RAR #92: Books Boys Love (that aren’t just books for boys)
Sometimes it can be tricky to find books for boys.
It’s not so much that they need different books than girls do, but… well…
…at some point, you may find it’s difficult to match your boys up with books they love.
You know what I mean, right?
The kind of books they’ll stay up late reading with a flashlight underneath the covers. The kind of books that give them an insatiable thirst for reading. The kind of books that turn them into readers.
These books, of course, are not just books for boys. Many appeal to my girls, as well!
But if you have a boy in your life who just doesn’t love reading (yet!), then this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast is for you.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- books with characters that will grab your boys’ imaginations
- what boys need in books that they read ‘for fun’
- my favorite recommendations for boys of different ages
Click the play button below:
Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
- 1:40 Not just for boys, but …
- 3:48 Recommendations for boys ages 4-7
- 6:20 Recommendations for boys ages 8-12
- 10:42 Mysterious Benedict Society and Will Wilder
- 12:37 Andrew Clements’s books
- 14:16 Books for teen boys
- 17:40 The Boundless and Gary Paulsen’s books
- 26:05 Let the kids speak
Books from this episode:
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Links from this episode:
- RAR #66: Do Audiobooks Count as Read-Alouds?
- RAR #44: Magic and Fear in Children’s Books, N.D. Wilson
- RAR #90: Easter Basket Ideas for Young Readers
- The Read-Aloud Family
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I suggest adding Frank Peretti’s Cooper series to the list. We started reading the Door in the Dragon’s Throat and so far, my son loves it. I also remember reading them as a kid and enjoyed them very much.
Wondering why you don’t mention the Harry Potter series. My 8 year old has always loved reading but Harry Potter made him lose sleep. He finished the first 3 books in a week. He ran home from school so he could finish his homework and read…
also try Gordon Korman books: they are funny and for mid-grade kids, esp. boys
I want to go home: two boys at camp who want to go home- not because they’re homesick, they just hate camp. Hilarity ensues.
Bruno And boots series: McDonald Hall, Go Jump in the Pool, The Wizzle war etc.
Son of Interflux- gr. 7/8 age group.
A great series for early elementary boys is Tales of the RAF by Don Patterson. Easy to read early chapter books with color pictures every so often. (there are 6 of them in the series) My girls were actually the ones that found the series – they tend to like more action boy-type stories! So, my girls will be perusing this list also! Thank you for these wonderful book lists! They’re great for voracious readers that complain “There are no more good books out there!”
Please help! My almost eight year old boy loves Goosebumps and other scary short stories. I despise reading them because the quality is poor and the main characters are not always good guys-they don’t have hero like qualities. For example, I just read one that the main characters were twins and they were decietful and lied to the adult characters in the story pretending to be each other. Pleas tell me there is something out there that can satisfy his need for the thrill of scary stories but the main character is a good guy.
The scary stories I think are really well done are the 100 Cupboards series by ND Wilson, but those are at a bit more challenging level than Goosebumps.
Have you read the Prince Warrior novels by Priscilla Shirer? If so, what did you think? I’m considering reading them with my 11 year old, but I usually check for your review of stuff for insight before starting new books =).
Thanks!
Noemi
I haven’t!
I would like to make an author recommendation that I have not seen yet on RAR. When I was a teenager, I read ALL the books written by Canadian author Sigmund Brouwer, including the Accidental Detectives series, Magnus (which I understand was republished in 1999 under the titel “Wings of Dawn”) and several hockey/sports-related books as well. (most of his books are geared toward boys and fast paced, but I loved his writing style!) For some reason these books are not listed on his author site, http://sigmundbrouwer.com/books/ perhaps because they’re out of print. I haven’t read any of his newer books, but I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed!!
I would love to hear Sigmund Brouwer interviewed on the RAR podcast. :)
I just discovered that he has a website for young readers, where you can download free books or find out about discounted ones.
http://orcabook.com/myrockandrollbooks/
Wanted to share this resource with others, especially those who might have pre-teen or teen boys who aren’t hooked on reading yet.
Not just for boys, but The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (the author of Bud, not Buddy) was a family favorite of ours. The audiobook read by Levar Burton is wonderful as well. Because there’s a sad episode (a version of the Birmingham church bombing) it’s better as a read-aloud than for kids to read on their own.
Ooh, I loved that one too! I should add it to this list. Thank you!
I am so excited I stumbled upon your podcast!! I have always loved reading to my kids and my 6 year old (my youngest) has been keeping me reading to him by his constant requests, but I admit I have not been reading to my older kids (9,9,&8) as much anymore as they love to read on their own. I do find, however, if they are around when I am reading to my youngest they always end up beside us. Thanks for confirming to me the importance of continuing this even into their teenage years and for your great resources and book lists! I already purchased your book and I am so thankful to have all your great recommendations so when we go to the library or choose to purchase a book I know it is worthwhile. It can be overwhelming to know what my kids should be reading and now I have the confidence to help them choose great books!!
Please do this for girls! I know girls can read the same books listed for boys, but my daughter is all about princesses and I would love to have a list of books with heroins I know are strong role models with good values. Thank you so much for all the work you do for us mammas and our families!
The candymakers, apple and the arrow, Patrick McManus books!
Brandon Sanderson has two EXCELLENT, CLEAN series for YA!! (everything he writes is clean and soooo imaginative).
– The Rythmatist (& sequels) —> magic based on geometry in a steampunk alternative US (archipelgo instead of one continent).
– The Reckoners (trilogy) —> there is a strange star granting superpowers… and all of them turn evil. This is for a bit older audience than the Rythmatist; parents can vet first. There is a love interest between two characters, kissing is mentioned.
Sanderson is the BEST world-builder I have ever read!! (Hyperion, Elantris, Mistborne series… all are great, aimed at adults).
My son is not into fantasy, and there are many of these books which are in that category. I say YES to all Gary Schmidt books, though, as they really grabbed my reluctant -reader 14 year old. Also, he ADORES Kwame Alexander. I’ve read “Crossover,” novel in verse, and LOVED it. It’s a Newberry and Coretta Scott King winner and a gripping read for those who are into sports. Rich in character development and plot, it is one my son has read over and over.
The new Jason Reynolds Track series is also very well done. I’ve only read a few of those, but I can’t wait to put them in his hands. They are quick, funny, engaging.
My son is almost ten and has devoured the Mistmantle Chronicles three times since Thanksgiving, on top of over reading. Because he just can’t put them down. He tells me they are like Harry Potter meets The Green Ember. Hehe. :)
Another recommendation for tween/teen boys is the Underland Chronicles series, by Suzanne Collins. It’s a great fantasy series. :)
I also recently read “Chester and Gus” by Cammie McGovern, which is a sweet story about a therapy dog and a severely autistic boy, told from the dog’s perspective. Happy reading everyone!!
Have you or your 9+ sons read Michael Vey series (7 books total) by Richard Paul Evans? It is fantastic for girls and boys. The story allows the main character to make moral decisions, it shows kids with real issues. My 13 year old has read them several times as they were released. If you haven’t read them, please check them out.
And don’t miss Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Fantastic adventures, lots of boy appeal, and such great vocabulary. It’s a GREAT read-aloud.
Also: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (pre-Revolutionary War Boston, SO good) and many of the biographies by Geoff and Karen Benge appeal to adventure-loving boys. (Ernest Shackleton, David Livingstone, Brother Andrew are some great ones).
I have an 11 yr old boy who absolutely LOVES humor. Many books he’s read are serious & he leans toward really stupid humor & comics. Can you recommend any well-written preteen humorous books??
My boys enjoyed reading Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld, Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat, The adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green, The Family From One End Street by Eve Garnett, Cinnabar, the One o’clock Fox by Marguerite Henry, and of course any Asterix comic book or indeed any Tin Tin.
I was forgetting to mentioned another graphic novel series that might appeal to boys, and it seems to be an old series and it is called Classics Illustrated Series. Here is an Amazon link of one of them if you are interested: Abraham Lincoln Classic Illustrated (5 stars): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910619957/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Thank you for such a wonderful list. The following are not specifically chapter books but picture books targeted to boys:
-Pretty much all the stories form Chris Van Dusen (If a Built a Car, If I Built a House, etc.
-The Parts Series by Ted Arnold
-Will God’s Mighty Warriors Series by Sheila Walsh
-David Shannon (Duck on a Tractor, Duck on a Bike, Too Many Toys, etc)
-When I Grow Up (Peter Horn)
-Seinfeld Halloween (this one is HILARIOUS)
-Robin Hood (Robert San Souce)
-Most of Bill Peet book could be used for boys
-The Irish Cinderlad
Graphic Novels I recently came across are:
-The Adventures of Loupio
-The Thruth is Out There & The Big Picture, Brendan and Eric in Exile (from 12 years and up) – With the intention that the reader will catch a glimpese of the great Truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith. It has 5 stars in Amazon and the below is the most comprenhensive review of this Graphic Novel:
“This is an intense book! Not as entertaining as the first volume but practically exploding with information. It is a lot to take in and not a book to be read all at once. I ended up reading a chapter, of this graphic novel, at a time to fully process all the information. Brendan has decided to become a Catholic and is taking his RCIA classes from the Father while he and Erc travel around space on their job. Sometimes they meet the Father in person, other times it’s over the screen. Erc is the sceptic, he is a lapsed believer and sceptical of everything that his taught. This volume covers the entire Bible from creation to Judgement Day with the focus being on the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and then how and why Jesus was that Messiah. How he brought salvation and redemption to mankind. The conversation goes through a teaching mode with Father then Erc being the sceptic asking the usual questions and bringing up the usual answers non-Christians (esp. atheists) bring to the table. Father refutes them all with reason, logic or turning the question back to Erc. Brendan is a questioning mind, as is encouraged of the Catholic student, and sometimes he finds Eric’s comments/questions reasonable and discusses them with Father in a more seeking-the-answers manner. As an up-and-coming convert, Brendan also has his own intelligent questions. Father’s teaching and answers are always true to scripture and the magisterium. Very well researched book on the mystery of God’s plan for our salvation written by a contemplative monk. The book makes excellent reading for recent converts, those participating in RCIA and older teens. Even long-time Catholics will find it useful for logical answers to questions or confrontations we are often subjected to. It most certainly is recommended for use in a teaching environment.”
I really enjoy your site and want to thank you for all the great work that you do. I would love to see more suggestions made of books with female protagonists listed for boys. I thought that this blog post by Shannon Hale was very eye opening and thought provoking: http ://www.squeetus.com/2018/03/were-ready-a-post-for-kidlitwomen.html
Great list! Thank you! I have a girl & a boy – they are young, but I’m starting to stockpile books for the future. This year I’ve been reading middle-grade & young adult books for the purpose of being able to make recommendations at the right times when my kids are older. And it has been SO MUCH FUN. :)
Fans of Tolkien & C.S. Lewis may enjoy the Reaper’s Seed series by Christian author Jaffrey Clark. He’s also got a very imaginative Good vs. Evil series about invisible kids called The Shadow Tribe.
I’ve entered my address twice and have still not received the booklist. Is there something I’m doing wrong?
Sorry about that! shoot an email to support@readaloudrevival.com and we’ll get it sent your way.
Great list! Those MOBS (mother’s of boys ) out there appreciate it. I would caution about Percy Jackson. I have had other mom’s tell me there is inapproptpriate things in some of them ( same sex attraction). Not sure what series of that authors it is though – this might be o.k.
I bought the book Teaching from Rest which is a very good book. Oh, how I appreciat it. I still read it every so often or skim through. I want to say that I love your read aloud revival lot. I also participated in the 30 day challenge with my boys in January. The only thing I would recommend is maybe to add a little more diversity. There is a book on Amazon for people of black and brown. There is also a list on the internet about books for African American and Hispanics. Please if you can add a book list that could include or just add more to the 60 boys list to show diversity. It would be greatly appreciated. I don’t have the platform that you have to reach more than my inner circle. I am glad that you are showing boys that it is okay to read. Thanks.
Thank you! We’re always looking for diverse books! Would love to hear your favorites for boys so we can add them to the list. :)
I finished reading aloud The Wednesday Wars to my 14-year-old son yesterday. Such a great book and wonderful to read aloud. It will stick with both of us for a long time.
My 9 year old son says the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson deserves a place on every boy’s bookshelf. He loves everything about that series (and so does the rest of the family)!
Hi! While I think this is a great list of books for boys I’m curious why you didn’t include any books about sports for boys. My son is a sports lover and they are a lot of great series about sports for boys. Not all boys love sports but a lot do and I think reading about something they love is a great way to get them reading.
Check out Pam Withers’ books for boys. She has an “Extreme Sports” series that both boys and girls enjoy with both male and female protagonists and action that all kids may enjoy. She also writes other books and her passion is to write books boys will read but that girls also like. She also co-authored a book “Jumpstarting Boys” about ways to engage them in reading.
I just haven’t read enough of them! Would love some recommendations. :)
Another book my 12 year old son loves and has read several times is Good Old Archibald by Ethelyn Parkinson. It was recommended by Plumfield and Paideia blog. My son has enjoyed many of Ethelyn’s books.
What an awesome list for my not-yet-a-teen but too-old-for-kids-books boy. Thank you!
Some great titles here! Thanks. When I was a school librarian, my upper elementary boys liked “Owls in the Family” by Farley Mowat. The Amazon synopsis says, “. . . a young boy’s pet menagerie—which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog—grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down s warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.”
Another awesome series that got my son hooked on reading was the ‘Gregor the Overlander’ series. Thanks for the list!
Thank you so much for this list. Can’t wait to listen to the podcast. I struggle to find books to keep my 14 yo boy engaged. His reading tastes are different than my girls and it’s harder for me to find books that he will sink his teeth into, just for fun.
What a fun list! Also check out the Tintin books by Herge… some of the very best for motivating independent reading. Appealing to all ages, elementary on up! We love Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy.
Might there be a follow up Books for Girls episode . . . please? In our culture, my 3 girls need as many examples of good heroines that I can find. There’s plenty of bad ones.
Right there with you! Three girls that need books about girls that solve problems, have big ideas and solutions, take on challenges, demonstrate smart clever thinking and kindness.
Try Anne of Green GAbles,