<p>Asimov: the Foundation Trilogy
Galsworthy:the Forstye Saga (video of the PBS series is available on DVD and may be helpful to move his reading along).</p>
<p>Sounds similar to my son.
Books he liked. The things they carried. I can’t think of the author right now but know he has many books
Also he like Blink.
He also like Alan Watts. (philosophy)
This is off the top of my head. I hope I got the author right.</p>
<p>Some reluctant readers like graphic novels. Although they call them “comic books”, some are very serious, for example Art Spigelman, Maus I and Maus II, A
Survivor’s Tale:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Maus-Survivors-Father-History-Troubles/dp/0679748407?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185139101&sr=1-2[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Maus-Survivors-Father-History-Troubles/dp/0679748407?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185139101&sr=1-2</a></p>
<p>and a novel called “Persepolis” which is prized by a computer scientist student I know well. </p>
<p>If the English teacher is progressive, s/he’ll be aware that graphic novels are just a new form of literature, and one that is very eagerly embraced because it has the visual storyboard along with the text.</p>
<p>
YES! Great, paying3, for suggesting that! The Maus books are awesome. And Spiegelman has a third book, about Sept. 11, called I think “In the shadow of no towers”. Actually, warning on that – that last book is even more difficult and moving than the Maus books, because it is very close and personal.</p>
<p>Speaking of difficult and moving – wow, my son and I just love Jonathan Safran Foer. “Everything is Illuminated” and “Incredibly Loud and something something”. I don’t know if he’s written a third book, though.</p>
<p>Richard Preston: Hot Zone, Demon in the Freezer, Cobra Event, Wild Trees. Preston is a science writer who writes creative nonfiction. My child found his writing very entertaining.</p>
<p>Has anyone mentioned John Krakauer? Four that come to mind…“Into Thin Air”, “Into the Wild” (this one has a new movie coming out starring Emile Hirsch and Vince Vaughn), “Under the Banner of Heaven” (might be too controversial and may want to opt for the next one), “Eiger Dreams”. Nonfiction books with adventure flavor to them…none are horribly long books which might try the patience of a math and science guy.</p>
<p>Btw…loved Hot Zone mum…as did my d and husband.</p>
<p>If he is into history in general and the American side of WWII, I would stongly suggest Stephen Ambrose. The HBO series Band of Brothers was based on one of his books. </p>
<p>I have always found his books to be good reads.</p>
<p>I’d go to the library and see what authors they have audio books for. He can listen and take notes.I like Adams and Asimov</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, for such wonderful suggestions. We are under the gun and this will make finding something (hopefully inspiring and wonderful) so much easier! My s is not sure if he is allowed to use non-fiction so we will e-mail the teacher. I think he might truly enjoy non-fiction over fiction and that is worth looking into. He needs to decide quickly; everyone must pick a different author. Again we truly appreciate your suggestions. :)</p>
<p>Clive Cussler writes some fun fiction centered on an Indiana Jones type oceanographer with a historical twist - name’s Dirk Pitt. The movie Sahara came from one of his books. Not Dickens, but fun reading in a scientific, action-packed setting.</p>
<p>Ditto to the previous suggestion of Terry Pratchett. He writes very amusing fantasy books beloved by many a math/science geeky type. He’s written LOTS of books, and the men/boys in my family are great fans of the Discworld Series. The first book (which he should read first, if possible) is “The Color of Magic.” He may even get your son to enjoy reading!</p>
<p>Update</p>
<p>My son has emailed his teacher to ask about the following three authors:</p>
<p>Terry Pratchett (Discworld)
Douglas Adams (Hitchiker’s Guide) Did you know he wrote for Monty Python? (a favorite of my son)
Orson Scott Card (Ender’s series)</p>
<p>I will let you all know which is approved. </p>
<p>Again thanks so much!</p>
<p>I’d like to thank everyone also. I now have some new authors to check out for son’s Christmas book. We always give each kid a new hardback for Christmas. It has gotten tough to find something they haven’t already seen and will like.</p>
<p>Maybe too late, but another vote for Enders Game. I was running for my son’s copy when I saw post’s about it. He read a lot by that author but Ender’s Game was by far the favorite. He also really liked The Thief, The King of Attolia and The Queen of Attolia by Meghan Whalen Turner, and Maximum Ride by James Patterson, who wrote a few other teen friendly books</p>
<p>You’ve got some good suggestions here. If you can stand one more, a kid who liked Tolkien and The Once and Future King might also like Mary Stewart’s Merlin books…The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment and The Wicked Day. </p>
<p>The Once and Future King is one of my favorite books and I think the Stewart ones approach it in quality.</p>
<p>If no one has mentioned Lois McMasters Bujold’s Miles Vorkosigan books, they are brilliant sf with a hero (in every sense of the word) who would be a wonderful addition to any teenage boy’s life. The science is good, the characterization outstanding and the plots zoom along. Her other trilogy, starting with Curse of Chalion, is more fantasy than sf but the rest still apply.</p>
<p>I mentioned the Vorkosigan books :), I’ve reread them multiple times and my son has reread them even more.</p>
<p>I am glad you are considering Scott Orson Card, since your time frame is tight. However, I cannot recommend Douglass Adams enough. I would also strongly recommend that you get the books on CD. There is nothing wrong with using that approach. It’s actually a really smart thing to do if you have issues with reading. Also, if his teachers will permit it, using an ipod recorder to help with note taking is invaluable.</p>
<p>If you find non-fiction is an option: Tracy Kidder
The Soul of a New Machine
Mountains beyond Mountains (a bunch of colleges have used this book recently for Freshman read)
House</p>
<p>and others…</p>