I wanted to spend this week covering books and reading strategies for reluctant boy readers and I had all these great posts that I found during the past year stored up, so here they are! This was a great post by The Hate Mongering Tart about writer Andy Sherrod. Andy not only gives tips about how to engage boys as readers but also gives book suggestions coupled with research.
I also have a category of posts on Reluctant Readers here for anyone who wants more information.
p.s. If you like this post, you might also like Top 10: Baseball Chapter Books.
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“The first thing Andy talked about was ACTIVE LITERACY. He said that a lot of guys have no problem reading the sports section or a magazine, but that doesn’t have a narrative. There is no plot to get mired in, to compel you further into the story. And in what might be deemed slightly controversial by comic book fans, Andy said, “I am not against graphic novels. They’re a great entry into reading, but it should go beyond that.” He has a point though — and I kind of agree. Graphic novels do get kids to pick up a book. But there are other ways to get reluctant readers into books as well …
Also, Andy noted — and I love this website, too, — that author Jon Scieszka’s GuysRead.com is a great resource for finding dude books for dudes of all ages. Check it out!”
15 Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
And here is the list of books that Andy suggests:
#1: Have a boy(ish) protagonist
*Andy also cited a Georgia study that concluded that the gender of the protagonist is not the key to getting boys interested in a story — the activity or the action is.
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
#2: Approach problem-solving like a dude
*In a University of New Hampshire study, Andy said, that boys liked books where the protagonists acted alone and went to unfamiliar territories, while girls preferred books where the characters acted in a group in more familiar territories.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Babysitters Club (series) by Ann M. Martin
The Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins
Voyage (Chronicles of Courage series) by Michelle Torrey
A Small White Scar by K. A. Nuzum
#3: Emotional authenticity
Andy says that yes, guys have emotions. It just is uncomfortable sometimes for them to show emotion, and to read heavily emotional scenes.
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Under the Blood-Red Sky by Graham Salisbury
#4: Facts
According to Andy, guys want to be actively learning when they read.
The New Way Things Work by David Macauley
Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh
Guts by Gary Paulsen
My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen
The Legend of Bass Reeves by Gary Paulsen
Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives (series) by Michelle Torrey
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p.s. Related posts:
Great Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
10 Books to Turn Reluctant Readers into Eager Ones!
Books for Reluctant Boy Readers
Best Graphic Novels for Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 3-16)
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14): Part 1, Authors A-L
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14): Part 2, Authors M-Z
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise: Part 3 (Non-Fiction)
Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14)
Hi-Lo Books for Middle Readers
Riveting Science Fiction for 3rd-7th Grade Boys AND Girls
Fun Nonfiction Fact Books for Kids
More 5th Grade Books from a 5th Grade Boy (my son)
Book Lists for Reluctant Readers
Top 10 Books for Struggling Teen Readers
Say It Ain’t So: My Child Is a Reluctant Reader
Books for 8yold Boy Reluctant Reader
Writing Hi Lo Fiction and Books for Boys
Top 10: Spy and Superhero Chapter Books for Kids
20 Gentle Chapter Books for a Young Boy
Reading Challenge: 7th Grade Boy Who Hates Reading But Loves Skateboarding
The Middle School Reluctant Reader
Tips for Engaging Reluctant Readers
Favorite Books for Reluctant Readers Grades 3-8
Tips for Hooking Reluctant Readers
How to Raise Boys Who Read from a dad of 6 boys!
NERDS: A series for Reluctant Readers
Top 10: Chapter Books with Activity to Get Boys to Read
Adventure Book for Middle School Boys
Gifts for Kids Who Hate Art and Reading: Day 5 of 12 Days of Shopping
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Thanks for sharing Andy’s list! My sons (one was a reluctant reader and one was an avid reader) have enjoyed several of these great recommendations. A couple of their faves that weren’t on the list (so many outstanding books, I know they can’t all be listed!), but that I can’t resist mentioning for boys: MANIAC MCGEE by Jerry Spinelli and TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN by Philippa Pearce.
To Good Books for Young Souls,
Thank you sooo much for your book recommendations. I have added them to my list of Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise.
I’d give a definite thumbs-up on Gary Paulsen’s work. It’s straightforward and reeks of the male genre. A reluctant boy reader can pull out a book with Gary Paulsen on the title and not worry that any of his buddy’s are going to make fun of him.
Richard Peck is another good choice. I’m less sold on THE HUNGER GAMES – although Stephen King’s similarly themed novel THE LONG WALK might definitely interest a young boy.
I’d also throw in Robert Newton Peck as a great choice for reluctant boy readers. His Soup series is fantastic. Also dug his book BRO.
And, I’d have to add that I’ve had an awful lot of positive feedback from my own book SINKING DEEPER: MY QUESTIONABLE DECISION TO INVENT A SEA MONSTER. With today tattoos, caber tossing, musical saw, bagpipes, a jailbreak, a ghost or two and a SEA MONSTER you can’t go wrong.
Subject matter is key. Nearly anything that focuses on monsters, ghosts, war, and/or sports is going to most likely perk the interest of your average reluctant boy reader – if there is such a critter.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
To Steve Vernon,
Thank you for your book suggestions. I’ve added them to my post: Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14) including your book. I’d love to review your book if you can shoot me a copy! Thanks!