One of the most common requests any literature professional gets is “What is a good book for a middle school boy?”
To start to answer that question, try Guys Read. And stay tuned to Adlit.org for a more comprehensive list this summer.
But what is really the perfect book for a middle school boy? I might suggest Sir John Hargrave’s Mischief Maker’s Manual. A compilation of pranks from the classics (short sheeting a bed, or as it’s called here “apple-pie bed,” and Saran wrap over toilet seats.)
But technology has allowed brand new pranks to appear that grandfathers didn’t do in their own youth, such as changing someone’s ringtone to something completely uncool, or changing the autocorrect on their computer to something, well, cheeky.
Obviously, you need parents and friends with a sense of humor, who won’t mind being a butt of these jokes. But even if they’re just read as “wouldn’t that be funny?” it should still have lots of boy appeal. For the parents, there are lots and lots and lots of warnings about knowing that doing these things could get the prankster in a spot of trouble.
Keep this one in mind for the next gift giving occasion, as the book has places for notes and to come up with your own pranks.
And hurry! A contest to win a copy of the book ends tomorrow! And that’s no joke!