To answer this question emailed from a Louisiana father, Parents’ Choice
decided to form an investigative committee. Librarians, youth services
directors and eleven year old boys were asked to select a list of
non-fiction and fiction titles that genuinely enticed them. It was a
two-month project, requiring more time and work than anyone had
expected.
But not surprisingly the books finally agreed to are colorful, factual,
and fanciful. They contain adventure, suspense, humor, mystery and they
reflect universal human values.
Our lead investigator was respected children’s librarian Ellen Messing who
long worked for the public library of Wellesley and neighboring Winchester
Massachusetts. Her own group included library youth service directors April
Mazza and Kelly Wood, both from these communities. Neighborhood boys, too
participated. Beyond this committee Ellen interviewed other individuals.
She worked with precision and doggedness until the titles reflected the
thoughts and tastes of the entire group. They, like we are proud of their
selections.
Please note that most links will open a new window showing the book on
Amazon.com.
Fiction
Tony Abbott
Realism & SurvivalAbbott’s series feature fun and adventure.
Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard (Danger Guys
Stories)
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0064420116, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (Secrets of Droon Series)
Little Apple, ISBN: 0590108395, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Avi
Avi writes good solid stories: Poppy is a deer mouse and her tales revolve
around other animals in the meadow, while McKinley in The Good Dog is a
sled dog torn between his human family and the wild world of Lupin, who is
out to replenish his wolf pack.
The Good Dog
Atheneum, ISBN: 0689838247, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Poppy (Series)
Camelot, ISBN: 0380727692, Ages 9 & Up
Michael Chabon
Summerland is a treat where a “less than mediocre Little League player “
is recruited by a mystical 100 year old scout and accepts a mission to
overthrow the evil, shape-changing overlord, Coyote. Shades of Narnia and
the Hobbit say some. A challenge for older readers.
Summerland
Hyperion Press, ISBN: 0786816155, Ages 9 &
Up
Eoin Colfer
Science FictionColfer’s Artemis books are extremely popular and creative!
“When a twelve-year old genius tries to demand a ransom, the fairies fight
back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.”
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl Series)
Hyperion Press, ISBN:
0786817070, Ages 10 & up
Mark Crilley
Science FictionCrilley’s Earthling hero, fourth-grader Akiko, joins an
intergalactic cast of characters in a mission to rescue Prince Froptoppit
of the Planet Smoo.
Akiko on the Planet Smoo (Akiki Series)
Delacorte Press, ISBN:
0385327242, Ages 10 & up
Franklin
Dixon
Oldies, but still goodies.
Hardy Boys Starter Set
Platt & Munk, ISBN: 0448416719, Ages
9 - 12 yrs.
Edward Eager
Time TravelKnight’s castle by Eager follows four cousins who find
themselves back in the times of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe!
Knight’s Castle
Harcourt, ISBN: 015202073X, Ages 7 - 9
yrs.
Cornelia Funke
Fantasy and SurvivalThe Thief Lord by Funke is the newest book on this
list: an exciting story about 2 brothers who run away to Venice, Italy,
their aunt who hires a detective to track them down and the mysterious
thief lord who takes them under his wing.
The Thief Lord
Scholastic, ISBN: 0439404371, Ages 10 &
up
Dan Greenburg
The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot (Zack Files Series)
Grosset &
Dunlap, ISBN: 0448420414, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Jackie French Koller
Fantasy
Dragonling (Dragonling Series)
Aladdin Library, ISBN:
074341019X, Ages 7 - 9 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
Realism and SurvivalIn Hatchet, a boy is the lone survivor of a
plane crash and is stranded in the wilderness with only a hatchet. This
gripping tale is by Paulsen, who has written many wonderful stories
including Mr. Tucket and Dogsong.
Mr. Tucket
Yearling BooksISBN: 0440411335, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Dogsong
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689827008, Ages 10 & up
Hatchet
Simon Pulse, ISBN: 0689826990, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Emily Rodda
High Fantasy
The Forests of Silence
Apple, ISBN: 0439253233, Ages 9 - 12
yrs.
Deltora Book of Monsters (Deltora Quest)
Scholastic, ISBN:
0439390842, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Louis Sachar
Holes was a recent movie written by the talented Sachar; think “curse,
desert correctional camp treasure and friends”. This is very different from
the humorous tales that occur on the thirteenth floor of Wayside School,
which was accidentally built sideways with a classroom on each floor.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School (A Series)
HarperTrophy,
ISBN: 0380731487, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Holes
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440414806, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Jon Scieszka
Time
Travel
See you later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio Series)Puffin, ISBN:
0142300691, Ages 9-12 yrs
Sam Samurai (Time Warp Trio Series)Viking Childrens Books,ISBN:
0670899151, Ages 8 & Up
Non-Fiction
A variety for all tastes. Try to pinpoint some of your child’s interests;
then browse the non-fiction shelves. It can be awesome! A strong alternate
way to present non-fiction might be to use a narrative form, or group by
topics i.e., true tales, poetry, biographies, and special interests.
Nathaniel Philbrick
The Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship
Essex
Putnam Pub Group Juv, ISBN: 039923795X, Ages 9 -12
yrs.
Brian Colburn
Triumph on Everest: A Photobiography of Sir Edmund Hillary
(Biography)
National Geographic, ISBN: 0792279328, Ages 9 -12 yrs.
Mark Stewart
One Wild Ride: The Life of Skateboard Superstar Tony Hawk
(Biography)
21st Century Books, ISBN: 0761326669, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
Gary Paulsen
Puppies, Dogs and Blue Northers: Reflections on the Author’s Life with
His Sled Dogs (Biography)
Yearling Books, ISBN: 0440418755, Ages
9 - 12 yrs.
Tomi De Paola
The author, creator of Strega Nona, grandmother witch, looks back on his
childhood.
Twenty-Six Fairmont Avenue
Puffin, ISBN: 0698118642, Ages 9 -
12 yrs.
Here We All Are
Puffin, ISBN: 0698119096, Ages 9 - 12 yrs.
What a Year (Biography)
Puffin, ISBN: 014250158, Ages 9 - 12
yrs.
Walter Wick
I Spy Gold Challenger: A Book of Picture Riddles
Cartwheel
Books, ISBN: 0590042963, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Seymour Simon
Whales
Harpercollins Juvenile Books, ISBN: 0064460959,
Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Big Cats
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 006446119X, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Danger! Volcanoes
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171813, Ages 4 - 8
yrs.
Muscles: Our Muscular Skeleton
HarperTrophy, ISBN: 0688177204,
Ages 7 & Up
Animals Nobody Loves
SeaStar Books, ISBN: 1587171554, Ages 4 -
8 yrs.
Richard Platt
Eyewitness: Pirate
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466082, Ages 9 -12
yrs.
Eyewitness: Spy
DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789466163, Ages 9 -12
yrs.
Jack Prelutsky
Monday’s Troll
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688096441, Ages 4 - 8
yrs.
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Greenwillow, ISBN: 0688132359, Ages
4 - 8 yrs.
Douglas Florian
Poetry
Laugh-eteria
Puffin, ISBN: 0141309903, Ages 4 - 8 yrs.
Beast Feast
Voyager Books, ISBN: 0152017372, Ages 4 - 8
yrs.
Eyewitness Books
Eyewitness Books stand out in the non-fiction collection. They are
bountiful and beautiful, including wonderful photographs along with
information. Browsing these gems is a treat. Examples: Sharks, Whales and
Dolphins, Islam or Money. The Eyewitness Juniors, which are mostly in
paperback, are perfect for lower elementary grades i.e, Amazing bikes,
Amazing crocodiles and lizards.
For more great books for boys, look for Kathleen Odean’s Great Books for Boys: More than 600 books for Boys 2-14.
photo by:
Danie van der Merwe 
10 Ways to Spice Up Your Barbecue
Summer Reading
Happy Graduation
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