If they read German, there is a great deal of crim fiction aimed at children.

I'm sure a young reader will enjoy anything by

Tom Robbins (Jitterbug Perfume, Even Cowgirls...)
Jeff Noon (Vurt, Pollen, Nymphomation)
Philip K. Dick

Before you hand him over to Miller, Bukowski, Burroughs etc.

I know there is some sci-f/alternate history fiction there, but it's not Harry Potter fantasy. It can grip you and never let go.

I second the William Gibson and Neal Stephenson suggestions.

Also, when I was a teenager I devoured anything by John Wyndham or George Orwell.

You might want to look at the Malice Duology (two books) by CHRIS WOODING. They are great books for younger teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_wooding

Here are the two books:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book...7103945/Malice

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book...07105116/Havoc

I already see a lot of the sci fi and fantasy that I read as a teen has been suggested. However, I would recommend some of the Robert Heinlein stuff, especially what are considered his "juveniles." Starship Troopers, Starman Jones, Podkayne of Mars and a dozen others (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinlein_juveniles)

Also, I started reading John Irving at about 15. Excellent stuff, but a bit racy, at times. A Prayer For Owen Meany and The World According To Garp are my favorites.

Good luck

If they are a bit in Sci-Fi and understand German, I would just recommand Perry Rhodan

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Rhodan

That makes several years I read the french version and it's probably one of the best story I have ever read.

Maybe if you’re lucky, once in a lifetime, you come across a teacher who changes your life. Apart from the gorgeously dusky and exotic gauloises smoking French assistante who was brought in to teach us A level French (but that's a different story), mine was Bert Throp, who became my English teacher when I entered the fifth form at my local Grammar school aged 15. Amongst other things, Bert gave us books to read from authors like Keith Waterhouse, Barry Hines and Alan Sillitoe as well as more grown up novels like DH Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers which was actually set for our O-Level. Now I know what you’re thinking, northern books for northern lads, but these books and Bert Throp’s willingness to talk to us about them like grown ups are what gave me a lifelong love of literature.

I'm a big believer in giving any kid aged 15 or over books specifically not aimed at teens. If you’re willing to give them some gritty stuff here are some suggestions that go beyond a lot of the trash peddled at teenagers these days:
Keith Waterhouse “Billy Liar” and “There is a Happy Land.”
Barry Hines “A Kestrel for a Knave.”
Alan Sillitoe “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”

Robert Cormier and Malorie Blackman are good writers for more grown themes.

Otherwise, if you can't wean them off vampires, wizards and starships there’s always “Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer, Joseph Delaney’s the “Spook’s Apprentice” series or Jonathan Stroud’s Bartimaeus Trilogy

Yes.... ? Were you thinking of anything in particular? He's read most of the "Die ???".

Well, thanks for all the new suggestions. Am off to Amazon for another browse around. Cheers! We're getting there.