Finding books for a preteen boy can be a real challenge in today's society. Preteen boy's would much rather play Guitar Hero 3 or a game of tackle football then read a book. However, if you learn your preteen boys interests and personality, you can find a book that he will read.

Having a preteen son, finding books for him have been difficult but surprisingly not impossible. My son is gifted academically and reads several grades above his own. But reading was not something he liked to do. While my son was in elementary school, he was required to read 30 minutes a night. However, my son would much rather read the Bible, an Encyclopedia or the Dictionary than read a chapter book or a teacher assigned book.

At a time when Harry Potter books were flying off the shelf, my son could be found reading the Constitution of the United States on the Internet or he would be reading books on military aircraft. Watching my son and his interests made me realize that I needed to find him books related to United States history and the military. With my new goal, I set out to the local library and the local bookstores only to find out that books on those two subjects were not written with the preteen reader in mind. Frustrated, I left the book store with a bundle of Harry Potter books.

Hoping my son would at least read one of the Harry Potter books, I excitedly gave him his new books. He looked at me like I had just handed him a bloody sword. With that look, I grabbed his hand and we drove back to the bookstore, where we stayed for hours until he found a book or books that he wanted to read. Frustrated, I finally grabbed one of the bookstore employees and had my son tell the store employee what he liked in books, what his interest are, and what he disliked about books. Finally, we left the bookstore with a bag full of books.

My son's favorite books are Surviving Antarctic, a history, futuristic fiction book by Andrea White; Born to Fly an autobiography of Navy Pilot and Civil Air Patrol, Shane Osborne; The Hatchet, Brian's River, and Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen. Mr. Paulsen's books, according to my son, are books on survival. My son also likes Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks and Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. The Hardy Boys mysteries and books like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are also books my son enjoys reading. However, my son's all time favorite books are The Century by Peter Jennings, The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw and any book related to United States History, the United States military and war.

It may have been difficult to find books for my preteen son, but I did, and now my son enjoys reading and I will often find him reading instead of playing Guitar Hero 3. Getting your preteen to read doesn't have to be a chore, all you need to do is pay attention to their personality, their interests, their likes and dislikes. All children like to read, it's up to you to help them develop that interest.

Learn more about this author, Laurie Johansen.
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