he might want to pick up Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. I read it when I was 11 and it helped trigger my interest in philosophy. The ending is a bit... fantastic. But it might fit.
If by "fantastic" you mean "ridiculous" and that he completely lost control of the plot, then we agree. 
I've read the book two or three times, and each time I really like the first half, then the second half makes me bored and annoyed. Gaarder is always a bit hit-and-miss, some of his books are excellent while others are rather weak or rehash earlier books. I have fond memories of the two mentioned in the subject line, though.
I've read the book two or three times, and each time I really like the first half, then the second half makes me bored and annoyed. Gaarder is always a bit hit-and-miss, some of his books are excellent while others are rather weak or rehash earlier books. I have fond memories of the two mentioned in the subject line, though. I was thinking less of it as a joyful moment of fulfilled reading than as a set of triggers that might make him want to read more elsewhere. I confess I was rather diplomatic, but I think the book still has value because of the first half (where do the letters stop?). It certainly interested me, although (like you) was I rather disappointed by the ending.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
This message last edited by Camilla on 15/11/2010 at 04:37:23 PM
Suggestions for my 11 year old son?
- 12/11/2010 03:52:29 PM
1488 Views
Hm. Some ideas...
- 12/11/2010 04:31:35 PM
1182 Views
I second this entire reply. All these are excellent choices. *NM*
- 17/11/2010 11:12:34 PM
538 Views
The Artemis Fowl books
- 12/11/2010 04:55:29 PM
1028 Views
I remember enjoying Lloyd Alexander's Prydain (sp?) books at that age. *NM*
- 12/11/2010 10:18:05 PM
814 Views
The Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
- 12/11/2010 11:55:10 PM
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Yes. This is what I read at that age and loved it. Also Harry Harrison. *NM*
- 15/11/2010 04:02:10 PM
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wasn't there a lot of adult content in Harry Harrison? *NM*
- 15/11/2010 05:05:30 PM
528 Views
Really? Maybe violence.
- 16/11/2010 03:27:24 PM
1116 Views
some people don't like their pre-pubescent children reading about sex
- 16/11/2010 08:19:45 PM
1045 Views
How about the Redwall series by Brian Jacques?
- 13/11/2010 01:04:38 AM
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*NM*
Wait a minute. DID NOBODY MENTION A WRINKLE IN TIME?! *NM*
- 15/11/2010 04:56:41 AM
530 Views
Holy crap, you're right. I heap my scorn upon this thread.
- 15/11/2010 06:22:39 AM
1178 Views
It's okay. I heaped scorn upon myself once I saw your Dark is Rising post. *NM*
- 15/11/2010 06:53:03 AM
548 Views
I would've done, but I figured I'd leave that to someone who's actually read it. *NM*
- 15/11/2010 10:58:25 AM
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I DID!
- 15/11/2010 02:43:26 PM
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It was one of the very few books on the Newbery list that I actually recognized. *NM*
- 15/11/2010 03:05:30 PM
514 Views
Really? I suppose I should go through there and highlight those I actually like. *NM*
- 15/11/2010 03:58:49 PM
498 Views
Yeah, I guess most of the children's books I read weren't American.
- 15/11/2010 04:30:46 PM
1092 Views
Also, if he reads above his age...
- 15/11/2010 04:19:41 PM
1103 Views
The Solitaire Mystery is far better. And Through a Glass, Darkly.
- 15/11/2010 04:33:45 PM
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Yes.
- 15/11/2010 04:36:59 PM
1154 Views
Animorphs, Artemis Fowl, Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy *NM*
- 16/11/2010 02:27:28 PM
560 Views