Entry Stephen King book for a kid? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world to c/books@lemmy.world

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I read a ton of Stephen King as a kid and I think my kid will be into it, but I'm not sure which book would be a good entry point. He has so many different types of story from weird to horror to mind bending. What would you use as a good entry for his horror? For an 11 year old.

Update... Thank you so much everyone! This thread is making me want to reread the books myself too 😄

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[-] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

I would recommend Eyes of the Dragon, The Institute, The Talisman, Fairy Tale, and some of the short story and novella collections. I don't think you should worry about what is representative of King but what is relatable and good reading for an 11 year old.

I would recommend against Pet Semetary. I read it at around 11 or 12 and was very disturbed by it.

[-] CaptainBlinky@lemmy.myserv.one 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Also The Body by his pseudonym Richard Bachman, in the book Different Seasons, which was remade into the movie Stand By Me.

[-] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Oh yeah, great call. That movie was the best thing I'd ever seen even before I was old enough to start reading King.

[-] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I was in a book shop today looking at Pet Semetary actually and did decide against it. I'm thinking short story collections might be the way to go.

[-] Stabbitha@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Gonna echo Eyes of the Dragon, it's fantasy rather than horror.

[-] mudstickmcgee@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

Is the Institute book better than the series? Because that ending to season 1 was ass

[-] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

I really enjoyed the book. I didn't know there was a TV series at all, but I have a hard time with any dramatic TV/movies with child actors because they just can't have the depth of experience to act out anything other than silly kid comedy.