Learning to read is a thrilling achievement, but not every kid blossoms into a bibliophile. Boys are often reluctant readers, and I’m often asked by their parents to suggest books that are especially appealing to guys. In general, boys gravitate toward male themes, especially stories that feature a hero or historical character whose exploits were "really true." Humor (especially the kind that makes Mom cringe) is always a hit with boys — even some adult boys I know — and, of course, books that cater to a particular sport or hobby or music genre can do the trick.  Below are some of my favorites, along with titles that my friends at the Scholastic Book Fairs tell me are especially popular. Even if your son is reading on his own, make a point of reading together or reading to him; Nick and I spent a wonderful August reading Phillip Pullman’s "His Dark Materials" series.  We still talk about those wonderful books. 

• Nic Bishop Spiders and Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop
• The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
• The Julian Rodriquez series by Alexander Stadler
• The Big One Oh by Dean Pitchford
• The Calvin and Hobbes comics by Bill Watterson
• The Magic Pickle series by Scott Morse
• The Geronimo Stilton graphic novel series
• The Fly Guy books by Tedd Arnold
• Summer Ball by Mike Lupica
• Sports series by Matt Christopher
• The Tiki & Rhonde Barber books, such as Kickoff and Go Long
• The Simpsons comics by Matt Groening
• The Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
• The Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

• The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
• The Bone graphic novel series by Jeff Smith
• The Schooling Around series by Andy Griffiths
• The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
• The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
• The 39 Clues series
• The Oliver Nocturne series by Kevin Emerson
• The Gregor series by Suzanne Collins
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• The Road Weenies and Campfire Weenies books by David Lubar

• The His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Football Hero, Football Champ, and Baseball Great by Tim Green
• Surface Tension by Brent Runyon
• Jack Tumor by Anthony McGowan
• The Daniel X series