{Recommended Books} Best loved by Boys

Finding recommended books for boys can sometimes be a challenge.   Just the thought of sitting down for ANY reason can send some boys running, but we have found some great boy books that might just cause them to pause.   Kids Activities Blog is ALL about fun…and that includes reading too! Boys… Books… When boys find books they love, they *love* them! Getting boys to read can be a challenge, and getting boys to love reading can be even more difficult, at least for my son. These are just a few of the books that have been tried, tested and loved by myself and the other families who responded to our Kids Activities Community-wide request for book suggestions for boys. Like these? Check out our other books for kids! .

Must Read Books:

Kayle said that her 9 year old son loves the Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osborne. There are 28 easy-to-read chapter books and a second series that has an additional 20 books which are longer books for more developed readers. They all begin with Jack and Annie, two children who have discovered a magical tree filled with magical books that allow them to travel back through time and go on a variety of adventures and missions. Gruffalo is a scruffy monster living in the dark woods. The Gruffalo Book Series, by Julia Donaldson, are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to identify colors, shapes, numbers, animals and more! . . Kayle said that her 9 year old son loves the Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osborne. There are 28 easy-to-read chapter books and a second series that has an additional 20 books which are longer books for more developed readers. They all begin with Jack and Annie, two children who have discovered a magical tree filled with magical books that allow them to travel back through time and go on a variety of adventures and missions. Gruffalo is a scruffy monster living in the dark woods. The Gruffalo Book Series, by Julia Donaldson, are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to identify colors, shapes, numbers, animals and more! Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney, is a book that many, many of you said that your boys love.   These are great for boys who are past early readers – they feature a kid, Greg, & his pal Rowly as they navigate middle school.   This series is sure to have your child giggling hysterically – they will read it multiple times. Jeremy Thatcher and the Dragon Hatcher is a fun fantasy written by Bruce Coville.     They are written for elementary readers who are past the early-reading stage.   It features a boy, Jeremy, who finds himself in a magic shop with so many different items that he can buy, each of them leading him on an adventure.   In this book, Jeremy purchases an egg, a dragon’s egg and watches it hatch.   Bruce Coville wrote another of other books that our fans have said their boys enjoy, including Monsters Ring. .

Best Novels… for boys!

Rick Riordan authors the series Heroes of Olympus, including the book, The Lost Hero.   These are great books for a more solid reader.   The story plots are written from multiple points of view, making it a bit complicated for kids new to chapter books, and fascinating to boys who love mythology and putting themselves “into” the story. The Cam Jansen Series is a collection of sport-related mysteries.   Featuring Cam, a girl with a terrific memory, and her friend Erick.   These are great books to get kids who love activities more interested in reading. Boys who enjoy mystery and intrigue will love the book, The Sword Thief (39 Clues), by Peter Lerangis.   The detectives are Amy and Dan, siblings, who use clues to solve problems.   The clues are found through research into Japan’s history.   As a former social studies teacher, I loved how they drew readers into the past. For a tale about a fantastic adventure your boys will enjoy this adaptation of Peter Pan, Peter and the StarChasers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.   Orphaned Peter and his boys are on a boat leaving for the island of Never Land, and on the way they meet Molly (who can talk to animals).   This story is filled with pirates, treasure and bravery. Have a dramatic boy in your life?   He will most likely love this book by David Walliams, Mr. Stink.   The main characters of the story are a middle school girl and her unlikely friend, a street tramp with a “distinctive” odor.   There is a lot of “flair” in the dramatic language and descriptions in this story. .

Best Authors… for boys!

Do you have a child who is struggling to enjoy reading?   We do.   Our son loves to read comic books – I think the illustrations help him to contextualize the words he is reading – Big Nate Outloud, by Lincoln Peirce.   Is a great illustrated book to help boys get involved in their stories. The Seekers Series and the Warriors by Erin Hunter are books written from the perspective of animals that go on a variety of wilderness adventures – the author shares details about the environment and encourages conservation.   They are better for a mature child, as some of the characters face difficulties, including death. No list of books would be complete without mentioning  The Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling.   The first four books are fun and silly – fantasy that enthralls boys and girls alike – as Harry is a boy in a magical training school. Silly boys will laugh their hearts out with Captain Underpants, by Dav Pikey, they deal with Dr. Diaper, toilets that talk to them and are experts in wedgies and knock-knock jokes.   As Giselle, mom of a fan said, “Potty humor never fails.” .

Books for Reluctant Boy Readers

My son swears that he will read Ninjago all-day and never stop!     The Ninjago series by Greg Farshtey, are loved by boys who enjoy LEGOs and cultural fantasy.   Kye is the lead character, a LEGO figure, who wants to become a Samurai master. Another illustrated book that boys will have fun reading is Invasion from Planet Dork, by Greg Trine.   The hero of the book is Melvin Beederman, a boy who is training at a superhero academy, preparing to save the world from alien invasions. Looking for an unlikely hero in a fantasy story filled with intrigue and danger?   The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques features a cast of rodents including the lead mouse, Mattheias, who is seeking to rescue his friends at the Abbey. Do you have a budding detective?   They will most likely relate and enjoy reading the escapades of Cass and Max-Ernest as they discover a dead magician’s journal in the book, The Name of this book is Secret, by Psydonymous Bosch.   This book mixes mystery and fantasy with word games and eccentricity. Ever have one of those days where everything blows up in ways you never anticipated?   That happened one Thanksgiving to the Bobowicz family in the story, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, by Daniel Pinkwater.   They were surprised with a 266lb chicken invading their home.     This book is sure to get giggles from your boys. .

What is your recommended “best” book for boys?

Tell me all about your boys favorite chapter books in the comments!