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20 Books for 6-Year-Old Boys

A 6-year-old-boy with book lying on bed with letters.

Reading is an important life skill, which improves vocabulary, helps develop general knowledge, and stimulates the imagination; it needs to be nurtured from a young age.  Studies have found that when a parent or guardian does the act of reading to a young child, reading is associated with love in the child’s eyes. This association will, in turn, help the child develop other healthy habits and skills, not to mention that this association will also inspire them to keep this healthy habit into adulthood.

When developing a love for reading in young boys, picking books with colorful illustrations, great adventures, and humor is essential.  The child should want to keep reading the book to find out what happens next.  We have put together a list of 20 books that will capture your 6-year-old-boy’s imagination and help him develop a love for reading.

1. Calvin and Hobbs by Bill Watterson

Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985-1995

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Calvin and Hobbs by Bill Watterson is the perfect starting book for 6-year-year-old boys.  It was originally a comic strip, and later the adventures of Calvin, a 6-year-old-boy, and his stuffed tiger Hobbs were converted into book form to be enjoyed by little boys in over 50 different countries.  The stuffed tiger friend comes to live in the series, and only Calvin can see it, making it a little secret between Calvin, Hobbs, and the young reader.  This book has a protagonist that will keep you coming back for more, even to see the next crazy thing they do.

The series follows the adventures of Calvin, a 6-year-old-boy, and his stuffed tiger, as they live their lives in a suburban setting.  The adventures have plenty of relatable subject matter as the characters are challenged with everyday problems like schoolwork and friends.  This series will keep the child bound to it in every quest, and the colorful illustrations will capture their imagination.

The separate stories in this series are short and therefore have fast-paced action; because the stories do not drag on, it is more likely to keep the attention of young readers.  The humorous dialogue of the characters will also have the child roaring with laughter as they fall deeper and deeper into the pretend world of Calvin and Hobbs.

2. My Weird School Series by Dan Gutman

My Weird School 21-Book Box Set

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The My Weird School series features 21 humorous books, highlighting the strange and often outlandish teachers in a particular school.  This series promises lots of humoristic and bizarre characters and plots that will keep the young reader intrigued and jumping from one book to the next.

Although this book series is a little advance for young readers, it makes for a great book series to be enjoyed by a young child and a parent or even a classroom setting.  This book series is humoristic and deals with many relatable problems, and will help your child see he is not alone in any of his struggles.

Because this is set in a school environment, the child will be able to relate to the weird and wonderful adventure in their everyday life.  These books were written explicitly for boys in the hope of developing a love for reading in young children.  The author is also a great supporter of literacy and hopes to combat a lack of little boys.

This book series will transport the young reader to a world much like their own, which will help them develop a relationship with the strange characters and their lives.

3. Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Williams

An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! (An Elephant and Piggie Book)

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The Elephant and Piggie series was written in comic style, especially for young readers.  The main characters are an elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggy.  It was also written in dialogue style to make it even easier to read, with Piggies words appearing in pink and Gerald’s words appearing in grey.

This series can even be acted out with a parent or a friend to make things a little more fun.  It is also beneficial in a classroom setting and can be helpful for shared reading with a child who is a strong reader and a child who is a struggling reader to help with pier-learning.

This series features 25 books, and there is also a musical featuring the characters.  The colorful illustrations and easy dialogue will entice readers to want to learn more.  This series is a good pick for beginner readers and readers who want to read independently.

4. Magic Tree House Series by Marie Pope Osborne

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-28

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The Magic Tree House is a chapter series that features a brother and a sister named Jack and Annie.  The two children discover a tree near their house, and when they play in it, they discover that it will transport them to different places and times in history.  Their adventures center around a historical event or character that needs saving, which means that everything in the book series is based on the truth, with a little bit of magic added in.

The reading material might be too advanced for readers as young as six to do on their own, but it makes for great shared reading between a parent and child or a teacher and class.  As the series progress, the vocabulary and stories become more intense, allowing the child to grow with the series.

The stories and adventures in this series always end in a happy ending and will teach the child that problems can be solved and overcome with hard work and determination.

This is an excellent series for adventure and fantasy fans and children interested in history and past stories. This series will lead the child with an interest in history and a curiosity about the happenings of the past.

5. I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis

I Survived, Books 1-6

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The I Survived series has a fascinating take on history through the eyes of children who survived historical events and tragedies.  This is a very advanced read and is most suitable for shared reading or classroom reading.

The subject matter of this series is intense and will leave the reader with questions. Still, it will also spark curiosity for learners or children to learn more about the history and remember more about the events in the past.

This series allows the child to relate more to historical events as it is told through the eyes of a child that survived the event.  This is also a series that becomes more intense and difficult to read as the series progresses, which will, in turn, allow the child to grow into the series instead of growing out of it.

The historical events will inspire young readers to aspire to be just as heroic as the protagonists in the stories, who were, after all, only children themselves.

6. Dragon Slayers’ Academy series by Kate McMullan

Dragon Slayer's Academy Boxed Set # 1- 5

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The Dragon Slayer Academy series has its setting in medieval times and follows the boarding house students as they venture through a school for dragon slayers.  Along with some interesting characters, this book also has a plot twist that you will never see coming and some strange and unfamiliar backstories.

The protagonist of the series Wiglaf of Pinwick has 12 siblings, and he is very different from all of them.  He is skinny, likes to read, and has dreams of becoming a dragon slayer, which is the complete opposite of his family, who are cabbage farmers and at times quite dim-witted.   To make things even more interesting, the protagonist has a best friend from a fascinating and different background than the hero of the story.

The story makes great fun for the reader as he escapes into another time and a completely different world.  This book series is perfect for young boys who want to read with their fathers or older brother, as it is a book of adventure and possibility.

The book might be too advanced for a 6-year-old boy to read on his own, but it is a perfect adventure book to be read to the child.

7. The High Skies Adventure of Blue Jay the Pirate by Scott Nash

The High Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate

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The High Skies Adventure of Blue Jay the Pirate is a book about the adventures of a blue jay that is also a pirate.  Captain Blue Jay enjoys collecting eggs as treasure, and their adventure starts when the egg he collected hatches.  The strange creature that hatched from the egg is like nothing the captain has ever seen before.

The idea of a pirate in the sky will have little boys dreaming about the possibility that other strange things can be possible.  The boys will never look at birds in quite the same way again.

Little boys will be intrigued by the adventure and the unknown.  This book is also a book that is best read through shared reading, but it promises many hours of fun and adventure for both the adult and the child.

8. A to Z Mystery Series by Ron Roy

A to Z Mysteries Boxed Set Collection #1 (Books A, B, C, & D)

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The A to Z series features 26 books, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet.  It follows the adventures of Dink, Josh, and Ruth in Green Lawn, Connecticut.  These three child detectives come upon many mysteries that they solve.

This is an excellent read for young boys with adventure on the heart.  It will grab the imagination of the reader and will have them solve some of their mysteries.  This is also one of those series that allows the reader to grow into it and will be a favorite to the reader for a long time.  As the series grows, new characters are introduced, and these characters sometimes stick around, much like the dog Pal, who once belonged to a bad guy and was rescued by the trio.

If adventure and happy endings are what you are looking for, this is a series you will enjoy.

9. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Box-Car Children: The Original 1924 Edition

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The Boxcar Children is one of the older classics on the list, with the first book published in 1924, and after the death of Gertrude Chandler Warner, the series was continued by various other authors.

The series follows four orphan children named Hendry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, who found an abandoned boxcar in the woods and made it their home.  These children have many adventures, and each book brings the children closer to discovering who they are and where they come from.

The children eventually discover that they have a wealthy grandfather who they thought to be a cruel man.  In a turn of happy events, the children end up living with their grandfather with their boxcar living in the back yard and being upgraded to a playhouse for them.

There are over 160 books in this series, and new books are coming out all the time.  Gertrude Chandler Warner was a school teacher, and her series has created a lot of joy for children of different generations.

10. Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo

Mercy Watson Boxed Set: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder: Books 1-6

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The Mercy Watson 6 book series features a fictional pig and the adventures she has.  The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen will give beginner learners plenty to look at while reading about the adventures of Mercy.

This series is perfect for children who want to read independently as it is not a complicated read.  Children who enjoy animal adventure books will find hours of joy in this series.  The playful adventure and humoristic way in which it happens will have the reader turning the pages.

11. Kung Pow Chicken by Cindi Marko

Kung Pow Chicken Collection (Books #1-4)

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The Kung Pow Chicken series is a beautiful collection for any first-time reader, and it is action-packed, fast-paced, and full of color.  The hero in this book Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken and fights crime in a city called Fowladelphia.

The adventures usually start when Gordon gets a tingle in his birdy senses and follows these senses in his break mobile to where the trouble is.

Little boys will have hours of fun consuming these books, and every book comes with a moral message taught by the hero.

12. Who Would Win Series by Jerry Pallotta

Who Would Win? Series Complete 10 Book Set with Wasp Vs Hornet and Nine More Titles (See Description for Titles Included) (Who Would Win?)

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In the Who would win series, Jerry Pallotta caries the children away to a world that explores different animals and their characteristics and, more specifically, who would win in a fight.  Whether it is a fight between a lion and a tiger or between a lobster and a crab, this non-fiction book promises an in-depth look into what will make the winner a winner.

This will give your 6-year-old boy hours of fun and an abundance of helpful information about different animals.  If you want to instill a sense of respect for nature in your child, then this series is a worth wile collection.

The graphic illustrations in this series are precise and detail orientated.  The series consists of 20 books, each explaining a series of scenarios specific to two animals.  The series will entice the curiosity of the child and will give them plenty of information to impress their friends with.

This series is an excellent choice for the classroom or a beginner’s encyclopedia for a curious child.

13. Zapata Power Series by Jacqueline Jules

Zapato Power Boxed Set #1-3

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If surprise superpowers and endless adventure are what your 6-year-old boy is searching for, then the Zapata Power series is the perfect series for him.  A young boy from the city finds a parcel containing some shoes on his bed when he puts the shoes on, and he gets the power of super speed.

The speed allows him to be the hero in many situations, but he is torn between the ability to be safe and the fear of failing.

From this book series, children learn that the hero is not always the one that has all the powers and answers, but rather the hero is the one that has the ability and the guts to step up and do what is needed even when he feels like he will not be able to succeed.

The Zapata Power series will help your little boy understand that superpowers are not the only thing that makes you a hero, but rather your ability to do the difficult thing for the right reason.

14. Thorfinn – the Nicest Viking by David MacPhail

Thorfinn and the Awful Invasion (Thorfinn the Nicest Viking)

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In the series Thorfinn-the Nicest Viking, we explore the Viking lifestyle and what is expected of a young Viking.

The Protagonist Thornfinn is not precisely what you will expect of a Viking, and much to his father’s disgrace, he is friendly, kind, and worst of all, he has manners.  It is also these characteristics that lead our hero into many challenging situations.

This series teaches children that contrary to famous belief, good will triumph.  This book sends a message about bullies and other common problems that children experience in school.  It is a good read for children just beginning primary school and will encourage gentle children to be themselves.

15. The Virginia Mystery Series by Steven K. Smith

The Virginia Mysteries Series Complete 8 Books Collection Set by Steven K. Smith

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The Virginia Mystery series features Sam, Derek, and Caitlin and their adventures in their search for coins, historical documents, and even a ghost or two.  If adventure is what your boy is after, this is the series for them.

The series is fictional and contains many historical facts that will enrich their curiosity to find out more about the stories in the books.

The books are a little advanced for independent readers, but they will make a great addition to shared reading.

16. The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friends by Join Shelbani

The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend: Sohal Finds a Friend

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If your child struggles with anxiety or fears, The worries:  Sohal finds a Friend will be very relatable to him.  This book explores the possibility that our worries might not be something that we should fear.

In this book, our hero Sohal is very worried about several scenarios, and he decides to draw these fears to make them seem a little less fearful.  To his surprise, his fears quite literally come to life, and he learns a fantastic lesson.  His fears become his friends.

This book explores the possibility that what we fear might become our blessing and that we might find out things about ourselves if we are brave enough to face those fears head-on.

17. Comet in Moominland by Tave Jansson

Tove Jansson Moomin Collection 7 Books Set(The Exploits of Moominpappa,Tales from Moominvalley,Moominvalley in November,Moominsummer Madness,Moominland Midwinter,Comet in Moominland,Moominpappa atsea)

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We all remember the popular TV cartoon series of the loving Moomin family and their strange adventures and friends.  This book explores the Moomin family in yet another adventure.

Moomintroll and Sniff hear about a comet nearing earth and decide to find out if it is true.  They confirm the rumor and meet many creatures and friends that make for a great adventure on their journey.

This book is an excellent addition to the series and will leave the reader wanting more.  The ordinarily and craziness of the family will have the reader relating to the story.

18. Tales of Amazing Animal Heroes by Mike Unwin

Tales of Amazing Animal Heroes: With an introduction from Michael Morpurgo

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Tales of Amazing Animal Heroes is a beautiful non-fiction book about real live animal heroes and the amazing acts to rescue people and animals alike.  These tales of heroism are lovely, sometimes strange, but worth the read.

This book is a little advanced for independent readers, but it promises some wonderful joined reading time and might have mommy or daddy in tears as well.  If you are an animal lover and enjoy sharing this with your child, this book will give you hours of fun, laughter, and tears together.

19. Weirdo by Zadie Smith, Nick Laird, and Magenta Fox

Weirdo: Zadie Smith & Nick Laird. Illustrations: Magenta Fox

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In the book Weirdo, the protagonist is a guinea pig named Maud that likes Judo and is very comfortable with his own life and who he is.  He is very comfortable until he gets given to a girl named Kit for Christmas, and he meets her other pets.  Maud soon realizes that he is not liked by the other animals and must be the weirdo.  He soon meets a friend that shows him that being different is like a superpower and that he needs to embrace who he is so that others can see his specialness.

This book is an excellent buy for any parent trying to convince their child that different is not bad.  This book has many relatable characters that will invite your child into their world.  It is a good book for any child who feels bad for being different.

20. Evolution Coloring and Activity book by Sabina Radeva

Evolution Colouring and Activity Book

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The final book on this list is an interactive activity book that will teach your boy about evolution and the formation of the world.  This book has lots of activities, riddles, and stories that will help your child learn through play.

Help your child build a fantastic general knowledge about evolution, as well as learn new skills that will help with cognitive development and problem-solving.

Conclusion

Reading is a skill that is learned and developed as a child grows, and creating this healthy habit will help your child in their adult life as well their professional life.  This skill is as essential to the child’s development as speaking is.  Although it is a skill, it can also be a hobby, and many children who grew up with parents or guardians reading to them have also come to associate love with reading, as it was a way for the child to spend time with his parent or guardian.

The books on this list can be used as a tool to achieve independent reading and shared reading.  It is also a great collection of books for the classroom and will teach the child many lessons, even if it is just fun.

Help your child escape into a beautiful and private world designed especially for them to enjoy.  Give them the perfect give that keeps on giving, the gift of reading for fun.

References:

Brightly: 15 Books That 6- to 8-Year-Old Boys Say Are Must-Reads

Wikipedia: My Weird School

Wikipedia: Elephant and Piggie

Common Sense Media: Magic Tree House Series

Scholastic: The Ultimate I Survived Series Book List

Booktopia: The High-skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate

Wikipedia: A to Z Mysteries

The Boxcar Children: About the Boxcar Children Series

Scholastic: Explore Nonfiction in the Who Would Win? Book Series

Albert Whitman & Company: Zapato Power

Scribd: Thorfinn the Nicest Viking series Books 1 to 3: The Awful Invasion, the Gruesome Games and the Rotten Scots

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