Does anyone have any recommendations for books for a boy age 15, who do not like to read, but need to read to increase vocab and spelling ability?  He has read The Hatchet and the rest of that series, but that was a few years ago.  His most recent read was Touchdown Alexander, which he liked but it took him a while.  He would much rather be playing football than reading about it.  Would appreciate suggestions.

Thanks

Teresa,

A book that both my boys read when they were about that age was Rifles for Watie. It is a Civil War type book. I do not really know what it is about other than that. They both agreed it wasa good book.

I think they also read some of the Dear America books for boys at that age. Those may be a little below his grade level, but he might still enjoy them if he is interested in historicals.

I remember my youngest son also read one of Christian fiction author Brandilyn Collin's books when he was about that age and he enjoyed that. I was really surprised at the time that he liked it, but I read it  and I can see how it could appeal to a young man. It was about a woman that worked with the police to find murderers. It seems like the title might have been Brink of Death.  It was very suspenseful.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Robin,

I had forgotten about Rifles for Watie.  I'll try that one.  And I'll look up the Brandilyn Collins books.  I know he loves listening to the GA Henty books on CD but to read through one is asking too much.  He's very active.  He has a great attention span for listening, but not for reading.

Thanks for your help.

Robert Liparulo has an exciting, fast-paced adventure series for Young Adults called the Dreamhouse Kings series. Very, very highly recommended.

Wayne Thomas Batson has several fantasy series for that age, but I have not read them, so I can't say how good they are.

You could even try Robin Parrish's Dominion trilogy. The first, Relentless, remains one of my favorite books. Exciting super-hero type book.

None of the following are "Christian" books, but they are well-written and entertaining. William Nicholson's The Wind Singer is very good. Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember is, too. You could also try Michael Grant's Gone, Marianne Curley's The Named, or Scott Westerfeld's Midnighters trilogy. Brian Jacques' Redwall series can get pretty wordy, but they were fun stories.

If these sound too childish for him, then he should really try Ted Dekker's Thr3e. Amazing book. (This one is written by a Christian author).

And if none of these books can get him to read, then I don't know what will. =p I hope I could help!

You might want to ask this question over at the homeschool forum. The ladies there are always willing and eager to help. I've seen this same question several times.

I would recommend the Landmark Books. They are out of print but you can still get them at booksales. My students love them. They are constantly reading them. And they are farm boys who'd rather make their hands dirty then be seen reading a book!

Good luck! I've seen several of my "I don't want to read" boys grow out of this stage and become fluent readers.

Thanks for all your seggestions.  They are greatly appreciated.  I will look up some of these books.  And since we do homeschool I will also look at the homeschool forum.

Once my son discovered Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti there was no turning back. 

@Barbara: Agreed. That's how it was for me.