Young teen adventure book recommendation

[lewber]

DS 14 needs to read an adventure book for school. He is a VERY reluctant reader so I'm trying to find a great one. He wants one that has no reality, no historical or non fiction references.

Any ideas?

ETA- the only books he's really loved are Roald Dahl.

Edited September 27, 2016 by lewber

[Pen]

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library  is a pretty easy adventure.  It has a lot of literary references. Don't think it has any true historical references.--but maybe it does.  Not sure I'd call it "great"--but it would be pretty easy as a fun romp for a reluctant reader.  It seems similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in some ways, with Mr. Lemoncello a lot like Willy Wonka, so if he loves Dahl he may well like this book too.

 

 

 

Hoot or Scat by Carl Hiaasen are better books to my way of thinking, but also have more "reality" related content.  

 

 

Maximum Ride books by James Patterson might fit the adventure totally non-reality related adventure for the reluctant bill.

[nd293]

Is he a struggling reader or just reluctant? Willard Price's books (the Hal and Roger series) are old style boys adventures with much wrestling of lions and pythons or whatever. They're fun and easy although I'm not sure they'll win quality awards (and are dated so not always politically correct). Ds9 loves them and both dh and I read them as kids.

[lewber]

He's actually a very advanced reader according to his testing levels. Which always surprises me given that he hardly does it.

I love to read, so it makes me sad I can't find books he enjoys.

[FriedClams]

Swallows and Amazons

Mysterious Benedict Society

Swipe

[HomeAgain]

Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy is outstanding.  He also might like The Princess Bride.  The book is nothing like the movie and is hilarious in its own right.

[Guest]

Jules Verne

Peter Pan

The Hobbit

[scholastica]

The Ranger's Apprentice

[6packofun]

The Maze Runner series by Dashner

[Carol in Cal.]

Julie of the Wolves

My Side of the Mountain

Treasure Island, if he can manage older language

The teen books by Frank Peretti are very exciting, Christian content included.

[lewber]

Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy is outstanding.  He also might like The Princess Bride.  The book is nothing like the movie and is hilarious in its own right.

 

 

I have not read The Hitchhiker's Guide, but the description sounds perfect. He loves humor and wanted a sci fi adventure. This could be perfect! 

[scrapbookbuzz]

I found the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan highly satisfying as did my kids, who are 12 and 18.

Ruins of Gorlan is the first in the series and you don't have to read them in order, although I like to do so.

Lots of adventure! And while it remindes me of a certain place in history there are no references to it. Just

lots of adventure, archery, sword fighting, etc.

[Pen]

May I suggest that you take him to a library or book store and let him look at some of the suggested books (or others) and see what grabs *him*?  Some things appeal or hook a particular reader in, and others don't. And it is hard for others to know what will be exciting for him.

[lewber]

May I suggest that you take him to a library or book store and let him look at some of the suggested books (or others) and see what grabs *him*?  Some things appeal or hook a particular reader in, and others don't. And it is hard for others to know what will be exciting for him.

 

 

I agree! He will go to the school library. I am trying to suggest a few things he might look at while he's there to see if they grab him. I know it's torture to read a book you don't enjoy! 

[Carol in Cal.]

"Have Space Suit, Will Travel" is (IIRC) a fairly exciting sci fi book by Robert Heinlein.

 

And there is always "The Martian" which was an even better book than the movie.

[Pen]

I agree! He will go to the school library. I am trying to suggest a few things he might look at while he's there to see if they grab him. I know it's torture to read a book you don't enjoy! 

 

If he'd into sci fi, you might want to add Star Wars books and Orson Scott Card books for his consideration.

[Vida Winter]

If he isn't too sensitive to violence, Orson Scott Card's Enders Game might be a good fit.

[Spryte]

I'm taking note of these ideas. Thank you for posing the question.

 

My reluctant reader is not quite 13. He is completely engrossed in the Hunger Games at the moment. Really. He's reading right now. :)

 

I was reluctant, due to violence, but his friends (homeschooled, similar approaches) are all finishing the series, and I thought, "what the heck?" ... He has not put it down.

 

It might not work for you, but here - it's a win.

Edited September 30, 2016 by Spryte

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Eragon

 

My ds is also a very good reader, but doesn't enjoy reading at all.  The Eragon (Inheritance Series) books are the only books he took with him to college.