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A Book List for Boys
Source: Parents' Choice Foundation
"Is there any material out there that can get my pre-adolescent sons to read something that is not printed on the small screen?"
To answer this question emailed from a Louisiana father, Parents’ Choice decided to form an investigative committee. Librarians, youth services directors and eleven year old boys were asked to select a list of non-fiction and fiction titles that genuinely enticed them. It was a two-month project, requiring more time and work than anyone had expected.
But not surprisingly the books finally agreed to are colorful, factual, and fanciful. They contain adventure, suspense, humor, mystery and they reflect universal human values.
Our lead investigator was respected children’s librarian Ellen Messing who long worked for the public library of Wellesley and neighboring Winchester Massachusetts. Her own group included library youth service directors April Mazza and Kelly Wood, both from these communities. Neighborhood boys, too participated. Beyond this committee Ellen interviewed other individuals. She worked with precision and doggedness until the titles reflected the thoughts and tastes of the entire group. They, like we are proud of their selections.
Fiction:
Tony Abbott
Realism & Survival
Abbott’s series feature fun and adventure.
Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard (Danger Guys Stories)
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0064420116, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (Secrets of Droon Series)
Little Apple, ISBN: 0590108395, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Avi
Avi writes good solid stories: Poppy is a deer mouse and her tales revolve around other animals in the meadow, while McKinley in The Good Dog is a sled dog torn between his human family and the wild world of Lupin, who is out to replenish his wolf pack.
The Good Dog
Atheneum, ISBN: 0689838247, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Poppy (Series)
Camelot, ISBN: 0380727692, Ages 9 & Up
Michael Chabon
Summerland is a treat where a “less than mediocre Little League player “ is recruited by a mystical 100 year old scout and accepts a mission to overthrow the evil, shape-changing overlord, Coyote. Shades of Narnia and the Hobbit say some. A challenge for older readers.
Summerland
Hyperion Press, ISBN: 0786816155, Ages 9 & Up
Eoin Colfer
Colfer’s Artemis books are extremely popular and creative! “When a twelve-year old genius tries to demand a ransom, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.”
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl Series)
Hyperion Press, ISBN: 0786817070, Ages 10 & up
Mark Crilley
Crilley’s Earthling hero, fourth-grader Akiko, joins an intergalactic cast of characters in a mission to rescue Prince Froptoppit of the Planet Smoo.
Akiko on the Planet Smoo (Akiki Series)
Delacorte Press, ISBN: 0385327242, Ages 10 & up
Franklin Dixon
Oldies, but still goodies.
Hardy Boys Starter Set
Platt & Munk, ISBN: 0448416719, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Edward Eager
Knight’s castle by Eager follows four cousins who find themselves back in the times of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe!
Knight’s Castle
Harcourt, ISBN: 015202073X, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Cornelia Funke
The Thief Lord by Funke is the newest book on this list: an exciting story about 2 brothers who run away to Venice, Italy, their aunt who hires a detective to track them down and the mysterious thief lord who takes them under his wing.
The Thief Lord
Scholastic, ISBN: 0439404371, Ages 10 & up
Dan Greenburg
The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot (Zack Files Series)
Grosset & Dunlap, ISBN: 0448420414, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Jackie French Koller
Dragonling (Dragonling Series)
Aladdin Library, ISBN: 074341019X, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
In Hatchet, a boy is the lone survivor of a plane crash and is stranded in the wilderness with only a hatchet. This gripping tale is by Paulsen, who has written many wonderful stories including Mr. Tucket and Dogsong.
Mr. Tucket
Yearling BooksISBN: 0440411335, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Dogsong
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689827008, Ages 10 & up
Hatchet
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689826990, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Emily Rodda
The Forests of Silence
Apple, ISBN: 0439253233, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Deltora Book of Monsters (Deltora Quest)
Scholastic, ISBN: 0439390842, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Louis Sachar
Holes was a recent movie written by the talented Sachar; think “curse, desert correctional camp treasure and friends”. This is very different from the humorous tales that occur on the thirteenth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with a classroom on each floor.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School (A Series)
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0380731487, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Holes
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440414806, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Jon Scieszka
See you later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio Series) Puffin, ISBN: 0142300691, Ages 9-12 yrs
Sam Samurai (Time Warp Trio Series) Viking Childrens Books,ISBN: 0670899151, Ages 8 & Up
Non-Fiction:
A variety for all tastes. Try to pinpoint some of your child’s interests; then browse the non-fiction shelves. It can be awesome! A strong alternate way to present non-fiction might be to use a narrative form, or group by topics i.e., true tales, poetry, biographies, and special interests.
Nathaniel Philbrick
The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex
Putnam Pub Group Juv, ISBN: 039923795X, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Brian Colburn
Triumph on Everest: A Photobiography of Sir Edmund Hillary (Biography)
National Geographic, ISBN: 0792279328, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Mark Stewart
One Wild Ride: The Life of Skateboard Superstar Tony Hawk (Biography)
21st Century Books, ISBN: 0761326669, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
Puppies, Dogs and Blue Northers: Reflections on the Author’s Life with His Sled Dogs (Biography)
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440418755, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Tomi De Paola
The author, creator of Strega Nona, grandmother witch, looks back on his childhood.
Twenty-Six Fairmont Avenue
Puffin, ISBN: 0698118642, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Here We All Are
Puffin, ISBN: 0698119096, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
What a Year (Biography)
Puffin, ISBN: 014250158, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Walter Wick
I Spy Gold Challenger: A Book of Picture Riddles
Cartwheel Books, ISBN: 0590042963, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Seymour Simon
Whales
Harpercollins Juvenile Books, ISBN: 0064460959,
Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Big Cats
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 006446119X, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Danger! Volcanoes
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171813, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Muscles: Our Muscular Skeleton
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0688177204, Ages 7 & Up
Animals Nobody Loves
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171554, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Richard Platt
Eyewitness: Pirate
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466082, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Eyewitness: Spy
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466163, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Jack Prelutski
Monday’s Troll
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688096441, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688132359, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Douglas Florian
Laugh-eteria
Puffin, ISBN: 0141309903, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Beast Feast
Voyager Books, ISBN: 0152017372, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Eyewitness Books
Eyewitness Books stand out in the non-fiction collection. They are bountiful and beautiful, including wonderful photographs along with information. Browsing these gems is a treat. Examples: Sharks, Whales and Dolphins, Islam or Money. The Eyewitness Juniors, which are mostly in paperback, are perfect for lower elementary grades i.e, Amazing bikes, Amazing crocodiles and lizards.
For more great books for boys, look for Kathleen Odean’s Great Books for Boys: More than 600 books for Boys 2-14.
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