Books, Ie Calling All Librarians 2 - Olathe,KS

My son and several of his classmates (6th graders) have read and loved the Divergent series. Based on my quick glance at them, I would say that the content is definitely young adult. It is a 'dystopia' book (imagining a really nasty society in which to live), so if your son is squeamish or easily disturbed, I would not recommend it at this point. Then again, if he wants to read a book about boys getting lost in the wilderness and barely surviving, he is probably not easily disturbed. As far as the sexual content goes, there is some lusting by the main character and a bit of kissing, however my son currently labels romance stuff as 'disturbing' and he loved the series, so clearly there isn't much of it. I think you should give him a chance to try it out. If it isn't appropriate for him now, he'll self-select and stop reading it himself.

I do second the recommendations for the Percy Jackson series or the other series by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles) as well as the Eragon series. Our son loved them and even though he has moved away from fantasy, he still eagerly awaits the next Rick Riordan book's releases. Good luck and have fun!

Divergent is great, but it may be a little too mature. I second anything by Rick Riordan!

I've read it. I'm not sure how old your son is, but there is quite a bit of death in the series. In the first part, during training, the characters have to fight each other and are taught no mercy. There is also suicide and some very minor intimacy.

Don't get me wrong- it is a pretty great book, and I am waking for the last of the series to be returned to the library so I can read it... But I would say it's for a little older audience.

If your son likes fantasy-type books, he might enjoy Eragon. It's about a boy who finds a dragon egg, and winds up fighting against the corrupt king. :)

The Divergent series is wonderful, similar to Hunger Games, but depends on your child.
A good series for your son may be the Percy Jackson series, if he is interested at all in Greek mythology. My almost 10 y/o is reading the series now and is really enjoying it.

My 6th grade daughter and I have both read the series, and I think it very much depends on your son's temperament and what else he has read. My daughter read the Hunger Games (with me the first time) in 4th grade, so has not shied away from books that have instances of death in them. But I know some of her friends wouldn't be able to handle that kind of stories (though MANY of her friends have read the Divergent books). But it was her favorite series up until she finished the Maze Runner series, which I'm reading right now and is definitely creepier/weirder than Divergent, if that's possible!

Divergent is a great book. I believe it is on a list of great children's books of 2013 for ages 12-14. That said, i am not sure if i would let a 12 year old read it. There is violence, death, etc. i think it depends on what you let him read. Some reviews put this book for grades 9 and up. Many middle schools have this book. The lexile is around 700 so it's not a difficult read-more content. I would suggest you read it first.

Try The Maze Runner series.

I haven't read the Divergent series, but several who are on the state book award committee with me have read it. For the most part they loved the first book, thought the 2nd was OK, and felt that the 3rd was horrible. We read for two different levels of readers-- 3-5 and 6-8. No one on our committee felt comfortable recommending Divergent for the award because of the mature themes. (Compared to Hunger Games that was recommended, but not chosen partially because of the mature themes.)

I have read it. I would let my son read it at twelve. It is a pretty easy read, so you could read it yourself first to see what you think.