Books for my reluctant 14yo reader?

[TinfoilTwat]

He mostly reads a lot of 'younger' books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dog Man. That's fine, but I think it would be good to read slightly more challenging books too.

He liked The Explorer, but found it too long. He's quite a slow reader. He's recently quite enjoyed War Horse. Before that he liked The Giver. He also loves graphic novels.

Any recommendations for not-too-long, age-appropriate books that might interest a 14 yo?

my dd2 was a reluctant reader and enjoyed

The curios incident of the dog int he night time
holes

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - they're longer but engrossing

Ha! I literally just ordered Holes. Oh good.
I tried to get him to give Curious Incident a go but he was not keen.

I found His Dark Materials quite dry. Also very wordy for a slow reader, and long. You're right the stories are fab, but I'd say they were more aimed at keen readers.

killing eve is a book and rather thin, would this be of interest to him

also the trilogy of mocking j etc

`I often found my dd2 would watch the film tv show etc and then chat about them with my dad who had read the books

a trilogy might be easier for him as not so long but more if he wants it

Ah fair enough. I suppose i was looking at it from the perspective of what I liked at that age and I was probably a more avid reader.

How about the hunger games?

Jack Reacher books

The young James Bond books by Charlie Higson
malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses series
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Harry Potter books
he might like some of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels

I’m not familiar with graphic novels, apart from Asterix, 😁 but they are just as valid as conventional books.

Membership of a library is a good idea as he can pick and choose, and you can also get access to lots of downloadable books and magazines for free.

The Saga of Darren Shan

They are fairly short, easy to read and so addictive.

Graphic novels - try 'Locke and Key'

I agree with going to the library. My reluctant readers liked factual books from the list type to Ben Goldacre/ Ben Macintyre/ Bill Bryson/ biographies of sports heroes etc

Michelle Paver's 'wolf brother' series

John Flanagan Rangers Apprentice and Brotherband series

Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz,
The Edge Chronicles series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell,
Only You Can Save Mankind, Johnny and the Dead, Johnny and the Bomb, all ,by Terry Pratchett,
Lockwood and Co series by Jonathan Stroud,
Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy,
Graphic novels: Asterix, Tintin, The Bluecoats, Amulet, Lucky Luke, Hilo, Bunny vs Monkey, Hilda, Evil Emperor Penguin, The Adventures of John Blake, Blake and Mortimer.

Loads of Michael Morpurgo options which might appeal.
My reluctant reader really enjoyed Kensuke's Kingdom at 13

Also Frank Cottrell Boyce: especially Sputnik's guide to life on earth

Redwall books

Mine loved the cherub books by Robert muchamore, wasn’t much of a reader before but got really into this series. I think some have been done as graphic novels.

Graphic Novels!

Things have changed a lot, and there are some gorgeous things out there. I'd recommend Heartstopper- because the books are going down a storm with that age group. But there are loads of other things too. Waterstones tends to have good sections now....

The Enemy series by Charlie Higson. Ds was hooked on that!
Books by Dan Smith. Big Game and My Friend the Enemy were particular favourites.
Ds also enjoys football biographies and enjoyed one about Maradona.

I'm with @Curioushorse.
If he likes graphic novels, get him.graphic novels.

Amazing book but is too long. Holes is a good choice though it's a great story

Oh OP he might like the Cherub series by Robert Muchamore

Absolutely, we do! We're all big fans of graphic novels in this house. He has recently enjoyed the Alone series. No sniffiness about graphic novels here!
I'm just also looking for novels he might enjoy.

Lots of recommendations on the thread. Am going to check them all out.

What about. Pseudonymous Bosch books? I'm reading the first one its good!

Also dd 13 enjoyed books by a f harrold. ....fizzlebert stump

I think these would be a step up from wimpy kid but too too large a one!