All great suggestions. I'll add my support for Fahrenheit 451 and To Kill a Mockingbird. I never read any Jules Verne, but have heard he's good. What about the Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane? Did someone mention that one yet? It's not science fiction, but neither is To Kill a Mockingbird.

Dracula and Frankenstein are both pretty good books as well, and not anything like their cinematic portrayals.

Likewise, Lord of the Flies is good stuff too, but maybe a bit too much. With many of these books, sure, a kid his age could read them and understand the plot, but there are some significant underlying concepts in all of them. Is he ready to take on those types of themes, or should he just be a kid and read what entertains him?

Off topic, and I think I've mentioned it before, but you readers should check out the film "Stone Reader." Interesting documentary about a man who becomes obsessed with finding the author of a book that was reviewed in the New York Times in the 70s. It also is a great film for people who sincerely love books and enjoy sharing that love with others.

Don't bring the world another Randriod if it can be avoided.

Zamyatin, We is a good literary dystopia, don't have a great recollection of the reading level though. Ditto Saramago, The Cave.

When I was his age I enjoyed reading Heinlein's Starship Troopers followed by Haldeman's response, The Forever War. Both authors very much products of their respective generations, but you can talk about that.

He also might enjoy Snow Crash and Stephenson's other non-encyclopedic works. Also Neuromancer, by Gibson.

I'm not too sure what constitutes the various age-appropriate levels, though.

I was looking for this on the list! Most of his stuff is pretty good (although his horror stuff might be a little disturbing)

You're right, best to censor it and not expose the child to anything with which you might disagree.

While not sci-fi, I would give "People Of The Wolf" by W. Michael and Kathleen Gear a try. It's the most archeologically and anthropologically accurate pre-historic North American story I've found. Blows Cave Bear and that Sarabande stuff to smithereens. It's not overly complex, so it should easily appeal to a younger reader. The characters are rich and extremely well developed, as is the plot. You get a nifty introduction to what became the basis for pre-Columbian religion in North America.

Easy (Billze)Bubba. No one is mentioning censorship. I see what you mean, that it's naive to say don't read it. But, be happy. You've got Greenspan, you're presiding over the dismantling of the social safety net and the eventual bankruptcy of our country that will allow us to return to a pre New Deal idealized version of this country. It won't be pretty, but you'l have gotten what you want.

Gee, better stock up on gold and precious metals then.

Look, if her kid wants to read Rand, by all means. My parents didn't stop me reading her. I'm just bored stiff of adolescents who wander around parroting the lady endlessly. i would hate to be bored by ayah's no doubt fantastic munchkin.

Also, IME, most of the devotees were exposed young. People who read her first as adults with actual knowledge of the world seem much less likely to spend years of their life annoying me by being not just libretarians but obnoxious ones. Public goods, folks. Externalities. They're more pervasive than you think.

Ayah. Good for you. You know, my wife is a Guidance Counselor/School Psychologist. She is now at a middle school that is 6,7, and 8. Whereas on this side of the bridge the 6th graders are still in the elementary schools and middle school is just 7 and 8, my wife is now absolutely convinced that 6th graders do not belong in with the 7th and 8th grades, as they in turn do not belong with 9th graders. Her experience and expertise (this issue is her big thing), as well as our conversations with parents in other towns have us convinced that below is the correct model, and anything but ,really detrimental, especially to the 6th graders.

Elementary=K-6
Middle School=7 and 8
High School=9-12

So good for you in getting your kid out quick.

Reading suggestions:

Tolkien
Ray Bradbury-Something Wicked This Way Comes

as well as some of the excellent suggetsions already made.

good call. i could read long words and get through complex plots pretty young, but i know that my pre-adolescent retention was crap. i didn't get the nuances, i didn't get the subliminal stuff, the humor. so many of these books are great (as are so many that all the obnerers have mentioned), but i wouldnt get them if i were 11. but i don't doubt your kid's pretty smart.

what about the good ol' huck finn/tom sawyer? or our pal anne frank? once and future king, a tree grows in brooklyn ? sure, may not hold the depths of i, robot or look homeward, angel, but these are memorable and amazing stories.