MG Boys Books

[Robert]

On other sites I often find parents asking for boys books for their 8-12 year old sons. I thought creating a thread devoted to books meeting that need would be a novel idea.

[Robert]

Book: Holes by Louis Sachar

What Makes it a Boy Book: The main characters Stanley Yelnats, Zero, Armpit, and others are all uniquely crafted characters with strengths and flaws. They appear tough on the outside, but are all dealing with imperfections and life that hasn't gone according to plan. The action of digging holes on a stretch of scorched Texas landscape also appeals to boys.

What Makes it A Great Book: Quality writing that crafts quick moving, interweaving, original stories that lead to a feel-good ending.

Other: The book is a length that's not so daunting for reluctant readers and the chance to watch the movie version together afterwards could be a draw. (It's one of the best book to screen movies in my opinion).

[Robert]

Book: A Boy Called Duct Tape by Christopher Cloud

What Makes it a Boy Book: High paced adventure that creates a real page turning experience. Told in the first person by twelve-year-old Pablo, the language is easy to read and the social interaction is relatable. There is also bad guys, a treasure hunt, and the alure of once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

What Makes it a Great Book: The story moves at a brisk pace with something always happening. A combination of realism with a touch of the incredible makes A Boy Called Duct Tape an exciting story with the infusion of fantasy. The twists and turns are fun and it has plenty of cheer-worthy moments.

Other: At 99cents for an E-reader version it is a steal.

[S.W.]

Robert wrote: "On other sites I often find parents asking for boys books for their 8-12 year old sons. I thought creating a thread devoted to books meeting that need would be a novel idea."

Hi Robert, great idea for a thread.

[Annie]

Hi Robert,
There is definitely a difference between the books I recommend to boys vs. girls and I agree with your assessment. When I choose a read aloud it is usually catering to the boys in the group, because the girls will listen to everything. The Hunger Games series is hugely successful in this regard, despite being told from a girl's perspective.
The Ranger's Apprentice series is also a huge hit for all the reasons you've mentioned.
Sports authors are big in my library also, Tim Green, Rich Wallace, Robert Lipsyte, etc.

[Robert]

Annie,

Nice additions to the thread. I have yet to read any of the Tim Green books but know they are gaining in popularity. Is there one you would suggest to read first?

[Fleur]

I'll jump in, since I read a Tim Green book recently that I liked: PINCH HIT. It has great boy appeal, though my two MG daughters both read and enjoyed it too.

[Maggie]

You may want to check out Vin and the Dorky Duet, a new fast-paced adventure, which has both e-book and paperback versions. It's available on Amazon.

[Cheryl]

If you use the 'add book/author' link at the top of the comment box, you get the link right here *and* on the right side of the page.

Vin and the Dorky Duet
Pinch Hit
Holes
a boy called duct tape

[Robert]

Thanks for the recommendations, F.T. and Maggie. And thanks for adding the books, Cheryl.

[Maggie]

Cheryl, thanks very much for the tip on adding the link to the book. I should point out that this link goes to the e-book version of Vin and the Dorky Duet. There is also a paperback version available on Amazon and at the Halo Publishing bookstore.

[Lee]

Just finished reading Secrets of the Fearless by Elizabeth Laird and it's a fantastic rip roaring seafaring adventure. I put a review up if you want to see it. Boys ten and up would love this. I couldn't put it down. Some girls would love it too - it's just so well written. I can't wait to read some more of her work.

[Robert]

Thanks, Lee. Secrets Of The Fearless

[Robert]

[Emma]

Try Morris Gleitzman: Adults Only, Toad Rage and lots of others. His books contain plenty of humour and action, but are anything but mindless. I think boys are happy to read about relationships etc if it's in the right context.

As a children's author who worked for 14 years in primary schools, I'm not sure if there is that much difference between the books that boys and girls like to read. But I do think there's a big difference between the books they are prepared to be seen reading.
For instance, I've watched a boy surreptitiously reading a "girls'" book (by Jacqueline Wilson) which he hid as soon as his friends came into the classroom; whereas I think girls have less of an issue reading "boys'" books. I'd be interested to hear other people's views on this.

[Robert]

Morris Gleitzman

[Robert]

Thanks for the interest, everyone. I definitely understand the desire to share your own works. However, if a majority of posts are both authors suggesting their own books, I'm afraid it will be perceived by readers as not being very useful (even if the self-suggestions fit into the genre).

I would suggest revising your posts to include more helpful information about what makes it "a boys book" and limit requests to buy or review. I would assume if readers are interested in the premise of your book they will follow the links to your page and read more about it there.

If you are looking for reviews, there are more appropriate threads such as... The Review by Kids thread or Author's Corner.

Thanks.

[S.W.]

Robert wrote: "Thanks for the interest, everyone. I definitely understand the desire to share your own works. However, if a majority of posts are both authors suggesting their own books, I'm afraid it will be pe..."

Thanks Robert...... great point. We need to keep the balance between authors and readers.

I've added the following onto the Group Details.

Authors: Thanks for your valuable input (it is welcome) but we'd like to keep the delicate balance between readers and authors. Please use the Authors or Offers areas for promoting your own books.

[Emma]

Another suggestion for reluctant boy readers: Billionaire Boy
by David Walliams, about the richest 12 year-old in the world, who can buy anything he wants but really wants nothing more than a friend. It's very funny, which I think appeals to most boys; and while it looks easy enough to attract reluctant readers, it's not simplistic. (It is English, however; I'm not sure if it's available yet in the USA.)
David Walliams has written other books, including The Boy in the Dress and Gangsta Granny, which I haven't read, but should also be worth a look.

[Robert]

[Timothy]

I find that young boys just love a good old adventure story. Most of them watch super hero cartoons and love stories of good characters fighting evil. One such story I came across recently that I absolutely loved is Relics and Wonders: Lombard's Amulet by Kevin Mullikin and Randall Ridings. It is a relatively new release from two authors making their debut. The story is amazing. Although most of the main characters are adults, there are several interactions each of them have with younger kids who end up playing a pivotal role in their survival as they travel across an adventurous land filled with all kinds of strange and deadly creatures. When I was done with it, I gave it to my nephew and he finished it in two days (which is awesome because we have a hard enough time peeling him away from the TV as it is). Any story that gets a kid into reading is good for me and worth sharing with others. Relics and Wonders: Lombard's Amulet

[Timothy]

[S.W.]

Timothy wrote: "I find that young boys just love a good old adventure story. Most of them watch super hero cartoons and love stories of good characters fighting evil. One such story I came across recently that I..."

Thanks for the tip Timothy...I've added it to my shelf.

[Gary]

Tim,

I have read Lombard's Amulet too. I agree, it was a fantastic read. I would say it's one of those books that any reader of adventure or fantasy could enjoy, regardless of their age. My little cousin is reading it and she's nine. What were some of your favorite characters? I really enjoyed Zekiel, he was mysterious and seemed almost like he was torn at times.
Also I loved Prodegy, but what the heck was the deal with him always being everywhere?

[Jennifer]

This is an awesome read! It is book 3 in the series and was just released on 10/2. If you haven't read any of these, I highly recommend them!

The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus, Book Three)

[Timothy]

Gary wrote: "Tim,

I have read Lombard's Amulet too. I agree, it was a fantastic read. I would say it's one of those books that any reader of adventure or fantasy could enjoy, regardless of their age. My lit..."

Gary,

I really liked Draygon, Drifter, and Ness a lot. Zull, the little gnome was quite a character too. About Prodegy, you're guess is as good as mine. I kept wondering about that too. Hopefully it will get explained in the next book. Have you been to the website yet? There's all kinds of cool background stuff on there.

[Philip]

Boys in the 8-12 year old range and looking for something fun for Halloween would enjoy the humorous ghost books of Ray Bial. Dripping Blood Cave & Other Ghostly Stories is the latest in his series about two young fellows, accidental ghost detectives: the stalwart Hank and his goofy, 'fraidy-cat sidekick Clifford. Bial's stories are a nice mix of local history, humor, mild spookiness (more funny than scary), and good values (doing the right thing).

[E.S.]

My son is 14 but still loves to read in the MG genre. He has Rick Riordan's Mark of Athena on his reading pile right now. I'll list a few of the series he has enjoyed.

I,Q, Roland Smith
Alex Rider, Anthony Horowitz
Gregor the Overlander, Suzanne Collins
Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
The Emerald Tablet, P. J. Hoover
Septimus Heap, Angie Sage
The Magic Thief, Sarah Prineas
Erec Rex, Kaza Kingsley

[Jacci]

Just finished reading "Everything for a dog." A fantastic book told from three perspectives. Two boy's and one dog's. A great read and very well written.

[Robert]

Wonderful additions, everyone.

[E.S.]

Jacci wrote: "Just finished reading "Everything for a dog." A fantastic book told from three perspectives. Two boy's and one dog's. A great read and very well written."

Does the dog *not* die?!?! I am always looking for books where the dog doesn't die. An author I know told me that her kid refuses to read any book with a dog on the cover because they know the dog is going to die. :)

Maybe that would be a good topic - books where the dog doesn't die. I've got two more:

[Jacci]

Well...I wish I could say the dog doesn't die but...It's a three part story. In one part there is a dog that dies. Sad face.

[Aimee]

Robert wrote: "On other sites I often find parents asking for boys books for their 8-12 year old sons. I thought creating a thread devoted to books meeting that need would be a novel idea."

Creating this thread is a wonderful idea and I'm so glad you did it!

[E.S.]

Jacci wrote: "Well...I wish I could say the dog doesn't die but...It's a three part story. In one part there is a dog that dies. Sad face."

Oh no! Of course. See? The dog *always* dies. Okay, I have two books above where the dog doesn't die. And I thought of another one!



Sorry, Robert, it looks like I'm hijacking this thread to talk about dog books. :) In third grade my daughter *specifically* wanted books about a dog and a boy - where the dog doesn't die!

But also, in the 5th grade, I found out my son was going to read Where the Red Fern Grows. When his teacher told me, my face fell. (I'm not very good at hiding what I am thinking.) The teacher asked me what was wrong, and I said "Well, the dogs die in that book." (Among other things. My son is pretty sensitive.) She replied, "Well, the theme is 'a boy and his dog' and the class will be reading 5 different books in groups and the dog dies in all of them." I know some people love these books. I know they are great literature, but some kids are more sensitive than others.

[V.K.]

E.S. wrote: "She replied, "Well, the theme is 'a boy and his dog' and the class will be reading 5 different books in groups and the dog dies in all of them." I know some people love these books. I know they are great literature, but some kids are more sensitive than others."

The Adventures of Arthur Grey: The Society's Traitor is about a boy and his dog and the dog doesn't die. :) Plus, it was written specifically for 5th grade boys (I know, because I wrote it!).

[E.S.]

It looks fun! Sounds like you have targeted your audience correctly. :)

[Robert]

E.S.

Looks like the thread took a little bit of a detour, but I'm OK with that. I think boys and their dogs appeals to a wide range of boys because they either had dogs they were attached to or because they wish they had a trusty fur ball friend.

I think upper middle grade boys would be interested in reading Cracker: The Best Dog in Veitnam.

[Jacci]

I'm listening to "Alcatraz," it's a boy book that actually makes fun of books about boys and dogs. I think it's pretty fun.

[Jacci]

It's actually called Alcatraz versus the evil Librarians.

[E.S.]

Jacci wrote: "It's actually called Alcatraz versus the evil Librarians."

Oh, yes! My son has read Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians and liked it, but I forgot about it because I haven't read it yet. I'll have to dig it out of his room. Oh dear, better get my spelunking gear out! LOL

Brandon Sanderson is a great writer.

[Jacci]

Yes, I read the books he's finishing for Robert Jordan.

[Sally]

What boys wouldn't love a story about kidnapping a penguin from the zoo? :)

[Adam]

Someone mentioned The Magic Thief series earlier, and I second that! Sarah can really write!

[Scott]

My son is 11, and he ripped through the Peter and the Starcatchers series (5 books). I listened to them all on audio book, and they are chuck full of adventure and pirates. The first book is the story of Peter before becoming Peter Pan. I highly recommend them (the covers are scarier than the books).


I still love to read to him, and we really enjoyed Hatchet, Holes, and Hoot. All three are highly recommended for middle grade boys, and fun to read to your kid :-) You can check out my reviews of most of them on my goodreads page. My wife and I are a bit conservative about what we let him read, and all of these are good clean reads for an 11 year old.

[Robert]

Really great additions. Keep them coming.

[Peter]

My son started reading Captain Underpants as his first solo books - then Geronimo Stilton. (Ages 7-9).
From 10-12ys he has been seeking out longer, slightly more complicated stories and has happily settled with the Alex Rider spy series by Anthony Horowitz and Brian Falkner's books - Tomorrow Code etc. What he is looking for is plot twists and satisfying endings. He is really flexible about what happens in between. Humor is enjoyable but not essential as he grows older. I hope this helps. Interestingly we now have an iPad - but he'a still is keen to read a book before bedtime. Phew...

Cheers

Pete

[Scott]

Peter,

My son has a nook, but won't read on it. He wants a paperback. I love that! Also, I'm lucky; at 11, he still lets me read to him at bedtime :-)

We're reading The Hobbit right now. Tough to read aloud!!

[Peter]

Good for you Scott! Yeah, hopefully boys see iPads and gadgets for games and books for imagination stimulation. The book isn't dead yet. Plus it always works during a power-out too.

Peter

[Ruby]

My son is 12 now and reads a LOT. He currently loves the Ranger's Apprentice series Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan (plenty of them to keep him going), and we have found Patrick Ness books to be pretty amazing. He hasnt put The Knife of Never Letting Go down (even when computer and minecraft call)

All the Percy Jackson series work well for boys, and don't forget the Swallows and Amazons series for younger boys. Written in a time when children roamed free and wild, and on their own!

cheers
Ruby

[Nancy]

Boys shouldn't miss this book. Fantastic story with great kid-appeal! Short chapters for the reluctant reader. Interesting slice of history most people don't know about. Too good to miss!