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Good Books for Boys
Atinsky, Steve.
Tyler on Prime Time. 2002. While visiting his uncle, a writer on
the most popular show on television, twelve-year-old Tyler auditions for a
part on the show.
Avi.
The History of Helpless Harry. 1980. When his parents go away,
leaving him in the charge of a young woman, 11-year-old Harry's adventures
begin and they include lies, attempted robbery, and the possibility of
murder.
Banks, Kate.
Dillon Dillon. 2002. During the summer when he turns ten years
old, Dillon Dillon learns the surprising story behind his name and develops
a relaionship with three loons living on the lake near his family's New
Hampshire cabin, that helps him make sense of his life.
Banks, Lynne Reid.
The Indian in the Cupboard. 1980. A 9-year-old boy receives a
plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds
himself involved in an adventure when the Indian comes to life in the
cupboard and befriends him.
The Return of the Indian. 1986. A year after he sends his Indian
friend, Little Bear, back into the magic cupboard, Omri decides to bring him
back only to find that he is close to death and in need of help. Sequel to
The Indian in the Cupboard
.
The Secret of the Indian. 1989. In this third book about Omri and
his magic cupboard, he and his friend Patrick must risk grownups'
discovering their secret when they find themselves in need of a friend's toy
plastic doctors to save wounded people from the dangerous world of the Old
West which the cupboard enables them to enter.
The Mystery of the Cupboard. 2004. After the family moves to the
country to a house recently inherited by his mother, Omri finds many secrets
revealed to him when he accidently discovers the link between the house and
the magic cupboard. Sequel to
The Secret of the Indian .
Bauer, Joan.
Stand Tall. 2002. Tree, a six-foot-three-inch twelve-year-old,
copes with his parents' recent divorce and his failure as an athlete by
helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new
girl at school.
Sticks. 2002. With the help of his grandmother, his dead father's
best friend, and his own best friend, a math genius, ten-year-old Mickey
prepares to compete in the most important pool championship of his life,
despite his mother's reservations.
Blume, Judy.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. 1972. Peter finds his demanding
2-year-old brother Fudge an ever-increasing problem.
Superfudge. 1991. Peter describes the highs and lows of life with
his younger brother.
Fudge-a-Mania. 1990. Pete describes the family vacation in Maine
with the Tubmans, highlighted by the antics of his younger brother Fudge.
Bonners, Susan.
Above and Beyond. 2001. Jerry befriends the class clown Danny and
discovers disturbing secrets from the past.
Butler, Dori Hillestad.
Tank Talbott's Guide To Girls. 2006. Having agreed to get math
tutoring and to practice writing over the summer to avoid flunking fifth
grade, Tank learns some important lessons about both family and fighting
while writing a boy's guide to understanding girls.
Trading Places With Tank Talbott. 2003. Jason, who would rather
work on his horror movie screenplay than learn to swim, finds an unlikely
ally in Tank, the class bully, who is being forced to take ballroom dance
lessons.
Butterworth, Oliver.
The Enormous Egg. 1956. Twelve-year-old Nate has all kinds of
trouble and excitement when a baby dinosaur hatches out of an ordinary hen's
egg.
Byars, Betsy.
Bingo Brown and the Language of Love. 1989. As fifth grader Bingo
Brown strives for the triumphs of today and steels himself against the
tribulations of tomorrow, he discovers that he will have to undergo a few
more trials and triumphs before growing up.
Bingo Brown, Gypsy Lover. 1990. A sixth-grade boy deals with the
prospect of a new baby brother and a long-distance love relationship.
The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown. 1988. A boy is puzzled by
the comic and conflicting questions of youth and worried by disturbing
insights into adult conflicts.
Cameron, Ann.
The Stories Julian Tells. 1981. Relates episodes in 7-year-old
Julian's life which include getting into trouble with his younger brother
Huey, planting a garden, what he did to try get taller, losing a tooth, and
finding a new friend. (Easy Fiction)
More Stories Julian Tells. 1989. Adventures including a bet with
his best friend, Gloria, a secret project, and what happens when Julian's
brother, Huey, decides to be Superboy. (Easy Fiction)
Cleary, Beverly.
Dear Mr. Henshaw. 1983. In his letters to his favorite author,
10-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents divorce,
being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the
world. (Newbery Awards)
Henry Huggins. 1983. Henry finds Ribsy, a skinny dog who looks
like he needs a home, and then his adventures begin.
Henry and Beezus. 1952. When Henry makes friends with a girl, he
finds he must also put up with her pesty little sister.
Henry and the Clubhouse. 1962.
Henry finds himself locked inside the clubhouse with most of his
newspapers still to be delivered.
Henry and Ribsy. 1954. The continuing adventures of Henry and his
dog who innocently keeps getting him into trouble.
Henry and the Paper Route. 1957. Henry has a rival for a much
desired paper route.
Mitch and Amy. 1967. Nine-year-old Mitch has a bad year in fourth
grade when his twin teases him over his reading difficulties and he becomes
the target of the school bully.
Otis Spofford. 1953. Otis gets his come-uppence when he plays one
trick to many.
Strider. 1991. In a series of diary entries, Leigh tells how he
comes to terms with his parents' divorce, acquires joint custody of an
abnadoned dog, and joins the track team at school. (Sequel to Dear Mr.
Henshaw.)
Cohen, Barbara.
Thank You, Jackie Robinson. 1997. A fatherless white boy, who
shares with an old black man an enthusiasm for Jackie Robinson, takes a ball
autographed by Jackie to his elderly friend's death bed. (Video)
Cooney, Doug.
The Beloved Dearly. 2002. Although his father has forbidden it,
Ernie, a twelve-year-old business tycoon, makes a tidy profit in the pet
funeral business, but when he refuses to give his star employee a raise and
the business starts to fall apart, it takes the death of his own dog to
bring everyone back together.
Corbett, Scott.
The Baseball Trick. 1965. A potion from Kerby's chemistry set
designed to combat the ringers on the opposing baseball team yields
surprising results for Kerby and his friends. (One of many "trick" books)
Cumyn, Alan.
The Secret Life of Owen Skye. 2002. Owen Skye lives in a small
rural village with his two brothers, their parents, and their weird Uncle
Lome. The Skye boys have a knack for turning innocent events into full-blown
escapades. Owen's small-town childhood may be simple, but his days are full
of adventures with his brothers as they observe the curious world of adults
and ponder the secret mysteries of life, death, and love.
Dahl, Roald.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 2005. Poverty-stricken Charlie
Bucket finds the last golden ticket and wins a tour of Mr. Willy Wonka's
mysterious chocolate factory where he witnesses many unusual happenings.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. 2001.
The further adventures of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka,
chocolate-maker extraordinary.
Danny, the Champion of the World. 1988.
A young English boy describes the relationship with his father and
the special adventures they share together.
James and the Giant Peach. 2002.
A small boy travels from England to America in a giant peach in
company with several enormous insects.
De Guzman, Michael.
Melonhead. 2002. Tired of living with his non-caring divorced
parents, Sidney, a twelve-year-old boy with an unusually large head, takes a
bus trip across the United States which becomes a journey of self-discovery.
Deep Doo-Doo and the Mysterious E-mail. 2001. Instead of scooping
a classmate who works on the school newspaper, Bennet and his friend Pete
end up working with Elizabeth to find out who is responsible for putting a
pumpkin on top of the town hall flagpole.
Denslow, Sharon Phillips.
Georgie Lee. 2002. A young boy and his grandmother share all
sorts of adventures on her farm with her cat, Boots, and her cow, Georgie
Lee.
Donahue, John.
Till Tomorrow. 2001. In 1961, newly arrived at the United States
Army base near the World War I battlefields at Verdun, France,
twelve-year-old Terrence "O.B." O'Brien is torn between the popular boys on
the baseball team and a French boy they tease for being different.
Duffey, Betsy.
Cody Unplugged. 1999. Concerned that his television and video
habits have gotten out of hand, Cody's parents send him to Camp Bear where
he learns to experience real life rather than virtual reality.
Hey, New Kid. 1996. Third-grader Jeremy dreads going to a new
shcool when his family moves, so he decides to reinvent himself, hoping his
new classmates will be impressed. (Easy Fiction)
Utterly Yours, Booker Jones. 1995. Middle school student and
aspiring author Booker Jones is evicted from his bedroom when his
grandfather moves in, creating problems both at home and at school.
Easton, Kelly.
Trouble at Betts Pets. 2002. A number of changes are taking place
in a fifth-grader Aaron's life: business at the family pet shop is
declining, forcing his parents to consider selling the store: luxury
condominiums are going up on the land that houses a community garden,
displacing the eccentric old woman who resides there; and Aaron gets to know
his seemingly perfect classmate Sharon when she begins to tutor him in math.
Fine, Anne.
Up on Cloud Nine. 2002. While Stolly struggles to regain
consciousness in a hospital bed, Ian recalls some of their best and worst
times together as he writes a biography of his eccentric best friend.
Gaeddert, LouAnn Bigge.
Friends and Enemies. 2000. In 1941 in Kansas, as America enters
World War II, fourteen-year-old William finds himself alienated from his
friend Jim, a Mennonite who does not believe in fighting for any reason, as
they argue about the war.
Gantos, Jack.
Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth Grade. Jack's diary helps
him deal with all his problems which include dog-eating alligators,a terror
for an older sister, a younger brother who keeps breaking parts of himself,
and next-door neighbors who are really weird.
Garfield, James.
Follow My Leader. Jimmy feels his life is over when an exploding
firecracker leaves him blind, until his guide dog Leader helps him to do
things he never dreamed possible.
Gilson, Jamie.
Hello, My Name Is Scrambled Eggs. When his folks host a
Vietnamese family that has come to settle in their town, Harvey tries to
Americanize 12-year-old Tuan.
Gorman, Carol.
Dork in Disguise. Starting middle school in a new town, brainy
Jerry Flack changes his image fom "dork" to "cool kid" only to discover that
he would rather be himself.
Dork on the Run. Having reluctantly agreed to run for six-grade
president, Jerry, who has been trying to change his image as a dork, finds
his opponents playing dirty tricks on him.
Haas, Dan.
You Can Call Me Worm. Hoping to help their troubled father, who
has been sitting on his roof for several days, Worm and his older brother
set out from their mother's house on a trek across suburban Virginia.
Hershenhorn, Esther.
The Confe$$ion$ and $ecret$ of Howard J. Fingerhut. Fourth grade
entrepreneur Howard J. Fingerhut competes with his classmates to win the H.
Marion Muckley Junior Businessperson of the Year Contest and writes a book
about the experience.
Hicks, Betty.
I Smell Like Ham. Nick tries to maintain his sense of integrity
as he works to succeed on the school basketball team, adjust to his new
stepmother and "dorky" stepbrother, and deal with peer pressure from his
friends.
Honeycutt, Natalie.
The All New Jonah Twist. Jonah's efforts to survive the third
grade are complicated by the new boy in class, who has the potential for
either becoming a friend or beating him up.
The Best-Laid Plans of Jonah Twist. Busy third grader Jonah Twist
must endure giving a school report on elephant seals with the bossy Juliet
Fisher, while worrying that his new kitten may have eaten his older
brother's hamster. Sequel to "The All New Jonah Twist".
Hurwitz, Johanna.
The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein. Eight-year-old David is
convinced that his life will be more adventurous when he changes his name to
Ali Baba.
Aldo Peanut Butter. Peanut and Butter, the two dogs Aldo gets for
his eleventh birthday, create chaos inside the house while his parents are
out of town and get accused of tearing up the neighbor's lawn.
Ali Baba Bernstein, Lost and Found. Throughout a series of
adventures, ten-year-old David "Ali Baba" Bernstein spends most of his time
thinking about becoming a detective and getting a dog.
Class President. Julio hides his own leadership ambitions to help
another candidate win the nomination for class president.
Hurray for Ali Baba Bernstein. The further adventures and
misfortunes of nine-year-old Ali Baba Bernstein.
Much Ado about Aldo. Owing to a school project, 8-year-old Aldo
decides to give up eating meat.
Oh No, Noah. Noah struggles to impress the kids he meets when he
and his family move to a new house..
Russell and Elisa. Seven-year-old Russell and his three-year-old
sister Elisa have adventures with friends and family in their apartment
building.
Russell's Secret. When Russell decides to stay home from nursery
school and be a baby just like his new sister, he discovers that being
treated like a baby when you are a big boy is no fun at all. (PICTURE BOOK)
Jones, Jennifer B.
Dear Mrs. Ryan, You're Ruining My Life. In an effort to get his
mother to stop writing about him in her books, fifth-grader Harvey and his
best friend decide to try to make a romantic connection between her and
their school principal.
Germy in Charge. Sixth- grader Jeremy is elected as student
representative on the school board, but he finds that the job brings certain
complications and not as much power as he had expected.
Kehret, Peg.
The Stranger Next Door. A clever cat's heroism helps two
twelve-year-old boys become friends after their families, one of which is in
a witness-protection program, move to neighboring houses in Hilltop,
Washington.
Kline, Suzy.
Herbie Jones. Herbie's experiences in the third grade include
finding bones in the boy's bathroom, wandering away from his class on their
field trip, and being promoted to a higher reading group.
Herbie Jones and the Birthday Showdown. When Ray decides to throw
a party for his ninth birthday, in competition with another boy with the
same birthday and more money, he asks his best friend Herbie to help him
find an idea that is new, exciting and free.
Herbie Jones and the Class Gift. Disaster strikes when Annabelle
trusts Herbie Jones and Raymond with the job of picking u the class's gift
to their teachers.
Korman, Gordon.
Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall. Just as the headmaster of
Macdonald Hall is on the verge of retirement, a wave of practical jokes hits
the school, and roommates Bruno and Boots become prime suspects.
Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America. Eleven-year-old Max
Carmody has wanted to be a stand-up comedian since he was five, so when a
contest is held to find the "world's funniest kid," he goes through all
kinds of craziness to win.
Kornblatt, Marc.
Understanding Buddy. When a new classmate stops speaking because
of the sudden death of his mother, fifth grader Sam tries to befriend him
and risks destroying his relationship with his best friend Alex.
Laser, Michael.
6-321. Sixth grade in a public school in Queens brings many
changes into the life of Mark Chaikin, as he falls in love, deals with class
bullies, overcomes his fear of school, and faces his parents' divorce.
LeMieux, Anne C.
All the Answers. Failing algebra and being grounded for talking
back to his father are bad enough, but when he faces a beautiful new eighth
grader and her bullying twin brother, Jason is forced to take another look
at his life.
Levitin, Sonia.
Jason and the Money Tree. When 11-year-old Jason plants a money
tree, he finds himself in conflict with both the law and nature.
Lisle, Janet Taylor.
How I Became a Writer and Oggie Learned to Drive. As sixth-grader
Archie and his six-year-old brother Oggie shuttle back and forth between
their separated parents' two homes, Archie tries desperately to take care of
Oggie and to pretend that everything is normal.
Lowry, Lois.
All about Sam. The adventures of Sam, Anastasia Krupnik's younger
brother, from his first day as a newborn through his mischievous times as a
toddler.
Manes, Stephen.
Be a Perfect Person in Three Days.
Milo, tired with problems with his sister, parents, and classmates,
finds a book in the library which promises to make him perfect in just three
days.
Mead, Alice.
Junebug in Trouble. Despite having moved out of the rough housing
project where he grew up, ten-year-old Junebug continues to encounter crime,
gangs and violence.
Mills, Claudia.
You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman. Twelve-year-old Julius has
his hands full over the summer when his mother attempts to improve his
grades and teach him responsibility by signing him up for a French class and
getting him a job babysitting.
Moore, Martha.
Matchit. After his father leaves him with an old acquaintance in
Texas, a resentful twelve-year-old boy lives by an auto junkyard while
waiting for his father's return.
Myers, Laurie.
Surviving Brick Johnson. Afraid of getting maimed for making fun
of Brick, the husky new kid in his fifth-grade class, Alex decides that even
his baseball collection will not protect him, so he signs up for karate
class despite his little brother's reassurances that Brick is not a bully.
Myers, Walter Dean.
Handbook for Boys: A Novel. Sixteen-year-old Jimmy, on probation
for assault, talks about life with three senior citizens in a Harlem
barbershop and hears about the tools he can use to succeed in life.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.
The Boys Return. The Benson boys return to Buckman for spring
vacation and concoct a prank involving a non-existent ghost, continuing the
practical joke war between the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls.
Boys Rock!. The feud between the Hatford brothers and the
neighboring Malloy sisters continues over the summer when they reluctantly
join forces to publish a newspaper.
One of the Third Grade Thonkers. Ashamed of his wimpy younger
cousin, eight-year-old Jimmy is determined to keep him out of his club for
rough, tough, and terrible boys, until an accident involving Jimmy's father
demonstrates for him the true meaning of courage.
Olsson, Soren.
In Ned's Head. Eleven-year-old Ned, who prefers the name Treb,
uses his diary to record his wild thoughts about romance, school, and the
rest of his eventful life.
Park, Barbara.
Almost Starring Skinnybones. Irrepressible, 12-year-old Alex is
convinced that he will be a star and impress his friends when, as the winner
of a cat food essay contest, he is asked to make a commercial for national
television. (Sequel to "Skinnybones")
Skinnybones. Alex's active sense of humor helps him get along
with the school braggart, make the most of his athletic talents, and simply
get by in a hectic world.
Paulson, Gary.
The Amazing Life Of Birds: (the twenty-day puberty journal of Duane
Homer Leech). 2006. As twelve-year-old Duane endures the confusing and
humiliating aspects of puberty, he watches a newborn bird in a nest on his
windowsill begin to grow and become more independent, all of which he
records in his journal.
Peck, Richard.
Lost in Cyberspace. While dealing with changes at home,
sixth-grader Josh and his friend Aaron use the computer at their New York
prep school to travel through time, learning some secrets from the school's
past and improving Josh's home situation.
Peck, Robert Newton.
Soup. The adventures and misadventures of two boys growing up in
a small Vermont town.
Soup & Me. The further adventures of Soup and Rob.
Soup in the Saddle. Anticipating the celebration of Miss Kelly
Day in honor of the teacher of their one-room school in Learning, Vermont,
Soup and Bob save the day from certain catastrophe at the hands of Dr. Elsa
Pinkerton Uppit.
Soup on Wheels. Rob and Soup vie for the prize in their town's
"Vermont Mardy-Grah".
Petersen, P.J.
Can You Keep a Secret? Mike has a reputation for not being able
to keep a secret and he worries that he may reveal things that his
classmates do not want known--from a surprise party for one of the teachers
to a snake in a friend's desk.
Rockwell, Thomas.
How to Eat Fried Worms. Two boys set out to prove that fried
worms can make a delicious meal.
Roos, Stephen.
Recycling George. When twelve-year-old George's sister and
brother-in-law move out of their trailer park while George is at school,
leaving him behind, he moves in with a rich schoolmate and his family.
Rosen, Michael J.
Chaser: A Novel in E-mails. When his parents decide to move to an
old house in the country, Chase uses e-mail to his friends back in Columbus,
Ohio, and to his sister in college to help him deal with cicadas, deer
hunters, and other changes in his life.
Sachar, Louis.
There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom. An unmanageable but lovable
eleven-year-old misfit learns to believe in himself when he gets to know the
new school counselor, who is a sort of misfit, too. (Paperback)
Dogs don't Tell Jokes. Twelve-year-old Gary, known as Goon
because of his constant clowning and joke-telling, tries to change his image
and make new friends at school.
Saldana, Rene, Jr.
The Jumping Tree. Rey, a Mexican American living with his
close-knit family in a Texas town near the Mexican border, describes his
transition from boy to young man.
Salisbury, Graham.
Shark Bait. Twelve-year-old Mokes is torn between obeying his
father, the police chief in the small town of Kailua, Hawaii, and being with
his friends who plan to go see a fight between an island boy and a sailor.
Sargent, Sarah.
Weird Henry Berg.
Henry is determined to keep his unusual pet lizard despite his
mother's objections and the claims of a strange lady that his pet is really
a baby dragon.
Seidler, Tor.
Brothers Below Zero.
Having lived for years in the shadow of his younger, more talented
brother, middle schooler Tim takes painting lessons from his beloved
Great-aunt Winifred and discovers that he is a gifted artist.
Seuling, Barbara.
Robert and the Back-to-school Special.
The new school year gets off to a not-so-good start when Robert
gets a bad haircut, but things improve when his father helps him plan a
party for Halloween.
Robert Finds A Way.
Robert's parents and brother are always using the computer when he
needs it to research school projects, but eventually the family finds a way
to solve the problem. (Easy Fiction)
Sharmat, Marjorie.
Rich Mitch.
Eleven-year-old Mitch finds his life turns upside down after he
wins $250,000 in the Dazzle-Rama Sweepstakes.
Siebold, Jan.
Doing Time Online. After he is involved in a prank that led to an
elderly woman's injury, twelve-year-old Mitchell must make amends by
participating in a police program in which he chats online with a nursing
home resident.
Singer, Nicky.
Feather Boy. A timid, unpopular boy learns about courage, love, and
luck through a school project involving a strong-willed elderly woman, the
abandoned house where her son died, and the legend of the Firebird.
My
Robot Buddy.
For his 10th birthday, Danny wants a robot so he'll have soneone to
play with.
Smith, Robert Kimmel.
Jelly Belly. The fattest kid in the fifth grade wants to lose
weight, but not badly enough to starve.
Mostly Michael. Michael's diary reflects the ups and downs of his
eleventh year, as he copes with braces, troublesome relatives, a little
sister not yet potty-trained, the school play, and a big spelling bee.
The War with Grandpa. Upset that he has to give up the room that he
loves to his grandfather, Peter decides to declare war in an attempt to gain
it back. (Paperback)
Spinelli, Jerry.
Loser. Even though his classmates from first grade on have
considered him strange and a loser, Donald Zinkoff's optimism and
exhuberance and the support of his loving family do not allow him to feel
that way about himself.
Stenhouse, Ted.
A
Dirty Deed. When Will Samson's friend Arthur is harrassed for being
a Native Canadian, the two friends want revenge, and end up uncovering
several town secrets.
Tolan, Stephanie.
Surviving the Applewhites. Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is
sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's
Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he
had.
Wardlaw, Lee.
101 Ways to Bug Your Parents. When his parents call off the family
vacation and enroll their son in a creative writing class instead,
twelve-year-old Steve comes up with a wacky moneymaking project.
Weeks, Sarah.
Guy
Time. A humorous account of thirteen-year-old Guy's dealing with the
separation, and possible divorce, of his eccentric parents and with his own
newfound interest in girls.
Guy
Wire. When his best friend is seriously injured in a bike accident,
Guy recounts their first meeting and how the friendship grew despite the
weird antics of Guy's eccentric mother.
Willner-Pardo, Gina.
Jason and the Losers. Following his parents' divorce, a fifth-grader
goes to live with his aunt and uncle and attends a new school where he
changes some attitudes about friendship.
Winkler, David.
Scotty and the Gypsy Bandit. Twelve-year-old Scotty watches the
strange behavior of his friend and neighbor McStew turn their street into a
carnival and fears that it is changing his life in drastic ways.
Woods, Ron.
The
Hero. Despite his father's rules and his own fear of the water,
fourteen-year-old Jamie joins his older cousin in taking the raft they made
out onto the river, where a tragic accident leads Jamie to make the most
difficult decision of his life.
Yep, Laurence.
Dragonwings. A Chinese boy joins his father in San Francisco,
becomes involved in his father's dream of making a flying machine, and
experiences the San Francisco earthquake and fire.
Skunk Scout. Teddy is not thrilled with the present his uncle gives
him for his tenth birthday--a camping trip for him and his younger
brother--but on his first outing away from San Francisco's Chinatown, Teddy
learns some interesting facts about nature, about his uncle, and about
himself.
05/06
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