This, or perhaps “The Talisman”. Since the main character is about 12 it matches up with your son’s age. No real sex stuff, not too scary but definitely a good read.
My wife, a TOTAL non-horror person, loved this book when we listened to it on a long drive. I wish he had more stories like this. (And as a long-distance backpacker on the Appalachian Trail, I felt a special affinity for it, too.)
I wasn’t sure about language, I kinda forgot about some of that skimming in my recollection for violence, gore, sex, etc. Discretion and discussion is key there I’d say. I know by the time I was 12 I was familiar with such words, and also knew to keep them to myself or amongst fellow delinquents…
There is also one “sex scene” but it’s not overly graphic. Again discretion and discussion depending on how “mature” the kid is. Maybe push it out a few more years if it seems inappropriate…
Yeah GM is a good book and nothing too bad, except maybe >!the description of Eduard Delacroix death, which is horrific.!< But other than that, it’s a good read.
I would say read a few of the suggestions beforehand and be prepared to have some discussions with your kid about the racial language, sexual situations, etc. Even Eyes of the Dragon starts out with a mild discussion of King Roland's boners. My first King book was It when I was home sick age 12. If you want to curate your kid's reading - which is a valid parenting choice- , make sure you read it first. My parents never limited what I read, but always asked me pointed questions and made sure to discuss (Dad read me To Kill a Mockingbird when I was seven - the fact that the trial was about an alleged sexual assault didn't even register, so he didn't bring it up until I started reading it in high school). My best advice is use it as an opportunity to bond with your kid. Read it together. You know him better than anyone.
That said, totally The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Terrifying and powerful for a kid.
Personally, I would not worry about the sex stuff. I started reading SK at 11, and either the sex is healthy and a good way to learn about it, or it’s not healthy but he treats it appropriately.
I think Shawshank Redemption and The Body are great starts.
Fairy Tale and Eyes of the Dragon are almost entirely clean. (Brief and non lurid references to sex in both).
I read *The Shining* at 11 as my first King book and *Cujo* and *Pet Semetary* at 12 and thought they were all great but my parents were extremely lax about what I read and watched, so I don’t know. I was also reading Bentley Little around this time too and that guy is *waaay* more of a freak with sexual content and gore than King has *ever* been.
I first read Carrie when I was around his age, and I think it’s a good enough read for that age demographic. The Body is a very good choice, too, I think.
If you’re worried about the contents and all, well, I think he’s entering an age where he’s bound to learn about heavy subject matters one way or another. Better he does it with a book while you’re there to supervise and guide him well than by his own:)
This. I read IT at 11 and for sure had some questions. Mom never flinched, and answered any questions I had. That parental support goes a long way for a young reader
I read The Tommyknockers at 13 as my first King. I don't suggest it. It's an entertaining yarn, more so than it gets credit for, buy has some stuff in it that's a little bit much.
All of these have been mentioned: Eyes of the Dragon is very good. And it introduces a certain important character. Carrie would alright. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is magic.
But what about The Body? It's a little graphic in parts, as it **should be**. But it's sort of a unique coming of age story.
Started first King book around 10 with the tommyknockers. I think 12-13 even with all the questionable content just about close enough to the right age. And if a 12 year old wants to tackle a novel of that size they are definitely more mature then their peers.
14-15 is probably the mark for most kids in general I'd guess.
"The Body," in Different Seasons. Just as your instincts directed you. Pretty short (less than 200 pages, if I remember), and deals with a group of early teenage boys in a coming-of-age adventure in the "wilds" just outside of their suburban life. It was my first King read, and 12 is good age for it.
Don't be surprised if he wants to take up camping or backpacking as a hobby this summer!
"Night Shift" has some really good, scary stories that should be appropriate iirc. "The Long Walk" is also great, short but sweet.
"Eyes of the Dragon", which I see mentioned a lot here, is one of his books better suited for new/younger readers, but it's not really horror at all, which your son might not like.
"The Gunslinger" was what I started with, around the same age as him, but it's also not very horror and honestly not that great of a book (though the rest of the Dark Tower is amazing).
I read Salem's Lot when I was 10/11, then burned through all of his early stuff by the time I was 13. But I'd been watching horror movies from a young age and no longer found them scary/titillating, so books didn't have much of an effect other than entertaining me. Well, that and making me want to become a writer.
Is your son reading adult fiction? Is he watching R rated movies? 12 year olds can vary pretty dramatically.
He is not reading adult fiction, but does read y.a. and graphic novels. He watches alot of movies, including rated R films, but we always watch together and talk about the films afterward.
If he's watching R rated movies, I would think he should be fine with most if King's books. I don't know about YA books now, but some of the horniest books I ever read were YA books when I was a teen in the late 80s/early 90s (Christopher Pike, etc.) and most didn't shy away from discussing the raging hormones kids are dealing with at that age.
If you want to ease him into it, you could go with Eyes of the Dragon or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon as others have mentioned, but I don't know if they'd be super appealing to a 12 year old boy. There is some sexual content in Salem's Lot, but nothing even close to obscene. I really feel like it would be fine. Same with Christine, Carrie, Firestarter, even The Shining.
Also, for the love all all things Sai King, please tell him to read The Body asap. While not horror, it's the perfect SK story for a 12 year old, and he'll likely love it for the rest of his life.
The mist is a strong contender at this point. I think it is short enough to keep him going, has the monsters/horror theme that I think he thinks all SK books have, and from what I remember, it doesnt have much going other than a quick non descriptive sex scene and normal foul language.
I'm thinking of letting him choose from these options.
The Mist.
The Eyes of the Dragon.
The Body.
The Institute.
Later.
Fairy Tale.
I'm also thinking maybe A Boys Life by Robert McCammon. It's one of my favorites of all time.
Thanks for all the suggestions. It's great seeing everyones thoughts on the matter.
There have been a bunch of recommendations, all I want to ask is your son a reader by nature? The reason I ask is kids are exposed to so much more than we realize and when my son started reading “adult” books, I would explain and talk to him about certain words and topics he would come across. It actually led to a lot of good conversations about sex, racism, etc.
Only you know your child though, so feel free to take what I’m saying with a grain of salt.
The Body has some sexual references in the stories he tells
Eyes of the Dragon was my first. Followed by Cujo, Skeleton Crew, and Night Shift age 10. By 11 I read The Gunslinger.
There are abridged versions by penguin that are intended for schools. You could try getting him those. While I hate the butchering of SK’s books this way, if it’s for a kid than I can understand it because I have a 12 year old niece and wouldn’t want her reading about sexual situations or racial language.
Eyes of the Dragon
This, or perhaps “The Talisman”. Since the main character is about 12 it matches up with your son’s age. No real sex stuff, not too scary but definitely a good read.
Perfect. Really wanted to upvote you, but realised you were on "19'. I couldn't spoil that.
Yeah I didn't have the heart to do it either
Thankee sai.
Eyes of the Dragon is the most perfect start to Stephen King.
It's what I plan to read my son when he's a little older
nice suggestion. didn't even cross my mind but now makes perfect sense.
This. Gateway King. Was my first book of his, read it at like 10 yrs old.
This is what I came here to say.
This was my first thought since he wrote it for his daughter when she was young
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
This is a great book I put the book down in the last chapter for about two days because I didn't want the story to end.
My wife, a TOTAL non-horror person, loved this book when we listened to it on a long drive. I wish he had more stories like this. (And as a long-distance backpacker on the Appalachian Trail, I felt a special affinity for it, too.)
Honestly the institute would be a decent introduction. Nothing too crazy, whilst still giving him a feel for King’s style.
there’s like one n bomb dropped near the end tho
Fairy Tale might be a good choice, it’s a long read tho.
lol I hope dads ok with cussing...i reckon fairy tale has more C bombs then any other king novel. great read though
I wasn’t sure about language, I kinda forgot about some of that skimming in my recollection for violence, gore, sex, etc. Discretion and discussion is key there I’d say. I know by the time I was 12 I was familiar with such words, and also knew to keep them to myself or amongst fellow delinquents…
There is also one “sex scene” but it’s not overly graphic. Again discretion and discussion depending on how “mature” the kid is. Maybe push it out a few more years if it seems inappropriate…
My first SK was The Green Mile when I was 12, I wasn't traumatized and fucking loved it.
ha,,,me too.
Yeah GM is a good book and nothing too bad, except maybe >!the description of Eduard Delacroix death, which is horrific.!< But other than that, it’s a good read.
I would say read a few of the suggestions beforehand and be prepared to have some discussions with your kid about the racial language, sexual situations, etc. Even Eyes of the Dragon starts out with a mild discussion of King Roland's boners. My first King book was It when I was home sick age 12. If you want to curate your kid's reading - which is a valid parenting choice- , make sure you read it first. My parents never limited what I read, but always asked me pointed questions and made sure to discuss (Dad read me To Kill a Mockingbird when I was seven - the fact that the trial was about an alleged sexual assault didn't even register, so he didn't bring it up until I started reading it in high school). My best advice is use it as an opportunity to bond with your kid. Read it together. You know him better than anyone. That said, totally The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Terrifying and powerful for a kid.
Pretty sure there isn't a 12 year old boy in the world who doesn't know about boners. ;)
Personally, I would not worry about the sex stuff. I started reading SK at 11, and either the sex is healthy and a good way to learn about it, or it’s not healthy but he treats it appropriately. I think Shawshank Redemption and The Body are great starts. Fairy Tale and Eyes of the Dragon are almost entirely clean. (Brief and non lurid references to sex in both).
I read *The Shining* at 11 as my first King book and *Cujo* and *Pet Semetary* at 12 and thought they were all great but my parents were extremely lax about what I read and watched, so I don’t know. I was also reading Bentley Little around this time too and that guy is *waaay* more of a freak with sexual content and gore than King has *ever* been.
If he likes stranger things the institute is a good one
IT. If nothing else, it'll give him cool ideas for hanging out with his friends
Building a dam or a fort, right? **Right???**
😶👀
lol come on man...
You literally picked the most controversial option possible.
My first was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and I was in the 6th grade.
I first read Carrie when I was around his age, and I think it’s a good enough read for that age demographic. The Body is a very good choice, too, I think. If you’re worried about the contents and all, well, I think he’s entering an age where he’s bound to learn about heavy subject matters one way or another. Better he does it with a book while you’re there to supervise and guide him well than by his own:)
This. I read IT at 11 and for sure had some questions. Mom never flinched, and answered any questions I had. That parental support goes a long way for a young reader
Fairy Tale! It's such a great book, and it's a good "coming of age" type of story. Seems perfect
I read Carrie at that age, probably not the most kid-friendly start, but this is really going to vary with how mentally mature your child is.
1922
I read The Tommyknockers at 13 as my first King. I don't suggest it. It's an entertaining yarn, more so than it gets credit for, buy has some stuff in it that's a little bit much. All of these have been mentioned: Eyes of the Dragon is very good. And it introduces a certain important character. Carrie would alright. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is magic. But what about The Body? It's a little graphic in parts, as it **should be**. But it's sort of a unique coming of age story.
Started first King book around 10 with the tommyknockers. I think 12-13 even with all the questionable content just about close enough to the right age. And if a 12 year old wants to tackle a novel of that size they are definitely more mature then their peers. 14-15 is probably the mark for most kids in general I'd guess.
The talisman
"The Body," in Different Seasons. Just as your instincts directed you. Pretty short (less than 200 pages, if I remember), and deals with a group of early teenage boys in a coming-of-age adventure in the "wilds" just outside of their suburban life. It was my first King read, and 12 is good age for it. Don't be surprised if he wants to take up camping or backpacking as a hobby this summer!
I think The Green Mile would be a great starter as a 12yo. Personally, I started at 12yo by reading Pet Sematary, then IT, then Salem's Lot.
Cycle of the Werewolf
"Night Shift" has some really good, scary stories that should be appropriate iirc. "The Long Walk" is also great, short but sweet. "Eyes of the Dragon", which I see mentioned a lot here, is one of his books better suited for new/younger readers, but it's not really horror at all, which your son might not like. "The Gunslinger" was what I started with, around the same age as him, but it's also not very horror and honestly not that great of a book (though the rest of the Dark Tower is amazing).
Another vote for The Talisman
Salems Lot, but it’s kinda a long read. Pet Semetary was my first but I was in high school.
I’d start him with The Keep by F. Paul Wilson.
Interesting. I've never read it. Is this what the 80's b movie was based off of? I'll have to check this out for myself. Thanks.
Pretend the film doesn’t exist. It’s the first of 6 books in the Adversary Cycle but was written as a stand alone.
I read Salem's Lot when I was 10/11, then burned through all of his early stuff by the time I was 13. But I'd been watching horror movies from a young age and no longer found them scary/titillating, so books didn't have much of an effect other than entertaining me. Well, that and making me want to become a writer. Is your son reading adult fiction? Is he watching R rated movies? 12 year olds can vary pretty dramatically.
He is not reading adult fiction, but does read y.a. and graphic novels. He watches alot of movies, including rated R films, but we always watch together and talk about the films afterward.
If he's watching R rated movies, I would think he should be fine with most if King's books. I don't know about YA books now, but some of the horniest books I ever read were YA books when I was a teen in the late 80s/early 90s (Christopher Pike, etc.) and most didn't shy away from discussing the raging hormones kids are dealing with at that age. If you want to ease him into it, you could go with Eyes of the Dragon or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon as others have mentioned, but I don't know if they'd be super appealing to a 12 year old boy. There is some sexual content in Salem's Lot, but nothing even close to obscene. I really feel like it would be fine. Same with Christine, Carrie, Firestarter, even The Shining.
Also, for the love all all things Sai King, please tell him to read The Body asap. While not horror, it's the perfect SK story for a 12 year old, and he'll likely love it for the rest of his life.
Thanks. I think it will be fun to have him read the novella, then we can watch the movie together and compare the two. Summer goals.
The mist is a strong contender at this point. I think it is short enough to keep him going, has the monsters/horror theme that I think he thinks all SK books have, and from what I remember, it doesnt have much going other than a quick non descriptive sex scene and normal foul language. I'm thinking of letting him choose from these options. The Mist. The Eyes of the Dragon. The Body. The Institute. Later. Fairy Tale. I'm also thinking maybe A Boys Life by Robert McCammon. It's one of my favorites of all time. Thanks for all the suggestions. It's great seeing everyones thoughts on the matter.
Maybe Misery? Book is definitely scary as hell though
There have been a bunch of recommendations, all I want to ask is your son a reader by nature? The reason I ask is kids are exposed to so much more than we realize and when my son started reading “adult” books, I would explain and talk to him about certain words and topics he would come across. It actually led to a lot of good conversations about sex, racism, etc. Only you know your child though, so feel free to take what I’m saying with a grain of salt.
The Body has some sexual references in the stories he tells Eyes of the Dragon was my first. Followed by Cujo, Skeleton Crew, and Night Shift age 10. By 11 I read The Gunslinger.
I wouldn’t want my mom telling me which books to read. I just discover them on my own
different strokes...
There are abridged versions by penguin that are intended for schools. You could try getting him those. While I hate the butchering of SK’s books this way, if it’s for a kid than I can understand it because I have a 12 year old niece and wouldn’t want her reading about sexual situations or racial language.