The tween years are wonderful for boys. They’re finally able to read on their own, but it’s also wonderful to spend time reading a novel together. We’ve gathered together our 10 favourite series for tween boys to inspire a whole world of exploration – for him and for you.
1. Harry Potter
You’d have to be living on another planet not to have heard of the young wizard Harry Potter. Harry’s story is told in a series of nine fantasy novels by JK Rowling, and it covers his adventures with friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story is of Harry’s struggle against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard.
Buy Harry Potter here
2. The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
Tween boys will love immersing themselves in Middle Earth with JRR Tolkien’s classic masterpiece, telling the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits’ epic encounters with Galdalf, Gollum, dragons and monsters, in the quest to destroy the One Ring. These books became instant classics when they were published, and they remain so today, having sold over 150 million copies around the world.
Buy The Hobbin/Lord of the Rings here
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This massive series of 25 books is a fun illustrated story of Greg Heffley, who finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings like him have th share the hallways with taller, meaner boys who are already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings in a hilarious manner as Greg records them in his diary.
Buy Diary of a Wimpy Kid here
4. The Hunger Games
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel, and it keeps the districts in line by forcing each of them to send one boy and one girl to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Not for the faint-hearted, this dystopian tale will thrill tween boys keen for adventure.
Buy The Hunger Games here
5. The Mysterious Benedict Society
Dozens of children respond to a peculiar ad in the newspaper and are put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. They will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. A fun adventure for tween boys who love puzzles!
Buy The Mysterious Benedict Society here
6. Encylopedia Brown, Boy Detective
Ten year old Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown is the Idaville neighbourhood’s star detective. With an uncanny knack for trivia, he solves mysteries for the neighbourhood kids thorugh his own detective agency. But his dad also happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps his dad solve the most baffling crimes. With ten mysteries in each book, the reader is given all the clues they need to solve the mysteries along with Encyclopedia. Lots of fun and problem solving.
Buy Encyclopedia Brown here
7. Underland Chronicles
When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats and cockroaches coexist with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor’s arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland’s uncertain future. Gregor just wants to go home, until he realises it’s the only way to solve his father’s disappearance. This series is a dark adventure and mystery that young boys are sure to love.
Buy Underland Chronicles here
8. The Chronicles of Narnia
This seven book series has enchanted millions of readers over the past 50 years, and the magical events in CS Lewis’s immortal stories have left many a lasting memory for adults and children alike. Follow siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they discover the land beyond the wardrobe, meet Aslan the Great Lion, and go on a series of iconic adventures.
Buy The Chronicles of Narnia here
9. Henry Huggins
Genuinely funny books for children are few and far between, but this series for 8-12 year old boys is pure joy. During one unforgettable year that begins when Henry discovers a lost, hungry dog he calls Ribsy, readers follow his adventures. They’ll meet Henry’s friend Beezus and his little sister Ramona, and enjoy lots of funny tales. An engaging and heartwarming classic.
Buy Henry Huggins here
10. I Survived
When disaster strikes, heroes are made. This clever collection of stories by Lauren Tarshis brings historys’ most exciting and terrifying events to live in a thrilling series. Readers will be transported to amazing true stories from history – including hurricanes, bombings, shark attacks and sinking ships – told by kids who survived them.
1 Comment
The Rangers Apprentice is an awesome series too. My reluctant readers devoured Harry Potter and couldn’t find anything next. The series is by an Australian author, John Flanagan. Now I find it hard to keep up with them and have to ensure we have the next book ready on library request!