Books for Guys
Black Belt series by Don Trembath (Gr 3-6)
These are comical, fast-paced, and entertaining reads.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis (Gr 4-6)
Bud decides to take off from his latest foster home to find the man he believes is his father, bandleader Herman E. Calloway. Told with lots of humour.
Explorers Wanted series by Simon Chapman (Gr 5-8)
Each book in the series presents the reader with an exciting expedition to tackle.
Holes by Louis Sacher (Gr 5-8)
This engrossing adventure and multi-layered novel won the Newbery Medal in 1999.
Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford (Gr 3-6)
A Labrador retriever, a bull terrier and a Siamese cat set out through the Canadian wilderness to find their way back home.
Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler (Gr 2-5)
This hilarious and short book depicts the experience of poor Jacob inside the children's prison.
Kit's Wilderness by David Almond (Gr 5-9)
In an abandoned mine near their town Kit and some friends play a game called Death. They wait for visions of children who died there years ago.
Leon and the Spitting Image by Allen Kurzweil (Gr 3-5)
This book is about Leon Zeisel and his epic quest to survive fourth grade. Laughs galore.
Light in Space by Wendy Orr (Gr 3-6)
Andrew bumps into a tiny spaceship while walking his dog. While he is initially delighted with his new alien friend, Ysdran, his friends and family aren't so sure.
Lord of the Deep by Graham Salisbury (Gr 5-8)
Mikey works on a charter fishing boat owned by his stepfather. He is bothered by the behaviour of two boorish sportsmen who lie about the circumstances of their prize- winning catch.
Marvin One Too Many by Katherine Paterson (Gr 1-3)
This is a story for beginning readers about beginning to read.
No Frogs for Dinner by Frieda Wishinsky (Gr 1-4)
This is a fun book for young boys. Melvin goes to visit his Aunt Rose for the first time.
Nose from Jupiter by Richard Scrimger (Gr 3-6)
Norbert, a tiny alien from Jupiter, has taken up residence in Alan Dingwall's nose. The novel is hilarious and a sure-fire hit, especially amongst reluctant readers. The two sequels, Nose for Adventure and Noses are Red continue the adventures.
Oddballs : Stories by William Sleator (Gr 7+)
These hilarious, semi-autobiographical stories mark a radical change of pace for William Sleator.
Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (Gr 5-8)
This fast-paced adventure showcases the Globe Theatre in its heyday.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (Gr 3-5)
Very funny stories from the classroom on the 30th floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each floor. Great for the reluctant reader and there are more in the series.
Stanley, Flat Again by Jeff Brown (Gr 2-4)
These early chapter books continue the story that began with Flat Stanley. Perky cartoons complement the funny, upbeat tone of the text. The books average 100 pages each.
Thumb in the Box by Ken Roberts (Gr 2-4)
This is a funny David vs. Goliath tale set on a B.C. island. The government has given the islanders a new fire truck but they have no roads.
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt (Gr 5+)
It is the summer of '71 and Zachary Beaver, self-proclaimed fattest-boy-in-the-world has arrived in town.