Prize book for 14-year-old

[muffinmonster]

DS, who is about to turn 14 and is in Y9, has been invited to his school prize day to receive a prize. We have to supply a book, for which the school will reimburse us. Budget is £15. We are struggling to think of something that he will like that will look respectable on prize day (he was very tempted by a new colour edition of the first Captain Underpants book!), though I don't want anything too show-offy either (so Complete Works of Shakespeare is out). Any bright ideas?

He has read the Hunger Game and Gone series, and seems to have gone off dystopian fantasy now. He doesn't read as much as he used to, but has just finished Quirkology by Robert Wiseman and has bought himself 59 Seconds by the same author. We could submit that, but I would like a hardback. Maybe I'm trying too hard here.

I think non-fiction might be the way to go. He likes Maths and Science and quirky things. We already have the Maths in the Simpsons book, which would otherwise be ideal.

[Tinkers]

This sort of thing?
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science- ... 2D11663539" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Guest55]

http://www.robeastaway.com/books/hidden ... s-of-sport" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rob Eastaway has written a few maths books which are great for young people. There are several others if he is not sporty.

[estelle]

My DS ( Year 11) enjoys non fiction science & maths books. He has several by Ian Stewart: Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities, 17 Equations which changed the World, How to Cut a Cake, Taming the Infinite, but there are lots more.

Otherwise I'd suggest a classic like Catch 22.

Will be interested to hear what you select & what other forum members suggest..

estelle

[muffinmonster]

Oooh, you wonderful people! Thanks.

We do have a few popular maths books (Simon Singh etc.) but there are more here I wasn't aware of so I'll check them out.

He has a birthday coming up soon, so your suggestions are doubly useful!

[Stroller]

For what is he getting the prize? It would be good to pick a book on a related theme.

Slightly over budget, but rather nice if you're looking for non-fiction:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Elements-Vi ... gy_b_img_z" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Daogroupie]

This needs to be something he will want to keep and refer to throughout his life. We have had to do this three years in a row and have gone to Waterstones and bought lovely hardback editions of classics that will be on the bookshelves for years to come. Watching the books being presented some students had chosen things like the Justin Beiber biography which is unlikely to be browsed over in a few years time. If he is interested in Science and Maths then a lovely hardback colour dictionary would be a good idea. DG

[Peridot]

I like daogroupie's suggestion. We have a very smart Usborne Science Dictionary which is referred to a lot by my two and looks good. Or what about a poetry anthology?

[Warks mum]

It's not as exciting as some, but the Penguin Dictionary series has proved long-lasting in our house. I received a set as school prizes some 30 years ago and this week the physics one was back in use for AS support work!

[Ally]

DS's school normally give book tokens and we find it difficult to find a suitable book. DS selected this after winning the Y8 science prize.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Definit ... 68&sr=1-76" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Here's some other ideas
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Year-Dk ... P3VQQGZN4V" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Elements-Vi ... 80H7YWANNS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;