I don't want something very popular nowadays... I'm looking for lesser-known books that are still great reads.
2006-09-20 22:33:49 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Yes, I've tried the Judy Blume books. And don't suggest classic novels either, I've already read a lot.
2006-09-20 22:46:35 · update #1
Yes, I've tried the Judy Blume books. And don't suggest classic novels either, I've already seen a lot of them.
2006-09-20 22:47:29 · update #2
If possible, you can put links where I can find these books.
2006-09-21 00:16:19 · update #3
I'm not sure what genres you're interested in, but here are some that might interest you.
Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot: Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality Regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (http://www.amazon.com/Sorcery-Cecelia-Enchanted-Chocolate-Correspondence/dp/015205300X/sr=1-3/qid=1158844562/ref=pd_bbs_3/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books) - This is a fun and interesting book, if you're interested in fantasy. or history (and even if you're not)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (http://www.amazon.com/Neverwhere-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0380789019/sr=1-1/qid=1158844634/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books) Fantasy again. It's a really good book about the dark world beneath London. Interesting twists.
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett (http://www.amazon.com/Color-Magic-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0061020710/sr=1-1/qid=1158844693/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books) - Anything by Pratchett is great. This is one of his early Discworld novels.
Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi (http://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Voyage-Tania-Aebi/dp/0345410122/sr=1-1/qid=1158844744/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books) - the true story of a young woman who tried to set the world record for the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a sailboat.
The Hot Zone (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Zone-Terrifying-True-Story/dp/0385479565/sr=1-1/qid=1158844798/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Richard Preston - the true story of the Ebola virus outbreaks in Africa and the US. Reads like a thriller.
Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition: The Remarkable Journal of Shackleton's Polar-Bound Cat by Caroline Alexander (http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Chippys-Last-Expedition-Polar-Bound/dp/0060932619/ref=sr_11_1/102-5811695-0577746?ie=UTF8) - Sad, but an interesting read. When Ernest Shackleton sailed for Antarctica, they had a cat on board the boat. The story of the voyage is told from the cat's point of view. Mrs. Chippy was a male, but was nicknamed Mrs. Chippy because his owner, Chippy, spent so much time with him.
2006-09-21 02:24:17 · answer #1 · answered by Rose D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was 12, I really enjoyed the books by Madeline L'Engel and Scott O'Dell. They are easy reading, but they are fun. With L'Engel, don't just read the Wrinkle in Time series either; start there, but read the rest of the books as well. They are so much fun.
For well written Sci Fi, look into the Enders Game series by Orson Scott Card and the Douglas Adams books, especially Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
If all of these are obvious choices, and you are a more mature reader, I would pick up JD Salinger's books. Try The Catcher in the Rye or Franny and Zooey. For long, 1000-page reads try any James Mitchner novel. For thriller/horror, pick up Steven King. He is seriously a great writer. And for detective stuff, pick up John Grisham. These are renown authors, but most middle schoolers won't read them.
Other great books: Life of Pi, Z for Zachariah, the Wizard of OZ series, Sherlock Holmes series, A Summer to Die, short stories by David Sedaris, and any collection like "Best American Short Stories 2004" or "Best Essays 2002."
2006-09-21 06:52:42 · answer #2 · answered by winkldew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys, from Louisa May Alcott.
The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Little Princess, The Lost Prince, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Anne of Green Gables series, and other stories by L M Montgomery.
There are many, many good children's books that are old enough to be out of copyright protection, and reprinted on a regular basis by such as Dover and Signet Classics. They were written in the era when children of 12 were considered to have an adult vocabulary for the most part, but not adult experience. Kids from 8 or 9 up could read them for themselves, but they were not too seamy for younger children, and parents or older children would often read aloud. They offer valuable insights into the way things were, which in turn provides valuable insights into the way things are now.
Also, a child of 12 is old enough to read Dickens, which is a treasure every child should have. There are old science fiction stories they would love, such as "Starship Troopers", "The Martian Chronicles" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" or "The Time Machine." They would also do well on Sherlock Holmes and other old detective stories, written before it was necessary to include a steamy sex scene in every mystery.
Remember, when newspaper and magazine writers choose their words, they are thinking of a 12-year-old's reading ability. So a child that age can read almost anything, but not all of it would be appropriate for a child that age. It's an awkward time. My mother solved it by letting me read anything, with the understanding I would ask questions about what I did not understand. But then, she wouldn't let me read "Peyton Place," so she had her limits!
2006-09-21 10:30:47 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried "The Daydreamer" by Ian McEwan? I wouldn't know if it's popular or not. It might even be too childish for a 12 year-old. But all I can say is that I enjoyed it thoroughly.
At that age I also enjoyed the Belgariad and the Malloread by David Eddings. But those definitely are popular. And yes, Urlsula Le Guin is perhaps even better, though I didn't know of the Earthsea trilogy at the time.
2006-09-21 06:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by Topi M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should try the Classics - for example Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott for guys (and tomboys :)), The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett) for girls, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass for either sex, and there are tons of good ones that are unfortunately not very popular. I have been teaching English for the past ten years, and when I can make them read, my students love the Classics. :D
2006-09-21 05:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by Jhan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure on the "popularity" of these titles...but you might find something you want to read...
So B. It by Sarah Weeks (2004 book now released in paperback, should be available at most bookstores and definitely on Amazon)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005 book now released as a paperback, should be available at most bookstores and online ones as well)
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (paperback, Amazon)
The Legend of the Wandering King by Laura Gallego Garcia (2005, hardback, Amazon)
2006-09-21 11:10:40 · answer #6 · answered by laney_po 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson when I was 12. It kept me spellbound for about a year. I think there are seven books in the series. Enjoy the discovery......
2006-09-21 08:15:42 · answer #7 · answered by Marnster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about King Fortis the Brave? The heroes are a pair of twelve-year-old twins (which makes it perfect for a 12-year-old reader to identify with). They are brought into a magical world where they get caught up in a battle for control of the land. It's full of adventure and humor and will really keep you turning the pages. It's one of my favorite books!
2006-09-21 07:52:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're into fantasy, try Ursula le Guin....she's a great author for your age group. Try Threshhold or the Earthsea series. They aren't very well known today but they're classics and not too long if you're pressed for time.
2006-09-21 06:31:31 · answer #9 · answered by A.D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have u tried the old judy bloom stuff
2006-09-21 05:44:31 · answer #10 · answered by christopher a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋