I am trying VERY hard to post more often. I found this linky that is perfect for me. Thank you "Swimming in Second" for this fun linky. Best Books for Boys Linky Party (Click here to link up) I work part time as a children's library reference assistant on weekends. Every librarian has a few go-to books for reluctant readers. Most of the time, those readers are boys. I usually try to offer some books that are part of a series. That way, if they like one...they might keep reading more. Here are a couple of my go-to books for boys.
The Hank Zipzer series. There are 17 books in this series. These are written by non other than Henry Winkler (The Fonz). Lexile 610 Suggested grade: 2nd and up.
For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragraphs? Hank comes up with a plan: instead of writing what he did on vacation, he'll show what he did. But when Hank's "living essay" becomes a living disaster, he finds himself in detention. Strangely enough, however, detention ends up becoming a turning point in his life
Inspired by his own experiences with undiagnosed dyslexia, actor/director Henry Winkler presents this new series about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a fourth-grader with learning differences. When Hank Zipzer has to write an essay on what he did over the summer, he decides instead to "show" what he did.
Description by Barnes and Noble
Snakes by Nic Bishop (One of many nature books written and photographed by Nic Bishop)
Lexile 1050
YIKES!!! Join naturalist Nic Bishop for a closer look at scaly, scary snakes!
Snakes are scaly, scary, silent predators. They use powerful venom or crushing strength to overwhelm their victims. Then they swallow them whole!
With breathtaking full-page images, Sibert Medal-winning photographer Nic Bishop introduces the terrifying and beautiful world of snakes. The simple, engaging text presents both basic information and captivating details about the appearance, habits, and remarkable abilities of these amazing reptiles. An index and glossary are included, along with an author's note detailing his research and the fun stories behind the photographs
Description by Barnes and Noble. 
The Gregor the Overlander Series. Written by Suzanne Collins. (She wrote the Hunger Games)
Lexile: 630 Age range: 8 and up.
This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny -- and find his father -- in a strange world beneath New York City.
When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.
When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.
Description by Barnes and Noble
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Lexile 1020 Suggested age: 9 and up.
On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engine plane crashes. His body battered, his clothes in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness.
More than a survival story, Hathcet is a tale of tough decisions. When all is stripped down to the barest essentials, Brian discovers some stark and simple truths: Self-pity doesn't work. Despair doesn't work. And if Brian is to survive physically as well as mentally, he must discover courage.After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Description by Barnes and Noble.
I've never had a bad review on ANY of these books for boys.
Happy Reading!
