Chapter Books for Boys: Guys Read Series
The Guy Read series edited by Jon Scieszka always intrigued me. Chapter books that entice boys to read are much needed and I will happily promote them until the cows come home.
Walden Pond Press was kind enough to send me the first book to review, Guys Read: Funny Business and it delivered on its promise. It’s a series of short stories written by well-known authors. You can tell that they all had fun with this.
The short story by Jon Scieszka and Kate DiCamillo about a boy reluctantly doing an author book project was particularly memorable but all the stories were fun to read!
I’m thrilled to give you a sneak peek at the latest soon-to-be-released Guys Read book, Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka sure hand.
Welcome to Other Worlds, the fourth volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading. Prepare yourself for ten trips into the unknown, as ten of your favorite writers spin tales of fantasy and science fiction the likes of which you have never imagined. Compiled by National Ambassador for Children’s Literature (and Secret Ambassador for the Intergalactic Alliance) Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: Other Worlds is the most exciting collection of stories on this-or any-planet.
Contributors to Guys Read: Other Worlds are …
Rick Riordan
Tom Angleberger
Rebecca Stead
Shannon Hale
D. J. MacHale
Eric Nylund
Kenneth Oppel
Neal Shusterman
Shaun Tan
Ray Bradbury
Even better, the nice folks at Walden Pond Press are letting me give away an ARC (Advanced Release Copy)! Yep, be sure to tell your son (or daughter) that he is the FIRST to read this book! No one else will be able to get their hands on it for a while.
Here’s the cover. What do you think? (You can tell me in a comment for the Rafflecopter below to win the book).
p.s. Here are the other books in this excellent series.
Click on image of book to view at Amazon or here for Barnes and Noble.
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The illustrations look great! And you know that his name is Polish? 🙂 Although it just resembles the Polish word – should be “ścieżka” which means “path” 🙂
Hi Alexandra,
Yes, love the Poles who write kids’ books. They are funny!
I have a post on this (hee hee!): http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2012/06/childrens-authors-impossible-names-pronounce-worth-learning/
I adore the title Guys Read. Tricks them into thinking that it is a macho thing to do. LOL The covers all have a lot of action and color with the picture of a “guy” just itching to get into it.
Hi Barbara,
I read the first book and I loved the story by Scieszka and Kate DiCamillo. I read it aloud to my kids and we were rolling with laughter. That Guys Read is a collection of humorous story stories. Love this series!
The cover is very appealing to boys who like reading fantasy
Hi Michelle,
I think so too! They did a nice job designing the cover to reflect the book content!
I love this cover! I need to get some of the books from this series in my classroom library. My students would love them!
Hi Karen,
I love that it’s short stories so it’s great for kids who read slowly. It might be a great way to draw them into more books by the same author!
That’s exactly what I was thinking. There are some great authors featured, too!
Hi Karen,
I know! Rick Riordan!! We are waiting impatiently for his next Percy Jackson book.
The cover makes me want to “get lost” in it.
Hi Nadine,
Your comment is making the book designer so happy right now! 🙂
The book looks amazing – any boy would want to read it.
Hi Viren,
Yay! That is what Jon Scieszka is hoping!!
So i am trying to enter as a fb fan and newsletter recipient but rafflecpter link not working. Anyone else have that problem?
Hi Nadine,
Yikes. Let me check on that. It is because you are already subscribed?
Love the Guys Read series. Some big, big names in this one. Thanks for the cover reveal!
Thanks Adam!!!
It looks and sounds like a book my 11yo nephew would enjoy!
Hi Maryanne,
Yes, it’s a nice way to read a lot of authors’ work easily! This one is great if he likes Fantasy but there are also sports and comedy versions. Something for every boy!
Oh my gosh, my 10 year-old twin boys DEVOURED the other books in this series- I’m so excited a new one is coming out! We knew a bunch of the authors already but discovered some new ones to be on the lookout for. Great series!!
Hi Jennifer,
I only read the comedy one and it was a lot of fun to read. What a great idea for a series! My hat is off to Jon Scieszka!
Very excited to get my hands on this one!
Hi Nicole,
Me too! I wonder if I can get a copy myself? …
Love the cover and can’t wait to add it to my collection!
Hi Donna,
You are entered to win! Good luck!
My 10 year old son says, “That is so cool!” He has read all of the other Guys Read books already, so it’s nice to see another one coming.
Hi Julie E,
Thanks!! I hope you win it for him! It would be nice for this ARC to end up in a boy’s hands so he can be the first to read it!
thanks for hosting this giveaway – would love to win a copy of this title –
Hi HR,
My pleasure. You are entered t win. Good luck!
I LOVE the cover! Science Fiction is my favorite genre and would love to share this with the boys at my school. I am always steering them to science fiction, there is so much to appeal to guys (and girls too). Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Hi Okle,
Thank you so much for your kind words! You are entered to win the ARC. Good luck.
The cover looks great! I have several reluctant male readers who would pick this book up.
Hi Mike,
I hope you win so your reluctant male readers will read this book. Only Rafflecopter decides though. Good luck!
It sounds like such a fun book, and that is really neat to see a sneak peak of the cover. I have my fingers crossed that maybe I will win a copy. : )
Hi Bethany,
Good luck! You are entered to win!
I love the cover – it provides information about the book is about and should be appealing to its target audience. The cover art is more important than many realise as often the final choice of a book is influenced by the cover art and blurb!
Hi Kylie,
I agree with you. I do judge the book by the cover. It needs to tell the story as well!
I LOVE this series…but more importantly…so do middle grade readers! I showed my class the cover this morning and they were psyched!
Walden Pond Press is a great publishing company that really understands what middle grade readers are looking for!
Thank you for the giveaway!
Hi Susan,
Tell them that you are entered to win. If any of your kids want to enter, they just have to fill out the Rafflecopter and your class will have more chances to win! Good luck! I hope the book goes to a home where lots of kids can enjoy it but only Rafflecopter decides!
My boy would not be seen til he was done w/ this. Love!
Thanks Rachel!
I like that the cover is science fictiony and middle grades. I like that they are producing these in different genres!
Hi The Brain Lair,
I agree! I think Jon Scieszka is the mastermind behind organizing this series. I love the premise of the series too … just to get boys excited to read! I’ve read the Funny Business and Jon’s short story with Kate Di Camillo is not to be missed!
I was so excited when I heard about this! The cover is a bit interesting, showing the boy’s stomach and all. Guys wear much longer shirts than that. But I’m excited for a Rebecca Stead story!
Hi Kelly,
It was nice to see female authors in the line up for the lastest Guys Read, especially a lauded one! I’m excited to read her story too!
I haven’t been disappointed with a Guys Read book yet! Great cover, and the author lineup looks fantastic too! I’ll be looking forward to it 🙂
Hi Maria,
I am excited to read it too! I hope I get an ARC too though not sure I’m on the list. Congrats on your book being accepted by an literary agent. It’s been so much fun to read about fellow KidLit bloggers as their stories unfold. I follow Danielle at There’s a Book too so I went all warm and fuzzy as you both connected.
I can’t wait to review your new book when it comes out!!!! Count me in for a stop on your blog tour!
The Guys Read series was a blessing that catapulted my oldest son into reading for his own enjoyment. I’m thrilled to see the latest edition and one chock full of fabulous authors! Thanks for sharing and for all of your thoughtful insights!
Julie
Hi Julie,
What a wonderful testimonial to the power of Jon Scieszka’s idea of putting together short stories that appeal to boys! He would be so thrilled to read your words. I’ll try to email him if I can figure out his address. Thank you for sharing and good luck! I hope you win!
Great project! If I will I will definitely give it to my 9 year old nephew!
Hmm. the cover, I hope it appeals to boys! I love the logo!
Hi Ann,
It’s perfect for a 9-year-old boy but do pick by his favorite theme! There are a lot of good ones to choose from too! I am partial to the funny one!
I LOVE sharing these books with boys in my library-each of these has a special place for certain boys! Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Judy,
Are the Guys Read series very popular in your library? I am saving my one copy for my son who is 8. I think he will love these books! You are entered to win!
You can’t go wrong with Jon Scieszka in our household. My son loves the Time Warp Trio series.
Hi M. Watson,
We haven’t read that series yet but I have a few on our bookshelf so here’s hoping. My son also loves his Math Curse and Science Verse picture books. He is one funny and talented author! I’m glad all his books are so successful!
I think the cover is totally kid-friendly and eye-catching. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Renee C! You are entered to win!
Hi. I love the cover for the new Guys Read book. It will draw the boys in right away. When I first discovered the series, I wasn’t sure if the “Guys” part meant adults or kids. There is no doubt with this cover. It is fun, whimsical and will make them curious to open the cover.
That is a cool cover. I think my sons would both like to read this book. The cover looks like something they would like.
Hi Cheryl C,
Thanks so much! I love the cover design too. You are entered to win!
Hah. Love the fact the shirt says it’s 100% authentic. A delicious bit of irony for something fantastic.
Hi Seth,
You clearly have a sharp eye. I did not even realize that. I think Mr. Jon Scieszka might be behind that. He is a funny, funny guy!
the cover looks….. out of this world!
Hi Jimdrix,
The cover artist will be thrilled to hear that! Thank you!
I love the way the cover captures the lack of limits on imagination. Through books and the mind, you can literally go anywhere!!
Hi Emily,
You bring up such a great point. I hope boys will pick up this book an let their imaginations run wild too! Jon is fanatic about getting boys to read and love reading too!
Nice cover, Nice name, cant wait to read it!
Hi Jon,
I hope you win this copy! You are entered to win! I can’t wait to read myself!
What do you think of the cover? Retro and spacey. I like it!
Hi Desiree,
The cover artist was trying to capture that I think. I’m glad you like it!
Love the cover and the invitation to get guys to read. Wonderful premise.
Hi David,
I love the premise too and the great news is that it’s working!!! Boys love this series!
I think the cover looks totally awesome. I love the artist’s style and it’s atmosphere – The guy’s got a lost, pensive expression which I like, and I want his shoes. 🙂
A question: Is the giveaway open for all around the world? I’m brazilian.
If not, please tell me so I can remove my entry.
Thank you!
Hi Marina,
I’m so sorry but you have to be in the US or Canada because the shipping is so expensive. If you have a US shipping address (like a relative or a friend), you can still win and I can ship it there.
Okay, thank you for your answer : )
they say never judge a book by its cover but I love the cover, i think i can expect great thing from this book, particularly super excited for Rick Riordan\’s new Percy Jackson story, his books made me love reading!
Hi Gabriela,
Me too! We are dying for the new Riordan book. I am plotting how to get my hands on an ARC (Advanced Release Copy). It’s coming out in October though if I fail. Seems so far away!!
My youngest grandson is an early reader, starting at age 3. He even started a book club for his second grade class. Even though he is not a reluctant reader, I would love to win this book for him to see what he thinks of it. He would share it with his book club.
Hi Kaye,
I think this series appeals to boys and girls for that matter! You definitely don’t have to be a reluctant reader to enjoy it. I read a story to my 2nd grade son from Guys Read: Funny Business — the story co-authored by Jon Scieszka and Kate DiCamillo. It’s so funny, I had to read it twice. My kids (including girls) all loved it.
The Art work on this cover is amazing. i look forward to reading this soon
Thanks Scott! You are so nice to say that!
The cover looks fantastic. So excited for a new percy jackson story and cant wait to read the rest of the book.
Thanks so much AliciaDC! Me too! I’m not sure if the story in this book by Rick Riordan is about Percy Jackson. I actually think not. But the new Percy Jackson book, House of Hades, is out early October. I am pre-ordering a copy myself. We’ve read all of his books and we are dying for the new one!!!
The artwork on the cover of this is amazing. Makes it seem otherwordly and that would catch a lot of peoples’ attention. (Surely caught mine.) And I heard it from Riordan that he would have a new Percy story in this book as well as many other great authors that I read.
Hi Alexandra,
Really? Riordan’s story in this book is about Percy Jackson?!!! I did not know that! I’m so excited! Even if it’s not a Percy Jackson story though, I’d read it. I love Rick Riordan’s work!
Rick Riordan posted on his twitter with this link about the book. He said it contains a new Percy story. so exciting
“Mia is giving away an advance copy of the forthcoming Guys Read book with a new Percy story!”
Hi AliciaDC,
Wow, that is wonderful news! I have that ARC to giveaway but maybe my winner won’t mind if I take a sneak peak and read it to my son tonight? …
lol well if your winner shares the story with you for your son, post it on here plz. i’m dying for something new with percy jackson.
At the tour for the book Mark of Athena, riordan read a piece of a story he had written for guys read He called it “percy jackson and the singer of apollo.”
i’m 98% sure that, that story is the one in here.
i wrote down all that he read of that story, it looks good. If I knew your email, I could attach the page of the story. Or you could look it up on youtube.
Hi AliciaDC,
Yes, we read the new Rick Riordan story in Guys Read: Other Worlds. It’s the first story in the new book and it IS a Percy Jackson story with Grover and Apollo. It’s set in NYC and Riordan is able to break out a little and write a little more comedically. My son and I laughed out loud at parts (pantless humor works with boys!).
No sons (or daughters) here, but I have young cousins and students I’d love to show this to! Always looking for good boys’ books, and the authors I recognize here are wonderful.
And as a fellow Riordan fan – yep, he specifically said “a new Percy story” in his tweet. I’m excited!
(Rafflecopter note: I didn’t know how it worked, so I accidentally said I’d commented before I actually had. Oops.)
Hi Victoria,
I’m excited to read that story! Thanks for the heads up!!
I’ve never heard of this series, but I’m excited for a new Percy story, and the art looks great!
Hi Vi,
I’m excited for the new Percy story too! You are entered to win!
The cover looks very exciting!! I cant wait to read it! Excited cause of Rick Riordan also!! 🙂
Hi Lily,
Me too! Love Riordan!
I like the cover. The title is terrific. I am always telling the boys who come into the library (elementary) that reading is cool. This just might help me convince them…..Thanks!
Hi Kimberly,
We are both fighting the good fight to get kids to love reading. I love that! I hope you win! You are entered!
I love Guys Read and this cover looks like it might be the best one yet!
Hi Rachel,
We are just now reading our copy of Guys Read: Other Worlds. The Rick Riordan story (the first one) was a lot of fun to read!!! We need another Rick Riordan fix fast though because we just finished all his books (my 2nd grade son) and it’s a sad day!
I happened by this link. The Guys Read initiative takes the lead on boys and reading. Great authors working together!
Hi Jim,
We love the Guys Read series edited by Jon Scieszka. My son liked Guys Read: Funny Business and Guys Read: Other Worlds so far. We haven’t read the others. It’s a great way to try out authors that are new to him. He’s such a Rick Riordan fan that it’s hard to get him to branch out, and that’s the beauty of the series. We used Guys Read: Other Worlds for a book club for 3rd grade boys. I’ll posting on that soon.