Name: Teach Them Diligently (Branson)
Start: 2025-05-15T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-17T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Branson, MO

Tagged: books for boys, Books with good role models for boys, character books, Role models for boys

This topic has 13 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 8 months ago by pianogirl363.

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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August 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm
pianogirl363
Participant
I only have 1 boy among my 5 children, and I’ve recently recognized that I to have quite a few more girl-interest than boy-interest books in our home library
I’d like to compile a list of great living books that will give my son role models with strong character that can inspire him through his growing up years.
The books can be for any age – elementary through high school. I like to keep my eye out as I go to book sales and buy ahead. I was buying chapter books for my children when my firstborn was only a baby. 🙂
If you have any suggestions for inspiring books about young men or boys of strong character (fiction or non-fiction), I would really appreciate you taking a moment to share them with me!
Thanks in advance!
~Anna
August 10, 2014 at 7:09 pm
sarah2106
Participant
Lamplighter has really great selections with boys as main characters that learn strong values along the way
Sir Malcom and the Missing Prince
Teddy’s Button
Sir Knight of the Splended Way
Are just a few that we have read and my ODS (6 years) has really enjoyed. My DD too 🙂 Sir Malcom was one of the first books that my son would ask me to keep reading after each chapter. Lamplighter has their books broken out by Character Themes which is another great way to search
Kingdome Series by Chuck Black are recent books, but really good. I am reading out loud and my kids really enjoy. I do too.
Narnia
August 10, 2014 at 7:45 pm
RobinP
Participant
I know I sound like a broken record but don’t even think about letting him miss the Little Britches series. There is language in the first couple of books (from the cowboys on the ranch) but these books are such treasures. You could either read them aloud or assign them when he’s older.
August 10, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Mysterious Lady in Pink
Participant
Robin — I’ve had Little Britches on my list for years; never got to it with my older crew of girls, but just in the past week or two it has reemerged as an interest. What general age would you recommend it for reading aloud vs reading alone, and can you be more specific about the language? I’ve heard that said before is it just maybe 3-5 instances of d*** or something similar, or is it more prevalent or stronger?
Thanks so much!
August 11, 2014 at 12:15 am
sheraz
Participant
Here is a link to a blog post that I created for my sister. She was asking me the same thing a few months ago. It is not a complete or exhaustive list – I keep adding more to it as I go since I got most of the suggestions off posts on various threads on this forum over the last few years. 😉
http://mysouldothdelight.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/great-books-for-boys/

August 11, 2014 at 12:20 am
missceegee
Participant
We all enjoy Little Britches 4yo to adult. There are only a handful of coarse cowboy words in books 1 & 2. You could easily omit if reading aloud. I must say the audiobooks are FANTASTIC and favorites!
August 11, 2014 at 1:36 am
sarah2106
Participant
Thank you sheraz for the list. We have read a few of those, but what a great resource
August 11, 2014 at 2:04 am
sheraz
Participant
Christie – did you get the audios through Audible? I’ve gotten most of them from there, but we haven’t listened to them yet.
August 11, 2014 at 2:14 am
missceegee
Participant
Yes, from Audible and read by Cameron Beierle. They are really terrific. While on the subject of audiobooks good for boys, I highly recommend The Sugar Creek Gang series by Paul Hutchens and read by Paul Remseyer (sp?). Faves of all ages here and wonderfully character building with adventure galore.
August 11, 2014 at 10:51 am
Angelina
Participant
Here are a few of my favourites for boys:
Not a series, but this past weekend I read Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls (wanted to read it before assigning to my boys this week) and I could NOT put it down, lol! Great boy stuff here, and there is a good deal of content on his “becoming a man”…the little steps he’s taking here and there that are encouraging him towards “manhood” and the idea that if you are willing to take on more responsibilities, take charge, and stay determined you are beginning the journey of growing up.
One of my boys LOVED My Side of the Mountain (first and trilogy), though my other son was lukewarm on it.
Ditto on what Christie suggested – Sugar Creek series very well loved here.
Here’s one I haven’t read personally, but has good reviews…I’ve been holding off because my boys are only 10 and 11 and I think this series is likely for high school due to certain content (his mother has an affair and breaks up his parents’ marriage in the beginning…his parents now split he is back and forth between them). Very amazing adventure story that takes place in the Canadian wilderness: Hatchet and the next three books, Brian’s Winter, The River, Brian’s Return and Brian’s Hunt.
The Tucket series by Gary Paulsen is great, also.
Door in the Wall has a superb character building theme for boys. I love this one. The boy goes from being a completely pitiful little crab to a truly inspiring and respectable young boy. All this while being separated from his parents, and finding himself paralyzed from the waist down. Awesome!
August 11, 2014 at 11:42 am
missceegee
Participant
YES to Francis Tucket series by Pauseln! Ds10 loved thes so much he insisted I read them. They were very good. Dd13 has read and enjoyed all of Paulsen’s books.
August 11, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Misty
Participant
Hatchet, etc mentioned above was my oldest sons favorite books. Little Britches was good but even my dh was a bit concerned about the language, but it’s not bad and only in the first 2 books, although do not skip them they are worth it. Read them in order also, I know sometimes you don’t have to with series but this one is a must I believe you need to grow with him just like you did/do with Laura Ingalls.
August 11, 2014 at 6:50 pm
ibkim2
Participant
For younger elementary, “Trumpet of the Swan” by EB White.
For a bit older, middle school or high school, “Gifted Hands” the Ben Carson Story. This isn’t classic literature, but a wonderful biography.
August 12, 2014 at 11:42 am
pianogirl363
Participant
Thank you for the suggestions, ladies! 🙂