These chapter books for boys are perfect for any home library and will be enjoyed by any young reader.
When I was still pregnant with my youngest daughter, my book club gave me the best baby shower gift EVER.
While other family and friends ensured my baby would have all the clothing and gear a newborn needs, my beloved book soul mates pulled together a baby shower gift basket of the essential chapter books that inspired their own love of reading.
As they handed the amazing gift over, they told me:
"These books turned us into readers, our hope is that they'll do the same for your sweet little pea, too."
Queue all the tears.
You can read about the other fun goodies they tucked into that precious gift here and see the specific list of books they included here, but I wanted to share a list of fantastic chapter books for boys that would make excellent additions to a gift basket.
How I Chose the Books
Since I don't have sons of my own, I reached out to the real experts I know.
These boys' chapter books came recommended by my favorite boy mom friends.
These are the books they've reported that their sons simply couldn't put down and several on the list were recommended that my daughter would love, too.
What Makes These "Essential?"
While some book lists will suggest children's books because they are classic literature or because they are filled with excellent life lessons or have some level of "intelligence-meter" quality to them, this list is a bit different.
These books did the most important job a book can do:
They captured the imagination of a young boy who read it and turned him into A Reader for Life.
Would Girls Like These, Too?
A good book is a good book!
I strongly believe that girls can and should read stories about boy characters just as boys should read amazing stories featuring girl characters.
Books are a very personal preference.
As a general rule these chapter books may appeal more to boys than girls but the themes are quite general and could easily apply to any child who wants to read.
Only you know your child the best!
If you're looking for a list of chapter books for your daughter or if you have a son who prefers stories about family, dancing, and horses or enjoys female protagonists, you may also enjoy this list of books for girls.
Essential Chapter Books for a Boy's Home Library
Seeing this book at the top of my favorite boy mom friend's recommendation list made me smile because this Greek mythology tale was also a huge hit with both of my daughters.
The first in a series, get your kids hooked on Percy and they'll want to devour the ones that come next.
The How to Train Your Dragon series started as books, not movies.
My friend reported that her son became absolutely enamored with this set of books and it was a favorite part of his childhood bookshelf.
The classic adventures of Tintin prove that boys also enjoy older tales of adventure and mystery.
This would be a great way to connect with your child if you remember reading these books as a kid, too.
Who can forget the playful adventures of Calvin and Hobbes?
The classic comic strip is gathered together in a colorful book that will captivate any kid and can be enjoyed together as a family, too.
It's no secret that Harry Potter is one of my personal favorite children's books.
You can read all about our family's love of the boy wizard in my Harry Potter Fan Club section here.
If you've somehow missed reading the books or seeing the movies for yourself, be sure the young boy in your life has a chance to enjoy Hogwarts in all its' glory.
A boy and his dog, a classic partnership for sure.
This book has a solid reputation for being a total tear jerker and yet it remains at the top of so many friends' lists as being popular with their sons.
Got a budding super sleuth on your hands?
Introduce your child to the world of mystery with this classic mystery series.
I'm pretty sure I was traumatized by the movie adaptation of this popular novel when I was a kid so I'd have to give this book a personal pass, but my boy mom friends absolutely insisted that their sons loved it.
This is exactly why I believe books are personal, just because it isn't my cup of tea doesn't mean your child won't want to pour the whole pot!
I remember squealing when the stack of this book came in from the Scholastic book order and all the boys in my classroom went gleefully running back to their desks with their copy!
Turns out I loved the book just as much as they did, but that cover is perfect for kids who love gross humor!!
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is quite possibly the most perfect adventure story ever.
If I had to choose just one classic novel to add to a young boy's book collection, this would be it.
More Books to Give as Gifts
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