| Boys don't read - hundreds of reports and newspaper | | | | maps and secret clues. The story is somewhat |
| articles have made that clear.The mantra of the | | | | complex, which might make it more suitable to readers |
| literary community is to just get boys to read anything, | | | | 10 and up; it's lots of fun, however, and there's never a |
| even the back of a cereal box.This message ignores | | | | dull moment. It's also a very beautiful book. You might |
| the fact that literacy is not the real problem. Boys can | | | | need to pay a bit more, but your boy will like the |
| read - they just choose not to. The dumbing-down of | | | | look-and-feel.6. Touchdown Pass, Clair |
| literature will not solve the problem of boys not reading. | | | | Bee.Touchdown Pass introduces readers to one of |
| We need to inculcate a love of reading. Let's not lower | | | | the great characters in American fiction - Chip Hilton. |
| the bar and endorse mediocrity. Let's raise it. Are you | | | | Clair Bee wrote the Chip Hilton series in the fifties and |
| happy when your kid is reading a comic book? Or | | | | early sixties. This is the first book. Under no |
| would you prefer he bury his nose in Tom | | | | circumstances buy the new edition - stick with the |
| Sawyer?Below is a list of great books every boy | | | | original. You won't find the original in book stores. Go to |
| should read before they're a teenager - books that will | | | | or the used book section of or Barnes & Noble, and it's |
| capture his imagination and motivate his to read more. | | | | easy to find (and cheap). A bit Pollyanna in tone, and |
| It's a mix of old and new, and guaranteed to get a big | | | | perhaps dated, Clair Bee practically invented the genre |
| thumbs up.1. Chasing VermeerA terrific action and | | | | of the sports series.7. Hockey Stories, Leslie |
| mystery story surrounding the disappearance of a | | | | McFarlaneLeslie McFarlane was the best-selling author |
| priceless work of art. Two kids find themselves at the | | | | of many of the Hardy Boys books. He wrote these |
| centre of an international art scandal. Boys will be | | | | stories in the 1930s, and they have just been |
| drawn to the story's dramatic conclusion, as the | | | | re-released. The tone and terminology are slightly |
| heroes solve a crime that left the FBI baffled.2. Tiger, | | | | dated, but the themes are timeless . All the short |
| Jeff Stone.Five young monks in China, trained by a | | | | stories have a quirky, humorous side that makes them |
| kung-fu master, are forced to flee the safety of the | | | | fun and worthy of a read. This one is suitable for |
| temple to find some secret scrolls. Each monk has | | | | younger boys, even strong-reading eight-year olds.8. |
| mastered a different form of fighting, all of which | | | | Tarzan of the Apes, Edgar Rice BurroughsWho hasn't |
| comes in handy as they battle their way closer and | | | | heard of this one? Yet, it's not easy to find in |
| closer to their goal. Tiger is full of action, but also | | | | bookstores. This is the first of a series. The rest of the |
| speaks to such issues as self-reliance, friendship, | | | | Tarzan books are definitely B-list material. This one is |
| loyalty, and truthfulness. The author does a fine job of | | | | not. It's a magnificent book - compelling and exciting. |
| incorporating Chinese culture, an element that many | | | | The romance elements are vague enough to be |
| boys will be attracted to.3. Huck Finn and Tom | | | | appropriate for any kid. The length suggests a reader |
| Sawyer.I have included these two masterful tales from | | | | who is 10+.9. HolesA young boy, wrongly accused of |
| Mark Twain as a single entry, but each deserves its | | | | stealing, is sent to a youth detention centre. He is |
| own spot. Tom Sawyer is the lighter of the two, | | | | forced to dig holes in the ground, along with his fellow |
| although the book's ending involves an accused | | | | inmates, supposedly to build character. Instead, the evil |
| murderer whom Tom confronts in a cave. Carefree | | | | warden is using the kids to find a priceless treasure. |
| adventures are combined with humour and drama to | | | | This is a story about friendship and loyalty, and the |
| make it a perfect read for any boy. You might want to | | | | character development is noteworthy. It is also a major |
| wait until your son is 10 or 11 before you introduce | | | | motion picture (not as good as the book!)10. Off the |
| Huck Finn. Huck drifts down the Mississippi with Jim, a | | | | Crossbar, David SkuyPerhaps this is a biased entry, |
| run-away slave. Again, action, adventure, and humour | | | | since it is my own. The main character is Charlie |
| are combined, this time against the backdrop of | | | | Joyce, a boy who arrives in a new town after the |
| American slavery. Tom Sawyer makes a guest | | | | tragic death of his father. A terrific hockey player, he |
| appearance.4. The Time Machine, H.G. Wells.Younger | | | | tries out for the school team. This marks the beginning |
| readers will miss the subtleties of this classic allegory | | | | of his troubles, as some of the kids don't want the |
| of time travel and the decay of English society. They | | | | 'new kid' to play. It's full of fast-paced action, climaxing |
| will certainly love reading about the Morlocks, the | | | | in a hockey tournament. Charlie battles - on and off |
| subterranean descendants of the working class, and | | | | the ice - first for a spot on the team, and then to keep |
| the Eloi, the simple-minded representatives of the | | | | everything together, as infighting and rivalries threaten |
| bourgeoisie. Wells was a master storyteller, and his | | | | to destroy the team's chances. A book for boys who |
| clear, easy style make this book very accessible. Boys | | | | love sports.David Skuy is the author of "Off the |
| won't put this one down, as they learn, along with the | | | | Crossbar," a sports novel for boys. You can visit his |
| time traveler, the truth about London's strange | | | | website at He is a popular lecturer, speaking to kids |
| inhabitants.5. Operation Red Jericho, Joshua Mowill.This | | | | and parent groups on the importance of literacy and |
| book is written as a spy-journal, with lots of detailed | | | | sports for children. |