Books for Boys
Boys have their own special wildness, silliness, and thirst for adventure. I’ve compiled my three year old son’s favorite books, past students’ favorites, and asked others parents what their children love reading. Although these books are for girls too, I’m focusing on books boys gravitate towards (that also often have boys as the main characters.) Get ready for some romping good fun!
Picture Books
*Click on the photo thumbnail below to see the next book.
Above: Baby Builders (construction), Noisy Things that Go (vehicles), Bear Came Along (friendship-adventure), Dino-Gro (magic dinosaur), Enemy Pie (friendship), Sam & Dave Dig a Hole (Humor), Love You Forever (mothers and sons), Journey (pictures-only adventure), Llama Llama Red Pajama (bedtime rhyme), Curious George Makes Pancakes (humor), The Snowy Day (winter)
Poetry & Song Books
*Click on the photo thumbnail below to see the next book.
Above: Songs — He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, What a Wonderful World, There’s a Hole in the Log
Poetry: Where the Sidewalk Ends (silly-humor), Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (learn the ABCs a fun way)
Graphic Novels & Magazines
*Click on the photo thumbnail below to see the next book.
Above: Graphic Novels — Rover & Speck, Dog Man, Narwhal, Wings of Fire, Ninjago Lego
Magazines — Highlights (stories & activities for all ages) and Cricket (international stories for all ages)
Non-fiction Books
*Click on the photo thumbnail to see the next book.
Above: What was the Great Chicago Fire (What was..? and Who was…? series), I Survived the Titanic (I Survived series), Rocks, Minerals & Gems, and Encylopedia Britannica — Space
Chapter Books & Middle-Grade Books (ages 8-12)
*Please note that all book recommendations below are at your discretion. I wouldn’t recommend the same books for every child. Some books may be triggering for children because they include content like: minor violence, bullying, loss of parents or friendships, and scary fantasy creatures.
These books are: well-loved classics or modern favorites, read by me, highly-recommended by parents, entertaining, and have redemptive and relevant messages such as: being courageous in scary circumstances, being selfless for the sake of others, the importance of family and friendship, the power of love over evil, self-acceptance, forgiveness, and valuing others (beyond skin-deep).
*Click on the photo thumbnail below to see the next book.
Fantasy: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Land of Stories, Skandar, Wingfeather, and Magic Tree House
Contemporary: Holes, Wonder, The One & Only Ivan, Wishes, Dares & How to Stand up to a Bully
Science Fiction: The Giver