for holiday reading and heard that she enjoyed it as did her children, ages 11 and 14. Crime fiction translated from French.

Miss smilla's feeling for snow is good for 15, from memory.

Metro 2033 is popular with DS15 and DH but DH admits that the translation is a wee bit ropey.

They've also had a huge manga thing - assassination classroom was a big hit.

The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius (Swedish) is a wonderfully quirky adventure story. It’s my 13yo DS’s favourite book.

Get in touch with www.bluebirdreviews.co.uk who is an expert on children / YA literature and knows a lot about translated lit. If you are on Twitter it's @ReviewsBluebird

Another vote for The Murder's Ape. I loved it...my 12yo loved it too.