Are there any book suggestions for 12-15 yr olds?

Question

I really wan't to step up my summer reading, but my dad wants me to start reading more "challenging" books, any suggestions?

Answer 1

Reading should first and foremost be fun. Sometimes a challenging read can be fun. Challenging shouldn't equal put you to sleep. Yes, you'll have to read Shakespeare for school--I seem to remember a play being required for each year in high school--but that doesn't mean you have to read his works for "fun."

Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell
To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
The Hobbit, Tolkien
Peter Pan, Barrie
Peter and The Starcatchers, (Barry and Pearson)
The Princess Academy, Shannon Hale
The Diary of Anne Frank, Anne Frank
The Giver, Lois Lowry
Holes, Louis Sachar
The Liberation of Gabriel King, K.L. Going
Legend of the Wandering King, Laura Gallego Garcia
Pepperland, Mark DeLaney
Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
The Teacher's Funeral, Richard Peck
The Schwa Was Here, Neal Shusterman
The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan
Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies, Pretties, Specials)

You might also try reading some young adult nonfiction books. There are some great authors out there on a variety of topics.

Answer 2

Anything by Robert A Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke is good and the latter two also wrote non-fiction. You might also try some of the 'for the masses' history such as "1066 and all that". Thurber, Mark Twain, Stephen Leacock all were excellent writers. You could also tackle some biographies from the library.

Answer 3

I would say the most innovative, exciting books are being written for your age group--Young Adult or YA. If you liked Harry Potter and are looking for something a step above that, try the "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman. The books are, in order: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass. They're fantastic! And tell your dad that these were recommended to me by professors at grad school when I was getting my Master's in Library Science. Also, your local public library will have a librarian who specializes in YA material. She/he can recommend some great stuff!

Answer 4

11th graders study at an human being element, so as that ought to opt to not be a issue. warding off topics and language that are innapropriate for a 12 365 days previous should be extra complicated. If she is interpreting a e book a week, you'll discover literary classics in any book position. those are frequently high quality for a 12-365 days previous. i'd advise utilising your public library. Librarians are overjoyed to assist young ones make reliable alternatives.

Answer 5

What is your favorite topic? What interest you? Do you have some favorite hobbies? Also, think about the movies you liked... where they sci fi or costume/historic? You are your best guide... When I was a kid I loved reading about dinosaurs, so I would pick up books about that topic. I loved the movie Dune, so as a 15yr old I read that. After seeing the movie Pride and Prejudice I went to a bookstore, bought it, and devoured it in a few days. So take some inspiration from you and start reading!

Answer 6

It really depends what you like to read about. If you like magic, fantasy, etc... than i suggest Tamora Pierce. I loved and still love reading anything by her. I would start out with her series Alanna or her Wild Magic series.

Alanna, is about a girl who wants to be a knight. She has to pretend to be a boy to become one since women are not allowed to be knights. The series follows her as she grows up and moves from page to squire to knight and her adventures as a knight. oh, did i mention that she is also a mage?

Wild Magic is about Dane a girl who can talk to animals and heal them. It also follows her as she grows up and learns to control her gift. This is probably my favorite series because i love animals and i've always wanted to be able to talk to them.

All of her books are easy to read but not so easy you will be bored by them and you might even be challenged. They also have some good messages in them and ideas that make you think about nature, the relationship that humans have with others, choosing the right path- even if it means going against the norm or excepted, and to keep an open mind because evil is in the eye of the beholder.
They are a lot of fun to read! I hope you can find something you enjoy and your dad approves of!

Answer 7

Most school systems have book lists for summer reading. Check out different school systems on the web. Also, check with your library. They also put out lists of books for reading during the summer months. You may hit on a good book, be it fiction or non-fiction, and find an author you enjoy reading.

Good luck What are your father's favorite authors?

Answer 8

Anything by Lurlene McDaniel is pretty good. She writes mostly about teenagers with deadly dieseses, and the books aren't very long.
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison is also interesting, if you like to read about a group of stuck-up rich girls trying to remain popular in their school. Its very well-written, even if very few people relate to the characters. It does show you that even the rich kids have hard times.
There's alot of good books i've read this summer, like the 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' series, the 'Princess Diaries' series, 'The It Girl', and the 'Cheetah Girls' series. (I swear, it's nothing like the Disney movie)
Some good authors are Lois Duncan, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Laurie Halse Anderson, Scott Westerfield, and Meg Cabot/Jenny Caroll (Excluding the Princess Diaries series, she also wrote 1-800-Where-R-U? Series and the Mediator Series)

Answer 9

Hi there. I'm the author of a new medieval fantasy book that you might like. The title is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If you like Conan, LOTR or Harry Potter type books, this may be one you'll enjoy. And tell your dad this book is a challenge and that you will appreciate the main characters, both of whom are teenagers.

Good luck, whatever you decide to read!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Major Media Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

STARRED Review. A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages.

Library Journal
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer!
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article, March 20, 2006
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review by Tyler, Febuary 2006
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

Answer 10

Try Kite Runner. My son just finished it and found it really exciting and an easy read.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee's only published book is really timely and moves fast for the reader.
Love in the Time of Cholera. Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A timeless love story.