Read With Boys—Ideas for All Ages!
For Boys Reading Chapter Books
It's the 50th anniversary of James and the Giant Peach! Come celebrate and join James Trotter and his friends - Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider - on an adventure inside a giant magical peach.
Have your boys help roll Jamess giant peach around the world! To find out more visit www.followthatpeach.com.
For activities, discussion questions, ideas for celebrating Roald Dahl Month (September) and more download the Roald Dahl guide!
For similar titles, visit the chapter grade listing.
For Boys Reading Middle Grade Books
Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm (and Grimm-inspired) fairy tales. An irreverent, witty narrator leads us through encounters with witches, warlocks, dragons, and the devil himself. As the siblings roam a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind the famous tales, as well as how to take charge of their destinies and create their own happily ever after. Because once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.
Download the discussion guide! .
For similar titles, visit the middle grade listing.
For Boys Reading Chapter Books
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
For similar titles, visit the Young Adult book listing.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Get a group together. You can use your school library, local library, or bookstore as a place to find interested boys and as a place to meet.
Choose books. It's important to give an idea of what might be read in the book club—include some suggestions, but make it clear that the boys will be able to have some control over what will be picked.
Arrange meeting times. Sometimes, a group will be able to read a whole book before the meeting, but it can be a good motivator to meet up more often and discuss parts of the book weekly rather than all at once monthly.
Organize the discussion. Will you lead the discussion? Will the boys take turns leading or figure out questions in groups? Figure out what you want to do as a group.
CHOICE: Let the kids in your group feel like they have control over the group. The more that's left up to them, the more they'll be invested in its success!
INTEREST: Make sure that you're engaging the interest of the kids in your group. Pay attention to what they get excited about discussing and to what they like reading so you can guide them to more of the same!
CONNECTIONS: A lot of kids will get a lot more out of a book when they can make a connection between what they're reading and something else—magazine articles, websites, and other books are all ways to provide interesting links and show that books are relevant!
COMPETITION: When you add elements of competition to a book club, it can draw in kids who might not be reading otherwise—seeing who can finish a book first, answering trivia about the book, or participating in activities around the book's themes.
ROLE MODELS: Having male mentors can help increase boys' interest in reading—whether it's a teacher, a guest, or the authors of the books you're reading! Check out our author feature section for some great examples.
