Good Calls on both parts wyndhy and Eliza.

The Talisman is a really good. The character named Wolf (Right here and now!) is great. Eyes of the Dragon would be a good read for him too. It's set in Medieval times and involves a King, his sons, the court magician, and a tower. (But not the dark one.)
I would definitely recommend steering him away from IT, Carrie, or The Shining.

wyndhy ~ The TV movie for IT was alright in my opinion, but like you said... TV special effects cannot compete with an unrestricted imagination. After seeing it though, my imagination was tainted with preconceived notions.

__________________
Put me on wheels and I'll turn tricks.

Clever? Nah, I ran out of that years ago. But if you find this, let me know, k?
"The road goes ever on..." ~ Tolkien

In memory of my friend skip...
Go then, there are other worlds than these