Sometimes it’s hard to get boys interested in reading. They have so many distractions in their lives today. Hopefully, one of these great books for tween boys and girls (as well as adults), will spark an interest.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
The series contains 13 books. It is a mixture of comic-style pictures and writing.
These were the books that first got my son to show an interest in reading. At first glance, I wasn’t a fan. I am not a comic reading person; However, these books are FUNNY. I read them with my kids and often laughed out loud.
The first 2 books were made into movies. They were pretty good.
Description: The story of a 12-year-old boy named Greg Heffley who is going from elementary school to middle school and trying to figure out how to be popular.
Link to the official Diary of a Wimpy Kid site
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The Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann
The series contains 7 books, and if you really like it, there is another series with 4 more books.
These were fun books that my son at age 10 did not want to put down. I also read them and thoroughly enjoyed them. 👍
Official Description: Every year in Quill, 13-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are “purged”.
On the day of the Purge, identical twins Alex and Aaron Stowe await their fate. While Aaron is hopeful of becoming a Wanted, Alex knows his chances are slim. He’s been caught drawing with a stick in the dirt-and being creative is a death sentence.
But when Alex and the other Unwanteds face the Eliminators, they are handed over to an eccentric magician named Mr. Today and his hidden world that exists to save the “unwanted” children. Mr. Today lives in Artimé which is a wonderful place with artistic magic, interesting creatures and where creativity is considered a gift.
The Unwanted Site by Lisa McMann for more information
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Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (1988)
Photo Credit: City Pages, the 3 covers of Hatchet over the years Link to City Pages article
Newbery Honor-winning book and also nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.
This is a small book (192 pages) with a big story about survival. I read this with my son, and we both loved it. He was so interested in the story and had so many questions. I think we both learned so much from this book. There were also teacher style questions at the end of the book to further get you thinking: “If you were stranded in the woods, what would you want to have with you?” … 👍
Official Description: 13-year-old Brian Robeson’s parents have just divorced. Brian is traveling by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian. He is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him. At first, consumed by despair and self-pity, Brian slowly learns survival skills—how to make a shelter for himself, how to hunt and fish, how to make a fire. When Brian is finally rescued after fifty-four days, he emerges from his ordeal with new patience and maturity, and a greater understanding of himself and his parents.
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Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Photo Credit: Rick Riordan
There are 5 books in this series. The first book is “The Lightning Thief” (2006). These books are filled with greek mythological characters.
My 4 kids and I all loved these books, and couldn’t put them down. Most of my kids also had to read book one in school. I have to say that I loved all 5 of these books. I highly recommend them for boys and girls (and moms) ages 10 and up. 👍
The first 2 books were made into movies. We felt the movies were disappointing when compared to the books
Official Description: “The Lightning Thief”: 12-year-old Percy Jackson is on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the USA to catch a thief who has stolen Zeus’ master lightning bolt. Along the way, he faces many mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.
Link to Official Percy Jackson site
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Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
These are the only books on this page that I didn’t read. However, my son loved them. I just can’t explain it …. 
This was also made into a movie that my son loved. It’s on Netflix currently
Official Description: Two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.
