Books For All Kinds Of Boys

by Sarah Hagger-Holt
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6 books
These contemporary children’s books, for pre-teen and early teen readers, have main characters who are boys, but you won’t find any stereotypes here. These boys are brave and brilliant, caring and confused, they make mistakes and they make friends, and they solve mysteries, including the mystery of discovering yourself.
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King of Nothing

A hilarious and heartwarming teen comedy!
Nathanael Lessore, 2024
Anton and his mates think they are the kings of the school, but to everyone else, they are just bullies. Anton’s growing friendship out of school with Matthew, ‘the biggest loser in his class’, forces him to decide who his real friends are and what he really wants out of life. This book gently and realistically challenges toxic masculinity. I also found it unbelievably funny, with brilliant use of language.

When the Sky Falls

Phil Earle, 2022
Joseph is angry with everyone and everything, especially with his parents for sending him to London to live with the unfriendly Mrs. F during World War II. It’s painful to see how Joseph constantly allows his anger and hurt to get in the way of his own happiness. Yet, as the bombs fall during the blitz, Joseph finds himself building a very unusual friendship - with a gorilla in London Zoo. It sounds bizarre, but it works. This gripping book is packed with action, emotion, twists and drama. And it made me sob.

Twitch

M. G. Leonard, 2021
Twitch is a bird watcher and nature lover. He’s also brave, loyal and not afraid to be different. Jack is the class bully. The two boys end up joining forces and enlisting a whole team to solve a mystery and catch a thief. It’s a book full of excitement and wonder about the natural world. I love books that show children it’s okay, in fact it’s brilliant, to be excited about your hobbies and passions. If you enjoy ‘Twitch’, there are three more books about his adventures to follow.

A Monster Calls

Patrick Ness, 2020
This book is a classic. Conor’s mum is dying and he doesn’t know how to cope. Neither do the people around him. Conor somehow summons a terrifying monster, who is both real and unreal, who tells him the stories he needs to survive. This book is not an easy read, but it is absolutely compelling, and for children facing grief, it will ring true and will bring healing.

Boy, Everywhere

A. M. Dassu, 2021
AM Dassau is a genius at writing about teenage and pre-teen boys, capturing their friendships, their concerns, and how they speak. All her books also seek to bring understanding and empathy, showing people who may seem different from us share a common humanity. In this one, Sami and his family flee Syrian conflict and end up in the UK after a traumatic journey, but their problems are far from over when they finally arrive. This book is so powerful because Sami is so ordinary despite the extraordinary circumstances he is caught up in.

Just Like Everyone Else

Sarah Hagger-Holt, 2023
This is one of mine! 12-year-old Aidan is the oldest in a large family, embarrassed by his loud and oversharing parents. He feels most at home running on the hills near his home. When his mum agrees to be a surrogate for a gay male couple, Aidan starts questioning his own sexuality and what it means to be gay and learns how to trust others by showing his true personality.