Gifts for Boys

Okay, are you looking for some stocking stuffers for the older elementary or middle school boys on your list but are at a loss for anything other than video games and iPods? Not that there is anything wrong with those items, they are fun and many boys love them. However, getting boys books that they will love is important too, but the key is finding something that might hold a 10-year-old's interest. Not always an easy task.

I recently received a whole stash of books from the Penguin Young Reader's group that would be of interest to boys of around middle school age. I took a look at them and read through one of them by author Mike Lupica called Hot Hand. The book is the first in a series entitled Comeback Kids and is quite engaging. It is about 10-year-old Billy who is dealing with the divorce of his high-powered lawyer mother and basketball coach father. I like that in-between sports talk--there is a great narrative dealing with the psychological dynamics of divorce, family and how to cope with the pain of a family break-up. However, the author stays up to the task of keeping boys interested in the story without alienating them with too much focus on relationship issues and feelings.

There are two other series that I just skimmed through that you might want to check out--one is a new fantasy series entitled The Ranger's Apprenticewritten by John Flanagan. The other is the Alex Rider Adventures by Anthony Horowitz, which is a young adult thriller series that looks fun if you know a 5th to 10th grade guy who likes mysteries.

Of course, there is always the old standby if you are at a loss for a book, The Dangerous Book for Boys although this would have to go under the tree as it is too big to fit in a stocking. If you have a book suggestion for gifts for boys of older elementary, middle school or early high school age, drop it in the comments.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for something more hands-on, this electronics project kit seems to be pretty popular.