Books for Boys: 8 Irresistible Stories to Keep Your Son Reading

These books full of adventure and humor are sure to appeal to the young men in your life.

If you’re the parent of boys or young men, chances are you’ve dealt with the struggle of getting them to read more. It’s not just a you problem; don’t worry! Statistically, boys typically don’t read as much as girls, but we’ve found that a good book is often the perfect remedy for that. Let’s look at a few great stories to get the young man in your life reading again!

Grades K–2

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White is the touching story of a young pig, Wilbur, and his friend, Charlotte the spider. It tells of how they met, their lives together, and their eventual parting, touching on themes of hope, loss, and new beginnings in a way that’s easy for young readers to digest.

The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne follows a pair of siblings, Jack and Annie, on their adventures through time to faraway lands, historical events, and even fantasy realms. Each book is a fairly simple read that shouldn’t take your son too long to get through, so be sure to check out several on your next library run!

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Grades 3–5

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney is written from the perspective of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler with an. . . interesting life, to say the least. Accompanied by illustrations, each book is easy enough for beginner readers to get through without too much trouble, and the series’ unique sense of humor is sure to keep your son laughing, engaged, and looking for more!

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle is a coming-of-age story about Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles, and her close friend Calvin, following their journey across worlds, throughout time, and into the deepest reaches of space. They set out in search of the Murrys’ father but soon become wrapped up in something far, far greater than they could ever have imagined. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, and your young readers will be enraptured by it every step of the way.

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Grades 6–8

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is a suspenseful, thrilling mystery novel about the family of the late Sam Westing. Westing, who recently passed, states in his will that he didn’t die of natural causes but was instead murdered—not just by anyone, though, but by one of his own heirs. Sixteen of those heirs are gathered together and split off into pairs, with the pair that figures out the truth behind Westing’s death becoming the inheritors of his entire $200 million fortune. It’s an exciting and absolutely fascinating read for the young adults in your family, so we strongly recommend it to anyone looking to get their sons into reading.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen follows thirteen-year-old Brian, a young man stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Alone in the wilderness with nothing but his wits, the clothes on his back, and his trusty hatchet, Brian has to figure out how to make it by himself in the harsh, untamed wilderness. From peaceful, idyllic moments of exploration and discovery to heart-pounding scenes of action, danger, and near-death encounters, Hatchet has everything your teen son could want in a book.

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Grades 9–12

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a witty, hilarious, and fast-paced adventure through space that’s been a cult classic since its release in 1979. Between its engaging writing style and perfectly executed comedic bits, we honestly can’t recommend it enough for any high schooler with a bit of extra time on their hands. If your son finishes the book and wants more, he’s in luck! The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is just one part of a five-book set, so he’ll have plenty of reading yet to come.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez was written during the Latin American boom of the sixties and seventies and is widely regarded as one of the crowning achievements not just of its author but of literature as a whole. It follows the story of the powerful Buendía family across seven generations, from the founding of their house to its untimely and wretched demise. It’s a fascinating novel wrought with heavy, real-world implications, making it the perfect read for a young, up-and-coming thinker.

If you’re interested in more great book recommendations, feel free to visit us at EveryLibrary today!

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