Fantasy & Adventure:
* Rick Riordan: *Percy Jackson & the Olympians*, *Heroes of Olympus*, *Magnus Chase*, *Trials of Apollo*, *Kane Chronicles* are all excellent for this age, with strong mythology elements and action.
* J.K. Rowling: *Harry Potter*, obviously, is a classic for a reason, with magic, friendships, and coming-of-age themes.
* Suzanne Collins: *The Hunger Games* trilogy is a little darker, but very compelling for older 11-year-olds, tackling themes of survival and rebellion.
* Holly Black: *The Spiderwick Chronicles* (with Tony DiTerlizzi) is a great entry into fae lore, while her *Folk of the Air* series (for slightly older readers) is full of intrigue.
* Brandon Mull: *Fablehaven*, *Beyonders*, *The Candy Shop*, etc., all involve fantastical creatures and adventure.
* Chris Colfer: *The Land of Stories* series has fairytale-inspired stories and humor.
Realistic Fiction & Contemporary:
* Gary D. Schmidt: *The Wednesday Wars*, *Okay for Now*, and *The Book Thief* are all thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
* Sharon Creech: *Walk Two Moons*, *Love That Dog*, and *The Great Unexpected* offer heartwarming stories about family, friendship, and self-discovery.
* John Green: *Looking for Alaska* is a bit more mature, but touches on important themes and is beloved by many.
* Rainbow Rowell: *Eleanor & Park* is a coming-of-age story with a focus on romance.
* Jerry Spinelli: *Maniac Magee*, *Stargirl*, and *Crash* are all engaging and explore unique characters.
* Gordon Korman: *Son of the Mob*, *Island*, and *The 39 Clues* series are all adventure-packed with strong characters.
Other Genres:
* Neil Gaiman: *Coraline*, *The Graveyard Book*, and *The Ocean at the End of the Lane* are imaginative and slightly spooky.
* Christopher Paolini: *Eragon* is a sweeping fantasy adventure with a strong dragon theme.
* Angie Thomas: *The Hate U Give* is a powerful story about race and social justice (for mature readers).
* Ruta Sepetys: *Between Shades of Gray*, *Salt to the Sea*, and *The Fountains of Silence* are historical fiction that explores difficult periods.
Tips for choosing:
* Look at reviews: Check websites like Goodreads or Common Sense Media.
* Consider their interests: What kind of books do they already like?
* Start with shorter books: Building confidence and a love for reading is crucial.
* Introduce them to different genres: Don't limit them to only one!
* Talk about the books: Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings.
Remember: This is just a starting point. Explore, experiment, and have fun finding the perfect books for your 11-year-old!