Chapter Books & Graphic Novels for Boys
Some boys might be able to read these books on their own. Other titles are better suited to being read aloud by parents. Enjoy!
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing
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Also check out Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda – only don’t judge the book by it’s cover – literally – each cover has a monster on it. Just finished reading to my 9 year old (girl) and never have I read book that portrays rounded, non-stereotypical male and female characters – not even in adult fiction.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out.
You may need to look in a used bookstore or online since they may no longer be in print, but I highly recommend the Encyclopedia Brown books. The hero is cool for using his brain and his girl best friend/sidekick is the toughest kid in town and they work as a team with each bringing their strengths to the table.
I read these as a kid in the 1970s but I recently came across one at a yardsale and bought it for a friend’s son and he loved it so they stand the test of time.
Thanks for the suggestion. My son read some of those a long time ago. As I recall, they were a bit dated in the parenting roles–Mom and Dad were pretty traditional (not surprising given their publication date)–but Encyclopedia Brown was a good character and the stories were pretty engrossing for young boys. I’ll give them another read.
Just looked up some of your book recommendations on Amazon and also discovered some books you my find interesting.
There a Series about “feelings” from James M. Buckley
http://www.amazon.com/James-M.-Buckley/e/B0043MKB82/ref=mffminterne0d
The Lotus Seed
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0152014837/?tag=mffminterne0d
and maybe a few more by Sharry Garlande but not sure with some
http://www.amazon.de/Sherry-Garland/e/B001H6SR6A/ref=nmffminterne0d
Also I like the following books too:
Th Only Boy in Ballet Class
http://www.amazon.com/dp/142360220X/?tag=mffminterne0d
Ballerino Nate
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0803729545/?tag=mffminterne0d
My Princess Boy
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1442429887/?tag=mffminterne0d
I had a few more but they are only published in German…
have fun with the books. hopefully you will make a big list with useful books one time.
Also one of the Blogs http://mysoncandance.wordpress.com/ from Nina Amir ( http://www.facebook.com/ninaamir?sk=info ) is worth a look
With Greetings from Germany
Matthias
Excellent! Thanks very much. I don’t have as much time as I would like to read books for this list, so your suggestions are most welcome.
Have you tried the Norther Lights Series by Philip Pullman? Fantastical adventure books, with a great (female) lead!
Thanks! I’ll check them out. Right now I am only able to do the blog part-time, so I’m lagging a little on the reading.
Hmmmmm, I have some additions;
The Wrinkle in Time series (or anything by Madeline L’engle)
The Spiderwick Chronicles
His Dark Materials trilogy
Beverly Cleary “Henry” books
Harriet the Spy
Ulysses Moore: The Door To Time series
Thanks so much! I had Harriet the Spy on my list of books to read. I know of the others but haven’t read them yet. I tend to aim for stuff for the younger set, but some of these might suit.
I should add Pippi Longstocking and A Series of Unfortunate Events
Thanks! I have Pippi listed in my book but I haven’t updated the site yet to include her. Haven’t read Lemony Snicket yet, but I know my niece loved those books.
Hiya!
I’d like to recommend Howl’s Moving Castle, Power of Three, and A Tale of Time city. (All by Diana Wynne Jones.) I’ve read them to at least seven of the kids I sit for, and they’ve all loved them. Brian Jacques’s books are very popular with them, as well.
Some of these books might be a little over the age level you’re looking for, though…
Cheers!
Thanks! I’ll check them out.
I agree that boys need to read more. As a high school English teacher, and the father of three sons, I have see that more young girls seem to read on their own than boys do.
As result of this, I have written the first two books in my series. I did not set out to write the books just for boys. Their titles are Anabar’s Run and Anabar Rises, and they are on sale as ebooks on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. Reviewers have told me the books are suited for upper grade school readers. My hero, Anabar, is different because he is not magic, or a vampire, or royalty. Instead, he is a normal young man who faces difficult decisions as he makes his way in the world. I hope boys, and girls will enjoy my books.
Excellent! The books sound good but I don’t have a Kindle to check them out myself. Hopefully other readers of this blog will. Thanks for sharing the details here.