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What to read to a 13 year old boy. The best, interesting and modern books for teenagers. Special list for girls

What to read to a 13 year old boy. The best, interesting and modern books for teenagers. Special list for girls

The problem of choosing books at this age is connected, in my opinion, with two things. Firstly, with the internal state of an individual child (some grow quickly and have long been eager to read books as adults, while others have not yet grown out of childhood); secondly, with the inevitable but painful transition from a complete ban on reading (watching) anything about “adult” love to the ability to read (watch) about it calmly, without “obsessing”, that is, in an adult way. It is impossible to save children from this threshold. Keeping them in blinders until the birth of their own children is not very wise, to put it mildly. Just from 14 to 17 years old, you need to somehow be able to take teenagers across this reading line, and each child probably needs to pave some kind of their own path into the jungle of purely “adult” books, in which for a hundred years they have stopped be shy anyway.

When compiling conventional lists of books for this age, I did not try to embrace the immensity. I asked my friends, added their opinion to my memories and tried to build some system, however, not very logical and academic. I had, strictly speaking, one criterion - how much these books were loved and “readable”. No “rules” (if we read “this” - why don’t we read “that” and break historical justice?) is not recognized here. If “that” is unreadable for a teenager, that means we don’t read it. At 14 - 15 years old, the task is still relevant not to scare them away from reading, but, on the contrary, to make them want to do this activity in every possible way. The list includes only truly beloved books that have been read several times - strange as it may seem in some cases.

And one more consideration. An adult philologist, compiling such a list, willy-nilly begins to look around in embarrassment: how can I mention a book that has long been considered rather mediocre, or even does not stand up to any artistic criticism? Am I spoiling the taste of the young reader? This kind of prejudice was not taken into account in this list. The point, in my opinion, is that in childhood and adolescence you need to read a lot not for aesthetic pleasure, but for the sake of your horizons. I once read a very apt remark from S. Averintsev: if a person knows only his time, his narrowly modern range of concepts, he is a chronological provincial. And if he doesn’t know other countries and customs, he’s a geographical provincial (this is my extrapolation). And in order not to be a provincial, by the age of 17 you need to read a lot of all sorts of books - just about life, about “life and customs” different nations and eras.

The books in this list are grouped rather conventionally, and the groups are arranged in order of increasing “maturity”. This way, in my opinion, it will be easier to choose. As I present the texts, I will occasionally allow myself some comments.

Still “children’s” books

A. LindgrenSuper detective Kalle Blomkvist. Roni is the daughter of a robber. Brothers Lionheart. We are on the island of Saltkroka.

The last book is the most “adult” on the list, but, strictly speaking, all this should have been read by the age of 12-13. As, indeed, are the other books in this section. But if a teenager has lingered in childhood and has not yet read everything he should have, then these books will not irritate with their “smallness.” They are specifically for teenagers.

V. KrapivinKnee-deep in the grass. The shadow of the caravel. Squire Kashka. Sailor Wilson's white ball. Captain Rumba's briefcase.(And another fairy tale about a poplar shirt - I don’t remember the exact name)

Krapivin wrote many books, and some may prefer his “mystic-fantasy” cycles. And I love most of his books where there is almost (or no) fantasy, but there are real memories of childhood. The story about Captain Rumba is funny and cheerful - artistically, without effort, and teenagers lack this like vitamins.

R. BradburyDandelion wine.

Just a story about how difficult it is to leave childhood - from the point of view of childhood, not youth.

Alan MarshallI can jump over puddles.

Everyone suddenly remembered her with love.

R. KiplingPack from the hills. Awards and fairies.

The history of England could also be added to this, or just an encyclopedia where you can clarify who is who and what is where...

Cornelia FunkeKing of Thieves. Inkheart.

This is already an “arbitrary” part of the list. The fact is that every reader needs (except for masterpieces) a layer of average books - for a snack, for a break, just so as not to lift weights all the time. And also for a correct understanding of the scale. Those who have been fed only masterpieces since childhood do not know the value of books. When you constantly read texts written for children, you forget some, while others still stand out, even though they are not masterpieces. But you can probably replace them with something else, I just came across these.

Lloyd AlexanderA series of novels about Taren (The Book of Three. The Black Cauldron. Taren the Wanderer, etc.).

History, geography, zoology and more

D. LondonNorthern stories. Smoke Belew. Smoke and Baby.

D. CurwoodRamblers of the North(and so on - until you get tired of it).

Jules Verne Yes, everything that is being read, if not already read.

A. Conan DoyleLost World. Brigadier Gerard(and this is already history).

W. ScottIvanhoe. Quentin Dorward.

G. HaggardDaughter of Montezuma. King Solomon's Mines.

R. StevensonKidnapped. Catriona. Saint-Ives(alas, not finished by the author).

R. KiplingKim.

Boys love this very much, if they have the ability to read not the easiest book. You can slip it in with a brief comment: this is a story about how an English boy became a spy, and even in India. And he was raised by an old Indian yogi (“Oh my son, didn’t I tell you that it’s not good to cast magic?”).

A. DumasCount of Montecristo.

By now it would be high time to read the Musketeer epic. And “Queen Margot”, probably, too. But you can’t help but read it.

S. ForesterThe Saga of Captain Hornblower.(three books have been published in the “Historical Library for Youth”).

The book was written in the twentieth century: the history of an English sailor from midshipman to admiral during the Napoleonic wars. Meticulous, adventurous, reliable, very charming. The hero evokes great sympathy, remaining an ordinary, but very worthy person.

T. HeyerdahlTravel to Kon-Tiki. Aku-aku.

D. HerriotNotes from a veterinarian and so on.

The books are autobiographical, funny and curious, full of everyday details. For lovers of all kinds of living creatures, this is a great consolation.

I. EfremovThe Journey of Baurjed. On the edge of the Ecumene. Stories.

For some reason, even historians don’t know these books now. And this is such a help both in the history of the ancient world (Egypt, Greece) and in geography (Africa, the Mediterranean). And the stories are rather “paleontological” - and also very interesting. This is early Efremov, there are no (or almost no) seductive ideas here - about yoga, the beauty of all kinds of bodies, etc., as in the later “The Razor's Edge” and “Thais of Athens”. And there is no politics, as in “The Hour of the Bull” (all this is hardly worth giving to children). But it may be interesting and harmless to read “The Andromeda Nebula” - it is, of course, a very outdated utopia, but it successfully eliminates ignorance in the field of astronomy. Efremov is generally good (in my opinion) precisely as a popularizer of science. He has a documentary story about paleontological excavations in Mongolia, “The Road of the Winds,” which is very interesting.

M. ZagoskinYuri Miloslavsky. Stories.

And I don’t like “Roslavlev” at all.

A.K. Tolstoy"Prince Silver".

We’ve already read it, and no one particularly likes it - so, in moderation. And the ghoul stories (“The Ghoul Family” especially) are tempting - but you probably need to read them - for general development.

What girls love

S. BronteJane Eyre.

E. PotterPollyanna(and the second book is about how Pollyanna grows up, although, of course, this can be read by the age of 10).

D. WebbsterDaddy Long Legs. Dear enemy.

Charming, albeit simple books. And the rarest form is novels in letters, witty and quite action-packed.

A. MontgomeryAnne Shirley from Green Gables.

Nabokov himself undertook to translate... But the book is weak. There is a wonderful Canadian TV movie. And a cool (they say) Japanese cartoon - but I haven’t seen it yet.

A. EgorushkinaA real princess and a traveling bridge.

Fantasy, rather mediocre, and the sequels are completely weak. But girls 12-13 years old are absolutely delighted with her.

M. StewartNine carriages. Moon spinners(and other detectives).

And this reading is already for young ladies 14-16 years old. Also very beloved, educational and, it seems, harmless. English life after the war, Europe (Greece, France), marvelous landscapes and, of course, love. M. Stewart's detective stories are average, but good. Here is the story about Arthur and Merlin - a masterpiece, but about it in another section.

I. Ilf, E. PetrovThe twelve Chairs. Golden calf.

L. SolovievThe Tale of Khoja Nasreddin.

The text is charming and mischievous. Perhaps the most suitable one to get used to adult conversations “about life” without unnecessary pain.

V. LipatovVillage detective. Gray mouse. The Tale of Director Pronchatov. Even before the war.

V. AstafievTheft. Last bow.

"Theft" is very scary tale about an orphanage in the Arctic Circle, where children of exiled and already dead parents survive - an antidote to Soviet utopias.

V. Bykov

The dead don't hurt. Obelisk. His battalion.

E. KazakevichStar.

And very interesting book“The House on the Square” is about a Soviet commandant in an occupied German town, but this, of course, is socialist realism with all its slyness. I don’t know any more lyrical prose about war. Is it “Be healthy, schoolboy” by B. Okudzhava?

N. DumbadzeMe, grandma, Iliko and Illarion.(And the film is even better - it seems with Veriko Andzhaparidze). White flags(a relatively honest exposure of the Soviet system, which was entirely bribed).

Ch. AitmatovWhite ship.

However, I don’t know... I’ll definitely say “no” about the later Aitmatov, but I can’t say with confidence about this either that it’s worth reading. I only know for sure that some idea of life in Soviet times children should have it. It is wrong if there is simply a gap and emptiness left. Then it will be easy to fill it with all sorts of lies. On the other hand, we knew how to read Soviet books, putting lies out of brackets, but children no longer understand the conventions that were obvious to us.

Memories of upbringing

A. HerzenThe past and thoughts (vols. 1-2).

As a child, I read with pleasure, precisely during these years.

E. VodovozovaThe story of one childhood.

The book is unique: the memoirs of a graduate of the Smolny Institute who studied with Ushinsky himself. She writes both about Smolny and about her childhood on the estate very impartially (she is generally a “sixties person”), but intelligently, accurately, and reliably. I read it as a child (the edition was very shabby), but about five years ago it was republished.

V. NabokovOther shores.

A. TsvetaevaMemories.

K. PaustovskyA story about life.

A. KuprinJunker. Cadets.

A. MakarenkoPedagogicalpoem.

F. VigdorovaThe road to life. This is my home. Chernigovka.

This is the same Vigdorova who recorded the trial of Brodsky. And the books (this is a trilogy) were written about an orphanage created by Makarenko’s student back in the 30s. A lot of interesting details about life, schools and problems of that time. Very easy to read. The Soviet is noticeable, but the anti-Soviet is also noticeable.

A. CroninYoung years. Shannon's Way(continuation).

And probably “Citadel”. “Young Years” is a very nice book, although all sorts of problems with faith arise there. The poor child grew up as an Irish Catholic surrounded by English Protestants and eventually became a positivist biologist.

D. DarrellMy family and other animals.

A. BrushteinThe road goes into the distance. At dawn. Spring.

The memoirs have a revolutionary accent, uniquely combined with the Jewish view of Russian-Lithuanian-Polish reality. And it is very interesting, informative and charming. I don’t know how it will be perceived by modern children, but the mass of realities of the early twentieth century is reflected so clearly in few places. Perhaps A. Tsvetaeva - but she rather emphasizes the exclusivity rather than the typicality of their way of life.

N. RollechekWooden rosary. Chosen Ones.

The books are rare and probably tempting. Memoirs of a girl given by her parents to be raised in an orphanage at a Catholic convent. The case takes place in Poland after its separation from Russia, but before the war. The life and customs of the shelter (and even the monastery) are quite unsightly; it seems that they are described truthfully, albeit impartially. But they show life from a side unknown to us.

N. KalmaChildren of mustard paradise. Verney rooks. Bookstore on Place de l'Etoile.

What is called - under the asterisk. The author is Soviet children's writer, who specialized in describing the lives of “your peers abroad.” It is very politicized, with class struggle, of course, strikes and demonstrations, but still, to some extent, the realities of a life completely unknown to us are faithfully depicted. For example, the election of a “president” in an American school or the life of a French orphanage during the war. Or the participation of very young teenagers in the French Resistance. It would be nice to read something more reliable - but for some reason there isn’t. Or I don't know. And these books are hardly easy to obtain anymore. But the author, for all his Soviet naivety, has some kind of unique charm, especially for teenagers. And I loved it, and just recently one of our children suddenly brought it to show me (“The Book Shop”) as something treasured and dear.

A. RekemchukBoys.

It is possible earlier, of course; Quite a children's story about a music school and a boys' choir. By the way, there is also such an author M. Korshunov, he also wrote either about students of a special music school at the conservatory, or about the railway vocational school. It's not all very serious, but it's very interesting at the right age. I don’t remember any other books of this kind, but there were a lot of them in Soviet times.

Science fiction and fantasy

A. BelyaevAmphibian Man. Professor Dowell's Head(and everything else - if for some reason you haven’t read it yet, it is not harmful for children).

A. TolstoyHyperboloid of engineer Garin. Aelita.

The latter is more strange than interesting. And “Hyperboloid” again amazes with the authenticity of pre-war Europe - something we have very little of in our books.

G. WellsWar of the Worlds. Green door.

And more as desired. It seems to me that his stories are generally stronger than his novels.

S. LemStories about the pilot Pirx. (Magellan Cloud. Return from the Stars. Star Diaries of John the Quiet).

Smart stories with good humor. And very sad novels, unusual for that time, with some alarming lyrics. “Diaries” is a funny book, teenagers appreciate it. And his later books are impossible to read - they are complete, creepy and, most importantly, boring darkness.

R. Bradbury451 Fahrenheit. The Martian Chronicles and Other Stories.

A. and B. StrugatskyThe path to Amalthea. Noon XXIIcentury It's hard to be a god. Attempt to escape. Inhabited island. Monday starts on Saturday.

These things are not surprising. The first two are utopia, very curious and charming, humorous and sad. In my youth, I myself loved the practically banned “Inhabited Island” - a deeply anti-Soviet thing. And all the guys love “Monday”.

G. HarrisonIndomitable planet.

This is a very prolific author. Boys (even adults) like a lot of things about him, because he has the imagination of a physicist and engineer. That's exactly why he's not very interesting to me. And this is an “ecological” novel, wise in its main idea and charming thanks to its rogue hero.

Now about fantasy or what preceded it

A. GreenGold chain. Running on the waves. Brilliant world. Road to nowhere. Fandango.

D.R.R. TolkienLord of the Rings. The Silmarillion.

C. Lewis, probably everyone has read before - “The Chronicles of Narnia”. But it’s probably too early to read “The Space Trilogy” or “The Divorce of Marriage.” I don’t know at all about “Letters of Screwtape” when they should be read.

K. SimakGoblin Sanctuary.

Surprisingly sweet book. He never wrote anything like that again, although in general he is a smooth and pleasant science fiction writer. His stories are better, his novels are worse (in my opinion). Is it “City”...

Ursula Le GuinA Wizard of Earthsea(the first 3 books are very strong, then it gets worse).

It’s even somehow awkward to advertise, but I know: there is a middle-aged generation that missed the appearance of these books, and they are very good. " Space stories", in my opinion, hers are still weaker (Hainsky cycle), but they are also suitable for teenagers. But the texts that study family, marriage, the psychology of men and women, and other difficult things (“The Left Hand of Darkness”) - although they are also disguised as science fiction - are first-class books, but, naturally, they are more than childish.

Diana W. JonesHaul's walking castle. Castle in the air. Worlds of Chrestomanci. Merlin's conspiracy.

In my opinion, the best of the books is “Castle in the Air.” There humor is based on stylization and wordplay. But in general, this is a children's author, always quite interesting and not serious enough. To make a deep film based on it, H. Miyazaki had to add so much...

M. and S. DyachenkoRoad magician. Oberon's word. Evil has no power.

A very decent fantasy for teenagers, written by “adult” authors. What they do for adults is uneven, but serious and interesting. Sometimes too harsh and too frank. You shouldn’t give them without caution. And this is just right.

S. LukyanenkoKnights of the Forty Islands.

A book about growing up and moral problems that have to be solved in artificially constructed conditions. The influence of Krapivin and Golding is noticeable. And it seems to me that this is enough. You can, however, read his more “adult” books, but “The Boy and the Darkness,” in my opinion, is not necessary to read, although it seems to have been written for children. The author is quite charming, but there is such a mess and confusion in my head...

M. SemenovaWolfhound.

A very strange mixture folk tales, myths and eastern “practices”. Worldview cocktail. A terrible confusion of sophisticated plots. Love for paganism with a hostile misunderstanding of Christianity (and any world religions, probably excluding Buddhism). Expertly described oriental martial arts. Lots of sensuality. But in general, the books are nice in their own way. True, I became a little bored by the end of the first (and best) part...

D. RowlingHarry Potter.

If they want to read it, well, let them read it. There is a lot of interesting stuff there, a lot of alien stuff, but in general, the popularity of these books is as much a mystery as the popularity of Charskaya, so it seems to me. I honestly read it, not so long ago, but I don’t remember it well.

Detectives

A. Conan DoyleStories about Sherlock Holmes.

E. PoStories(it’s better to start reading “The Gold Bug” - it’s not so gloomy).

W. CollinsMoon rock.

A bit girly reading, but entertaining. "The Woman in White" is noticeably worse.

A. ChristieDeath on the Orient Express.

The choice is not mine, but that of a young lady I know who has recently passed the age mentioned. You need to read something from the famous lady. But I don't love her at all.

G.K. ChestertonStories about Father Brown(and other stories).

He teases, of course, but does not push away.

M. Cheval and P. ValeuxDeath of the 31st department. And any other novels.

Scandinavians with a good sense of humor and a sober view of modern civilization are rare among us. It is, of course, not necessary to read them, but you can - if someone really likes detective stories.

Dick FrancisFavorite. Driving force.

I painfully went through all the other works of this author in search of decent ones. I didn't remember, unfortunately. The point is that he is a very useful writer. And I, for example, think that I clearly missed his books in my youth. Not the detective side, but an amazing attitude to life: courageous, direct, very interested, the opposite of weakness and despondency. And, above all, Francis's novels are an encyclopedia of reality. A man who went through the war (a military pilot) enthusiastically mastered everything new that he saw in life: computers, yachts, the banking system, tax accounting, glass blowing, photography, and... I wrote all this, as if It turned out that his wife was simply better at writing. In general, the author is amazing for the outlook and formation of life attitudes, but does not even try to be “decent”. Well, adult author, what can you do here?

A. HaleyAirport. Wheels. Hotel. Final diagnosis.

Almost the same story, only the books are many times weaker: there is no accurate and deep depiction of the characters. But there is knowledge about reality (a kind of natural school) that is so lacking in youth. By the way, he is “more decent” than Francis in details.

Great novels and serious stories (stories)

V. HugoLes Misérables. Notre Dame Cathedral.

The rest is based on inspiration. At the age of 14, I loved Les Misérables passionately. And later you won’t be able to read them seriously anymore. I liked “Cathedral” less, but this is a personal matter, and you need to know it first of all.

Charles DickensOliver Twist. David Copperfield. Cold house. Martin Chuzzlewit. Our mutual friend. Dombey and son(and so on. All the names are inaccurate, because he always makes them up).

In general, I have been reading Dickens since the second grade. Most of all I loved “David Copperfield” - in the fourth grade. Later - “Bleak House”, but here, too, everyone has their own preferences. Usually, once you get into the taste of Dickens, you can’t tear yourself away. “Martin Chuzzlewit” is a difficult, evil book (as far as Dickens can be evil), anti-American, by the way. I liked Dombey and Son perhaps less than the others. But there is a radio play with Maria Babanova in the role of Florence, with a wonderful song about the sea. Nowadays radio books are in vogue - so maybe there is an opportunity to find this old production? A very worthy option. And there are English films: Great Expectations and the old musical Oliver! - absolutely wonderful. I haven’t seen the new film, but the American David - well, maybe someone will like it, it’s okay, it’s just very short. We also read Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” - but that’s for Anglomaniacs.

D. AustinPride and Prejudice.

If it were up to me, I would force you to re-read all of Austen to sharpen your mind. But, unfortunately, children do not understand this subtle and mocking analysis. They expect passions from her in the spirit of Charles Bronte, but here there is a coldish irony. But this can wait.

G. SenkevichFlood. Fire and sword. Crusaders.

The best reading at this age. Romantic, militant, charming, emotional... Not very deep, but it adds to your horizons.

D. GalsworthyThe Forsyte Saga.

Maybe it's the graduate in me talking English school, who read it without fail, but for some reason it was this “average” book that provided something like a coordinate system to navigate at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries and beyond - until the Second World War. A sense of time as a change of styles - that's what it can give, in my opinion. Popular, superficial, but for starters - very reliable bindings. IN Lately I am faced with the fact that children do not distinguish between the 19th and 20th centuries, they do not feel the difference between pre-war and post-war culture. This is a serious problem, and it seems to me that straws need to be laid down here. We had a completely different story going on at that time, and it had a different style.

T. MannBuddenbrooks.

I didn’t read this at school, but if I had, I probably would have liked it very much. A book that pretends to be sedate and thorough, but in fact rests on such a young and desperate nerve. It’s gloomy, though, towards the end, like an angry, hunted teenager. Mann also has a rather light piece called “Royal Highness.” The rest of his stuff is no longer for children.

R. PilcherShell finders. Homecoming. September. Christmas Eve.

Everyday charming books (women's prose). England during the Second War - we knew too little about it, by the way. And quite modern (that is, 1980s) England. And we know little about this either. IN last book a kind of parish utopia, although some things there will be strange for us. It's quite easy to read, girls will probably like it more. It was published here quite recently in the “By the Fireplace” series (those checkered volumes, they are most often exhibited in sentimental sections, sometimes in modern prose: the books are quite serious).

Now less weighty texts

Alain FournierBolshoi Moln.

Such a young, sad, achingly romantic fairy tale.

Harper LeeTo Kill a Mockingbird.

Everyone loves her, I don’t, but that’s not an argument. Children can fall in love.

S. LagerlöfThe saga of Jost Berling.

In her own way she is no worse than Nils wild geese. And creepy, and beautiful, and very curious. We never imagined Scandinavia like this.

R. RollandCola Brugnon.

As opposed to any modern-decadence. And, by the way, to get used to adult frankness: here it is stylized as a common people's rude frankness.

L. FrankDisciples of Jesus.

Germany after the war. Restoring justice, boys - Robin Hoods and all sorts of serious problems. The book is more than average (and it hasn’t been translated so well), but I’m all about my own: our horizons, our horizons... But it’s easy to read, the plot is dashing.

W. GoldingLord of the Flies.

It definitely needs to be slipped in - at least as a vaccine against brutality.

D. SalingerCatcher in the rye. Stories.

Last on the list because it comes as a shock to many. If the child is still very young, it is better to hold it, it seems to me, for a year or two. But it's a must read, of course.

Books “already beyond the border”

E. RemarqueThree comrades. On western front no change.

In essence, very young books. But some people are shocked by the abundance of alcohol and so on.

E. HemingwayA Farewell to Arms! Stories.

The stories are better, I think. Yes, everything can be read.

G. BöllA house without an owner.

Everything else he has is not for children, of course. And this is where you can start. Also “Billiards at half past nine”, it seems to me, will pass without a serious shock.

M. MitchellGone With the Wind.

On the one hand, who else will tell us about this war? On the other hand, well, not childish details, of course... On the third, the heroine is not very charming (especially for readers of this age), it will probably be a little boring... But the movie is even more boring.

T. Wilder

Theophilus North. Day eight. Ides of March.

Yes, you can read everything from him. But “Theophilus” is so charming and likable that you can’t tear yourself away from it. Otherwise, there are a lot of mental patterns that are not so easy to understand (and you don’t always want to agree with). And so - a great writer.

I. VoReturn to Bricehead.

I don’t know of any other book where student life is described so nostalgically and in detail. Then, however, the question arises, where does hypocrisy and rebellion against it lead... But this is also a problem for teenagers.

M. StewartCrystal Grotto. Hollow Hills. The last magic.

The story of Merlin and through him - Arthur. The books are magnificent, the reconstruction is historically very detailed, reliable - how reliable is our knowledge about these times. And the traces of Roman life in good old England... And the visit to Byzantium... And the guide to various cults in that era when everywhere there was a jumble of beliefs... And what landscapes it has... And what a charming storyteller Merlin is... In general, try not to fall in love. True, the third book is already weaker, and attempts to continue are even weaker.

G.L. OldieOdysseus, son of Laertes.

If anyone else doesn’t know: this is not an Englishman, these are two Russian-language authors from Kharkov (Gromov and Ladyzhensky). They write fantasy and such novels that reconstruct myths. They write very well and very unusually, unexpectedly. If a legitimate doubt arises (why do we need reconstruction when there is “The Odyssey”?), you should take the book, open the first page of the text: “Do not compare life with death, song with crying, inhalation with exhalation and man with deity - otherwise you will then be like you blind Oedipus of Thebes..." - and decide. But it is written in a completely antique style - without any discounts on decency. These authors have many books, they are uneven. Maybe it’s better to start not even with “Odyssey”, but with “Nopperapon”. The book is lighter, more modern (paler...).

Finally, about the three “epics”

These books are definitely for “grown-up” children. The humor is that it was the children who introduced me to two of them - they brought me to show them because it was worth it. And I’m grateful to the children, but I don’t know when it’s wise to start reading.

R. ZelaznyChronicles of Amber.

The first five are especially good, where the narrator is Corvinus, a European and an esthete. Somehow, behind every word of his, one feels that he lived the entire European culture - just like his awkward life (as it, in fact, was). A most charming book. And the idea of the true world, in relation to which everything else is a pale cast, is shown very convincingly. There is no point in recommending a translation: it is unlikely that now it will be possible to get a version of a Russian-speaking Chinese who tried to adequately convey language tricks and games (“Nine Princes in Amber”, “burnt lizard legs”, etc.).

V. KamshaRed on red (cycle “Reflections of Eterna”).

The book about which I cried out (after finishing reading it at night): “Yes, this is some kind of War and Peace!” This, of course, is not “War and Peace” - it ended up being too drawn out (and complicated). But this is the most sober and adequate understanding of our current troubled life - albeit in fantasy clothes, with swords, sails, mysticism and horror. And the war is described very clearly and meaningfully. Even I found it interesting and understandable. The book is smart, tough, but in places naturalism is still over the edge. And the author has a general modern resentment towards faith and believers. By the way, there is something here to talk about and think about.

Max FryLabyrinths Echo. Chronicles of Echo.

I myself did not dare to “slip” this into any of my classes, even to the most uncensored readers. So they read it on their own, without asking anyone or discussing it with anyone. This can be considered my quirk and sedition, but still it seems to me that this is the highest quality of our literature in history. recent years 10. True, very unchildish. And adults, as experience shows, often do not understand it - they consider it low-grade entertaining reading.

The list, naturally, turned out to be whimsical and incomplete. It makes sense to add to it something that will be remembered later. Or throw something away. However, this is nothing more than a cheat sheet that you can simply use as a starting point when you are looking for a book for a specific child.

O.V. Smirnova

Producing

deep impression on the young

mind, constitutes an era in life

person.

Smiles S.,

English philosopher

The problem of choosing books at this age is related to two things. Firstly, with the internal state and reading needs of an individual child. Secondly, for parents of a fourteen to fifteen year old child, the task is still urgent not to scare them away from reading, but, on the contrary, to make them want to do this activity in every possible way. The recommended list includes books that are truly beloved by children. S. Averintsev noted that if a person knows only his time, his narrowly modern range of concepts, he is a chronic provincial. In order not to be a chronic provincial, by the age of seventeen you need to read a lot of all sorts of books - just about life, about the way of life and customs of different peoples and eras.

The books in this list are grouped rather conventionally, and the groups are arranged in order of increasing “maturity”. As we present the texts, we offer comments on some of them.

Still “children’s” books

A. Lindgren. Super detective Kalle Blomkvist. Roni is the daughter of a robber. Brothers Lionheart. We are on the island of Saltkroka.

The last book - the most “adult” on the list, but, strictly speaking, all this should have been read by the age of 12-13. As, indeed, are the other books in this section. They are specifically for teenagers.

V. Krapivin. Knee-deep in the grass. The shadow of the caravel. Squire Kashka. Sailor Wilson's white ball. Captain Rumbaud's briefcase.

Perhaps someone will prefer V. Krapivin’s “mystic-fantasy” cycles. These books contain memories of childhood. The story about Captain Rumba is funny and cheerful.

R. Bradbury. Dandelion wine.

A story about how difficult it is to leave childhood.

A. Marshall. I can jump over puddles.

R. Kipling. Pack from the hills. Awards and fairies.

Lloyd Alexander. A series of novels about Taren ( Book of Three. Black cauldron. Taren the Wanderer).

History, geography, zoology and more

D. London. Northern stories. Smoke Belew. Smoke and baby.

D. Curwood. Vagabonds of the North.

Jules Verne. Everything that hasn't been read yet.

A. Conan Doyle. Lost World. Brigadier Girard.

W. Scott. Ivanhoe. Quenin Dorward.

G. Haggard. Daughter of Montezuma. King Solomon's Mines.

R. Stevenson. Kidnapped. Catriona.

R. Kipling. Kim.

A. Dumas. Count of Monte Cristo.

WITH. Forester. The Saga of Captain Hornblower.

The book was written in the 20th century: the story of an English sailor from midshipman to admiral during the Napoleonic wars. The story is adventurous, authentic, charming. The hero evokes great sympathy, remaining an ordinary, but very worthy person.

I. Efremov. The Journey of Baurjed. On the edge of the Ecumene. Andromeda's nebula. Stories.

These books are a great help in the history of the ancient world (Egypt, Greece), and geography (Africa, Mediterranean). Efremov is good as a popularizer of science. He has a documentary story about paleontological excavations in Mongolia "Wind Road"- very curious.

M. Zagoskin. Yuri Miloslavsky.

A.K. Tolstoy. Prince Silver.

What girls love

S. Bronte. Jane Eyre.

E. Porter. Pollyanna.

D. Webbster. Long-legged uncle. Dear enemy.

A. Egorushkina. A real princess and a traveling bridge.

M. Stewart. Nine carriages. Moon spinners.

This reading is for girls 14-16 years old. English life after the war, Europe (Greece, France), marvelous landscapes, love...

Something from Soviet literature

I. Ilf, E. Petrov. The twelve Chairs. Golden calf.

L. Solovyov. The Tale of Khoja Nasreddin.

The text is charming and mischievous. Perhaps the most suitable for getting used to adult conversations “about life”.

V. Astafiev. Theft. Last bow.

“Theft” is a very scary story about an orphanage in the Arctic Circle, where children of exiled and already dead parents survive.

V. Bykov. The dead don't hurt. Obelisk. His battalion.

E. Kazakevich. Star.

N. Dumbadze.Me, grandma, Iliko and Illarion. White flags.

Ch. Aitmatov.White ship.

Memories of upbringing

A. Herzen. Past and thoughts.

TO. Paustovsky.A story about life.

A. Kuprin.Junker. Cadets.

A. Makarenko. Pedagogical poem.

F. Vigdorova.The road to life. This is my home. Chernigovka.

The trilogy is written about an orphanage created by Makarenko’s student back in the 30s. Lots of interesting details about life, schools and problems of that time.

D. Darell. My family and other animals.

Fantastic

A. Belyaev. Amphibian Man. Professor Dowell's Head.

A. Tolstoy. Hyperboloid of engineer Garin. Aelita.

G. Wells. War of the Worlds. Green door.

WITH. Lem.Stories about the pilot Pirx. (Magellan Cloud. Return from the Stars. Star Diaries of Jon the Quiet.)

Smart stories with good humor .

R. Bradbury. 451 ° Fahrenheit. The Martian Chronicles and Other Stories.

A. B. Strugatsky. The road to Almaty. NoonXXIIcentury It's hard to be a god. Attempt to escape. Inhabited island. Monday starts on Saturday.

G. Harrison.Indomitable planet.

An ecological novel, wise in its main idea and charming thanks to its rogue hero.

Fantasy

A. Green. Gold chain. Running on the waves. Brilliant world. Road to nowhere.

D.R.R. Tolkien. Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion.

TO. Simak. Goblin Sanctuary.

Ursula Le Guin. A Wizard of Earthsea.

Diana W. Jones. Haul's walking castle. Castle in the air. Worlds of Chrestomanci. Merlin's conspiracy.

M. And S. Dyachenko. Road magician. Oberon's word. Evil has no power.

S. Lukyanenko. Knights of the Forty Islands.

A book about growing up and moral problems that have to be solved in artificially constructed conditions.

M. Semyonova. Wolfhound.

D. Rowling. Harry Potter.

Detectives

A. Conan Doyle. Stories about Sherlock Holmes.

E. Po. Stories.

W. Collins. Moon rock.

A. Christie. Death on the Orient Express.

G.K. Chesterston. Stories about Father Brown.

M. Cheval and P. Valeux. Death of the 31st department.

Dick Francis. Favorite. Driving force.

Francis's novels are an encyclopedia of reality. The author is amazing for shaping your horizons and life attitudes.

A. Haley. Airport. Wheels. Hotel. Final diagnosis.

Great novels and serious stories

V. Hugo. Les Misérables. Notre Dame Cathedral.

Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist. David Copperfield. Cold house. Martin Chuzzlewit. Our mutual friend. Dombey and son.

D. Austin. Pride and Prejudice.

G. Senkevich. Flood. Fire and sword. Crusaders.

D. Galsworthy. The Forsyte Saga.

T. Mann. Buddenbrooks.

R. Pilcher. Shell finders. Homecoming. September. Christmas Eve.

Everyday, charming books about England from the Second World War to the 1980s.

E. Remarque. Three comrades. No change on the Western Front.

E. Hemingway. A Farewell to Arms! Stories.

G. Böll. A house without an owner. Billiards at half past eight.

M. Mitchell. Gone With the Wind.

T. Wilder. Theophilus North. Day eight. Ides of March.

I. Vo. Return to Brideshead.

Student life is described in detail and nostalgically. Where does hypocrisy and rebellion against it lead is the question that the author is trying to answer.

M. Stewart. Crystal Grotto. Hollow Hills. The Last Magic.

G.L. Oldie. Odysseus, son of Laertes. The author is not English. These are two Russian-speaking writers from Kharkov. They write fantasy and novels like this - reconstruction of myths. They write very well and very unusually, unexpectedly.

R. Zelazny. Chronicles of Amber.

IN. Kamsha. Red on red. This is the most sober and adequate understanding of our current troubled life. The book is smart and tough.

Here is a large and rather incomplete list of literature for children 14-15 years old that we offer. We really hope that many of these books will be read by your children. These books will open to them amazing world fiction, will teach you how to correctly solve the problem of choice and help your children gain social experience.

Material provided by N.S. Venglinskaya, methodologist of MOUDO "IMC".

Nowadays, teenagers of 14-15 years old usually choose and download books for themselves, but if it is customary in your family to consult about reading, here is a list of literature that contains a lot of unexpected things. The author, a literature teacher, works with some very reading children - some of it was compiled based on their advice, but for general development it will be useful in any case.

The problem of choosing books at 14-15 years old is connected, in my opinion, with two things. Firstly, with the internal state of an individual child (some grow quickly and have long been eager to read books as adults, while others have not yet grown out of childhood). Secondly, with the inevitable but painful transition from a complete ban on reading (watching) anything about “adult” love to the ability to read (watch) about it calmly, without “obsessing”, that is, in an adult way.

It is impossible to save children from this threshold. Keeping them in blinders until the birth of their own children is not very wise, to put it mildly. Just from 14 to 17 years old, you need to somehow be able to take teenagers across this reading line, and each child probably needs to pave some kind of their own path into the jungle of purely “adult” books, which have ceased to have anything in them for a hundred years now. there was no need to be shy.

When compiling conventional lists of books for teenagers 14-15 years old, I did not try to embrace the immensity. I asked my friends, added their opinion to my memories and tried to build some system, however, not very logical and academic. I had, strictly speaking, one criterion - how much these books were loved and “readable”.

No “rules” (if we read “this”, why don’t we read “that” and violate historical justice?) are not recognized here. If “that” is unreadable for a teenager, that means we don’t read it. At the age of 14-15, the task is still relevant not to scare away from reading, but, on the contrary, to instill in every possible way a desire for this activity. The list includes only truly beloved books that have been read several times - strange as it may seem in some cases.

This kind of prejudice was not taken into account in this list. The point, in my opinion, is that in childhood and adolescence you need to read a lot not for aesthetic pleasure, but for the sake of your horizons. I once read a very apt remark from S. Averintsev: if a person knows only his time, his narrowly modern range of concepts, he is a chronological provincial. And if he doesn’t know other countries and customs, he’s a geographical provincial (this is my extrapolation). And in order not to be a provincial, by the age of 17 you need to read a lot of all kinds of books - just about life, about the “life and customs” of different peoples and eras.

Still “children’s” books

A. Lindgren Super detective Kalle Blomkvist. Roni is the daughter of a robber. Brothers Lionheart. We are on the island of Saltkroka.

V. Krapivin Knee-deep in the grass. The shadow of the caravel. Squire Kashka. Sailor Wilson's white ball. Captain Rumba's briefcase.(And another fairy tale about a poplar shirt - I don’t remember the exact name.)

R. Bradbury Dandelion wine.

Just a story about how difficult it is to leave childhood - from the point of view of childhood, not youth.

Alan Marshall I can jump over puddles.

Everyone suddenly remembered her with love.

R. Kipling Pack from the hills. Awards and fairies.

The history of England would also be added to this, or just an encyclopedia where you can clarify who is who and what is where...

Cornelia Funke King of Thieves. Inkheart.

Lloyd Alexander A series of novels about Taren (The Book of Three. The Black Cauldron. Taren the Wanderer, etc.).

History, geography, zoology and more

D. London Northern stories. Smoke Belew. Smoke and Baby.

D. Curwood Ramblers of the North(and so on - until you get tired of it).

Jules Verne Yes, everything that is being read, if not already read.

A. Conan Doyle The Lost World. Brigadier Gerard (and this is already history).

W. Scott Ivanhoe. Quentin Dorward.

G. Haggard Daughter of Montezuma. King Solomon's Mines.

R. Stevenson Kidnapped. Catriona. Saint-Yves (alas, not completed by the author).

R. Kipling Kim.

A. Dumas Count of Monte Cristo.

By now it would be high time to read the Musketeer epic. And “Queen Margot”, probably, too. But you can’t help but read it.

S. Forester The Saga of Captain Hornblower(three books have been published in the “Historical Library for Youth”).

The book was written in the twentieth century: the story of an English sailor from midshipman to admiral during the Napoleonic wars. Meticulous, adventurous, reliable, very charming. The hero evokes great sympathy, remaining an ordinary, but very worthy person.

T. Heyerdahl Travel to Kon-Tiki. Aku-aku.

Vet's notes, etc.

The books are autobiographical, funny and curious, full of everyday details. For lovers of all kinds of living creatures this is a great consolation.

I. EfremovThe Journey of Baurjed. On the edge of the Ecumene. Stories.

M. Zagoskin Yuri Miloslavsky. Stories.

And I don’t like “Roslavlev” at all.

A.K. Tolstoy "Prince Silver".

We’ve already read it, and no one particularly likes it - so, in moderation. And ghoul stories (“The Ghoul Family” especially) are tempting - but you probably need to read them for general development.

Books for girls

S. Bronte

E. Potter Pollyanna(and the second book is about how Pollyanna grows up, although, of course, this can be read by the age of 10).

D. Webbster Long-legged uncle. Dear enemy.

Charming, albeit simple books. And the rarest form is novels in letters, witty and quite action-packed.

A. Montgomery Anne Shirley from Green Gables.

Nabokov himself undertook to translate... But the book is weak. There is a wonderful Canadian TV movie. And a cool Japanese cartoon (they say) - but I haven’t seen it yet.

A. Egorushkina A real princess and a traveling bridge.

Fantasy, rather mediocre, and the sequels are completely weak. But girls 12-13 years old are absolutely delighted with her.

M. Stewart Nine carriages. Moonspinners (and other detectives).

I. Ilf, E. Petrov The twelve Chairs. Golden calf.

L. Soloviev The Tale of Khoja Nasreddin.

The text is charming and mischievous. Perhaps the most suitable one to get used to adult conversations “about life” without unnecessary pain.

V. Lipatov Village detective. Gray mouse. The Tale of Director Pronchatov. Even before the war.

V. Astafiev Theft. Last bow.

“Theft” is a very scary story about an orphanage in the Arctic Circle, where the children of exiled and already dead parents survive - an antidote to Soviet utopias.

V. Bykov The dead don't hurt. Obelisk. His battalion.

E. Kazakevich Star.

And a very interesting book, “The House on the Square,” is about a Soviet commandant in an occupied German town, but this, of course, is socialist realism with all its slyness. I don’t know any more lyrical prose about war. Is it “Be healthy, schoolboy” by B. Okudzhava?

N. Dumbadze Me, grandma, Iliko and Illarion.(And the film is even better - it seems with Veriko Andzhaparidze). White flags(a relatively honest exposure of the Soviet system, which was entirely bribed).

Ch. Aitmatov

However, I don’t know... About the later Aitmatov I’ll certainly say “no,” but about this I also can’t say with confidence that it’s worth reading. I just know for sure that children should have some idea of life in Soviet times. It is wrong if there is simply a gap and emptiness left. Then it will be easy to fill it with all sorts of lies. On the other hand, we knew how to read Soviet books, putting lies out of brackets, but children no longer understand the conventions that were obvious to us.

Memories of upbringing

A. Herzen The past and thoughts (vols. 1-2).

As a child, I read with pleasure, precisely during these years.

E. Vodovozova The story of one childhood.

V. Nabokov Other shores.

A. Tsvetaeva Memories.

K. Paustovsky A story about life.

A. Kuprin Junker. Cadets.

A. Makarenko Pedagogical poem.

F. Vigdorova The road to life. This is my home. Chernigovka.

A. Cronin Young years. Shannon's Path (continued).

A. Brushtein The road goes into the distance. At dawn. Spring.

N. Rollechek Wooden rosary. Chosen Ones.

N. Kalma Children of mustard paradise. Verney rooks. Bookstore on Place de l'Etoile.

What is called - under the asterisk. The author is a Soviet children's writer who specialized in describing the life of “your peers abroad.” It is very politicized, with class struggle, of course, strikes and demonstrations, but still, to some extent, the realities of a life completely unknown to us are faithfully depicted. For example, the election of a “president” in an American school or the life of a French orphanage during the war. Or the participation of very young teenagers in the French Resistance. It would be nice to read something more reliable - but for some reason there isn’t. Or I don't know. And these books are hardly easy to obtain anymore. But the author, for all his Soviet naivety, has some kind of unique charm, especially for teenagers. And I loved it, and just recently one of our children suddenly brought it to show me (“The Book Shop”) as something treasured and dear.

Lifehacker has already compiled a selection that includes lists from Time magazine, The Guardian newspaper, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and our editorial office.

We invited you to supplement the selection with your favorite works from childhood and youth, and you actively participated. We present to your attention a list of the best books for teenagers according to Lifehacker readers.

1. “The Kid and Carlson, who lives on the roof”, Astrid Lindgren

The first part of a trilogy, which Soviet children know primarily from cartoons. It's funny how Boris Stepantsev adapted literary material. According to the book, the Kid is a spoiled, selfish child. He has not only parents, but also friends (Christer and Gunilla). In the cartoon, the Kid is a lonely boy under the supervision of the “housekeeper” Miss Bok, who has invented a friend for himself. According to the book, Carlson’s favorite food is not jam and sweets at all, but meatballs.

2. “The Little Prince”, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A children's fairy tale for adults by the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, published in 1943. The story of the boy with golden hair is a storehouse of wisdom. “The Little Prince” has been translated into more than 180 languages, films have been made based on it, and music has been written. The book became part of modern culture and spread throughout the world.

3. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, Mark Twain

What did the twelve-year-old tomboy Tom not manage to do on the pages of this story! Witnessed a murder, got lost in a cave, found a treasure, ran away from home to become a pirate, and, of course, fell in love. Mark Twain's work presents the entire palette of teenage experiences. This is probably why it is so close to them.

4. “The Adventures of Alice”, Kir Bulychev

Alisa Selezneva is a schoolgirl, “a guest from the future.” She is childishly spontaneous and fearless. Alice travels through galaxies and gets acquainted with their inhabitants, while on Earth human civilization has long been thriving. In addition to exciting adventures main character, children of the 21st century will probably be interested to know how Kir Bulychev imagined life at the end of their century.

5. “The Mysterious Island”, Jules Verne

This novel remains popular for almost 150 years (the first publication dates back to 1874). The adventures of five brave northerners who found themselves in desert island during Civil War in the USA, won the hearts of readers no less than Verne’s previous works: “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “The Children of Captain Grant.”

6. Treasure Island, Robert Stevenson

The search for Captain Flint's treasure has excited the imagination of more than one generation of boys and girls. Perhaps in our time pirate adventures are not so relevant, but philosophical motives topics raised in the book are still interesting today.

7. “Island of Lost Ships”, Alexander Belyaev

Science fiction writer Alexander Belyaev is best known for his novels “The Amphibian Man” and “The Head of Professor Dowell.” "Island lost ships” remains unread by many, and in vain. The adventures of a detective, a “criminal” and a millionaire’s daughter, who miraculously survived a shipwreck and ended up on the “island of lost ships,” are captivating (even if not from the first pages) and do not let go until the end.

8. “Two Captains”, Veniamin Kaverin

Centennials will certainly give their own interpretation to the immortal motto of this work: “Fight and seek, find and not give up.” And they are unlikely to be imbued with the romance of the profession of a pilot and polar explorer, but the true love and friendship described in this novel should find a response in them.

9. The Lost World, Arthur Conan Doyle

The first book in the series of works about Professor Challenger. An expedition of British scientists, journalists and aristocrats discovers a "window" in ancient world. Among dinosaurs and apes it is very dangerous, but incredibly interesting.

10. King Solomon's Mines, Henry Haggard

Several Lifehacker readers said that every young man and girl should get acquainted with the works of the classic of world adventure literature, Sir Haggard. We recommend starting your acquaintance with the first book about Allan Quartermain - “King Solomon’s Mines.”

11. Broken Empire, Mark Lawrence

The Broken Empire trilogy was written in 2011–2013 by the Anglo-American writer Mark Lawrence in best traditions fantasy. It includes the novels Prince of Thorns, King of Thorns, and Emperor of Thorns. Teenagers will be especially interested in the first book, where the development of the main character takes place.

12. “Hyperboloid of Engineer Garin”, Alexey Tolstoy

The plot, where an employee of the Soviet criminal investigation department and a general uprising of workers defeats the capitalist Pierre Harry, who imagines himself the ruler of the world, looks funny in modern realities. But be that as it may, this book is still about the victory of good over evil. Alexei Tolstoy should be applauded at least for the fact that, in fact, he foresaw the invention of the laser.

13. “The Count of Monte Cristo”, Alexandre Dumas

Classics of French literature. An adventure novel about love, betrayal and revenge. A simple Marseilles sailor, Edmond Dantes, turns into the mysterious and eccentric Count of Monte Cristo, but does a person have the right to imagine himself as an instrument of justice?

14. Les Misérables, Victor Hugo

One of greatest novels XIX century and the apotheosis of Hugo’s work. Using the example of a difficult life path Jean Valjean's author raises eternal philosophical problems. What is stronger - law or love? Can rich and poor understand each other's suffering? Does the desire for good always win in a person? The book is more suitable for older teenagers.

15. “Tales of the late Ivan Petrovich Belkin”, Alexander Pushkin

"Shot", "Blizzard", "Undertaker", " Stationmaster", "The Peasant Young Lady" - everyone knows the names of these stories from school. And this is the one rare case, when the works from are truly captivating and liked at a young age.

16. “The Catcher in the Rye”, Jerome Salinger

A novel about youth and the thirst for freedom. Seventeen-year-old Holden, with the maximalism characteristic of youth, expresses his rejection of false public morality. Modern Library included it in its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the last century. The work was extremely popular in the twentieth century and still receives recognition from young rebels.

17. The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

Dorian Gray is young and beautiful, but in the pursuit of pleasure he drowns in selfishness and vices. An excellent cautionary tale of Oscar Wilde and his only published novel.

18. Martin Eden, Jack London

A largely autobiographical novel about a self-made man. To achieve the love of a girl outside his circle, Martin Eden actively engaged in self-education and succeeded a lot. But the feelings did not pass the test of social disunity. If you want to introduce your teenager to the philosophy of Nietzsche and Spencer in a fun way, give him this book.

19. "The Collector", John Fowles

John Fowles is an English writer, one of the outstanding representatives of postmodernism. Fowles wrote the novel about a lonely clerk and butterfly collector Frederick Clegg, who kidnaps and holds a girl he likes in his home. The book is read in one breath, but for a long time it makes you think about cruelty, loneliness and indifference.

20. "The Body", Stephen King

Another name is "Corpse". “Not a very suitable book for children,” those who have not read the story published in the collection “The Breathing Method” may say. In fact, the story of the boy's death takes up less than a quarter of the book. Everything else is memories of the recklessness of youth and a story about the difficult process of growing up. Many teenagers recognize themselves in the main characters.

21. Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

A science fiction story, later written into a novel, about a weak-minded man who, as a result of a scientific experiment, became the smartest on the planet. The eternal problem of grief from the mind and subtle ethical paradoxes make you read this book without stopping. The story was published in 1959, but in the 21st century, in the light of bioengineering developments and artificial intelligence, it acquires particular relevance.

22. Animal Farm, George Orwell

This book is an excellent workout for the brain of the younger generation. A satirical story-parable depicting the transition from unlimited freedom and universal equality to dictatorship: “All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others."

23. “Monday begins on Saturday”, Strugatsky brothers

Many of Lifehacker's readers love the works of Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. We, too. It is best for teenagers to begin their acquaintance with these wonderful authors with a satirical story about the programmer Privalov. In the future, we also recommend reading “The Doomed City,” “Roadside Picnic,” and “It’s Hard to Be a God.”

24. “Young Guard”, Alexander Fadeev

The novel is dedicated to the activities of the underground youth organization of the same name that existed during the Great Patriotic War. Most of the main characters in the novel are real people, but the events described by the author did not always happen in reality. Nevertheless, The Young Guard is considered one of the best patriotic works.

25. “Not on the lists,” Boris Vasiliev

The action of this story takes place at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The story of the heroism and love of Lieutenant Nikolai Pluzhnikov is a must-read for cultivating patriotism and true love for the Motherland.

The book has always been and remains the main source of knowledge for a person, and even more so for a teenager. And if the child prefers to spend time in in social networks, then now is the time to offer him a different type of leisure, no less interesting, and besides

Every year, a huge number of books for teenagers aged 12-14 years are published from the pens of modern authors. Some of them become bestsellers, and everyone knows about them, but this does not mean that all the others are unworthy of attention. Let's find out which of them can occupy children in their free time.

List of books for teenage children 12-14 years old

It is impossible to know in advance which books for teenagers 12-14 years old will be the best for a particular child. After all, everyone’s tastes are different, so at first parents will have to act at their own discretion, and only when the child experiences the joy of the reading process itself will it be possible to understand what he really likes:

"Miracle". Shock book by Palacio R.J. but at the same time, it is not about bitterness from one’s own inferiority, but about kindness, courage, and true friendship. The boy, who was taught at home by his mother from the first grade, must go to a real school. And everything would be fine if it were ordinary child, but Augustus has a rare genetic anomaly - his mouth, nose, eyes on his face are located completely differently from other people.
“Your Three Names” by Dina Sabitova It’s better to read with adults, because it reveals the difficult ups and downs of life – the loss of parents, life in an orphanage, the hope of finding a new family. A girl with an unusual triple name will make you think about serious things, grow up morally and look at the world from a different perspective.
"Peak" by Smith Rolond. Books for teenagers 12-14 years old about adventures include this one. The story is about a boy whose parents are climbers, but the teenager is attracted to completely different heights - he conquers a skyscraper, which immediately leads to problems with the police. You can learn about the events that occurred as a result of such a rash act from the book.
“Noskoedy”, author Pavel Shrut. A funny story about certain creatures that can be found in any home. As soon as we leave or go to bed, they start active work with its intrigues, love, hatred and friendship.
“The past and thoughts of Dita the dog.” Author Lyudmila Raskina was able to convey the dog’s feelings and write on her behalf amazing story one family. Ryzhusha, her Ma and Pa are the most important dogs in her life. This story is a memoir of warm relationships, devotion to owners and a happy dog’s life.

Fantasy books for children 12-14 years old

All categories of readers, and even more so for teenagers, are interested in science fiction adapted for ages 12-14. These fascinating works help to abstract from the sometimes cruel reality and better develop the child’s imagination.

Books for boys and girls aged 12-14 are suitable for reading by both, and the list of works is simply endless - from historical works to modern surrealism:

If a teenager loves books, then they can be the best holiday. But buying a book for a child who doesn’t read is a risky business, especially when it costs a lot. Therefore, the work should be chosen together.