My 13-year-old son is intelligent, but doesn't like to read. His teacher is making them read a book per quarter this year (they select it on their own in addition to the books she assigns). This quarter he is reading The Martian. In what can only be described as a shocking turn of events, he loves it! He read like 60 pages last night. Can you please suggest some books that are like this so we can hopefully keep this going?
by Majestic-General-765
9 Comments
Project Hail Mary. Obviously.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy if he likes the sci fi aspects of The Martian.
Discworld books might also appeal: if he likes the ‘person doing their best in overwhelmingly bad circumstances’ aspect, I’d start with Guards, Guards.
yeah. stick with Andy Weir!!!!
Project Hail Mary will hook him – movie out soon! and Artemis – fun read for sure.
Both have a very consistent writing style to The Martian which is pretty unique, funny, fairly fast paced and super gripping
after that I would also recommend Ernest Cline – specifically start with “Armada” and if he like that have him give Ready Player One a try (it is long!!!! but worth it)
What is it he likes about it? The scifi elements? Project Hail Mary and Artemis.
The survival elements? Hatchet, The Island of Blue Dolphins, there’s a series called I Survived he might like if this is the case
The murderbot Diaries seems to be a good fit! Plus they are relatively short (+-150 pages). Can sometimes be daunting to read a super long book if you are new to reading!
I think I read Jurassic Park around that age. I don’t remember it much now but I do remember that it’s different than the movie.
I was also really into Stephen King at that age. Pet Sematary is one I read then.
Murderbot Diaries and Vorkosigan Saga starting with The Warrior’s Apprentice
Stephen King, I suggest starting with Carrie
Bobiverse