Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal, by Jeff Kinney

In his journal, Greg records his daily trials and tribulations of being a wimpy kid just trying to survive sixth grade. This is a great book to begin a book discussion session. It is a quick read, full of cartoons that help tell the story. Add humor to the mix and the boys are sure to read it.

Activity: THIS IS OUR FIRST BOOK USING A NEW FORMAT, and we couldn't have picked a better title. We are now training local high school boys to lead the discussions for the younger boys. Discussions are held at the local elementary school in that building's awesome new library kiva. So...since this book is full of cartoons, we found a high school boy that was willing to come to the meeting and demonstrate cartooning techniques and gave tips while the boys tried their hand at cartooning. The guys loved the book (no surprise) and the activity and high school boys were a big hit.

Holes, by Louis Sachar

As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

Activity: Guys were given all the tools necessary to make a homemade compass; water, plastic bottle lids, needles and magnets. Move over MacGyver!

Happy Holidays.

Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper

On his eleventh birthday Will Stanton discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek the six magical Signs that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark.

Activity: The guys held a going away party for Guy leader Matt, who brought in his dog Jethrow, or Gulliver or something like that. Boys, Matt and multi-named mutt all had fun despite the sad goodbye.

Jimmy Coates Assasin? by Joe Craig

While escaping from the strange men that are after him in London, Jimmy discovers he possesses many unusual talents for an eleven-year-old boy.

Activity: The guys chatted online with the author, Joe Craig, from his home and studio in the UK. An incredible experience that had boys on the edge of their seats. Oh, and they loved the book, too!

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S Tolan

Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.

Activity: Played a high energy game of Apples to Apples, taking the "bored" OUT OF board games!

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.

Activity: The GUYS played a Jeopardy game using questions based on the book. A simple game of trivia got heated as the boy guys gave it to their dads for failing to know anything about the book. The dad guys find out the hard way that it does pay to read the book.

Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

Activity: The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (LENSC) brought in two live owls. The guys got a special up-close and personal screening before the owls were taken out to the main floor of the library for everyone to see. Awesome!!