Here are some of my favourites from when I was around that age:
Joseph Conrad's novellas, especially "Heart of Darkness" and "Lord Jim". HoD was an 1899 work but, as one of my favourite literary works, I couldn't exclude it!
Rohinton Mistry writes lovely fiction based on the political climate in India under Indira Ghandi. I'd start with "A Fine Balance".
Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" is an interesting read, if somewhat dark.
Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is one of my favourite tragedies. It's an 1890 work, but the themes in it are very much contemporary.
James Joyce's "The Dubliners" are thoughtful short stories about Joyce's Irish upbringing.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Great Gatsby" is a classic.
Don't underestimate the appeal of the Homerian literature, either: The Illiad and Odyssey! Though they are old as dirt, those are brilliant tales of heroism and daring that every teenage boy should read.
He might like the Lincoln Lawyer series by Connelly and "Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy.
Hope that gives you some good ideas!
