Tiny Wonders: 5 Great Middle Grade-Books for Boys This Summer

Faith-filled, adventure-ready reads for ages 8–12

Part of the Tiny Wonders series: short reflections on children’s books, faith, and everyday holiness.

The sun-drenched work of a growing reader. Picture via Unsplash.

Dear fellow wonderers,

Last week, I shared five summer reads for middle grade girls—books full of campfires, capers, and the beautiful complications of growing up. This week, I’m turning to the boys: those curious, courageous, endlessly inventive creatures who can recall obscure dinosaur facts on command and always seem to have a rock (or a rubber band) in their pocket.

These aren’t books only for boys, but they speak beautifully to boyhood: to its hunger for adventure, for mission, for meaning. Some are old favorites; others are newer obsessions. All of them have sparked big conversations around our house—and one or two have taken over the dinner table entirely.

Here are five great middle grade books for boys (and anyone else who loves a good story):

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1. The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

My son can’t stop talking about this one—and I get it. A rich fantasy world, ancient secrets, hilarious footnotes, and yes, maps. So many maps. The series begins with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and just gets deeper and more beautiful with each book. Think Narnia meets The Princess Bride, with echoes of the Gospel threaded throughout.

It’s also now an animated series, beautifully adapted by Angel Studios—and free to watch. A great option for summer viewing when it’s too hot to go on your own epic quest.
📺 Watch the series here
📖 Find the book here

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2. The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer

This was a Christmas gift last year, and it quickly became a favorite. Faith-filled, action-packed, and full of purpose, it brings the Armor of God to life in a fantasy setting that’s both relatable and thrilling. Boys who love battle scenes, secret realms, and spiritual stakes will find a real sense of mission here.
📖 Find it here

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3. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Our whole family read this one together, and we all had things to say—about survival, kindness, parenting, and whether machines can love. Set on a wild, rugged island, it serves up all the best summer vibes: forest hikes, storms, animal friendships, and a sweet goose family you won’t forget.

It’s more than a book—it’s now a major animated film from DreamWorks and Universal, with Lupita Nyong’o as Roz and Pedro Pascal as a sly fox named Fink. Watching the film is officially on our summer to-do list. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or a living-room quest night in the A/C.
📺 Watch the trailer here
📖 Find the book here

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4. Henry Reed, Inc. by Keith Robertson

If your household includes any budding entrepreneurs or chaos agents, this one’s for you. Henry is calm and logical; his friend Midge is… not. Together, they attempt scientific business ventures all summer long—with hilarious and heartwarming results.
📖 Find it here

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5. Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

Donuts. Skunks. A ball of string the size of a garage. McCloskey’s classic holds up surprisingly well, with just enough weirdness to keep today’s kids entertained—and enough charm to win over the adults reading alongside them.

We mentioned McCloskey’s picture book Time of Wonder in an earlier Tiny Wonders post, and Homer Price gives us another wonderful glimpse into his world. It’s his chapter-book version of slowing down to see the small joys and strange happenings in a summer town.
📖 Find it here

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These books remind me that forming boys into men of faith, courage, and wonder doesn’t always start with a sermon. Sometimes it begins with a robot, or a sword, or a hilarious small-town mystery.

What stories have helped the boys in your life grow in courage, faith, or wonder? I’d love to hear what’s shaped them.

In hope and holy curiosity,
LuElla