Once they graduate to chapter books, many girls take to reading like a fish to water. Boys, on the other hand, not so much. Boys often have a harder time diving into the literary world after picture books. Here are a few recommendations for your boys who just haven't found that book that hooks them into the reading life.
For the detective
Nate the Great Series for Beginning Readers
Nate the Great has a new case! His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he can solve the mystery.
The Hardy Boys Series for Middle Readers
The Hardy Boys are two brothers, Frank and Joe Hardy. They are average teenagers with a strong combination of inquisitiveness and curiosity. With such a potent combination, they operate as part time detectives and solve a great many mysteries
For the athletically inclined
Tim Green's Books for Middle Readers
Bestselling author and former NFL player Tim Green scores a touchdown with this exhilarating books. Green's books are action-packed adventures with gripping suspense, heroes you can really root for, and an insider’s look at the worlds of professional football and baseball.
For the graphically inclined
Don't be dismayed by the thickness of these books, they're full of pictures!
Timeless Series for Middle Readers
The world did not end. At least not permanently. The Time Collision came from beyond the stars, a cosmic event that fractured time and space, tearing apart the earth and reshaping it into something entirely new. This is the world Diego Ribera was born into. The past, present, and future coexisting together. In New Chicago, Diego’s middle school hallways buzz with kids from all eras of history and from cultures all over the world. The pieces do not always fit together neatly, but this is the world he loves. There are those, however, who do not share his affection.
With more than 150 full-color illustrations.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret for Middle Readers
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.
For those who "just want to read about real life"
Henry Huggins Series for Beginning-Middle Readers
Just as Henry Huggins is complaining that nothing exciting ever happens, a friendly dog sits down beside him and looks pleadingly at his ice-cream cone. From that moment on, the two are inseparable. But when Ribsy's original owner appears, trying to reclaim his dog, Henry's faced with the possibility of losing his new best friend. Has Klickitat Street seen the last of rambunctious Ribsy?
The Wednesday Wars for Middle Readers
Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.
For those who love adventure
Pax for Middle Readers
ax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library for Middle Readers
Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.
Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.
The Hero Series for Middle Readers
Hero, a retired search-and-rescue dog, is not prepared for a stray puppy to come into his life. But when he and twelve-year-old Ben find Scout injured and afraid, the new addition leads them down an unexpected and dangerous path.
When Scout goes missing, it's up to Hero to use his search-and-rescue skills to find Scout and bring him home.
For the history buff
For those with big imaginations
The Fly Guy Series for Beginning Readers
When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.
The Magic Tree House Series for Beginning Readers
Jack and Annie wonder: Where did the tree house come from?
Before they can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the past. Now they have to figure out how to get home.
The Chronicles of Narnia Series for Middle Readers
Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil—what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, written in 1949 by Clive Staples Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.
Want more options of great books for your boys? The Read-Aloud Revival just posted their list of recommendations!
