My cousin has a birthday coming up, and I’d like to get him a book that he might, eventually, pick up and read (and enjoy).

I know that he liked (or at least, didn’t dislike) both the Artemis Fowl series and the Ranger’s Apprentice series, as well as the Percy Jackson series. (He likes Pokemon and willingly reads anything about them, but I think he has all of them, and besides, they’re very short.) He’s also very into video games and “guy” movies (such as Transformers, The Mummy, Star Trek, X-Men, etc.).

My aunt says he didn’t like the Hardy Boys.

I don’t have a lot of experience with boys (and their dislike of books), so I’m a little out of my depth with finding something he might enjoy reading.

I’m thinking something like the Alex Rider series or Cirque du Freak, or maybe even Pendragon, but I honestly don’t know.

Do any of you have some suggestions for me? The only thing I would stay away from is anything super-long, girly (obviously) or with lots of magic—he didn’t like PB Kerr’s Children of the Lamp series. Thanks!

Topics: books, gifts, video games, gift ideas, suggestions, boys, preteens