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Booksforboys.com
Improved reading ability can put your son in the fast lane to success !
Ages 14 and up
Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer. 332 pages. Ages 14 and up. This is the harrowing account of the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest climbing expedition. The book is written by one of the climbers who narrowly survived brain damage and being frozen to death. In May of 1996, an expedition to climb the tallest peak on the planet encountered a rogue snowstorm, trapping climbers above and below it. Of the eleven members of the expedition that started the climb, only six came back alive. Krakauer vividly recounts the harrowing experiences he and others endured as they strove to reach the summit, 29,000 feet above sea level, through oxygen depleted air, and sub freezing temperatures. Acts of heroism, selfishness and cowardice reveal the heights and depths of the human condition. Photos from the expedition help to portray the vastness of Everest, and puts a human face on the climbers. In stock, $ 12.95.
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Band of Brothers, by Steven Ambrose. Ages 14 and up. 338 pages. This is the gritty and awe inspiring account of Easy Company, a group of men who parachuted into France prior to the D-Day invasion, and fought their way across France, Belgium and Germany, right into the Eagle’s Nest, Adolph Hitler’s mountain top residence. This story was immortalized by Steven Spielberg in the movie by the same title. Their training in England and the battles they fought, against themselves and the enemy are vividly told.
The horrors and cruelties of war, as well as the heroic actions they undertook, unfold throughout this amazing book. Direct commentary by the men who survived makes this saga even more meaningful. Their fears, failings, heroic actions, and camaraderie they experienced will stay with your son forever. This book is an outstanding opportunity for boys to immerse themselves in what these men were thinking and feeling, as well as becoming engrossed and educated in the epic battles of World War II. If your son has an interest in American military history, wants to truly learn about WW II, or would enjoy reading about the bonds that these Band of Brothers developed, he will never forget this book. In stock. $12.95.
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On the Devil’s Court, by Carl Deuker. 208 pages. Ages 14 and up. This author specializes in absorbing and dramatic themes, against a riveting sports backdrop. 17 year old Joe Faust has a passion for basketball. His family has just moved to Seattle, and Joe wants to attend the local public high school, so he can play on their top notch basketball team. He starts playing streetball with some of the kids from the high school team, and feels like he can fit in. His parents overrule his wishes, and send him to the private school. Everything is going poorly for Joe, who is frustrated and angry at his situation. The private school basketball team is not as good as the public school, and Joe is playing terribly for them.
In English class, he is learning the tale of Dr. Faustus, who sold his soul to the Devil for unlimited success in life. Alone one night in the gym, angrily shooting baskets, Joe makes his own pact with the Devil. His life is immediately transformed. He plays like a superstar, friendships are going well, and does great in school. His team wins one game after another, culminating in the final championship game against the public high school. The theme of selling your soul to the devil for success is deftly intertwined into the storyline. The descriptions of the basketball games are vivid, real life and intense. The ending will leave your son amused and scratching his head, wondering what really happened. In stock. $7.99.
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The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier. 272 pages. Ages 14 and up. This is not just another young adult novel. The themes in this story will really leave your son thinking after he finishes this book. The author has won many awards, and is an outstanding storyteller, unafraid to break the mold.
What would you do if your son comes home from school one day, and tells you he is not going to sell chocolates to fund raise for the school? What would happen if he were the only one standing up for his principles? Better still, what if each student’s quota is double last year’s because the school controller mismanaged the budget, and was trying to cover it up? Hits a little close to the realities that we see everyday, doesn’t it? Well, that gives you an idea of the drama that Jerry Renault, the boy who refuses to sell chocolates, will be facing in his high school. When the school controller manipulates the school’s secret society against Jerry, a real psychological thriller unfolds. The character development is sharp and on the money.
The book does not have a feel good ending. It is very provocative, sometimes dark, but we think, very realistic. If your son likes to question authority, and likes a good drama, he’ll like this classic. In stock. $8.95
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One Fat Summer, by Robert Lipsyte. 240 pages. 14 and up. Lipsyte is a great young adult author specializing in dramatic themes. The protagonist is a fat 14 yr old named Bobby Marks. His close friend is Joanie, who has a crooked nose. They bond together, trying to ignore the hurtful insults thrown at them all the time. When Joanie goes away suddenly for the summer, Bobby throws himself into his new job, cutting and maintaining the large lawn of Dr. Kahn, who treats him like a slave. Amidst his parents fighting episodes, keeping secrets for his sister, and have a truly mean bully harassing him, his insecurity about himself grows. However, as the summer progresses, Bobby keeps his dreams alive, deals with Dr. Kahn, and also starts noticing some changes about his body and his strength. He manages to avoid a fight with the bully for most of the summer. However, the drama and suspense build towards a very satisfying feel good ending, with an uplifting message for anyone feeling insecure about themselves. $5.99. In stock.
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The Ring of McAllister: A Score Raising Mystery Featuring 1046 Must Know SAT Vocabulary Words, by Robert Marantz. 352 pages. Ages 14 and up. How great would it be if your son could read an engrossing mystery story, while expanding his vocabulary in preparation for the SAT test? This book does just that. Will, Katie and Ty are seventeen year old high school friends that get drawn into a mysterious and creepy set of events, during a summer they’ll never forget.
A new family has moved into the notorious Stone Manor mansion, next to Will’s house.
Will starts reliving some early childhood fears about the mansion.
A man named McAllister was supposedly murdered there years ago, but the body was never discovered. After the new family moves in, strange things start to happen. The author does a nice job of unfolding the mystery, and laces the story with many creepy moments. The book contains 1046 words interspersed throughout the story that are highlighted in bold. These are the typical words that tend to show up on the SAT test, and this method is a great way to learn them. In our opinion, this beats the heck out of flash cards. The reader sees how the word is used in context, and the definitions are conveniently listed at the bottom of each page. An alphabetical word listing and definitions is also included at the back of the book. In stock. $12.95.
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Halloween Party, by R.L. Stine. Horror / Mystery. 160 pages. Ages 14 and up. This is a well paced horror story by a highly acclaimed author of horror novels for young adults and children. Your son will be quickly drawn into the drama that ensnares nine high school students that get invited to a Halloween party they will never forget. The author does a masterful job of building the suspense, and continually catching the reader by surprise. Your son will easily connect to the characters, typical high school students. All except for one of them, that is. The terror and suspense continue to build, culminating in a scary and twisted ending. If your son likes a good horror story, he’ll like this one. In Stock. $5.99
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Ghost Soldiers, by Hampton Sides. 384 pages. Ages 14 and up. Wow! After your son reads this book, that is what his reaction will be. He will get goose bumps, be horrified, and find himself cheering at the end. He will tell his parents, friends and teachers about this heroic WW II rescue mission. If your son has to do a book report on WW II, this is the book. The setting is the Philippines, WW II. The time is Jan, 1945. American forces are starting to push the Japanese army back into Japan. As the Japanese army retreats, there are fears they will kill American POW’s, held in Japanese POW camps in the Philippines. These fears are realized, after American commanders learn of the massacre of American POW’s at the Palawan POW camp. There are another 513 POW’s at the Cabanatuan Prison camp that may be massacred any day now. These are the POW’s that survived the Bataan Death March. The decision is made to launch a rescue mission, behind enemy lines, by the Army Rangers. The book is well written, and mesmerizing. This inspiring story will make your son feel proud to be an American.
In stock. $12.95
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Snow Bound, by Harry Mazer. 142 pages. Ages 14 and up. Tony Laporte is a headstrong fifteen year old. He brings home a stray dog, but his parents refuse to let him keep it. He gets angry, and drives off in one of his parent’s cars. He picks up a hitchhiker named Cindy. They find themselves driving into a fast moving blizzard. Tony recklessly crashes the car in a deserted area. Tony and Cindy are now up against a blinding snowstorm, injuries and wild dog attacks. They must learn to forget their petty grievances against the world, and rely on each other to survive. This is an intense page turner by one of the better young adult authors.
In stock. $5.99
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The Last Mission, by Harry Mazer. 188 pages. Ages 14 and up. An intense and gripping fictional drama about WW II. Jack Raab is a 15 year old boy, who hates what Hitler is doing to the Jews in Europe. His older looks, and a fake I.D., get him into the Air Force. He trains with a bombing crew in England, to prepare for their terrifying bombing missions over Germany. On their twenty fourth bombing mission, their plane is shot down, and the survivors, including Jack, are taken prisoner. The storytelling is riveting. The bombing runs are vividly described. The language is hard hitting and real. The ending is thought provoking. Your son will be engrossed by this story.
In stock. $6.50 This book is supplied with a separate set of questions, answers and explanations.
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Heart of a Champion, by Carl Deuker. 208 pages. Ages 14 and up.
If your son plays baseball, he’ll be mesmerized by this book. This is an unusually intense book. Real life, compelling teenage themes: Competing, drinking, friendships, loss, family. This is the story of two teenage boys, and how their experiences change each one of them forever. Seth first meets Jimmy in a park, watching Jimmy's father put him through one difficult baseball drill after another. Jimmy's competitive spirit to play baseball rubs off on Seth, who also becomes a good ball player. Both boys struggle desperately with their inner demons. Great baseball descriptions, compelling, intense character development, important real life teenage issues. Bittersweet and hard to put down, your son won't forget this book.
In stock. $7.99
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Endurance, Alfred Lansing, 274 pages, Ages 14 and up. This is one of the greatest survival stories known to man! What makes it even more amazing is that it actually happened! In December, 1914, Ernest Shackleton commanded an expedition of 27 men. The goal was to cross over the South Pole, on foot. The crew set sail on the Endurance, from Georgia island, about eight hundred miles from the Antarctic. The ship gets trapped by ice, and the men have to eventually abandon ship. Imagine trying to survive temperatures thirty five below zero. Ice cold winds. Sections of ice getting ready to crumble beneath your feet, tossing you into a frigid death! The men endure hardships such as near starvation and gangrene. Sea monsters rising from the oceans, hunting them across the ice. Eating their beloved sled dogs to survive. Performing an amputation to save a man’s life. Your son will be amazed at this intense account of man’s indomitable will to survive. We only stock the version of the book that contains 35 photographs from the actual expedition. ISBN # 0786708425. These photos truly bring to life this story of how these men survived for seventeen months surrounded by the coldest enviornment on the planet.
The Chicago Tribune review of this book sums it up: "One of the most gripping, suspenseful, intense stories anyone will ever read." In stock. $14.95 Only available used, in good condition.
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