I am thinking of starting a reading group for young men (actually ages 10-16 or so). This is still at least a year away from happening, but I want to be as prepared as possible.

I see a very real problem of with young male reading skills. It would seem to me that, even when I was a kid, reading was somehow a "girly" activity. I think this is at least in part due to the way we encourage students to read in school; they are often made to sit still and quiet for extended periods of time and are made to read books they are uninterested in.

I think that forming a group where boys can hike into the woods, spend time reading, and spend time discussing the books would do a lot of good. The intent is to have a "manly" reading activity. For example, the "younger" age group may want to start with a good bit of running around and yelling. I think it would be beneficial to make the club male-only, including adult chaperons. I think some elements of competition, recognition of success and improvement, and development of leadership skills will also help. There should also probably be some sort of non-reading group outing to make sure that "fun" is never left out. The details of how the club would operate would also have to vary for each age group.

The biggest I have right now is that I did not read very much as a boy (or now, frankly) and I am limited in my knowledge of male-friendly books that are appropriate for each age group. I imagine going through about ten books per year, with maybe 5 during the school year and another 5 during the summer. Is this too ambitious?

In short, could you please list your favorite books from your childhood, and approximately what grade level they are intended for.

Here is a short list of the ones I remember...

  • Maniac Magee - 4th
  • The Hatchet - 5th
  • Where the Red Fern Grows - 6th?
  • 1984 - 8th?
  • The Things They Carried - 10th