Literature For Boys

Ok, here's a list of books I read as a kid. Each was written in the last fifty years. I also recommend any of the classics, particularly the science fiction novels of H.G. Wells and Charles Dickens' stuff. Most of these should appeal to boys between the ages of eight and sixteen. Of course, this is just an estimate. It all depends upon your child's reading level. Heck, adults like these, as well.


1. The Call of the Wild and White Fang, by Jack London: Both tell stories of adventure in the Arctic from the viewpoints of dogs.

2. Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell: The story of a young Indian girl fighting for survival on an island, all alone. Similar in some ways to Robinson Crusoe.

3. Call it Courage, by Armstrong Sperry: A boy enters a rite of passage in a game of life and death on the sea.

4. Sounder and its sequel, Sour Land, by William H. Armstrong: The first book tells of a black sharecropper's son and his relationship with his dog, during the Great Depression. The second book deals with the boy as an old man who is a positive influence on a white family.

5. The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien: Most folks are familiar with this book, about Bilbo Baggins, a magic ring, and Middle-Earth. A prequel to The Lord of the Rings.

6. The Tripods Series, consisting of When the Tripods Came, The White Mountains, The Pool of Fire, and The City of Gold and Lead, by John Christopher: A story of alien invasion, and several children and adults facing its aftermath.

7. The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford: Two dogs and a cat travel a long distance for a reunion with their owners.

8. The Prydain Chronicles, consisting of The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King, by Lloyd Alexander: Assistant pig-keeper Taran's road to manhood, set in the mythical world of Prydain. Fans of Narnia and Middle-Earth will love this one.

9. The Chronicles of Narnia, consisting of The Magician's Nephew, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader", The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis: The amazing adventures of a group of children in the land of Narnia. A Christian allegory.

10. Down the Long Hills, by Louis L'Amour: A western about a young boy, his sister, and their horse, lost in the wilderness after a wagon train massacre. I defy anyone to not be touched by this book. In fact, almost any novel by this author is an excellent read.


I could write a book listing nothing but great fiction for boys, but I'll stop, here. I believe this list makes an excellent starting point.