Middle Readers: As my sister pointed out, you cannot have a "guys read" list without Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I love this book and so do the boys in my library. I get asked weekly when I am going to have the third book. This book is never on my shelves.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan The first title in this series is The Lightning Thief and this is a series with a great hook.
- Among the Hidden series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This is a series about the Shadow Children (illegal third child). Very popular. She also has a new series, the first books came out in the fall and is titled Found. Ty and I loved this book and can't wait for the second to be published.
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini. I am sure you all know the story - fantasy story written by a 15 year old homeschooled boy (published when he was 18). His third book came out in October and I still have not given it to everyone on my waiting list (and I have two copies!) Tyler is currently listening to the unabridged version on CD and loves it.
- I Witness series by Avi ( an all time favorite author of mine). Iron Thunder and Hard Gold are two books in this series. Iron Thunder is set during the civil war and Hard Gold during the Colorado gold rush. But honestly, you can't go wrong with anything by Avi.
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Seriously now, you would have been disappointed if I had not added this. Again, anything by Gary Paulsen is a good choice for boys.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I checked this book out to a student the same day I cataloged it, and it was returned on Monday. The reader and her mother had both read it over the weekend and loved it. I checked it out again with the same result, so I brought it home and read it myself. I also read it in one weekend - handed it off to Ty, he stayed up late for nights trying to finish this book. Because of the ending, we are assuming a second book will follow. This has great plot twists, action and an unexpected ending. Warning: contains some violence.
High School - adult readers:
- The Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead (again, remember this author) The first book in this series is titled Hood. The third book is due out in February and Lawhead fans are counting the days. Lawhead is a prolific author and very popular in my library. He has several series that I can't seem to keep on the shelves
- The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker. Black is the first book in this series. Last year, I gave it to a high school senior who claimed to have made it four years without reading a book. I am not sure if that was entirely true, but he was definitely more into football, rodeo and girls. He needed a book for a book project and decided to "actually try reading one this time" - I gave him Black and not only did he read this book but read the whole series. His mom bought him the series and thanked me with tears in her eyes. Almost brings tears to mine thinking of him sitting in the comfy chair by the window. . . READING!!! I love success! Dekker is also a prolific author with a wide range of genres and action packed books.
- Elvis Cole novels by Robert Crais. Confession: I love Robert Crais books. They are a great choice for boys who don't like to read. Fast plots, lots of action, a strong hero (Southern CA PI) and a mysterious, loyal friend named Joe Pike. Warning: these books contain language and some violence, but I have not had a high school boy return one unread yet.
- Books by Jeff Shaara ( and his dad, Michael). These are great historical fiction. He has a series about WWII (The Rising Tide) that is a wonderful choice for history buffs.
- Horatio Hornblower series by Forester. I had a student asking for books set during the Napoleonic Wars and was thrilled (okay, I was thrilled after a panicked phone call to Lance. I mean honestly, do you know any books set during this time period?) to be able to recommend this series. Lance and my dad are big fans of these books.
Once again, I got a little carried away. My mind is racing. I tell you what - guys read. . . This is so only a partial list. More to come. . .