Read Aloud Chapter Books for Boys

These ten chapter books (and book series) are not only fun for boys, but great for reading aloud!

1. “The Boxcar Children” by Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Boxcar Children books follow orphaned siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. They make a home for themselves in a boxcar they find in the forest. After a while, they find their rich grandfather, who invites the children to live with him in his home. Many mysteries follow the Boxcar Children. Great wholesome and engaging stories!

2. “Sugar Creek Gang” by Paul Hutchens

The Sugar Creek Gang books are Christian-themed mysteries. The series is based in Indiana and named for the actual Sugar Creek. The stories follow a boy’s adventures with his six brothers as they grow up.

3. “The Hardy Boys” by Franklin W. Dixon

The Hardy Boys books follow two boys, Frank and Joe Hardy, as they unlock mysteries and become detectives. There are many, many books in this classic series.

4. “The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks“It’s Omri’s birthday, but all he gets from his best friend, Patrick, is a little plastic Indian brave. Trying to hide his disappointment, Omri puts the Indian in a metal cupboard and locks the door with a mysterious skeleton key that once belonged to his great-grandmother. Little does Omri know that by turning the key, he will transform his ordinary plastic Indian into a real live man from an altogether different time and place! Omri and the tiny warrior called Little Bear could hardly be more different, yet soon the two forge a very special friendship. Will Omri be able to keep Little Bear without anyone finding out and taking his precious Indian from him?”

5. “How to Train Your Dragon” by Cressida Cowell“Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was a truly extraordinary viking hero. Warrior chieftain, awesome sword-fighter, and amateur naturalist, he was known throughout Vikingdom as ‘the Dragon Whisperer,’ on account of his amazing power over these terrifying beasts, but it wasn’t always like that.”

6. “Harry Potter” by J.K. RowlingThe Harry Potter books follow the life of a young boy, after whom the books are named. Harry finds out he is a wizard after living with Muggles (non-magical people) his whole life, and embarks on an adventure to Hogwarts (the school for magical people, aka, witches and wizards). He soon becomes friends with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, also students at Hogwarts. The main plotline is about Harry’s struggles with Lord Voldemort--the main villain, who intends to take over the wizarding world as well as the Muggle world. Infused with wit, character, mystery, fantasy, friendship, and more.

7. “Redwall” by Brian Jacques“Redwall Abbey, tranquil home to a community of peace-loving mice is threatened by Cluny the Scourge-- the evil-one-eyed rat warlord -- and his battle-hardened horde of predators. Cluny is certain that Redwall will fall easily to his fearsome army but he hasn’t bargained for the courage and strength of the combined forces of the Redwall mice and their loyal woodland friends….”

8. “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” by Avi“‘Asta’s son’ is all he’s ever been called. The lack of a name is appropriate, because he and his mother are but poor peasants in 14th century medieval England. But this thirteen-year-old boy who thought he had little to lose soon finds himself with even less--no home, no family, or possessions. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he may be killed on sight, by anyone. If he wishes to remain alive, he must flee his tiny village. All the boy takes with him is a newly revealed name--Crispin--and his mother’s cross of lead.”

9. “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien“‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.’

Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, “The Hobbit” met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.”

10. “Hank the Cowdog” by John R. Erickson

The Hank the Cowdog books follow Hank, a dog that proclaims himself as the “Head of Ranch Security.” Each book explores how Hank and other characters solve mysteries and deal with issues around the ranch and their Texas Panhandle home. Very humorous and engaging!

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