While waiting to speak to this new mom, ironically enough to ask if they needed any books, another friend stopped me to ask about my recommendations for books for boys. She and several friends are doing a summer book club with their somewhat reluctant readers, middle-schoolish age boys. For those who know me, this is one of my favorite questions to be asked. Because there are so many resources for this, my answers can sometimes send you scrambling for a pad of paper and pen. I decided to gather my rambling thoughts here.
Resources for Parents:
Institute for Excellence in Writing's free gifts page includes a recommended reading list for "boys and other children who would rather make forts all day." In their Magalog on pages 16-17, viewable online here, you can download the talk (for free!) that inspired this reading list.
Center for Lit, Teaching the Classics, is my hands-down favorite seminar for learning how to talk about books with your kids. http://IEW.com/TCS
Deconstructing Penguins, by Lawrence and Mary Goldstone, provides specific guidelines on how to have a book club with your children. It also provides some additional ideas and concepts in literary analysis. Plus, it's just plain fun to read if you love books.
Sarah Mackenzie's blog and podcast. She's fun to listen to, down to earth, and has an awesome booklist available here: Read Aloud Revival
My go-to list for summer reading--a beach reading list for kids. These are books that aren't twaddle, extremely educational, or offensive: http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool/resources/summer/
Ok, so now for the important part-those books for boys. Before I give you my recommendations, a fellow West Michigan homeschooling mom (whose sons are on my son's basketball team) has put together a great list of books for boys. 20 Recommended Books for Tweens (Favorites of My Boys)
My top 10 books:
A Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin
We recently read this adapted version of Pilgrim's Progress, and my kids didn't want me to stop at the end of each chapter. A great book for discussion and introducing your children to a classic.
A Father's Promise by Donna Hess
This is one of my favorite World War II books because, while it treats Hitler and his invasion of Poland with realism, it ends with hope and redepmtion
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Classic story of American history and survival
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
I loved reading this aloud to all my kids, and the language is challenging, so it might be a better read aloud or audio book than one to hand to your son, especially a reluctant reader.
Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil
Fond memories surround this book as it was one of the first ones I read aloud to Nathanael when we began home schooling officially (1st grade). It's an great summer beach read for boys, if there is a such a thing.
Louis Zamperini:Redemption by Janet and Geoff Benge
My nine-year old son, who isn't a voracious reader by any stretch, finished this in less than a week and has reread it at least twice.
The Green Ember by S. D. Smith -- Rabbits with swords-what else can I say ?
The 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson
For those who like somewhat scary stories.
The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley (I know this has two girls on the cover, but both my boys laughed out loud while reading this when they thought no one noticed them picking up their sisters' book.)
Dragons in our Midst series by Bryan Davis
