free/cheap books for 12 year old boy?

rjnagle · 05-01-2012, 02:20 PM

Hi, I just bought my nephew a Nook tablet. He's gotten started reading with Hunger Games, Star Wars, Harry Potter. I think he prefers sci fi and comics.

Can you recommend some titles that will keep him happy for a little while?

(I know about Cory Doctorow, etc).

As a general rule, I'm willing to spend no more than $5 for a title -- more or less.

Better yet would be a blog about YA or young sci fi fiction. The problem -- and don't we all know it -- is that many of the "classic" authors have only recently been converted into ebooks, most of whom are selling at 9$ and up... Which is silly, because older paperbacks of these titles still are around for 2 or 3 dollars.

I'll throw around some titles which I know would be good:

Mortal Ghosts http://www.feedbooks.com/userbook/120
Machine of Death anthology http://machineofdeath.net/about/book (kind of gruesome, but thought-provoking).

Thanks for your help.

Robert

PS. Here's a link to the index of all the ebook recommendation threads. Really useful!
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=135136

AnemicOak · 05-01-2012, 03:17 PM

How about some public domain stuff? (downloadable from the library here at MobileRead, at Feedbooks, Manybooks, Gutenberg, etc. for free)...

Treasure Island
The Swiss Family Robinson
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
Etc...

Shack70 · 05-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Try The Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, and The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

Latinandgreek · 05-01-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shack70

Try The Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, and The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan's books are a lot of fun, I second the recommendation.

George Orwell's 1984 was one of my favourites when I was 12 or 13, it's in the public domain outside of the U.S.

Here's a link to an MR version:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83996

Brandon Sanderson offers Warbreaker for free on his site:

http://www.brandonsanderson.com/library/

AnemicOak · 05-01-2012, 04:25 PM

Also, check the library.

Is he in Houston where you are? The Houston area library has about 11,000 ebook titles (didn't check to see what they have) for checkout in Adobe DRM'd ePub which will work with his Nook.
http://hadc.lib.overdrive.com

If he's not in Houston, check his local library to see if they offer ebooks.

bill_mchale · 05-01-2012, 04:58 PM

Just a couple of thoughts.. if he doesn't mind older Science Fiction, a large part of H. Beam Piper's Science Fiction is in the Public Domain. Also, for newer SF, make sure you check out the Baen Free Library and the fifth imperium (not all of the books are appropriate for a 12 year old, so you might want to review them first). Also, Ender's Game seems to be popular with a lot of people who have read the Hunger Games and B&N sell it for $6... so that should be pretty standard.

--
Bill

dreams · 05-01-2012, 05:13 PM

I really enjoyed the Rats, Bats and Vats by Dave Freer and Eric Flint at the Baen free library and The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly. I really don't remember anything about the sex/violence content - sorry.

How about some not as well-known in the general public books? Most of the middle school and high school kids I know are reading the Hunger Games either for school reports or on their own. I've read some of the below a long while ago or saw posts about them on MR. I don't remember what the sex/violence content is (if any) in any of these. Jeffrey Carver is a well-known author also. These books may be at other sites but I listed mostly those that are free at feedbooks and smashwords for you to check them out. Most of the below authors have been on MR. Some may have the freebies on their own sites with updated versions.

Since you already mentioned Mortal Ghosts, the author also has Corvus by L. Lee Lowe

Feedbooks also has the below:

Delver Magic Book I: Sanctum's Breach by Jeff Inlo

Living History by Ben Essex

Neptune Crossing by Jeffrey A. Carver also at smashwords plus ePub version on MR

Also some books at smashwords:

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I by Tracy Falbe also free at her site

Galaxy of Heroes by Gus Flory

Rogue Hunter: Gaia #1: Into the Abyss by Kevis Hendrickson

We also have MR authors that post in the Promotions forum about their YA books.

jgaiser · 05-01-2012, 05:26 PM

And there's always The Fifth Imperium. Full *legal* CDs from Baen (though it would be nice if you went ahead and purchased a few of these books to help support a great publisher).

Latinandgreek · 05-01-2012, 05:49 PM

The Riyria revelations are a fun series that your nephew might like as well.

tch65721 · 05-01-2012, 06:04 PM

Tarzan? John Carter Mars books? A lot of Edgar Rice Burroughs is public domain.

DuaneAA · 05-01-2012, 10:25 PM

I would suggest 'The Witches of Karres' by James Schmitz at Baen. A lot of his books are free at Baen, and while this one is $5, it is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi novels. It is from the 1960s and in some regards feels dated, but it is still a magical read. The people at Baen love it so much, they have done two sequels using their stable of writer/editors, neither of which hold a candle to the original. And it is entirely appropriate for a 12-year-old, no foul language and no sex. It is simply fun.

Duane

xg4bx · 05-01-2012, 10:44 PM

it all depends on his attention span but i really liked classic horror/sci-fi at that age i.e. frankenstein and most of h.g. wells output.

rjnagle · 05-02-2012, 09:08 PM

All excellent titles (and thanks for reminding me about Baen; their compilations look very interesting). Not only did I buy 'The Witches of Karres' ( http://www.baenebooks.com/p-468-the-...of-karres.aspx ) but I've started reading it myself.

I'll throw out two more titles. First, Robert Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky (which is an expensive 7.99 ebook, drats). (promotion edited).

Sorry, I just thought of another amazing title and author. Barry Yourgrau writes these amazing and fantastic short stories, some of which are targeted at teens. All the collections are basically the same, although a few have a bit of sexual content.

For young teens I recommend Barry Yourgrau who writes experimental surreal flash fiction, sometimes with a grotesque twist. Some of his stuff is more for adults (Man Jumps out of an airplane, sadness of sex), but his other titles (especially The Nasty Book) are especially for young boys (with lots of Adams Family kind of humor).

morriss003 · 05-03-2012, 05:46 PM

Does anyone know whether or not the William Campbell Gault and Jim Kjelgaard books are in the public domain or are available as ebooks? Those would be good for a 12 year old. Tunnel in the Sky is certainly one of my favorites

ATDrake · 05-03-2012, 05:55 PM

William Campbell Gault's mystery/crime thrillers have just been brought out by Prologue Books in reprints. A couple of his works are public domain in the US via Project Gutenberg.

There's actually one currently free @ Amazon & B&N as a week-long promo in the Deals forum, and there was a really big sale on some others over the weekend.

Only some of Jim Kjelgaard's works are public domain in the US. His entire catalogue is PD in Canada due to Life+50, though.

05-02-2012, 09:08 PM	#13
rjnagle Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 2167 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Device: ipad 1, Nook Simple Touch, Kindle 3, ebookwise 1150	All excellent titles (and thanks for reminding me about Baen; their compilations look very interesting). Not only did I buy 'The Witches of Karres' ( http://www.baenebooks.com/p-468-the-...of-karres.aspx ) but I've started reading it myself. I'll throw out two more titles. First, Robert Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky (which is an expensive 7.99 ebook, drats). (promotion edited). Sorry, I just thought of another amazing title and author. Barry Yourgrau writes these amazing and fantastic short stories, some of which are targeted at teens. All the collections are basically the same, although a few have a bit of sexual content. For young teens I recommend Barry Yourgrau who writes experimental surreal flash fiction, sometimes with a grotesque twist. Some of his stuff is more for adults (Man Jumps out of an airplane, sadness of sex), but his other titles (especially The Nasty Book) are especially for young boys (with lots of Adams Family kind of humor). Last edited by dreams; 05-03-2012 at 12:59 AM. Reason: removed promotion - moderator

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Reception year reading books (age4-5) incl free book	postman syndrome	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	1	01-06-2012 12:39 PM
Great Blog with Free and Cheap Books	JohnSauer	General Discussions	0	12-21-2010 04:10 PM
Speak the truth to me...is the eBookwise reader suitable for an 11 year old boy?	Siwickimom	Fictionwise eBookwise	22	08-16-2009 01:05 PM
Durable Reader for 11 year old boy?	Siwickimom	Which one should I buy?	23	08-14-2009 07:11 PM

05-01-2012, 02:20 PM	#1
rjnagle Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 2167 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Device: ipad 1, Nook Simple Touch, Kindle 3, ebookwise 1150	free/cheap ebooks for 12 year old boy? Hi, I just bought my nephew a Nook tablet. He's gotten started reading with Hunger Games, Star Wars, Harry Potter. I think he prefers sci fi and comics. Can you recommend some titles that will keep him happy for a little while? (I know about Cory Doctorow, etc). As a general rule, I'm willing to spend no more than $5 for a title -- more or less. Better yet would be a blog about YA or young sci fi fiction. The problem -- and don't we all know it -- is that many of the "classic" authors have only recently been converted into ebooks, most of whom are selling at 9$ and up... Which is silly, because older paperbacks of these titles still are around for 2 or 3 dollars. I'll throw around some titles which I know would be good: Mortal Ghosts http://www.feedbooks.com/userbook/120 Machine of Death anthology http://machineofdeath.net/about/book (kind of gruesome, but thought-provoking). Thanks for your help. Robert PS. Here's a link to the index of all the ebook recommendation threads. Really useful! https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=135136 Last edited by rjnagle; 05-01-2012 at 05:54 PM. Reason: added link to MR recommendation threads.

05-01-2012, 03:17 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	How about some public domain stuff? (downloadable from the library here at MobileRead, at Feedbooks, Manybooks, Gutenberg, etc. for free)... Treasure Island The Swiss Family Robinson Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea Etc...

05-01-2012, 03:36 PM	#3
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	Try The Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, and The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

05-01-2012, 04:25 PM	#5
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Also, check the library. Is he in Houston where you are? The Houston area library has about 11,000 ebook titles (didn't check to see what they have) for checkout in Adobe DRM'd ePub which will work with his Nook. http://hadc.lib.overdrive.com If he's not in Houston, check his local library to see if they offer ebooks.

05-01-2012, 04:58 PM	#6
bill_mchale Wizard Posts: 1,451 Karma: 1550000 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch, HPC Evo 4G LTE	Just a couple of thoughts.. if he doesn't mind older Science Fiction, a large part of H. Beam Piper's Science Fiction is in the Public Domain. Also, for newer SF, make sure you check out the Baen Free Library and the fifth imperium (not all of the books are appropriate for a 12 year old, so you might want to review them first). Also, Ender's Game seems to be popular with a lot of people who have read the Hunger Games and B&N sell it for $6... so that should be pretty standard. -- Bill

05-01-2012, 05:13 PM	#7
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,112 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	I really enjoyed the Rats, Bats and Vats by Dave Freer and Eric Flint at the Baen free library and The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly. I really don't remember anything about the sex/violence content - sorry. How about some not as well-known in the general public books? Most of the middle school and high school kids I know are reading the Hunger Games either for school reports or on their own. I've read some of the below a long while ago or saw posts about them on MR. I don't remember what the sex/violence content is (if any) in any of these. Jeffrey Carver is a well-known author also. These books may be at other sites but I listed mostly those that are free at feedbooks and smashwords for you to check them out. Most of the below authors have been on MR. Some may have the freebies on their own sites with updated versions. Since you already mentioned Mortal Ghosts, the author also has Corvus by L. Lee Lowe Feedbooks also has the below: Delver Magic Book I: Sanctum's Breach by Jeff Inlo Living History by Ben Essex Neptune Crossing by Jeffrey A. Carver also at smashwords plus ePub version on MR Also some books at smashwords: Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I by Tracy Falbe also free at her site Galaxy of Heroes by Gus Flory Rogue Hunter: Gaia #1: Into the Abyss by Kevis Hendrickson We also have MR authors that post in the Promotions forum about their YA books.

05-01-2012, 05:26 PM	#8
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,281 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	And there's always The Fifth Imperium. Full legal CDs from Baen (though it would be nice if you went ahead and purchased a few of these books to help support a great publisher).

05-01-2012, 05:49 PM	#9
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	The Riyria revelations are a fun series that your nephew might like as well.

05-01-2012, 06:04 PM	#10
tch65721 Evangelist Posts: 442 Karma: 3555070 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 10", Android phone	Tarzan? John Carter Mars books? A lot of Edgar Rice Burroughs is public domain.

05-01-2012, 10:25 PM	#11
DuaneAA Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 1139736 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 & Kindle Fire HDX	I would suggest 'The Witches of Karres' by James Schmitz at Baen. A lot of his books are free at Baen, and while this one is $5, it is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi novels. It is from the 1960s and in some regards feels dated, but it is still a magical read. The people at Baen love it so much, they have done two sequels using their stable of writer/editors, neither of which hold a candle to the original. And it is entirely appropriate for a 12-year-old, no foul language and no sex. It is simply fun. Duane

Advert

Advert

05-01-2012, 10:44 PM	#12
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	it all depends on his attention span but i really liked classic horror/sci-fi at that age i.e. frankenstein and most of h.g. wells output.

05-03-2012, 05:46 PM	#14
morriss003 Evangelist Posts: 438 Karma: 3409790 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maui Device: kindle	Does anyone know whether or not the William Campbell Gault and Jim Kjelgaard books are in the public domain or are available as ebooks? Those would be good for a 12 year old. Tunnel in the Sky is certainly one of my favorites

05-03-2012, 05:55 PM	#15
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	William Campbell Gault's mystery/crime thrillers have just been brought out by Prologue Books in reprints. A couple of his works are public domain in the US via Project Gutenberg. There's actually one currently free @ Amazon & B&N as a week-long promo in the Deals forum, and there was a really big sale on some others over the weekend. Only some of Jim Kjelgaard's works are public domain in the US. His entire catalogue is PD in Canada due to Life+50, though.