Gaiman for a 12 year old

[dancerjodi]

My nephew is really into http://www.the39clues.com/ . Since his birthday is coming up in July I thought I'd get him one of the books or card sets, but my guess is that he's got them all.

A post in http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/06/3-great-audiobooks-for-kids-and-adults/ made me think of Neil Gaiman. Since nephew is into sci-fi/fantasy stuff, but is *just* getting into being an avid reader I thought he may like some of his 'meant for kids' kind of stuff.

I've read the Sandman series but haven't ventured into other Gaiman material. Can you suggest something that a mystery/fantasy/sci-fi interested 12 year old boy could get into? I'm not sure if the kid stuff is too young for him (I know for sure that the Sandman stuff is too old for him).

Thanks in advance! :)

Comments

[alonewiththemoon]

Definitely The Graveyard Book!

[sanguineempathy.livejournal.com]

He'd prob. really like "The Graveyard" book ... 'bout a young toddler boy who's parents are killed and he escapes into the graveyard and is raised by the ghosts there. I think it'd prob. appeal to a boy more for the creepy factor.

[zanylikethat.livejournal.com]

This isn't Gaiman, but...

I absolutely LOVE the Belgariad series by David and Leigh Eddings (and its follow-up series, the Mallorean). I read them when I was in middle school (around 14, I think?) so I don't think it would be too old for him. They're relatively thin books, but still good for smart kids--about 200 pages each, I want to say? The protagonist is a young adolescent boy, too, which might help snag his attention. They're lighthearted and funny, but exciting. Clean, fun, enjoyable fantasy, and I still go back and read Eddings stuff pretty often because they're just FUN. (I prefer the Elenium/Tamuli series because they are slightly "older," if you will, but the Belgariad and Mallorean are still a blast and get reread often as well.)

The first book is "Pawn of Prophecy."

I've only read some of the more "grown up" Gaiman, so I unfortunately can't be of help there. Sorry!

Odd..

[dee-cee.livejournal.com]

This is the second time I've heard of this series now.

First time is bad news, DAvid Eddings passed away yesterday.

http://www.fictionmatters.com/2009/06/03/david-eddings-dead-at-77/comment-page-1/

Re: Odd..

[zanylikethat.livejournal.com]

EEK. I had no idea! :( Oh that is sad.

I do recommend his writing. It was so, well, FUN.

[deadwinter.livejournal.com]

Would "The Wolves in the Walls" be too kidsy for him, do you think?

[dancer.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing Wolves in the Walls would be too kidsy - he's reading "young adult" stuff.

[emzebel.livejournal.com]

In addition to TGB, there's Interworld (NG and Michael Reaves) which is more traditional sci fi/alternate worlds/travel sort of stuff.

There's also Coraline which is for about that age group.

In non-Gaiman, if he likes spooky mystery stories, there are some nice John Bellairs collections out there, or for fantasy, the Eragon trilogy is essentially Tolkin for kids (and the Hobbit's not a bad choice for 12, either).

[jeditrilobite.livejournal.com]

I believe that the Graveyard Book is aimed towards a younger audience. I picked it up, but haven't read it yet.

[andrewfeland.livejournal.com]

I recommend the Goblin Quest novels, by Jim C. Hines.

Graveyard Book--um, I thought it was pretty creepy myself, and I'm considerably outside the target audience. I didn't give it to my 9-year-old, but it might appeal more to a 12-year-old.

[aidenraine.livejournal.com]

He may really like Neverwhere. There's also Stardust and of course Coraline. And the hysterical collaboration Good Omens. :)

[evilbirdgirl.livejournal.com]

A 12 yr old would love Interworld. I think it would be the best choice.

[cutest-sandgirl.livejournal.com]

The Pendragon series by DJ MacHale are pretty good. :)

http://www.thependragonadventure.com/

[cutest-sandgirl.livejournal.com]

And ironically, I just wrapped up "Blueberry Girl" to send back to the lending library. I had no idea he wrote such cute children's books.