Recommended Reads for Boys

Me All Alone At the End of the World by M.T. Anderson
Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
The Assassins of Rome by Caroline Lawrence
The Door in the Lake by Nancy Butts
The World According to Humphrey by Birney

More Highly Recommended Books For Guys (with descriptions...)

Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes (Ages 3-7)

The mouse Lilly is one of the bravest, most flamboyant young females around. She rescues her friends from bullies, teaches them how to do wheelies, and always carries a loaded squirt gun. Everyone should meet her!

The Adventures of Sparrowboy by Brian Pinkney (Ages 3-7)

In this quick-moving story, a paperboy flies through the air on his bicycle and swoops down to do-good deeds. The award-winning artwork uses comic book techniques to add excitement to the story.

The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg (Ages 3-8)

When Louis gets a tadpole from his uncle in Scotland, he never expects it to outgrow a jar, much less the family's bathtub. To keep his beloved pet, Louis has to come up with a place big enough to hold him. Zany pictures suit this popular fantasy.

Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel(Ages 3-8)

Every child should get to know Frog and Toad. Five short chapters, beautifully illustrated in greens and browns, tell funny, touching incidents about these two friends. One in a series of four outstanding books.

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant (Ages 3-8)

When Henry's parents agree to let him get a dog, the irresistible puppy Mudge enters their lives. Henry and the increasingly huge Mudge have small adventures and come to be best friends. The first in a long, wonderful series.

Like Jake and Me by Mavis Jukes (Ages 5-10)

Alex admires his strong, cowboy-like stepfather Jake, and wishes he could be more like him. To the boy's surprise, he finds out that Jake is afraid of something that Alex himself isn't afraid of: spiders. Beautifully written and illustrated with warmth and humor.

Stuart’s Cape by Sarah Pennypacker (Ages 5-10)

When Stuart's family moves to a new house, boredom exacerbated by fears of the third grade at a new school prompt him to make a magical cape from his uncle's ties and go on some interesting adventures.

Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka (Ages 7-11)

This lively book combines adventure, magic, slapstick humor, and droll illustrations to appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Three boys use a magical book to travel back in time and confront a knight, a giant and a dragon. Readers will laugh their way through this and the other books in the ""Time Warp Trio"" series.

The Pool Party by Gary Soto (Ages 8-12)

Ten-year-old Rudy Herrera, whose tight-knit family lives in Fresno, California, knows how to have a good time, whether he is helping with the family's yard work business or hanging out with his best friend Alex. Laced with Spanish phrases, this is a warm, funny book about an engaging boy.

Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Pete (Ages 8-12)

Children's book illustrator Bill Peet has created an award-winning autobiography by combining a conversational text with energetic, often comical, illustrations. In describing his work as a Disney animator, the pictures include many characters from popular films. With pictures on every page, this is an unusually appealing biography.

Mythological Creatures of Ancient Greece by Sara Fanelli (Ages 8-Up)

With minimal text and a maximum of collage and arresting graphic design, this book presents twelve mythological monsters - from the 100-eyed Argus to the Sphinx - in artfully portrayed illustrations and a glossary of fun facts.

Dog Friday by Hilary McKay (Ages 9-12)

Robin Brogan goes from being afraid of dogs, after one attacks him, to befriending a stray dog that he hopes to keep. While he is waiting anxiously to hear if anyone claims the stray, Robin's quiet life with his mother is disrupted by the hilarious family who moves in next door.

Stories to Solve by George Shannon (Ages 9-12)

Few children can resist the lure of the mini-mysteries in this entertaining folklore book. Each of the fourteen short stories gives the reader a puzzle to solve, then provides the answer on the following page. Readers can stretch their minds, then pose the puzzles to their friends. Great fun.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (Ages 9-12)

In this modern classic, an assistant pig-keeper named Taran longs to be a hero. He leaves his home with a kind enchanter to go on a great adventure where he fights battles, makes unlikely friends, and changes his views on heroism. The first in a wonderful fantasy series.

To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves by Jim Brandenberg (Ages 9-13)

Spectacular photographs of an Arctic wolf pack give this memorable book wide appeal. Brandenberg's highly readable text tells the story of his months camping in the Arctic to photograph the wolves. A fascinating nature book.

In Ned's Head by Soren Olsson (Ages 9-13)

Eleven-year-old Ned keeps a diary even though he knows boys aren't supposed to do such things. The resulting entries provide an articulate and hilarious peek at the unsettled thoughts and emotions of Ned and pre-teens everywhere.

The Last Mission by Harry Mazer (Ages 12-14)

Jack Raab, who is fifteen years old and Jewish, lies about his age to join the Army during the Second World War. He ends up in the air corps, flying dangerous missions over Europe. Sympathetic characters, vivid descriptions, and an action-filled plot make this a popular novel with boys.

Stormbreaker and Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz (Ages 11-Up)

They told him his uncle died in an accident. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt. But when fourteen-year-old Alex finds his uncle's windshield riddled with bullet holes, he knows it was no accident. Fourteen-year-old Alex continues his work as a spy for the British MI6, investigating an exclusive school for boys in the French Alps.

The Friends by Kazumi Yumoto (Ages 11-Up)

Curious about death, three sixth-grade boys decide to spy on an old man as they wait for him to die, only to end up becoming his friends.

Jason's Gold by Will Hobbs (Ages 11-Up)

When news of the discovery of gold in Canada's Yukon hits fifteen-year-old Jason, he embarks on a 5,000-mile journey to strike it rich.

Ironman by Chris Crutcher (Ages 13-14)

In this powerful story, high school senior Bo Brewster channels part of his anger at his unreasonable father into practicing for a triathlon. Forced to take an Anger Management class, Bo finds a caring teacher, a possible romance, and some strange new friends who help him through hard times.

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals (Ages 13-14)

Beals, one of the nine African-American students to integrate Little Rock's Central High School in 1957, describes the dangers and hate that the students faced, and conveys the extraordinary courage of those who strove for justice. A compelling story about our country's history that all teenagers should know.

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashijian (Ages 13-Up)

Seventeen-year-old Josh, a loner-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world, tries to maintain his secret identity as the author of a Web site that is receiving national attention.

3 Days Off by Susie Morgenstern (Ages 13-Up)

William has plenty of time to think about his life when he is suspended for three days from high school. At the end of the three days, this once listless teenager is more than ready to face his teacher and school again.

Deathwatch by Robb White (Ages 13-Up)

Needing money for school, a college student accepts a job as a guide on a desert hunting trip and is forced to survive in the desert wilderness while being stalked by a madman.