Great for Guys

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John.

When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he challenges the local prankster in an epic battle of tricks. Soon, however, the two join forces to pull off the biggest prank ever seen (214 pages, RL 4.9).

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry.

Orphaned Peter and his friend Molly fight off thieves and pirates in order to keep a secret safely hidden from the diabolical Black Stache and his evil associate Mister Grin (series, 451 pages, RL 5.6).

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll (series, 277 pages, RL 5.5).

Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan.

The Ruins of Gorlan follows fifteen-year-old Will on his adventures with Rangers and defending the kingdom of Araluen (series, 272 pages, RL 6.9).

Baseball Great and Football Genius by Tim Green.

In Best of the Best, twelve-year-old Josh is determined to play in the Little League World Series.  He struggles to concentrate on his game and be the team's leader while also trying to cope with his parents' impending divorce (series, 262 pages, RL 4.8).

Baseball Card Adventures by Dan Gutman.

With more than one million books sold, this series brings the greatest players in history—and history—to life.  In Ted and Me, the FBI learns of Joe Stoshack’s ability to time travel using baseball cards, and they want him to journey to 1941 and to warn President Roosevelt about the attack on Pearl Harbor (series, 194 pages, RL 4.2).

Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz.

In Snakehead, Alex Rider crash lands off the coast of Australia and is recruited by the Australian Secret Service to infiltrate one of the ruthless gangs operating across South East Asia.  In the midst of his dangerous mission, Alex discovers information about his parents' murder (series, 388 pages, RL 5.4).

Travel Team, Summer Ball, and Heat by Mike Lupica.

After he is cut from his travel basketball team--the very same team that his father once led to national prominence--twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory (274 pages, RL 5.3).

Hatchet and the Brian Books by Gary Paulsen.

After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive initially with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother and learning to survive his parents' divorce (series, 186 pages, RL 5.7).

Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce.

In Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, supremely confident middle school student Nate Wright manages to make getting detention from every one of his teachers in the same day seem like an achievement (series, 214 pages, RL 3.1).

Guys Read series, edited by Jon Scieszka.
The series collects classics, old and new short stories, specifically chosen to interest and inspire boys. 

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.

After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which awe his contemporaries (184 pages, RL 5.0).

Hank Zipzer by Henry Winkler. 

In Niagara Falls, or Does It?, fourth-graders Hank, Ashley, and Frankie are excitedly preparing for a magic show at the Rock 'N Bowl when Hank's creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show (series, 133 pages, RL 4.0).