Best Books for Boys : Need books for boys that will keep them reading? Check out these 10 chapter books for boys that our filled with adventure and fun.
Both my 10 and 15 year old boys enjoy reading. There are times when my husband is working late in the evening and my sons and I will be scattered around the house lost in our own world of a good book.
However, there have been times when both boys needed a little push in the reading department. Just like the rest of us, when they began reading longer chapter books, they weren’t sure what to read or couldn’t find the book that really grabbed their attention long enough to see through until the end.
If the Book Fits, Read it!
Thankfully, my years in the classroom have paid off when it comes to a good book. After reading aloud everyday–for years–in the classroom, I have a pretty good judgment of what book fits certain personalities, and what books the boys in my classroom most enjoyed.
Here are a few popular picks I found that have hooked many a 9 – 12 year old boy into reading all the way to the end. They are filled with loads of funny scenes and all types of page-turning adventure boys will love.
10 BEST Books for Boys
Think comic strip on this one, because this is actually a newspaper comic now in book form. Perfect for boys and just as fun as those days reading the Sunday funny papers.
#2.A Series of Unfortunate Events
Right now, my 10 year old is on the 10th book in this series. He began reading this set a few months into 4th grade this year, and I don’t think he’s ever enjoyed any books as well as these.
Ever become so entangled in a story, you want to keep sharing it with everyone else? This is that story for my 10 year old. Every time he’s reading it, I know it–because he runs from his room to read another part to me out loud. Yep, it’s a page turner.
#3 The 39 Clues
Ever wonder what it would be like if a group of your favorite authors wrote your next book? That’s this series.
Written by several authors, each book continues the journey of two orphans who are finding clues, or ingredients, for the source of their family’s power.
The books are all linked and loaded with twists and turns, creating plenty of action and adventure.
Ummm, who doesn’t love Greg Heffley, right?
This list of books for boys wouldn’t be complete without this series, and there are now plenty of them to choose from.
Both of my boys, and even my husband, enjoy these characters. With simple sketches and stick-like drawings, the book is based on everyday life as a boy with lots of funny mishaps we all can find relatable.
#5 Hatchet
I personally feel this one is a must read for everyone and my 15 year old would agree. He even has his own autographed hardback copy–and I believe it helped to seal his love for reading.
That’s why this one is on my 10 year old’s reading list for the summer.
It’s a Newbery Honor winner that’s been around for quite some time. This one is a classic story of a boy surviving in the forest with only a hatchet. Great read full of page-turning events.
#6 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Ok, so this one happens to be MY favorite book as a fourth grader. I LOVED this story and my kids–including all those students I taught–loved it, too!
If you’ve never had the opportunity to read this one, I’m sorry. It’s a classic–sort of like a rite of passage. And for boys ages 9 to 12, it’s perfectly suited.
I actually recommended this series before, as a great Easter Filler Idea for your Genius. These books are like, from the 70s or something, but ever since my 10 year old discovered them in a used bookstore about a year ago, he’s been hooked.
The great things about this series is that you have all sorts of choices–as the reader–on where to go next. When the story reaches a crossroad, the reader chooses which path to take. This creates several stories and several endings.
These books can keep your kid entertained for hours, AND reading, which is what we’re hoping to encourage.
#8 Lunch Money
My son loved this one! After reading this in 5th grade, he began creating all these tiny comic books determined to make loads of money off the other kids at school by selling them. Thankfully, I stopped him before he ever had the chance to strike it rich. But I do recall many conversations about this story and how hooked he was while reading it.
Similar story idea as Hatchet, this one takes place during a school Week in the Woods tradition.
The story is an adventurous one, where a 5th grade boy uses the basic supplies he has to survive in the woods and help save someone else.
Just a note:
If you are looking for a great author for a 9 to 12 year old boy, Andrew Clements
is a great one. Frindle is on my OWN shelf of all-time favorites, and he has many other great books that boys and girls will enjoy.
#10 Holes
Since this became a hit on the silver screen, I was reluctant to include the book. However, a booklist for boys would never be complete without it.
I happened upon this book when it was a new release. And though I was already grown and a mother, I remember being consumed by it. (So much so, that I read it aloud to my husband before bed!)
I enjoyed the movie, but of course, the book is better. Don’t let your 9 to 12 year old miss out on this one. Grab the book. It’s one of the best and is a great story–for ages 9 to 109!
Best Books for Boys Cont.
Here are a few series my boys loved, too!
Sheila says
Interesting list of books. You know I am going to have to share this right? 🙂 I didn’t know about A Week in the Woods. I will have to see if my son would like to try that one. There are some that are on our list as well (doing one right now.) Thanks for sharing–it is always nice to see what other boys are reading ~Sheila
Mitzi Smith says
I enjoyed A Week in the Woods myself– we love Andrew Clements–great author for boys! and thanks, Sheila, for sharing, too 🙂
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
This is a great list! I was obsessed with Choose Your Own Adventure when I was a kid. Glad to see they are still around. Pinned and stumbled!
Mitzi Smith says
yes- Choose Your Own Adventure is still around and I’m thinking would be a great gift for boys to ‘discover their thing’ for reading 🙂