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I’ve had a couple of people message me for book recommendations for boys. I asked my eleven and thirteen year olds what some of their favorite books are or have been in recent years. These books have our approval but I’d still encourage you as the parent to make sure you are okay with them. Leave your favorites in the comments! (I’ve linked each book title to Amazon for your convenience. These are not affiliate links or anything, just wanted to make it easy for you to find them! They should also be available through your local library.)
FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. (This is a personal favorite of mine. I can’t say enough good things about this one. Read it!)
Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
White Fang by Jack London
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Jim Kjelgaard books (I had so much trouble getting into them but one of my sons devoured them)
FANTASY
Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Steelheart Brandon Sanderson
Beyonders by Brandon Mull
Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
ADVENTURE
Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz (My 13 year old said it’s a little violent.)
39 Clues by Rick Riordan
The Last of the Breed Louis L’Amour (One son just discovered him and has been reading up a storm.)
Theodore Boone by John Grisham
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
Holes by Louis Sachar
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Far North by Will Hobbs
Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat
The Giver by Lois Lowry
HISTORICAL
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
COMICS
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
TinTin by Hergé
They are both fretting because they know they forgot some of their favorites. And you know how horrible it is to leave out a favorite book, it’s like leaving a friend out. If you ever need more suggestions let us know. Everyone in this house reads like crazy.
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I am reading the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and it is great. I think I will get a copy for each one of our married children, as it should be mandatory reading. I have heard you reference it before, Rachel, but it is the best.
I’m not sure my boys would care for it yet but it is a great book.
No, I agree, it really would not be appreciated before one is married. Guess I was not very clear about that. Sorry.
i love all book recommendations!
Where the Red Fern Grows… I don’t know if a book has ever caused me to cry as much as that one!
I read it as a kid and bawled. Then when I was first married I found out my husband had never read it so we read it together. We both sobbed. And now I’ve sobbed reading it to my kids. The messages are so beautifully woven in though that it’s worth every tear!
Series my boys love –
Christian Fantasy:
The Door Within Trilogy, by Wayne Thomas Batson
The Michael Vey series, by Richard Paul Evans
Secular Fantasy:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, by Rick Riordon
The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon book series), by Christopher Paolini