Two relatively new books, “Fort” by Cynthia DeFelice and “Lost in the Sun” by Lisa Graff will appeal to boys in the 9-12 age range.
Wyatt is the preteen main character of the novel “Fort.” Vacationing in upstate New York, Wyatt, and Audie decide to build a fort. Unfortunately two local bullies, J.R. and Morrie, thwart their plans. Their determination to help out a local kid, who is the focus of the bullies’ abuse, and build their fort results in Operation Doom. This is a believable adventure story that will engage readers, especially young boys.
“Lost in the Sun” by Lisa Graff focuses on a middle-school misfit who feels everyone, teachers, his dad, his friends, hate him.
Trent Zimmerman probably hates himself as well. During the winter he accidentally hit a hockey puck into a classmate with disastrous results. In this character-driven novel, Graff crafts a plot that will resonate with many young people. How can we forgive ourselves for our mistakes and faults.