This post is sponsored by the Johnson County Library.
If you are the mom of a teenage boy, you know how tough it can be to pull them away from their screens. With video games, social media and streaming services competing for their attention, finding time for reading can feel like an uphill battle. Those screens, however, do little to help develop critical thinking skills, empathy and imagination much like books can.
The key to promoting reading and offering a much-needed break from digital overload could be finding literature that captivates their interests. Turn to this guide for books for teen boys that might inspire them to turn the pages rather than scroll through their phone, at least for a little while!
Books to Inspire a Love of Reading for Teen Boys
Action and Adventure
Bound by Ice by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace
This is a wilderness survival story that takes readers to the North Pole on an epic journey filled with peril and ice. Two men fight for their survival in the toughest landscape our world has to offer.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
A classic and thrilling tale of survival in the Alaskan wilderness that highlights themes of instinct, loyalty and perseverance.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
A gripping survival story about a boy stranded in the wilderness. Even though it was written many years ago, its lessons on resilience, problem-solving and self-reliance still ring true today.
Lost Boy by Jay Martin
Fans of Hatchet will also enjoy this read. It is an adventurous graphic novel about wilderness survival.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This book is set in a mysterious dystopian world filled with action and danger.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
What boy hasn’t played “pirates”?! This adventurous book about buried treasure, bravery and adventure on the high seas is sure to please.
Coming of Age Life Lessons
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
A powerful book about institutional racism, police shootings of unarmed Black men and the strength a sixteen-year-old must exhibit when she is the only witness when a police officer kills her best friend. The main character shares her truth despite the intimidation and fear she faces.
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime, Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
The author (a celebrity, teens may or may not know) tells a gripping coming-of-age story about his upbringing in apartheid South Africa to a black mother and white father. His existence as a mixed race child was against the law.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Choices and consequences are the main themes of this novel. It may encourage critical thinking about violence in a way that is easily broken down and relatable.
Looking for Alaska by John Green
A deep and thought-provoking coming-of-age novel that will spark conversations about grief and self discovery.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This is a raw, emotional story of friendship and class struggles.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The main character is a wallflower but his new friends want to change that. This is a story of a young man being thrown into a whirlwind of friendship, love, sex, drugs, loss and more.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A powerful novel about finding one’s voice, with underlying conversations about mental health and healing in a healthy way.
Fantasy and Science Fiction
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
This instant New York Times best seller will captivate fantasy readers. A boy named Malik harnesses his powers after he enrolls in a magical university. The next installment, Bones at the Crossroads releases in 2025 and would be an exciting follow-up.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
A genius boy is trained to save humanity in a space battle. It explores lessons on leadership, ethics and intelligence.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Dragons, magic and epic battles, that’s all that needs to be said for fantasy fiction lovers. Follow it up with Murtaugh, mentioned later in the guide.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 is set in a dystopian future, where books are illegal and technology consumes all. Sound a little too familiar? Your teen may be able to relate to the character whose job is to burn all the books that could be hidden away.
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
Return to the world of Eragon that follows Murtagh and his dragon as they tackle a powerful new foe. It is the book a reader should pick up after completing the The Inheritance Cycle Series.
The Nyxia Triad Series by Scott Reintgen
Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure, when a group of kids recruited to travel to a distant planet find themselves in a high stakes competition to survive and thrive.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This book is set within a futuristic gaming world packed with 80’s pop culture references. In the end it highlights the importance of balance between virtual and real life and may provide some much needed perspective for video game loving kids.
Historical Stories
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A powerful WWII story told through the eyes of a young girl, that teaches the impact of literature and compassion.
Devotion (Young Adult Adaptation) by Adam Mokos
This is a thrilling story of two Navy pilots from different backgrounds who forge a friendship and unbreakable bond. It has poignant reflections on race. Read the book, then watch the fantastic movie starring Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This incredibly moving diary should be an essential read for everyone. To understand the horrors of the Holocaust is to make moves toward ensuring it never happens again. Anne’s writings on love and loss are both tragic and inspiring.
The Last Mission by Harry Mazer
If your young teen boy is fascinated by all things military, he’ll love Mazer’s book about a boy who lies about his age and becomes a World War II bomber.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
This book is great for graphic novel lovers. It takes a serious subject about Japanese-American internment camps, lessons on history and human rights and puts it in an easily digestible form.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Alan Gratz writes fantastic fiction based on historical happenings. Refugee tells the story of three different children during different decades all trying to find a better life, but readers find shocking connections throughout their journeys and stories.
Unbroken (Young Adult Adaptation) by Laura Hillenbrand
The young adult adaptation of Hillenbrand’s story will thrill boys fascinated by war stories. It is about heroism and survival, and is an all around amazing true story.
Humor and Fun Reads
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
It is a witty and heartwarming story of a Native American teen, but also offers cultural insight and a story about resilience.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
This is a quirky and hilarious space adventure that would spark anyone’s creativity and imagination.
Spud by John van de Ruit
The author writes a hilarious take on boarding school life. The book is lighthearted and easy to breeze through for those resistant to sitting down to read.
Mystery and Thriller
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
The main character is an autistic boy who is smart and curious but has a hard time relating to people. One night his neighbor’s dog is found stabbed, and Christopher must find the real killer when he is falsely blamed.
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
It is a gripping mystery about a teenager receiving cryptic messages.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
Teen boys won’t be able to put down this suspenseful historical thriller about a boy in Communist Romania who was blackmailed into becoming an informer. He, however, uses his position to expose the corruption behind the regime.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
A high school whodunit with unexpected twists that explores consequences of secrets and lies.
OtherLife by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
This is a book for the boys who would prefer to spend most of their time on video games. The main character wins the chance to test out a new high-stakes virtual reality game, only to discover the powerful company who made it might have nefarious reasons for developing and releasing the game.
Sports and Motivation
The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Edition) by Daniel James Brown
An underdog story about teamwork in competitive rowing that teaches perseverance and hard work.
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
The drama and passion of high school football is all too relatable for a lot of teen boys. This book provides insight into sports culture and ambition.
Shoe Dog (Young Readers Edition) by Phil Knight
If your boy is a sneakerhead, he will know of Phil Knight. The Young Readers Edition of this book paints an inspiring journey of the Nike founder’s entrepreneurship and determination.
Wrong Side of the Court by H.N. Khan
The main character wants to be the NBA’s first Pakistani player. In his quest to first make the high school team, he also must contend with parental and cultural expectations, while figuring out what he truly wants for his future.
Encouraging your teen to read doesn’t have to be a battle, it just takes the right book! Let them scroll through this guide and find something that sounds interesting to engage them beyond the screen.
For more recommendations, ask a librarian at the Johnson County Library for their expert guidance!
