Books for the Boy That Does Not Read – Part 2

Part 1 of this article can be found here

Here’s some recommendations for common likes of tween and teen boys. There’s ones suggested for 6^th-8^th (age 11-15) and some for 9^th (age 15+) and above. Ones with a * next to the title will probably be able to pass the “great literature test” and not be shot down by overly picky parents. These are either considered great literature or have won an award. I’ve tried to leave off one’s that are GLARINGLY OBVIOUS like Harry Potter, Hardy Boys, Stephen King, or anything I’ve seen appear repeatedly on a ‘required reading’ list that nobody reads unless it’s assigned. They’ve already either read those, or will be forced to read them in school. I have picked some out of print items, but they’re generally one’s I’ve had pass through my hands repeatedly. If you handle used books, you may have some on hand right now.

The split at 6^th/9^th is based either on language level OR sexual/violent content. Some are put into the ‘higher’ grade level because they are more enjoyable if you have a broader literary background first. There’s also a few comic series recommended. They’re clearly marked. Comics may be a good way to lure reluctant readers in. Most items recommended for 6^th graders also work for higher grades (or adults!) Items marked with {brackets} are anthologies or collections, for the harried teens.

Animals:

6^th grade: The dog always dies in teen lit. It gets depressing. Try Burnford’s “The Incredible Journey”*, Saunder’s “Beautiful Joe”*, or Sewell’s “Black Beauty”*. Happy endings! Also try Kipling’s “Jungle Books*,”{Anything by James Herriott}, Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Robin Jarvis’ Deptford Mice trilogy, Richard Adam’s “Watership Down”, and Sterling North’s “Rascal”.

9^th grade: Farley Mowat’s “Never Cry Wolf”, Gavin Maxwell’s “Ring of Bright Water”*, Richard Adam’s “Plague Dogs” (warning, somewhat sad!), most Stephen Jay Gould, Vaughan’s “Pride of Baghdad” (comic)

Art:

6^th grade: Many Japanese manga series. Look for items labeled as Shonen manga (boys comics). American comic series such as marvel “Runaways”, “Blue Beetle: Shellshocked”, or the “Showcase Presents: X” which collect comics from the 1940-60s. “How to Draw X” may work well.

9^{th grade:} Irving Stone’s “Agony and the Ecstacy”* & “Dear Theo”*, Dan Brown’s “da Vinci Code”, more advanced “how to…” books

Computers/Videogames/Science-

6^th grade: Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” (and sequels). Most video game series will have tie in books. {anthology: “Ants, Indians, and Little Dinosaurs”*}, Robert Blane’s Rick Brant Electronic Adventures series (like the Hardy Boys, but with science)

9^th grade: as above, plus Dan Brown’s “Digital Fortress”, anything by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, most books by Michael Crichton, {anything by Stephen Jay Gould*}

History:

6^th grade: Louis L’Amour (there’s more than just westerns!), Collier’s “My Brother Sam is Dead”, Nordhoff’s “Mutiny on the Bounty”*, Agatha Christie’s “Death Comes as the End”, Spiegelman’s “Maus”* (comic- Pulitzer prize winner about the Holocaust), Gonick’s “The Cartoon History of the United States” & “The Cartoon History of the Universe” (comic), {Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series}

9^{th grade}: Shilt’s “And the Band Played On” (modern history of AIDS), Neville’s “The Eight”, Yarbro’s St. Germaine series (historical vampire), Evan’s “Longarm” series, Sacco’s “Palestine”* & “Safe Area Gorazade” (comic-award winner ), Vaughan’s “Pride of Baghdad”(comic- current Iraq war) , Moore’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentleman” (comic- 19^th century), O’Neill’s “Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection volume 1” (comic- civil rights era)

Outdoors/Survival:

6^th grade: Gary Paulson- Hatchet* and Brian’s Winter, Graham’s “Dove”, Thor Heyerdahl’s “Kon-Tiki”& his other books. Many books in the ‘animals’ recommendations will also work.

9^th grade: John Krakuer’s “Into Thin Air” & “Into the Wild”*, Read’s “Alive”, Louis L’Amour’s “Last of the Breed”, anything by James Fenimore Cooper*, Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe*

Sports:

6^th grade- anything by Matt Christopher or Thomas Dygard, name a sport, those two have probably written a book about it. Voight’s “The Runner” (running), Brancato’s “Winning” (American football)

9^th grade- Bissinger- “Friday Night Lights” (American football), Goodwin’s “Wait Til Next Year” (baseball), Hornby “Fever Pitch” (soccer/football), Kinsella’s {“The Further Adventures of Slugger McBatt”} and “Shoeless Joe” (baseball), most sports biographies

Science fiction/fantasy/horror

6^th grade: anything by RL Stine, Clive Barker’s “Thief of Always”, Alan Dean Foster’s “Spellsinger” series, anything by C.S. Lewis, anything by Ursula LeGuin but Wizard of Earth Sea is recommended, anything by John Saul, Smith’s “Shazam and the Monster Society of Evil” (comic), Willingham’s “Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall” (comic)

9^th grade: Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonriders of Pern” series, C.J. Cherryh’s “Cuckoo’s Egg” & Chanur series, T.H. White’s “Once and Future King”, {any of the annual Hugo or Nebula Award anthologies}*, Robert McCammon’s “Mystery Walk”

Mystery & Thriller

6^th grade: anything by Agatha Christie, anything Earle Stanley Gardner, Arthur’s “Three Investigators Series”, various TV show tie ins such as for Law & Order and CSI, {Alfred Hitchcock Presents series}

9^th grade and up: Puzo’s “The Godfather”, Clavell “Shogun”, anything by Alistair Maclean, anything by Wilbur Smith, the Mack Bolan series, The Destroyer series

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