Books for everyone on your list

Pre-teen

Top 2006 Picks:

A Series of Unfortunate Events #13: The End by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins, $13)
Yes, it's the last (and thirteenth, of course) book in the wildly popular series. What's it about? That's a closely kept secret, but a scary storm, a giant bird cage, a mysterious drink and a secret about the parents of the Baudelaire orphans all play a part. Young fans will be enthralled.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini (Knopf, $24)
This adventure-quest fantasy novel has magic, drama, a battle between good and evil-and at 700-plus pages, it will keep 'em entertained throughout the whole school break!

**Like this one? Try the rest in the Inheritance trilogy by young author Christopher Paolini (Knopf, $40 boxed set)

Prince of Tennis, Volume 17 by Takeshi Konomi (VIZ Meida, $8)
Manga (Japanese cartoons) are hot! In this graphic novel, Ryoma, a junior tennis star, is determined to take his team to the very top.

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carlson Levine (HarperCollins, $6)
Perfect for budding writers, this how-to book offers suggestions on developing story ideas, overcoming writer's block, writing exciting dialogue and other great writing tips.

**Like this one? Try fiction by Gail Carlson Levine, such as Fairest (HarperCollins, $17)

Can't-Go-Wrong Classics:

• The Chronicles of Narnia boxed set by C.S. Lewis (HarperTrophy, $45)
• Books by Kenneth Oppel (EOS, from $6)
• Holes by Louis Sachar (Yearling, $7)