Depends on how big he is. I think the cricket might be a bit small if he is a normal to larger kid. Maybe a youth model savage or something. I had one and it fit me pretty well and was a decent rifle. I didn't like the extended clip though. I like the flush mount clip on my savage 17HMR better.

If he can shoot a full sized rifle comfortably get him a 10/22 or marlin model sixty. The Henry lever guns are pretty nice too. They are actually a bit smaller. The one I had fit me pretty well and I am little.

Any of those guns should last him decades if not generations.

Paul