Star Wars books - where to start

[DavidS]

My 12yo wants to read some of the newer Star Wars books this summer. From what I understand, Disney/Lucasfilm has started over with a new "canon" for the series, but I'm not sure what to suggest would be a good jumping off point. Suggestions?

He also wanted suggestions of other, more classic sci-fi to read. I was going to suggest either Dune or the Hitchhiker's Guide series, as I read those in middle school and have them on the bookshelf.

[msglee]

Go to a thrift store. I see dozens of Star Trek, Star wars and others for 44 cents or so.

[IronMac]

Yeah, thrift store.

Just because you liked Dune or Hitchhiker's doesn't mean that he will. I love sci-fi but have never touched either and probably never will.

[Will Collier]

I won't hazard a guess on Star Wars books, but as far as "classic" SF, you could hardly do better for a 12-year-old boy than the Heinlein "Juveniles." I'd say the only good thing about my elementary school was that the library had nearly all of them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinlein_juveniles

[cbelt3]

Dune is really an acquired taste. Collegiate level is more appropriate . Ditto on the Heinlein stuff.

[rjmacs]

DavidS wrote:
My 12yo wants to read some of the newer Star Wars books this summer. From what I understand, Disney/Lucasfilm has started over with a new "canon" for the series, but I'm not sure what to suggest would be a good jumping off point. Suggestions?

He also wanted suggestions of other, more classic sci-fi to read. I was going to suggest either Dune or the Hitchhiker's Guide series, as I read those in middle school and have them on the bookshelf.

You should train him to be an insurgent against Disney and give him the Thrawn books.

[3d]

As a 12 year old, growing up I loved Choose Your Own Adventure Books from the library. Tons of genres to choose from.

[rjmacs]

DavidS wrote:
He also wanted suggestions of other, more classic sci-fi to read. I was going to suggest either Dune or the Hitchhiker's Guide series, as I read those in middle school and have them on the bookshelf.

Has he had a look at Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy? They verge on the adult side (sex and murder exist), but not in ways that are sordid or exploitive. A great mix of political intrigue, cultural observation, and hard sci fi.

Of course, the Foundation Series is a can't-miss. If you're bolder. try any of a number of Vonnegut texts, many of which use sci-fi as a vehicle for asking (and crassly answering) big questions about being human. I could go on.....

[A-Polly]

This isn't a book, but I think any Star Wars fan would love the radio drama of A New Hope from back in the 80s. It fills in Luke's backstory and adds a lot of detail that the movie couldn't explain. You get to meet Biggs Darklighter! Great fun, very worthwhile listening (terrific for the car!). Some of the original actors play the parts (Luke, C3PO).


Agree with checking out some of the Golden Age authors such as Asimov and (juvenile) Heinlein. The library will have lots of those for him to try and he can see what appeals. I'm not sure about Dune, but who knows. Has he already read the Wrinkle in Time books? How about Jules Verne? Although written in another language more than 100 years ago, they hold up surprisingly well. Again, there are some great audio versions of Jules Verne's work out there, too.

Is he only into hard science fiction or does he like fantasy at all? There's always The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin. Most anything by Diana Wynne Jones (such as Howl's Moving Castle, Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Dogsbody, and so much more) is great.

For a book listed as a "fantasy/physics/metaphysics tale" he could try The Keeper series by Ted Sanders (NOT to be confused with another, very adult, series called The Keepers by Donna Augustine, no, no, no). Now, I haven't read any of these books yet, but have heard very good things about them from folks I trust.


Best wishes!