The following list of books is for those who are searching for something a bit different and something challenging. These books should provoke thought, discussion, and raise questions. They also should, above all, be enjoyable. This is by no means a definitive list of challenging reads for boys aged 11-13. There will be many, many more. Most of these books can be found in a public library or any decent bookshop, new or pre-loved. Enjoy.
Genesis (2006) by Bernard Beckett - This is an astounding novel. It is highly original and comes with many twists and turns. It would normally suit readers of 14 + but if you have a taste for sci-fi and for something which forces you to think then this is for you. It has an authentic NZ futuristic feel and deals with the meaty subject of artificial intelligence. It would make a great film. Written by a local teacher from HVHS. Check out his blog http://bernardbeckett.wordpress.com/
Touching the Void (1988) by Joe Simpson – Perhaps now one of the real mountaineering classics, this is the true account of the author’s close brush with death and how ‘never giving up’ is actually worth it. Almost improbable in its outcome, Joe tells his story vividly. This book will undoubtedly leave an impression as it did with me. This was made into a movie and, thankfully, it did the story justice.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) by Mark Haddon – A cracking novel which follows the exploits of Christopher Boone, an English teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome, as he solves a mystery about a dog. At the heart of this very original novel: seeing the world through a different filter, family, security, love, death and happiness. This book is different in the sense that chapters are unconventional, drawings and maps are commonplace and whole chapters lurch away from the narrative to highlight seemingly random facts and thoughts. This is a very funny and moving book.
Animal Farm (1945) by George Orwell – This is a true classic of literature and a must-read for anybody with an interest in recent history and/or human nature. This story is a fable and an allegory and outlines how a group of English farm animals drive out their farmer and try to run the farm for themselves. There are many parallels with Stalin’s Russia post revolution. The characters are very memorable. Under 100 pages long.
Farenheit 451 (1953) by Ray Bradbury – The title is apparently the temperature at which a book’s paper burns. And thus here lies the central thread of this book: burning books! Sci-fi (or as sci-fi as you get for having been written in the 50s – watch for the giant TV screens though) and a cult classic, the story follows a man who works as a fireman (one who burns books) who enforces the law of the land which is a total ban on print. Imagine! Lots of twists and a great chase scene at the end with a robotic dog.
Into Thin Air (1997) by John Krakauer – A gripping account of the 1996 tragedy which unfolded on Mt Everest, claiming eight lives, including New Zealander, Rob Hall. This book explores the perils of commercial climbing and shows how deadly the world’s highest mountain can be. Honest, engaging, and written by a mountaineer who knows a crampon from a karabiner.
Metamorphosis (1915) by Franz Kafka – A great introduction to one of the world’s most interesting authors, this is a short yet surreal story about a man who finds himself trapped in the body of a giant man-sized bug. Strange but compelling because of its unusual narrative thread, this book will reel you in to see what will happen to Gregor the gigantic insect!
The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915) by John Buchan – Another story from 1915; an oldie but a goody. One of the original thrillers, the book follows the exploits of Richard Hannay who is innocently caught up in the hunt for a wanted man. A great chase takes place in the Scottish countryside and weaves through almost the entire book (only 126 pages) as Hannay tries to solve the mystery of ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’.
Black Swan Green (2006) by David Mitchell – This is the story of 13 year-old Jason Taylor and how he copes with a year in a small English village during the early 80s. It is full of colourful and memorable characters. In a similar vein as ‘Curious Incident…’ but without the maths and the dog! David Mitchell is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and enchanting authors of adult fiction but this is a ‘crossover’ novel and would normally suit readers of 14+.
The Alchemist (1993) by Paulo Coelho – This story follows Santiago, a Spanish shepherd boy on his quest to search for treasure buried in the pyramids of Nth Africa. Realising one’s destiny is the central thread and, being almost biblical in its style, is a bit different from your run-of-the-mill children’s adventure story. It has been claimed that Paulo Coelho is in the top three best-selling authors of all time so he is a writer of force.
The Life of Pi (2001) by Yann Martel – Let your imagination run riot with this story about Pi, a 16 year-old Indian boy stranded on a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra, an orang-utan and a 450 pound Bengal Tiger! Absurd, hilarious, sad and thought-provoking. This won the Man Booker Prize for 2002 which is one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards and has recently become an Academy Award winning film.
Fateless (1975) by Imre Kertesz – This is a moving novel from a Hungarian writer; a story about a Hungarian Jewish boy’s experiences in German concentration camps. It is to be approached with caution though as it is a step up from John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. It is very memorable and, in essence an account of the strength of human spirit amongst evil. Made into an excellent movie (again, approach with caution).
True History of the Kelly Gang (2000) by Peter Carey – Another Man Booker prize winner (2001), this is Peter Carey’s moving fictional account of Ned Kelly (Australia’s strongest legend) and his determined fight against those with wealth and power. Written in the first person, with a clear Aussie twang and, with a hefty amount of ripe language, this book sounds authentic. It sheds light on a very important historical and, almost mythical part of Australian history.
South (1919) by Sir Ernest Shackleton – An amazing memoir, this book explores one of the greatest feats of survival ever recorded. Shackleton, as a pioneering Antarctic explorer, found himself in dire straits on one of his forays into Southern waters and this story outlines his courageous plan to keep himself and his entire crew alive and be rescued.
Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding – Considered one of the true classics of literature and written by an author who has won both the Booker Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature. A story about a group of schoolboys who have crash landed on a desert island who are attempting to survive. Their sense of order disintegrates around them and the repercussions bring their plight to a nasty climax. Themes included: power, order, civilisation, friendship, survival, hope and superstition.
The Ascent of Rum Doodle (1956) by W.E. Bowman – A spoof of the classic mountaineering book (the 1950s spawned many as the high peaks of the Himalayas were climbed), this is a hilarious account of a British expedition up the 40,000 and a half foot peak of Rum Doodle in the Himalayas. This book has an unforgettable cast of characters, including Binder, the determined leader, Wish the mad scientist, and Pong, the terrifying cook.
A Short History of Progress (2004) by Ronald Wright – Considered an historical philosopher, the author has put together a very clear argument that humanity has repeated its same mistakes of progress. Wright explicitly outlines how human consumption, population, and pressure on resources cannot be sustained and demonstrates examples which are long past but still worth thinking about.
The Kon-Tiki Expedition (1950) by Thor Heyerdahl – The true story of the adventurous Norwegian, Thor Heyerdahl, who in the 1940s, sailed a balsa raft with some daring friends from Peru to the Pacific Islands to prove a theory that Polynesians had come from the sea from South America. This is another story not so much about survival but resourcefulness, determination, and scientific endeavour.
The Wave (1981) by Morton Rhue (pen name for Todd Strasser) – This is a fictionalised account of a teaching experiment by Ron Jones in a US High School in 1969. It shows how group pressure can easily force people to give up their individuality without question and delivers the powerful demonstration of how Nazi Germany rose to become what it was.
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? (2008) by Morgan Spurlock – Written by the creator of successful anti-fast food documentary, Super Size Me, the author attempts to make, at first, what looks like a clumsy effort to fuel the stereotypical view of the Muslim world, but which gradually reveals a deeper understanding of the conflict overshadowing the world today. This book has, quite possibly, the worst cover ever created, but the inquiring mind of Morgan Spurlock more than makes up for it. Informative and thought-provoking.
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1959) by Alan Sillitoe – This is an English short story about a boy, Colin, who has little prospect in life, growing up in a poor area in Notttingham. After turning to petty crime and subsequently being sent to Borstal (prison school), Colin turns to long distance running to try to escape the boredom and frustration.
The Phantom Tollbooth (1961) by Norton Juster – A children’s adventure/fantasy/fairy tale about a boy called Milo who is bored silly and unexpectedly finds passage to another world (The Kingdom of Wisdom). Upon arrival he accepts a quest to rescue the princesses of the Kingdom. This book would be a real hit for those who love language – puns, metaphors and idioms are plentiful.
The Book Thief (2005) by Markus Zusak – A very clever novel which follows a young German girl’s path through the traumatic years of WW2. Narrated by ‘Death’, it sounds quite grim but it is a very uplifting book about courage, love, family, and human nature (both good and bad). It contains nice short chapters but will probably hook you in so quickly that they will be devoured many at a time. Highly recommended for adults as well.
Dune (1965) by Frank Herbert - Often referred to as the greatest selling Science Fiction book of all time, Dune is, quite simply, a fantastic story, told with the depth that many of us are accustomed to after reading Tolkien. This is not Lord of the Rings in space; it is a classy piece of fiction where an extraordinary futuristic world has been brought to life. The storyline: fast forward 20,000 years and the Atreides people have been sent to govern a desolate planet with little water but plenty of the rich spice which gives everlasting life. They encounter the ambitious and brutal Harkonnen people, there is a traitor, and...
The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979) by Douglas Adams - A hilarious sci-fi comedy (one of a series of novels, adapted for radio and TV, used for a computer game, made into a movie) about Englishman, Arthur Dent and his adventures after planet earth is scheduled for demolition by the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council. A roller-coaster ride of craziness unfolds with characters such as Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Marvin the paranoid android.
Ender's Game (1985) by Orson Scott Card - Another cult classic amongst Sci-fi fans, this book tells the story of child genius, Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin, who is selected to train at Battle school and then Command school (a military style academy for children). The powers that be have an inkling that Ender has what it takes to save the human race from an attack from much feared insect-like creatures called "buggers". On the surface this book is a simple ‘good vs evil’ but dig deeper and there are many questions which arise from the carefully crafted characters. Made into a movie (2013) and, depending on your appetite for 'book to movie' transitions, holds up relatively well.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2011) by Ransom Rigg – This is a thoroughly original book which draws on real historical black and white photographs from many years ago. The author weaves a story around these photographs but, amazingly, avoids any contrived connections. This haunting (supernatural?) narrative follows the journey of a boy who has formed a special bond with his grandfather, and who must go far away to a very remote Welsh island and unlock the mystery of an unusual home for children. A compelling read which will probably stay with you long after finishing.