Parents of reluctant readers often find that the only way to really get their children reading is to find books for children that are connected to their kids' real-life interests and activities. In the case of young boys, those interests and activities are usually sports.
Thankfully, there are many great sports books for boys on the shelves of bookstores and libraries. This list of hockey books features the best books for boys ages 8-12.
The Screech Owls, Roy MacGregor
This series of children's sports books has everything that makes books for boys amazing: mystery, excitement, adventure, and hockey.
The Screech Owls series focuses on a peewee hockey team in Ontario as they attempt to win hockey tournaments. Of course, strange things are always happening to the Screech Owls team, including murders, kidnapping, ghosts, and even terrorists. The books are fast-paced, light, and exciting reads, good for boys ages 9, 10, 11, or 12.
There are 22 books in the series, enough to keep even the biggest hockey fan reading for months, and while there is no consistent timeline the first book is Mystery at Lake Placid. These are great kids' sports books, sure to spark an interest in reading for reluctant readers.
Slapshots, Gordon Korman
Another great series of children's sports books, but not quite the same as The Screech Owls. Where MacGregor's series was filled with mystery and adventure, Korman's series are funny books for boys, more of an underdog story than a mystery novel.
The first book in the Slapshots series, The Stars from Mars, follows a school sportswriter as he chronicles the debut team in the Waterloo Slapshot League. Unfortunately for this budding reporter, the team stinks! This book is filled with hilarious antics, reminiscent of the classic hockey movie The Mighty Ducks. Fans of hockey and funny books will definitely become fans of this series, and it's great for boys ages 10 and up.
For more funny books for boys, also check this list of hilarious books for kids.
Body Check, Matt Christopher
Matt Christoper is the most prolific writer of sports books for boys. Unlike Slapshots and The Screech Owls, however, Body Check leans toward the more serious side of hockey.
The main character, 12 year old Brent Mullen, learns that his team isn't winning because they're better, they're winning because their new coach is teaching the team illegal moves. A classic story about competitiveness, teamwork, and fair play, the age of the main character and the problems presented makes Body Check a great book for boys 11 or 12. However, the language and word choice are easy enough that boys of 8 or 9 could also read and enjoy this more serious take on the sport.
These are just a few of the amazing books for boys on the subject of hockey. Even reluctant readers will love to follow these hockey teams while they wait for their own season to start. For readers looking for a warmer sport, check out this list of baseball books for boys.
