One of the most asked questions that I get as a librarian is for book suggestions for upper elementary and early middle school boys. Though the main character of each of these books is a tween or teen boy, girls absolutely will enjoy these books also. Grade levels listed are recommendations.
Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff
Seven months ago, Trent hit a hockey puck during a pickup game that hit a fellow student in the chest. The boy had an undiagnosed heart condition that caused him to die. Trent feels responsible and goes through the stages of grief throughout the book. He has to realize that sometimes we are a lot harder on ourselves than the world is. There are two curse words used at the beginning of the book. Grades 5-8
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Thirteen-year-old Brian is on his way to visit his father when his plane crashes. He finds himself alone in the wilderness and has to survive with what he has on hand. Grades 6-10
Jungle of Bones by Ben Mikaelson
When Dylan, a seventh grader, gets arrested after a late night joy ride, his mother has had enough and calls his uncle to take him back to Oregon with him. His Uncle Todd takes Dylan to Papua New Guinea to search for a WWII fighter plane that Dylan’s grandfather crash landed. Nobody has ever been able to find the Second Ace but they are going to try despite the hardships the jungle will throw at them. Grades 5-8
Peak by Roland Smith
Fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello gets caught trying to scale a New York City skyscraper. Little does Peak know, he is given the opportunity to put those climbing skills to the test on Mount Everest. Peak will encounter the dangers of climbing and learn something about himself along the way. The book shares many of the hardships of Mount Everest including the deaths of many climbers. Children who love this book will want to read the sequel, The Edge. Grades 6-9
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider, 14 years old, loses his uncle to a car accident. At least that is what they told him. He discovers that isn’t the case and is pulled into his uncle’s undercover world. Grades 5-9
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
This book never hits the shelves of our library. As soon as someone returns it, another student is asking us to get it out of the drop box. 10-year-old August has a facial deformity that causes other people to avoid him. After being homeschooled, he enters a school for his 5th grade year where he has to learn to cope with many different situations. Grades 5-8
Jennifer Close is a teacher librarian and travel blogger. In 2012, her family left the beaches of Pensacola, Florida for the mountains of Denver, Colorado. She likes to read, craft and look for adventures with her children and you can find her at Two Kids and a Map.
Author: Mile High Mamas
