As a boy, one of my favorite times in school was when we’d get a new Scholastic News book “catalog.” I would pour over the pages picking out which books I wanted and filling out the order sheet. And as soon I got them, I was lying under the covers with my nose buried in a book.
Unfortunately, not all boys have that kind of enthusiasm for reading. For several decades now, boys have scored lower on reading assessment tests than girls. Boys also take longer to learn to read than girls, are less likely to actually read and to value reading, and are more likely to label themselves as “non-readers” (up to 50% of high school age boys consider themselves as such). Non-reading boys do poorer academically and end up as non-reading men (women read almost twice as many books as men).
What’s the problem? Some of it may be biological (boys’ language skills develop slower that girls). But a lot of it is sociological. Boys may see reading as a passive and thus sissy activity. Boys also lack male reading mentors-their librarians and teachers are often female, and it’s mom that reads to them. And in the name of gender-neutrality, teachers are foisting books on boys that they simply do not like.
But parents are to blame too, often trying to make their sons read “important books” to build their character. Dad loved some long tome as a boy and wants junior to come to an equal apprectation of it.
But reading experts all agree that boys need to be allowed to pick the books that really interest them. Of course it’s okay to make suggestions to your son about things he might like-boys very much value the opinion of other boys and men in making their reading selections. So here are 50 books that many boys and young men will really love. We’ve included some classics, but we also threw in some more modern and accessible choices-after all, not every boy has the desire or the aptitude to dive into Dickens.
Finally, while we had boys about the ages of 9-15 in mind when we made this list, I’ve always considered the distinction between adult and young adult literature to be an unfortunate and artificial one. Putting together this list I remembered just how good these books are, and I can’t wait to read them again as a man. Whether you’re 12 or 52, grab one of these books and a bag of cookies and head out to the treehouse.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Pretty much every boy’s favorite book. When the pilot of the small plane of which he is a passenger crash lands in the Canadian wilderness, 13 year old Brian Robeson must survive with only his wits and a hatchet. Utterly alone, Brian must learn to rely on himself. Gripping and vividly told, every boy pictures himself in Brian’s shoes and wonders whether he would have what it takes to survive.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Set at a boys prep school on the eve of World War II, A Separate Peace centers on the friendship of Phineas and Gene. Phineas’ seeming perfection creates a jealously in Gene that results in a tragedy that will forever change both of their lives. A piercing look at both the light and the shadows of friendship and humanity. Every boy wishes he were Finny but knows he’s more like Gene. This book has stuck with me ever since reading it as a young man and remains one of my favorite until to this day.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Take Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, replace the jungle with a graveyard and the animals with ghosts and you’ve got Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. The book begins with the mention of the murder of a family, but quickly moves on from there and is not a gruesome tale inappropriate for youngsters. The sole survivor of the murder is an 18 month old baby, who toddles away to a graveyard. Here the cemetery’s ghosts and ghouls adopt the boy, give him a name (”Nobody” as he’s like nobody else in the graveyard), protect him from the still on the loose killer, and teach him the life lessons that only the dead can know. It’s takes a graveyard to raise a child, and the cemetery is a great home, but eventually Bod, as they call him, must deal with the world outside of its borders. Spooky, magical, and engrossing, it’s a must for all boys who like ghost stories (so pretty much all boys). Be sure to check out Gaiman’s other great books like Neverwhere and Anasi Boys.
The American Boy’s Handy Book by Daniel C. Beard
Long before The Dangerous Book for Boys became all the rage , there was the American Boy’s Handy Book. Every father and grandfather should have this on his shelf, waiting there for a boy to pull it off and start leafing through. Dozens of awesome (and unlike another book, some actually dangerous) hands on projects for boys to tackle from how to build kites and forts to how to rear wild birds and trap animals. Originally published in 1882 and still a must for every boy today.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The story of a boy who’s boring life is interrupted by the appearance of something strange and unusual that transports him to a magical place. It’s a premise that underlies a myriad of children’s books, but few are as creatively constructed as The Phantom Tollbooth. Young Milo finds a tollbooth in his room, gets in his toy car and drives into another dimension. Boys will love the strange adventures Milo experiences, while older kids and adults can enjoy the witty satire and clever puns.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
One of the great American novels. Young Huck Finn escapes from his abusive father by taking off on a raft down the Mississippi River. He is joined by Jim, an escaped slave. The two set off on a grand adventure full of close calls and interesting characters. With both wit, action, and fun, coupled with an undercurrent of serious themes, Huck Finn is a multi-layered masterpiece for young and old.
The Last Mission by Harry Mazer
The classic tale of the collision of a boy’s idealistic view of war with it’s ugly reality. Yet the book manages to avoid being a tired cliche. 15 year old Jack Raab lies his way into the Army Air Force and finds himself flying bombing missions over occupied territory. On his 25th mission, his last mission before being sent home, his plane is shot down, and he is taken prisoner in a German POW camp. A fictional story and an easy read, but historically accurate and realistic in its details. Be sure to check out other books by Harry Mazer; his A Boy at War series is a painless way to teach boys some history.
The First Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook
If you have a son in Scouts, he’ll definitely dig this book. Today’s Scout manual is definitely watered down compared to the first edition. The first edition manual is crammed with info on tracking and trapping animals, building shelters from scratch, and sailing. Additionally, it has stories of bravery and adventure that inspire boys to be great men. Something today’s manual is sorely lacking.
Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Known as a war book, The Red Badge of Courage is really a coming of age story set on the battlefield. Young Henry Fleming leaves his mother to fight for the Union Army. His question of whether or not he’ll have the courage to stand and fight is answered in the negative when he flees from his first skirmish. Fleming resolves to redeem himself during the next battle. A story not only of the tragedy of war, but the struggle to replace pride, weakness, and rationalization with bravery and personal honesty.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
One of my favorite books as a boy-who knew the lives of rabbits could be so engrossing? I’m sure it’s rife with rich symbolism and whatnot to mull over, but it’s one of those books that creates a world so rich and evocative that it’s best to let yourself get totally wrapped up in it instead of constantly searching for deeper meaning. When a prophetic rabbit correctly foretells that their warren will be destroyed, a band of rabbits travel in search of a new home and encounter dangerous and interesting obstacles along the way. Some authors can’t make human characters as interesting as these rabbits.
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Excellent list.
My Favorite as a kid was “Danny the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl…I’m almost 30, and I think I’ll pick up a few of these books soon.
What a fantastic list, I have read and most likely will read again several of the books on this list.
One more for you: Tunnel in the Sky, Robert Heinlein
Like My Side of the Mountain and Hatchet, its partly about learning self reliance, but it also teaches a valuable lesson about fear of the unknown and paints a very pointed picture that very often the solution to a conflict is NOT to simply bring a bigger gun.
Excellent list!
I would add “King Solomon’s Mines” by H. Rider Haggard. A classic treasure hunt and loyalty/friendship novel. Also “Nation” by Terry Pratchett.
Pretty good list – very easy reading most of it.
What’s missing? The Fountainhead
Excellent list. How about: The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
oh! and “the three musketeers”!
I agree with Titus that this is a great list, but some of the books are…iffy. I’d say that nearly a third of the books on this list are already required for 9-15 year old boys to begin with (and for the record, I know LOTS of people who do not like The Hatchet, mostly because as suburban and urban boys they simply cannot relate). I am pleased to see Gaiman and some fantasy titles on the list.
Anyway, I recommend Koushun Takami’s “Battle Royale”. It’s not as accessible as “Lord of the Flies”, but it has a similar theme, a more detailed story, and in my opinion much better writing. It also inspired a hit movie, an anime, and a manga, all of which you can probably ask your Japanophillic kid’s friend about.
I have two boys (6 and 3) and my husband and I have been lamenting the fact that they “just don’t make men like they used to”. I am thrilled to have found your site and have been reading for a while.
Love your book list. Some of the books I love but thought nobody else knew about were on here! (Phantom Tollbooth, Where the Red Fern Grows) There were many I didn’t know about, though, presumably because I’m not a boy.
I recently rented “My Side of the Mountain” for my oldest son and it’s a very “slow” movie compared to modern films these days. I was certain he wouldn’t sit through it. Not only did he sit through the entire movie, but he wanted me to start it over so he could watch it again!
Thanks for the awesome list!
I would recommend adding “Rascal” by Sterling North to the list. It’s a great story about a boy and his adventures with his pet raccoon. Excellent writing and beautiful pencil illustrations… and frankly, it just makes a kid want to get out and explore the world without any modern technology to tie him down.
1) Don’t forget to read ‘The Hobbit’ before ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
2) Also, for all kids 10-14 years old and up, the 11-book series ‘Uncle Eric Books’ by Richard Maybury, the title list can be found here:
http://www.bluestockingpress.com/uncle-eric-books.htm
If I was to make the list ‘100 books’, I would include more non-fiction books, specifically biographies of the U.S. Founding Fathers (1770-1783), plus various inventors, business people, etc.
Good job!
Brett, I rushed through the list to make sure you listed King Arthur and His Knights. Good job!
Good list, except for The Giver. The end of that book (or lack thereof) has annoyed me for years.
i loved the hardy boys when i was growing up- used to have a whole shelf devoted to them. also fantastic call on my side of the mountain- i had completely forgotten about it. there is actually sequels that are pretty good if any one is interested.
Additions that I would suggest: Harry Potter, a great good versus evil story
also, Rocket boys by Homer H Hickam Jr, the story that inspired the movie “october sky”. its another coming of age story, but with home made rockets. what else do you need?
Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein – where else will you find the Boy Scouts of Ganymede?
Anything by Peter Capstick – hunting in the “Dark Continent”
Anything about Ernest Shackleton – “If you’re lost pray. If you’re lost in the Antarctic, pray for Shackleton”
The Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester – one of the best series on personal responsibility and leadership
A fantastic list. I would also recommend (particularly if a boy liked Watership Down) the Redwall series, which are lots of fun. For somewhat older boys, the James Herriot books, beginning with “All Creatures Great and Small,” are wonderful; by turns heartbreaking and hilarious, every chapter can stand on its own as a short story (while they do all fit into a cohesive plot arc). There’s some mild swearing (damn, hell, but rarely anything stronger) so some parents may want to consider that. I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND (for teens––heck, for everyone!) a novel by Patrick O’Brien called “The Golden Ocean.” It is a standalone novel (you’re not committing to the Aubrey/Maturin series), but––like much of O’Brien––very-well researched; some of the characters are not historical, but many of the events are. A thrilling, brilliant book.
Great list. It is amazing how many of those I have read, and had almost forgotten about.
As a Canadian, I would definitely add something from Farley Mowat to the list. He has written some fantastic yarns about adventures the arctic (”Lost in the Barrens”), but I think that his classic prairie tale “Owls in the Family” is the one that most of us remember.
Another one that has stuck with me for some reason is the depression classic “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”
I haven’t read everyone’s comments, hopefully I am not the only one my two favorites.
1. King Solomon’s Mines – H. Rider Haggard
2. Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe.
I also pored over the scholastic book order and spent not a little of my hard earned (no allowance at my house) pennies on books. In addition to reading skills, it helped my early math skills – how many books I could afford with so much money. I recall that the books were in the 25-60 cent range. (I’m in my early 50’s).
As a pre-teen, there was even a more exciting treasure trove – the school library. On one of the bottom shelves, in the middle of the back wall (see what an impression they left!) was a long set of books, nearly an entire shelf wide. The spines of the books placed in the correct order created a picture in dark blues and greens related to the genre, which was SUBMARINES!!! I read through that entire set – some twice – in less than a school year. So, of course, when my son was approaching that age, I went to the school library, then the local library, then the nearest city library looking for them. To no avail. Apparently, books go through cycles and some have relatively short life spans. And these books had lived their lives and it was over. I nearly cried (don’t tell anyone). Unfortunately, what I don’t remember is the name of the series, or even any of the titles. So finding them would be nearly impossible. Even though my son is now 18 (and, to my eternal frustration, one of those non-readers who nearly didn’t graduate from high school due to repeatedly failing – English, of course) I would love to have that set of books. For myself and my future grandsons (and/or granddaughters).
Hello, I belive that Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank should also be added to your already fine list of litiature, as it shows the comming of age for young and old in a post atomic age.
Hey, how about some poetry? Scholastic’s “Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle” introduced me to a lot of very witty rhymers. A Second vote for the Horatio Hornblower series, and anything by Farley Mowatt, especially “The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float” or “The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be”, and where’s “The Wind in the Willows”? If Mole and Ratty aren’t overgrown 12-year olds at heart, I don’t know who is.
I don’t know if boys actually learn that much slower than girls when it comes to language arts, or it’s that schools in recent years have become more oriented towards helping girls achieve greater academic success, especially at the elementary school level, at the expense of boys. I think it all points to an increasing degree of misandry in American society, which is an entirely subject. Generally, boys still do better in math and science than girls. Regardless, getting boys to take reading more seriously is crucial to the overall welfare of any culture. Here’s an interesting story on one particular approach.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090927_To_help_boys__school_creates_the_poster_men_for_reading.html
My favoirte childhood novels:
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
Paul Revere by Esther Forbes
And I loved The Shadow mystery novels by Maxwell Grant.
What a great list. I’ve posted a link to it. Hate to tinker with it but if you are adding:
The House With a Clock In Its Walls – Bellairs
My Side of the Mountain – George
Henry Huggins – Cleary
Henry Reed, Inc – McCloskey
How To Eat Fried Worms – Rockwell
A good list. Many of those are still some of my favorite books.
a few things I can think of to add:
His Dark Materials Trilogy- Philip Pullman
Redwall series- Brian Jacques
Last of the Mohicans- James Fenimore Cooper
Great list. I’ve always been a big reader and some of my favorites were on this list or in the comments. I haven’t thought about some of these books in years (such as The Yearling and Toothpaste Millionaire and Paddle to the Sea).
One I’d add to the list would be “Banner in the Sky” by James Ramsey Ullman. I spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia in the 4th grade and my teacher and some of my classmates put together a care package with some games and two books, one of which was “Banner in the Sky”. I can’t remember the name of the other one but it was about a boy who lives with his grandparents and hunts with his grandfather every year but his grandfather becomes ill so he must try to take a deer alone for the first time. It was a great read.
Great list, thanks!!!
Really enjoyed the list, but I take issue with the gender comparisons. I realize that wasn’t the point of the article, but shouldn’t we focus on what proportion of boys read, not whether it’s boys or girls?
This is a great list. I loved several of those books while growing up, and I think I may go back and reread some of them.
I’m really especially happy to see both “Hatchet” and “The Mummy, the Will and the Crypt” on this list. John Bellairs was one of my very favorite authors when I was young, and I’ve been meaning to pick those books up again for a re-read. I have fond memories of riding to the library to exchange one for the next as a way to enjoy my summers…
Great list. I would add Heart, by Edmundo de Amicis. I have read it twice and I am thinking of reading it again.
Great book list. I also enjoyed The Old Man and the Boy.
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Man-Boy-Robert-Ruark/dp/080502669X
The Human Comedy by William Saroyan.
Best book of my childhood was “The Call of the Wild”
Great list. One I’d like to add is:
Tarzan of the Apes – Edgar Rice Burroughs.
A SEPARATE PEACE — no. Well, maybe for Ian McKellen and that pouty-boy who made an emo mess of the new THE PRISONER.
What about Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in 80 Days, 20,000 leagues under the sea? Jules Verne should be on this list.
Collected from “Boys Life”, I read and reread Donald Keith’s “Mutiny in the Time Machine” and “Time Machine to the Rescue”. Boys are boys, no matter the era, Spartans or space men.
Another vote for Patrick O’Brian’s The Golden Ocean, and for the Hornblower series.
For older boys, Kenneth Roberts’ Northwest Passage, a mostly factual but novelized account of a young man who joined Rogers’ Rangers during the French and Indian wars.
I’m going to tuck this away in my favorites for about 15 years until I have a child (I think most of this list equally applies to girls), old enough to read. Here’s to hoping you guys are still around then!
Personally, I’d stay clear of the Hornblower novels until the kid hits his teens.
Anything written by Robert Heinlein between 1950 and 1958 is great – Citizen of the Galaxy is particularly good. Reserve Starship Troopers for the teenage years.
And I’m shocked that nobody has mentioned the Sherlock Holmes mysteries…and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom stories.
Me? I grew up on E.E. Smith’s masterwork – the Lensman Series.
Ok, you did miss the BEST books for boys out there–the many works of GA Henty. My boys will not grow up without them!
Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer. An 11 year old criminal mastermind, with a supporting cast of eccentrics and high tech fairies. Eoin Colfer and Louis Sacar are a tie for children authors with a sense of humor prize. All those years teaching elementary school sharpened Colfer’s ability to intertweave fart jokes into the plot. Also, Sideways School series by Sachar is good for the younger kids.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians series by Rick Riordan. This series is most often acclaimed as the book that turned a reluctant reader into an enthusiast.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.. I love books about special or gifted children. Four kids go on to save the world from a dastardly villain.
Bone by Jeff Smith. Graphic novels are hugely popular. Cuteness, comedy, action and a greater social awareness all done in black and white. The entire series was 13 years in the making. A smashup of the Hobbit and Pogo.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. Introducing the Bart and Lisa Simpson of the fantasy world of mythological creatures. Happily a positive portrayal of an ADHD kid, his strengths and weaknesses with dire consequences from his impulsive actions. Contrasted with his more scaredy cat sister, who is more a cautious problem solver.
This list could use some diversity. Within the your parameters of “Western,” I would suggest authors such as Sherman Alexie (Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian), Walter Dean Myers (Monster), Gary Soto (Buried Onions), Markus Zusak (The Book Thief), and Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese).
I was forced to read A Separate Peace when I was kid and hated it. I read it again a couple of years ago and I still hate it. It’s the kind of book that well-meaning adults make children read but kids universally think the characters in the book are all wealthy, self-righteous pricks.
Is there a .pdf of these?
Nice list, but I missed the following essential titles:
Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
My Book of Bible stories (Watch Tower Society)
Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Arabian Nights
I would add more old-fashioned adventure books, such as Gordon R. Dickson’s Dorsai! series, “The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag” and “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” by Robert A. Heinlein, “Kon Tiki” by Thor Heyerdahl, and almost anything by Issac Asimov. Does anyone else remember reading these books as a young boy?
My suggestions:
Don Quijote – Miguel Cervantes
A Gathering of Old Men – Ernest J. Gaines
Haroun and the Sea of Stories – Salman Rushdie
The Alex Rider Series – Anthony Horowitz
The Captain Alatriste Series – Arturo Perez-Reverte
The Inspector Montalbano Series – Andrea Camilleri
The Arsene Lupin Series – Maurice Leblanc
Fathers and Sons – Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
The Palace of Dreams – Ismail Kadare
Broken April – Ismail Kadare
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
The Art of War – Sun Tzu
The Moon is Down – John Steinbeck
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Forgive me if some of these have been listed prior.
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