Reluctant Boy Readers? 20 Books That Can Spark a Love of Reading
If your son is a reluctant reader, you’re not alone. Numerous studies show that boys fall behind girls in reading.
Boys…
- take longer to learn to read than girls.
- read less than girls.
- have lower reading comprehension than girls.
- are more likely to skip parts when reading.
- choose books that are too easy for them.
If this describes your son, then good news: he’s normal.
But what do you do about this? The answer: good books. Find books that target male interests, are of high quality, and are of an appropriate difficulty.
In addition to good books, read-aloud time can help. But remember that, while girls respond better to socialization, boys respond to competition. Set reading goals, let them compete against others, and give prizes for reaching benchmarks.
Additionally, boys might be embarrassed or disinterested because they see reading as a “girl activity.” So get dad involved. Even fifteen minutes a day of dad reading aloud can have a big impact.
Now, “read good books” is easy to say, but how do you find these elusive, high-quality books for boys? Well, here’s a place to start…
Reading list for boys who are reluctant readers
Click on book titles for reviews and more details. Note, these are Amazon affiliate links. (Giving us the opportunity to attain more books to review!) You can also check BookFinder.com for affordable used copies.
The Usborne Illustrated Odyssey
A stunning edition of Homer’s timeless Ancient Greek epic for young readers, vividly retold for today’s readers. Colorful illustrations capture the adventures of the courageous Odysseus as he faces wrathful gods, enchanting goddesses, fearsome monsters, and a savage, man-eating Cyclops. Perfect for boys who enjoy thrilling adventure stories.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl’s stories are funny, adventurous, and a little dangerous—sure to excite boy readers.
At long last, Willy Wonka’s legendary chocolate factory is opening its doors, but only five fortunate children will get the chance to step inside. The lucky winners are: Augustus Gloop, a boy with an endless appetite; Veruca Salt, a spoiled child who always gets her way; Violet Beauregarde, a gum-chewing champion with nonstop energy; Mike Teavee, a television-obsessed troublemaker; and Charlie Bucket — the kind-hearted and courageous hero of the story, who’s about to embark on the most extraordinary adventure of his life.
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Inspired by Welsh mythology, Prydain is a land of rolling hills, deep forests, and ancient magic. Alexander transports readers to a world filled with danger and wonder. Across the series, the main character Taran outgrows his childish desire for glory and recognition, learning to appreciate selflessness, responsibility, and friendship. Alexander addresses complex themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the cost of leadership, but he does so in a way that is accessible and engaging for younger boys.
Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have lived in the forest, guided by the ancient laws of their warrior ancestors. But now the warrior code is under threat, and ThunderClan faces growing danger as the ruthless ShadowClan becomes more powerful with each passing day. Warriors are dying, and some deaths are shrouded in mystery.
Amid the chaos, an ordinary housecat named Rusty enters the forest — and may prove to be the bravest warrior of them all.
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson has always struggled to stay out of trouble, but his life changes completely when he discovers that the gods of Greek mythology are real, and that he is the son of one of them. After Zeus’s powerful lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the main suspect, he sets out on a dangerous quest to recover it and prevent a war among the gods. Joined by his friends, a satyr and the daughter of Athena, Percy must battle monsters, uncover betrayal, and learn the truth about himself along the way.
Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats believes his family is cursed — a streak of bad luck that began with his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing” great-great-grandfather and has haunted the Yelnats family ever since. When Stanley is wrongly sent to Camp Green Lake, a detention camp where boys spend every day digging massive holes under the blazing sun, he quickly realizes something strange is going on. There’s no lake at Camp Green Lake, just endless holes, and a warden who seems to be searching for something hidden beneath the dry earth. As Stanley uncovers the camp’s secrets, he finds himself caught in a story filled with mystery, humor, and unexpected redemption.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Twelve-year-old genius and criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl discovers a hidden underground world inhabited by highly advanced and dangerous fairies. Determined to restore his family’s lost fortune and discover the fate of his missing father, he kidnaps a fairy officer named Holly Short and demands a ransom. But Artemis soon realizes he may have underestimated the fairies’ intelligence, technology, and magical powers, and his plan could spark the world’s first interspecies war.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
This captivating adventure has everything readers could want: danger, humor, narrow escapes, mystery, heartbreak, wonder, a truly unforgettable villain, and a hero worth cheering for.
At the center of the story is Matthias, a young mouse who must overcome his fears and doubts to protect his friends at Redwall Abbey. Opposing him is Cluny the Scourge, a ruthless and cunning rat determined to conquer the abbey. Along the way, Matthias is joined by a memorable cast of characters, including the fearless badger Constance, the lively hare Basil Stag Hare, and the wise old Brother Methuselah.
The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
Written by C. S. Lewis in 1949, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe began an unforgettable journey into the magical world of Narnia. It’s a land filled with mythical creatures, epic adventures, and the timeless struggle between good and evil. Lewis later expanded the story into six more books, together known as The Chronicles of Narnia.
For generations, these novels have become beloved literary classics, celebrated for their rich imagination, memorable characters, and meaningful themes. Blending simplicity with depth, the series continues to captivate readers of all ages, offering adventures and truths that remain just as powerful today as when they were first published.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin
Ged would one day become the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth, he was known as Sparrowhawk—proud, impulsive, and hungry for power. In his pursuit of knowledge, he meddled with ancient secrets and unleashed a dark shadow upon the world. This is the story of his trials and growth as he learns the true meaning of magic, confronts powerful forces, tames a dragon, and journeys to the edge of death itself to restore balance to the world.
The Green Ember by S. D. Smith
Heather and Picket are two remarkable rabbits living quiet, ordinary lives—until a series of catastrophic events throws them into a whirlwind of trouble and adventure. They soon realize their own journey is deeply connected to the growing chaos threatening the world around them.
Kings are overthrown, kingdoms begin to crumble, and tyrants rise as danger spreads and loyalties are tested at every turn.
Where will Heather and Picket end up, and what will it take for them to find the courage to stand their ground?
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
In a future where Earth prepares for a second attack from an alien species, gifted children are trained as military leaders in space. Among them is Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young boy sent to Battle School, where he quickly rises as a leader in simulated zero-gravity combat.
Despite his success, Ender struggles with intense isolation, pressure from adults, and fear of the alien enemy. As he trains, he also battles emotional conflicts about his identity and his relationships with his siblings.
Meanwhile, it becomes clear that Ender and his equally unusual brother and sister may each play a role in shaping humanity’s future—if Earth can survive the ongoing war with the alien “Buggers.”
The Great Brain by John Fitzgerald
Tom D. Fitzgerald, a ten-year-old known as “The Great Brain,” is the clever center of these stories, which are narrated by his younger brother J.D., who is often puzzled but always impressed by him. Those who challenge Tom, like the strict schoolmaster Mr. Standish, quickly come to regret it. Yet others, including the Jensen children lost in Skeleton Cave, Basil the Greek boy, and Andy, who has lost both his leg and his friends, discover that Tom’s sharp mind can always find a way to solve problems and lead them safely home.
WARNING: In chapter 8, a character struggles with suicidality
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Jungle Book is a collection of stories about Mowgli, the boy raised by wild animals in the jungles of India; Rikki-tikki-tavi, the brave young mongoose who confronts the deadly cobra Nag; Toomai, the boy who forms a special bond with elephants.
These timeless tales are filled with adventure and excitement as the characters face fierce tigers, deadly snakes, secret elephant gatherings, and the constant danger of hunters lurking in the jungle.
Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
“It happened many years ago, before the traders and missionaries first came into the South Seas, while the Polynesians were still great in numbers and fierce of heart. But even today the people of Hikueru sing this story in their chants and tell it over the evening fires. It is the story of Mafatu, the Boy Who Was Afraid.”
Mafatu, a young Polynesian boy whose name means Stout Heart, sails out alone to overcome his terrible fear of the sea and prove his courage to himself and his people. He will have to overcome many challenges, including shipwrecks, shark attacks, and even island cannibals.
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
We’re told by the main character and narrator, an orphan named Omar, that there are three things that matter in this world: life, death, and love. Life and death are all around us, but love is as tenuous as a desert mirage.
The orphan Omar is being stoned to death for the first time when a passing merchant intervenes. After swindling a mob out of their execution, Samir the Seller of Dreams travels the Silk Road with Omar. Omar is the son he never had, and Samir fills the space left by the father he lost. But selling dreams has made Samir a lot of enemies, and they’ve all hired assassins to kill him.
It’s up to Omar to save Samir. But what chance does he have against a Viking berserker, the Rogue Legion, a Persian mystic, an entire Bedouin clan, a Mongolian gunner, and a Chinese ablutionist? Even if Samir and Omar can escape the menagerie of assassins hot on their trail, they will still have to survive the mythic killer known only as “Cid.”
In The Days of Alfred the Great by Eva March Tappan
Forced to lead during a time of war and unrest, Alfred must guide his kingdom through chaos while pursuing his dream of a united England.
In the Days of Alfred the Great is set in 9th-century England under King Alfred, a ruler known for his wisdom, courage, and dedication to learning during the Dark Ages. The story follows his struggles against Viking invasions and his efforts to build schools, create laws, and strengthen his kingdom.
Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
Myles Falworth is just eight years old when a black-armored knight arrives at his father’s castle with deadly intent, setting off a chain of events that will change his life forever. The incident ultimately leads to a false accusation of treason, bringing shame upon the Falworth name and destroying the family’s honor and fortune.
The only path to restoring their reputation lies in Myles’s training as a knight, so that one day he may face the king’s champion and win justice through trial by combat.
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
There is a rule in middle-grade fiction. Your protagonist must be a child.
Ages 9 to 13 are good. 16 is probably too old. Bilbo, on the other hand, is a 50-year-old shut-in who wants nothing to do with adventure. Even an unscheduled dinner party is more than he can handle, to say nothing of dragons, goblins, and giant spiders. He’s a middle-aged man whose most interesting attribute is that a distant ancestor did something exciting once. According to the rules, The Hobbit is unpublishable. And yet, it is one of the most well-known middle-grade stories ever written.
Conclusion
These titles should get you started. But there are many other great books out there. If you have suggestions to add to this list, I invite you to join our Homeschool Connections Community or Facebook Group and start a conversation.
Happy Reading!
