Yes. - Edit 1
Before modification by Camilla at 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM
he might want to pick up Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. I read it when I was 11 and it helped trigger my interest in philosophy. The ending is a bit... fantastic. But it might fit.
If by "fantastic" you mean "ridiculous" and that he completely lost control of the plot, then we agree. 
I've read the book two or three times, and each time I really like the first half, then the second half makes me bored and annoyed. Gaarder is always a bit hit-and-miss, some of his books are excellent while others are rather weak or rehash earlier books. I have fond memories of the two mentioned in the subject line, though.
I've read the book two or three times, and each time I really like the first half, then the second half makes me bored and annoyed. Gaarder is always a bit hit-and-miss, some of his books are excellent while others are rather weak or rehash earlier books. I have fond memories of the two mentioned in the subject line, though. I was thinking less of it as a joyful moment of fulfilled reading as a set of triggers that might make him want to read more elsewhere. I confess I was rather diplomatic, but I think the book still has value because of the first half (where do the letters stop?). It certainly interested me, although (like you) was I rather disappointed by the ending.