Picture this… a student is sitting in your library center, quietly reading a chapter book. They are completely engrossed in their book and don’t want silent reading to end. Now answer this question… did you picture a girl or boy student? ?
I want to start by saying that I am NOT singling out or demeaning boys in this blog post. I do want to shed light and start a dialogue on the idea that many boys tend to not be as interested in reading chapter books as girls are. (Boys and Books research article) The boys in my classes prefer to read non-fiction texts, which usually are not chapter books, nor in series format, as well as graphic novels (different format from chapter books too.)
Let’s help bridge the gap and give our male students some great chapter book series to dive into. Here is a list of 30 Chapter Book Series for Boys. # 11 is my son’s absolute favorite! ?
Book Series #1 ~ Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
Join Henry and his 182-pound English Mastiff, Mudge, through all of the trials and tribulations of life! This series not only beautifully illustrates the bond between a child and their pet but also shows readers that there are many different types of friendships in the world. This is a great starting chapter book series for younger readers.
#2 ~ Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Of course, who doesn’t love the Magic Tree House series! Join siblings, Jack and Annie, as they venture to different historical places and periods in time with a magical treehouse that they find near their home. These chapter books are not only highly entertaining for early readers but the offer a fun spin on history that will have your kids learning how to read while learning about history!
#3 ~ Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
These are wonderful chapter books for emerging readers. The text features simple vocabulary and the various plots revolve around everyday things that kids can relate to such as a missing picture or a lost cat. Students will love trying to solve each mystery with Nate, his dog, Sludge, and all of the other humorous characters that join in on their adventures.
Book Series #4 ~ Alien in my Pocket by Nate Ball
The series begins when a four-inch-tall alien crashes through Zack McGee’s bedroom window. The story follows Zack and his new alien friend, Amp, through all kinds of crazy adventures that they face together. Your students will love the illustrations on every page, interesting science facts, and unexpected plot twists as they make their way through each book in this fun series!
#5 ~ Jaden Toussaint by Marti Dumas
This is a series of chapter books following a (super smart) 5-year-old African American boy bursting with confidence and some ninja dance moves. All kids will love watching him solve real kid problems, like convincing his parents he needs more TV time and less time reading.
#6 ~ Eerie Elementary by Jack Chabert
This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, which is aimed at new and emerging readers! Especially if they love a bit of mystery and spookiness in their stories! The Eerie Elementary series features fun illustrations and fast-paced plots. It will keep your readers building their reading confidence as they learn all about the school that comes alive and all the spooky adventures that occur as a result!
Book Series #7 ~ Jigsaw Jones by James Preller
Jigsaw Jones is a campy series of Scooby Doo like mystery chapter books that your kids won’t be able to put down as they try to crack the codes and figure out the puzzles along with the private detective, Jigsaw Jones. With relatable characters and funny scenarios, it’s no wonder that this series has over 33 chapter books and remains a favorite among new readers.
#8 ~ Stink by Megan McDonald
Students will love the hilarious antics of Stink Moody and his friends. Not to mention all of the random facts and cool science adventures that are packed into each book! These are especially appealing for young boys and may just turn a reluctant reader into an avid one!
#9 ~ I Survived… by Lauren Tarshis
With relatable characters and riveting plot lines, the I Survived Books are perfect for reluctant readers or any young reader who enjoys an action-packed, page-turning thriller. Each book also contains several pages of nonfiction content, encouraging readers to further explore the historical topic.
#10 ~ The STAT: Standing Tall and Talented series by Amar’e Stoudemire
Eleven-year-old Amar’e Stoudemire has a lot going on. He loves to go skateboarding in the park, takes his school work very seriously, and helps out with his dad’s landscaping company. And he likes to play basketball with his best friends-but just for fun.
Book Series #11 ~ Dragon Masters by Tracey West
This 14-book set of the “Dragon Masters” series is perfect for newly independent readers. Easy-to-read text, purposeful illustrations, and captivating yet simple plotlines will help your child soar to new heights as a reader.
#12 ~ Clubhouse Mysteries by Sharon Draper
Ziggy and his friends Rico, Rashawn, and Jerome call themselves The Black Dinosaurs and share exciting adventures. In The Buried Bones Mystery, the boys build a clubhouse in Ziggy’s backyard, where they uncover a box of bones while digging to bury their secret treasures. But when the boys try to hide their treasures, they’re swept up in a mystery more intriguing—and scary—than anything they could have imagined. Who could have buried a box of bones behind their clubhouse?
Book Series #13 ~ The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
They may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds…whether you like it or not! This New York Times bestselling illustrated series is perfect for fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants. Get ready to laugh up your lunch with the baddest bunch of do-gooders in town! Watch the fur fly in the first five hilarious installments in this bestselling series.
#14 ~ A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
A is for Author . . . A famous writer is coming to Green Lawn! Dink rushes to the bookstore to meet his favorite author, Wallis Wallace, and get all his books signed. But the author never shows up! Where is Wallis Wallace? It’s up to Dink and his friends Josh and Ruth Rose to track him down.
#15 ~ Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Accidentally built sideways and standing thirty stories high (the builder said he was very sorry for the mistake), Wayside School has some of the wackiest classes in town, especially on the thirtieth floor. That’s where you’ll meet Bebe, the fastest draw in art class; John, who only reads upside down; Myron, the best class president ever; and Sammy, the new kid—he’s a real rat.
Book Series #16 ~ Who Was…? Series
This series follows the lives of famous people throughout history. There are so many to choose from, both men and women and give your students a glimpse into their lives.
#17 ~ Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobel
Leroy Brown, aka Encyclopedia Brown, is Idaville neighborhood’s ten-year-old star detective. With an uncanny knack for trivia, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through 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 him solve his most baffling crimes.
Book Series #18 ~ Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Captain Underpants is an illustrated children’s novel series by American author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. The series revolves around two fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, living in Piqua, Ohio, and Captain Underpants, an aptly named superhero from one of the boys’ homemade comic books, who accidentally (“kinda on purpose”) becomes real when George and Harold hypnotize their cruel, bossy, and ill-tempered principal, Mr. Krupp. Soon after, Mr. Krupp gains superpowers by drinking alien juices in the third book.
Book Series #19 ~ Press Start! by Thomas Flintham
Uh-oh, Animal Town is in trouble! Meanie King Viking has created a dreaded robot army to spread No Fun across the land. On top of that, he has stolen the happiest and most fun animal ever, Singing Dog. There is only one person who can save the day — Super Rabbit Boy! Super Rabbit Boy is super fast and super brave, but he’s also a video game character living in a video game world. What will happen when Sunny, the boy playing the game, loses each level? Will it be game over for Super Rabbit Boy and all his friends?
#20 ~ Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett
James Bond meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid with this groundbreaking fully-illustrated chapter book series Mac B., Kid Spy. The precious Crown Jewels have been stolen, and there’s only one person who can help the Queen of England: her newest secret agent, Mac B. Mac travels around the globe in search of the stolen treasure…but will he find it in time?
#21 ~ Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.
Book Series #22 ~ Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
George and Harold have created a new breed of justice. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound digs into deception, claws after crooks, rolls over robbers, and scampers after squirrels. Will he be able to resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty?
#23 ~ The Woodsword Chronicles by Nick Eliopulos
Five young Minecraft players in the real world find themselves transported inside the game they love. But now it’s not a game–and they will have to use everything they know to explore, build, and survive! This illustrated hardcover series will thrill and engage fans of Minecraft and action-packed fantasy stories alike.
#24 ~ Ready Freddy by Abby Klein
It’s Freddy Thresher, a first grader who knows it’s a jungle out there. A new chapter book series written by an elementary teacher who’s seen it all!
Book Series #25 ~ Andrew Lost by J.C. Greenburg
When Andrew’s latest invention, the Atom Sucker, goes haywire, Andrew and Judy are shrunk down to microscopic level! Andrew and Judy find themselves lost on their neighbor’s dog, where they encounter everything from colossal fleas to crab-like eyelash mites. Now they have to find their way back to the Atom Sucker and get unshrunk before it’s too late!
#26 ~ Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick! Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he’s a hero.
#27 ~ Black Lagoon Series by Mike Thaler
Oh, no! It’s the class trip from the Black Lagoon. The kids have no idea where they’re going but they imagine a day full of ferocious animals, maniacal monsters, and scary aerial acrobatics. And their teacher, mean Mrs. Green, is going to quiz them on everything! When the kids stop letting their imaginations run wild they soon realize that they’re going to a very cool zoo. But that won’t change the fact that there’s never a dull moment in the Black Lagoon!
Book Series #28 ~ Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun.
#29 ~ American Chillers by Johnathan Rand
Follow this series as it takes us through monsters and scary animals of each state. Every book has a different character from a different state that is tasked with saving everyone from some type of scary creature or animal. The chapters each end with some kind of suspense, but are an easy read for all students.
Book Series #30 ~ Weird School Daze by Dan Gutman
Things have gotten weirder! From a zany graduation ceremony to the off-the-wall antics of their new third-grade teacher, A.J. and the gang from Ella Mentry School have had some weird and wacky adventures.
As I stated earlier, this post is not meant to single out boys in any way. We are only hoping that by bringing in some books with strong male main characters, that our boys will get more excited about digging into a chapter book series.
These 30 Chapter Books for boys are definitely great for ALL students. If you have any recommendations to add to the list, please leave them in the comments section below. I am always on the lookout for a great chapter book series for my kiddos.
Written by: Janessa Fletcher
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