100+ Popular Books for Every Type of Middle School Boy

Are you looking for an excellent book for your middle schooler to read? Check out our epic list of middle school books for boys! We’ve compiled over 100 of the best titles that will keep your son entertained and engaged. From action-packed adventures to gripping historical fiction, we have something for every reader.

So what are you waiting for?

Start browsing our list today!

Books for Middle School Boys Who Love Sports

Middle school is a time when many young boys start to become more interested in sports.

If your son is one of those boys, here are some great book choices for him: 

A football story about a boy who is given a chance to prove that wealth and privilege don’t matter on the football field, as long as he has the skills to compete.

If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

For fans of The Bad News Bears, Hoosiers, the Mighty Ducks, and Mike Lupica’s other New York Times bestselling novels Heat, The Underdogs, and Million-Dollar Throw, here is a book that proves that when the game knocks you down, champions stand tall.

Jeremiah takes it as his mission to restore the town’s morale and help the teams bounce back and remember how to soar. 

The Boy Who Saved Baseball is a tale of one boy’s struggle to preserve the spirit of the game he loves.

Athlete Vs. Mathlete is a lighthearted and hilarious look at what happens when brains meet brawn meets basketball.

When Ryan’s estranged father unexpectedly dies, Ryan learns that he has inherited the Dallas Cowboys football team. With his new role as owner of this NFL team, Ryan hopes he can be more than just a middle school misfit. 

Based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson.

Books for Middle School Boys Who Love Video Games

Parents of boys who love video games often worry about their child’s reading habits. However, there are many great books for boys who love video games. Middle school is a great time to start exploring new genres and discovering new authors.

For boys who love video games, plenty of books feature action-packed plots and exciting characters.

From the bestselling author of Swindle and Ungifted comes the funny, fantastic story of an underachiever who achieves much more than any overachiever could ever imagine.

With nonstop action, massive plot twists, and tons of humor, this series will quickly have your 7- to 12-year-old video game fan begging for just one more chapter.

What if playing video games prepped you to solve an incredible real-world puzzle and locate a priceless treasure?

Derek Fallon lands his dream job as a professional video gamer testing out new games in Book 5 in the popular My Life series!

In this graphic novel adventure for readers of Monster Mayhem and Roller Girl, a pair of twin brothers accidentally bring their favorite video game to life—and now they have to find a way to work together to defeat it.

When a new virtual-reality version of the game brings her dreams—and doubts—to life, one player must face her fears.

Video game lover Josh Baxter knows that seventh grade at a new school may be his most complex challenge yet, but he’s not afraid to level up and win!

All twelve-year-old Jaden wants to do is be the best at Cross Ups, the video game he and his friends can’t stop playing. He knows he could be―if only he didn’t have to hide his gaming from his mom, who’s convinced it will make him violent.

In this hilarious, coming-of-age novel that’s “Ready Player One for the middle-grade crowd” (School Library Journal), twelve-year-old Bryan Biggins wakes up to find that his life has become a video game.

Pete’s gaming skills are tested as he fights evil villains, giant mechanical bugs, and a global cyber attack from within the CommandRoid.

Can you find your way out of what James Patterson calls the “coolest library in the world”? Kyle Keeley and his friends face their biggest challenge yet when Mr. Lemoncello goes LIVE with his first-ever televised BREAKOUT game!

Books for Boys Who Love Art

If your son loves art, you may be wondering what middle school books are best for him. Middle school can be a challenging time for boys, and it’s important to find books to help them feel confident and engaged.

Here are a few of the best Middle School books for boys who love art:

Can Florian decipher the clues and finish his homework in time to help the FBI solve the case?

In this standalone companion to The Van Gogh Deception, Art and Camille team up again to solve a large museum theft, using one of the biggest heists in history to help them solve the case.

Run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with E. L. Konigsburg’s beloved classic and Newbery Medal­–winning novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler!

The deep and enduring friendship between Vincent and Theo Van Gogh shaped both brothers’ lives. Confidant, champion, sympathizer, and friend―Theo supported Vincent as he struggled to find his path in life.

Beloved author Gary D. Schmidt expertly blends comedy and tragedy in the story of Doug Swieteck, an unhappy “teenage thug” first introduced in The Wednesday Wars, who finds consolation and a sense of possibility in friendship and art.

As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has stumped even the FBI?

When a young boy is discovered in Washington DC’s National Gallery without any recollection of who he is, so begins a high-stakes race to unravel the greatest mystery of all: his identity.

When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath.

Things get dangerous when Eddie is recruited to help track down the infamous Picasso Gang casing NYC’s famous Museum Mile.

New BOoks for Fantasy Lovers

Middle School is when many boys’ interests begin to turn to fantasy. If you have a boy who loves fantasy, here are a few books that are sure to capture his imagination:

Perfect for fans of fantasy books like Percy Jackson, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Wingfeather Saga. Marco Swift and the Mirror of Souls is a moody, thrilling, and magical middle-grade fantasy adventure that grapples with universal themes of forgiveness, truth, and love.

After inheriting a grieving fox spirit, a Chinese American boy must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother’s death in Jesse Q Sutanto’s magical, action-packed middle-grade fantasy, Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit.

The creatures of legend are real—and it’s up to twins Zac and Lu to save them in this fun-filled middle-grade adventure perfect for fans of Fablehaven and The Hotel Between.

A boy and fox go on a quest to find a wolf who has eaten all the stars in the sky before the Shadow Witch destroys the stars, removing good magic from the world forever. This compelling fantasy is perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Nevermoor.

Soar into a breathtaking world of heroes and unicorns as you’ve never seen them before in this fantastical middle-grade debut perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson and Eragon series!

Will Harley Find the Missing Mayan Statue & Save the World?

On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry gets a bag of sand in the mail-his only inheritance from his father and mother. He soon learns that this is no ordinary bag of sand. It is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians who are taking over the world by spreading misinformation and suppressing the truth.

Percy Jackson meets Tristan Strong in this hilarious, action-packed middle-grade contemporary fantasy that follows a young boy as he journeys across China to seal the underworld shut and save the mortal realm.

Picking up after the events of The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race, adventure abounds as the best buddies encounter new monsters and embark on a post-apocalyptic quest for the ages.

Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this adventurous middle-grade fantasy debut perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Tristan Strong celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his true path to greatness.

For more fantasy book recommendations, see New Middle-Grade Fantasy Books.

Books for Middle School Boys Who Love Graphic NOvels

If you’re a boy who loves graphic novels, you’re in luck. There are more and more great graphic novels published every year.

Here are some of the best ones to check out:

Celebrate over forty years of the modern classic Bunnicula with this fang-tastic graphic novelization that will send a shiver down your spine and leave you howling with laughter!

From two celebrated Indigenous creators comes a powerful graphic novel about a family caught between nations.

A memoir-driven realistic graphic novel about Tyler, a child who is diagnosed with ADHD and has to discover for himself how to manage it best.

A new adorable anthropomorphic adventurer awaits, and his name is Poiko! Perfect for fans of Mouse Guard, Little Robot, and Hilda!

Cuban American siblings save the world! With their magic hoodies, Red Panda & Moon Bear can defeat any monster… but how do you stop a curse?

This graphic novel adaptation of The Subtle Knife is a great entry for readers new to His Dark Materials and an exciting new look at the classic for existing Pullman fans.

Can an undercover nerd become a superstar secret agent? The first book in Stuart Gibbs’s New York Times bestselling Spy School series is now a graphic novel!

There’s a NEW Earth! The world’s timeline has been turned upside down, and now magical creatures are EVERYWHERE. Gina has to fix things–FAST!

Since her father was lost at sea, Sophia has been moping around Aqualand, the marine theme park her dad and uncle created. But Sophia’s world is turned upside down when an “aquanaut” breaks into the park’s research lab.

Books for Boys Who Love Manga

If you have a boy who loves manga, then you’re in luck! There are tons of great options out there for your son to enjoy. Middle school is a great time to start exploring all that manga has to offer, and there are plenty of books that are perfect for boys who love this genre.

Here are just a few of the best middle school books for boys who love manga:

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball, you don’t need to be tall to fly!

After stumbling across a haunted go board, Hikaru Shindo discovers that the spirit of a master player named Fujiwara-no-Sai has occupied his consciousness.

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja!

First things first………Visitors are supposed to come in through the front door!!
For a particular reason, a handsome, young calligrapher named Seishuu Handa uproots himself and moves to an island on the westernmost edge of Japan. “Sensei,” as he comes to be known, is a city boy through and through and has never experienced rural life until now.

In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical “auto-mail” limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother’s bodies…the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.

A beautifully-illustrated story about a girl who longs for magic in her life and learns that, on the inside, she already is what she wishes she could be. Reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, this lushly-drawn story has captured the hearts of fantasy fans worldwide.

Can a robot have a soul? Built by a brilliant scientist to replace his lost son, but with powers beyond imagination, Astro Boy fights for the oppressed and helpless, whether they be human, alien, or robot.

As Kenji tries to find his footing amongst the boisterous and tightly-knit Jinnouchi clan, he receives a mysterious email with a long code and the message: “Solve me.” Little does Kenji know what solving that code could lead to…

Ash is back and more determined than ever to be a Pokémon Master! Now he’s teamed up with a new friend, Goh, who wants to collect every Pokémon from every region!

Challenging Books for gifted middle School Boys

Here are a few of the best books for gifted boys in middle school:

The year is 1199, the place of the Welsh Marches. Young Arthur de Caldicot practices his tilting and archery, learns to be a dutiful page to his father, and waits impatiently to grow up and become a knight.

Unhappy in his family’s crowded New York City apartment, Sam Gribley runs away to the solitude-and danger-of the mountains, where he finds a side of himself he never knew.

In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused.

Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender’s childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. Among the elite recruits, Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. 

For a review of The Hobbit, see A Kid Reviewer’s Review of The Hobbit.

“Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children–two boys and two girls–succeed.

See 20 Books Your Child Should Read if They Like The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, haunted by his secret knowledge of his mother’s infidelity, travels by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian.

Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but he was the reckless Sparrowhawk in his youth. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world.

Set in the Hampshire Downs in Southern England, an idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of “suspense, hot pursuit, and derring-do” (Chicago Tribune) follows a band of rabbits in flight from the incursion of man and the destruction of their home.

In this riveting sequel to the Newbery-Award-winning Crispin: The Cross of Lead–the second book in a planned trilogy–Avi explores themes of war, religion, and family as he continues the adventures of Crispin and Bear.

Books for Middle School Boys Who Love Animals

Look no further if you’re looking for middle school books for boys who love animals! Here are some of the best books to keep your animal-loving tween occupied:

One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. 

Epic adventures. Fierce warrior cats. A thrilling fantasy world. It all begins here.

A space-obsessed boy and his dog, Carl Sagan, take a journey toward family, love, hope, and awe in this funny and moving novel for fans of Counting by 7s, Walk Two Moons, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Would you make a deal with a magical tiger? This uplifting story brings Korean folklore to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlock the power of stories and save her grandmother.

A New York Times bestseller from the beloved author of the action-packed Animorphs series and the award-winning The One and Only Ivan. Katherine Applegate takes us on an unforgettable journey in this first book of an epic middle-grade series.

When Alice’s Aunt Polly, the Pie Queen of Ipswitch, passes away, she takes the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe with her. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her obese, remarkably disagreeable cat, Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.

Summer days drift by slowly in Meadville, South Carolina―that is, until Sherman, the one-legged pigeon, flies into town and causes a stir.

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox.

A runaway boy befriends a polar bear that’s being transported from Norway to London.

This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.

Fantastic Nonfiction Books for boys

Middle school readers are some of the most active readers out there. They have a voracious appetite for books and love to gobble them up at an alarming rate. But finding the right books for them can be a bit of a challenge, especially if they’re looking for something specific like nonfiction.

Middle school boys who love nonfiction will devour these books:

In this whip-smart, funny, and informative young readers’ adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars, Roach guides us through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity.

Highly acclaimed author Neal Bascomb brings his peerless research and fast-paced narrative style to a young adult adaptation of one of his most successful adult books of all time, The Perfect Mile, an inspiring and moving story of three men racing to achieve the impossible — the perfect four-minute mile.

Cake is delicious, and comics are awesome: this exciting non-fiction graphic novel for kids combines both! Explore the history of desserts through a fun adventure with facts, legends, and recipes for readers to try at home.

Warrior Dog is the story of Cairo and his handler, Will Chesney, a member of SEAL Team Six whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo’s, specially adapted for young readers from Chesney and Joe Layden’s No Ordinary Dog.

Robot dogs! Jet packs! Cyborgs! Super-sleek space suits! It’s not science fiction; it’s science reality. And soon, it may be part of everyday life. This book is a jam-packed collection of the coolest tech and wildest ideas shaping tomorrow’s world.

A strikingly illustrated overview of the computing machines that have changed our world—from the abacus to the smartphone—and the people who made them, by the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Women in Science.

Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas–and on the ways, readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.

A unique account of the amazing Thai cave rescue told in a heart-racing, you-are-there style blends suspense, science, and cultural insight.

Perfect for middle-grade readers and history enthusiasts, New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War in Bomb: The Race to Build―and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.

Don Brown’s kinetic art and as-it-happens narrative capture the tragedy and triumph of one of the worst natural disasters in American history. A portion of the proceeds from this book has been donated to Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans.

Middle School Books for Boys Who Love Music

Middle school is a time when many boys discover their passion for music. Whether they’re playing in the school band or listening to their favorite CDs, music can be a powerful force in their lives. If you’re looking for the best books for boys who love music, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are some great books that will help boys explore their musical interests and develop their talents:

From the author of the acclaimed GLORY BE, comes a novel that celebrates baseball, fast piano, and small-town living in the wake of the Vietnam War.

Sam knows she wants to be a drummer. But she doesn’t know how to afford a drum kit, why budget cuts end her school’s music program, why her parents argue so much, or even how to explain her dream to other people.

From beloved Newbery Honor winner and three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia comes a powerful and heartfelt novel about loss, family, and love that will appeal to fans of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander.

A small-town boy hops a bus to New York City to crash an audition for E.T.: The Musical in this winning middle-grade novel that The New York Times called “inspired and inspiring.”

Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech’s inspired novel tells the story of a boy who fantasizes about who he is to discover who he will become. Now with fresh and gorgeous new cover art, this touching tale has received many starred reviews and was called a “warm, funny, philosophical novel” by Kirkus Reviews.

A violin and a middle-school musical unleash a dark family secret in this moving story by an award-winning author duo. For fans of The Devil’s Arithmetic and Hana’s Suitcase.

A humorous and heartwarming bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together, from America’s favorite rapping teacher.

By keeping his cool (some of the time), banging on the drums (a lot), and keeping his sense of humor (all the time), Jordan’s going to try to make it through the year and grow up to write a book about it!

Books for Boys Who Love Trivia, Jokes, and Fun Facts

If your son is a fan of trivia, jokes, and facts, then he’ll love these books:

320 Pages Bursting with 5000 Facts on Everything: Cool educational facts about history, animals, sharks, dinosaurs, trains, space, the human body, movies, tv, music, art, and so much more!

From asteroids to zodiac constellations―500 amazing space facts for kids ages 8 to 12!

You have discovered the craziest collection of true and icky facts about history, animals, food…the world!

It’s the mother of all kids’ joke books—an all-encompassing, gut-busting, and bestselling collection of more than 1,700 jokes, tongue twisters, riddles, and puns for all occasions.

This book is for all the curious kids whose parents won’t let them take apart the family’s new digital camera.

This extraordinary book is packed with: 200 hilarious and thought-provoking scenarios (it is a perfect solution for kids’ parties, family games, sleepovers, travel games, or car trip rides) and 50 trivia questions and answers. This cute book is a perfect gift for anyone with a sense of humor and a creative mind.

The official Minecraft Joke Book is full of jokes and humorous illustrations that will fill Minecraft fans’ inventories with laughs and giggles.

Kids will have a blast exploring just HOW wacky in the first book in the wildly popular Weird But True series, full of 350 surprising and amazing facts.

Now everyone’s favorite joke books from Rob Elliott can be found in one economical volume!

In Sum…

So, if you’re looking for a great book to keep your son entertained and engaged, be sure to check out our list of middle school books for boys. We’ve compiled over 100 of the best titles that will keep him hooked from beginning to end. For more ideas, see New Mysteries & Thrillers That Will Hook Your Middle-Grade Reader and 20 of the Best Middle School Horror Books.

And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up-to-date on all the latest middle school reading recommendations!