Book Folks: Books for boys... Ones with facts, jokes, tricks etc...

[Gold Metal Flake]

I remember a book in my school library that had all sorts of stuff in it. Songs, jokes, stories, facts and how-tos. It even had a version of "the worms crawl in" song and similar. I can not remember the name or what it looked like, but it was published in the 1970s. I'd love to find it or similar books for my boy who is becoming interested in reading books other than Harry Potter.

Any suggestions?

[hfojvt]

1. I think Katha Pollit in the Nation

just reviewed "The big book for boys" and thought it was really cool, in spite of its sexism.

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. I found the review online.

"Anything Boys Can Do...
Katha Pollitt

I thought I would hate The Dangerous Book for Boys, the publishing sensation by British brothers Conn and Hal Iggulden. Actually, it's irresistible, beginning with the cannily designed red-and-gilt, raised-letter cover reminiscent of Edwardian children's literature."

It's the same book snagging rave reviews in this very same thread. Looks like I need to pick it up!

[mzteris]

2. Have you seen this?

http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0061243582

Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men, Conn and Hal Iggulden's The Dangerous Book for Boys became a mammoth bestseller in the United Kingdom in 2006. Adapted, in moderation, for American customs in this edition (cricket is gone, rugby remains; conkers are out, Navajo Code Talkers in), The Dangerous Book is a guide book for dads as well as their sons, as a reminder of lore and technique that have not yet been completely lost to the digital age. Recall the adventures of Scott of the Antarctic and the Battle of the Somme, relearn how to palm a coin, tan a skin, and, most charmingly, wrap a package in brown paper and string. The book's ambitions are both modest and winningly optimistic: you get the sense that by learning how to place a splint or write in invisible ink, a boy might be prepared for anything, even girls (which warrant a small but wise chapter of their own).


I've not read this nor seen anything other than a brief glance, but Colbert had the author on his show and my older son expressed an interest in getting it sometime.

I could probably suggest others - how old - or reading level - is your son? I've 13 yo and 8 yo boys...

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. That is why I posted.

I stopped into Barnes & Noble to pick up the latest James Patterson for Ms. OR's birfday and I saw that book. I thumbed through it and it looks cool, but not as cool as that book I used to read as a youth. I made a mental note but I want to look around for more of the same. I have no idea how to go about searching for that book I remember. Thanks for the suggestion, though. It's definitely on my list.

My son is 11.

BTW, at B&N on the clearance rack for $5.99 I found The Thomas Jefferson Reader. Had to have it.

[mzteris]

5. try again

wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaa - I had a whole list and my puter crashed.

let's see if I can remember them all - I was trying to remember back to his age 11.

Gordon Kormon wrote three sets of three series: Everest, Island, and Dive.

Gary Paulson - Hatchet. There's a few others in the series but not as good.

Anthony Horowitz: Alex Rider. Young spy novel.

My Side of the Mountain.

Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Eoin Golfer's Artemis Fowl series

Charlie Bone by Jenni Nimmo (I didn't care for the writing in this at all.)

Erin Hunter: several 6 set series about CAT WARRIORS. (Some boys wouldn't be caught dead reading them. Mine is still finishing the series but please don't tell anyone. I think they're great!)

Shadow Children by Margaret Haddix. So so series. He liked it. The first was okay. I didn't care for the rest. Too violent.

Speaking of too violent. The REDWALL SERIES. A lot of his friends LOVED this series. He hated it. Too gratuitously violent he said.

The Seventh Tower series by Garth Nix.


I'd ask him - but he's at camp. If I think of anymore I'll let you know.

[GenDem]

4. My very liberal son

just came home for a short visit from Orlando Fla. He took his 11 year old cousin up to Border's and bought him "The Dangerous Book for Boys". My nephew is thoroughly enjoying it and sharing it with my BIL, who is also enjoying it.

In the 50's there was a series of books, but I can't think of the name of it -- I was thinking that 'craft' was somewhere in the title.

[mzteris]

6. sorry - I just realized I sent you nothing

like what you asked for. Instead I sent you lists of fiction stuff.

The non-fiction is MAGIC. All Magic all the time. Or Magician biographies. Sorry.

[Gold Metal Flake]

8. That's OK. In fact, it's very useful.

I'll keep this list handy. Thanks!

[grasswire]

9. American Boys Handy Book

A classic for generations.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Turn-Century/dp/048643138X/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9913227-6357558?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184210210&sr=8-1


http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/511EVW7A3TL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[bbernardini]

10. Any of the "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" series...

...or maybe "Lady Chatterly's Lover"? :)

Seriously, though, there's a wide variety of the Bathroom Reader series available. Filled with articles of varying lengths about all kinds of topics, with little factoids at the bottom of every page. I can't even begin to describe them, but I can tell you that one of my 7th grade students had one at the end of the school year, and he carried it around with him everywhere, sharing bits of information from it with everybody.

Go to their website. It will explain everything, I think:

http://www.bathroomreader.com/

(BTW, here's a joke from their FAQ: What's yellow and very dangerous? Shark-infested mustard.)

[Critters2]

11. So, no farting dog books, huh?

I know several boys who are into the Redwall series. It's fantasy fiction, but with mice!! Seriously, they are good books.

[gmoney]

12. Not that kind of book, but a suggestion

Robert McCloskey's Homer Price series are a lot of fun... a little dated but he might not notice. Being that the hero's a boy, it might resonate with hiim a bit. Looks like you can get used copies on Amazon for a penny plus shipping!

http://www.amazon.com/Homer-Price-Robert-McCloskey/dp/0140309276

I also devoured the sports "novels" by Matt Christopher as a kid... I don't know if they've been updated or not. I think they may have been written by various people and published under the Christopher moniker. "Catcher with a Glass Arm" is a title that sticks with me 25+ years down the road.

http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Glass-Christopher-Sports-Classics/dp/0316139858/ref=sr_1_1/002-2782833-4393656?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184212858&sr=1-1