In honor of Father’s Day coming up I have collected a booklist of books that my husband and boys have enjoyed together over many years. These are the books that have shaped them all, given them hours of deep conversations, sometimes laughter, a strong desire for brotherhood, and lots of growth in all areas of character.
Some of these titles are challenging, but we believe that young men are capable of a great deal more than our current culture has convinced us they are, and I think you, friend, will agree.
Some of the titles toward the end are on our shelf for them to read because they are geared to the 17 and up range, so please be aware that they do have content that you might not be comfortable discussing with your boys, but your husband will. We mothers are not generally geared toward war-like thinking and it makes us uncomfortable sometimes, but our husbands or other godly men are here to help guide our boys in those things.
Many of these books would also be great for dads to read daughters, but I have no experience in that realm — so if you’re a girl mom and would like to put together a list, let’s chat!
The chaos of creating these book list posts is a bit over the top 😂 but I love sharing the books that our family loves, and loves learning from, with you. I generally grab a lot (not always all) of the books out for whatever list it is that I’m working on and make piles so I don’t forget too many. Here is a peek into my “creative process” so you can understand why it takes me a while sometimes to get these published.
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The Early Years
Devotionals
We never read beyond the first two books in the Indescribable series, but did enjoy the first two. My husband would read these at night with the boys before bedtime. They loved them so much they read through each one twice!
Indescribable - 100 Devotions about God and Science
Answers for Kids Series - this series was enjoyed by the boys and my husband as it made bigger concepts easier to talk about.
Stories
True stories and beautiful stories that convey something about godliness and virtue have been part of our home culture from the beginning. A good story always shines a light on the hearts of men and their motives while opening the hearts of the listeners to valuable lessons.
Teddy’s Button - this was our first introduction to Lamplighter Rare Books and it is a wonderful story that imparts the importance of joining the Lord’s army without being preachy. You can see our book study here and our Teddy’s Button companion hymn tea time here. This is a great bedtime story for dad to share with younger boys.
The Green Ember Series - My boys have been raised on the beautiful and brave-hearted tales of S.D. Smith. The Green Ember, which came out in 2014 (we began reading them in 2015 when my eldest was but 5) and stole the hearts of children and parents everywhere, is a staple in our home. The boys eagerly await each new addition to the world of Rabbits with Swords.
I adore the original series, but Helmer is my favorite and when he earned his own tale I was over the moon. I also have the Helmer quotes mug and I love it! If you don’t try any other books we mention here, please try these. You won’t regret it!
These tales of adventure, especially the original 4, are perfect for dad to read and voice and then go make stick swords and have daring adventures in the woods with his children!
The Black Star of Kingston (Tales of Old Natalia)
The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner (Tales of Old Natalia)
Prince Lander and the Dragon War (Tales of Old Natalia)
The Last Archer (Green Ember Archer)
The First Fowler (Green Ember Archer)
The Archer’s Cup (Green Ember Archer)
The Lost Key (Green Ember Lost Tales)
The Lost Legend (Green Ember Lost Tales)
Helmer in the Dragon’s Tomb video game (because dads and boys enjoy playing together)
5 Days of The Green Ember - Author Interview with S.D. Smith
We are story formed creatures. The impact a true, good, and beautiful story can have on a life is, quite simply, remarkable.
Picture books and treasuries are a wonderful way for dad to share sweet, short stories with sons in the younger years. These are just a few of the ones my husband read to the boys between 5-11 years old. I know there are many others, but I think they are in a box for safekeeping.
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children - This is full of delightful stories to help your little ones develop a love of God’s creation.
The Boy Who Drew Birds - This is a beautiful book about John James Audubon who inspires young children to look more deeply at the beautiful creatures they see.
Good Morning, God by Davis Carmen- This is a precious book that my husband read many times to the boys in the morning and at night.
The Good Man of Assisi - a lovely picture biography of St. Francis of Assisi that helps share his devotion with the youngest of listeners.
As an aside, learning about saints is a fantastic way to dip your toes into liturgical living. Ashley Tumlin Wallace has amazing resources to help, too.
The Music in George’s Head - Including biographies of artists is a great way to introduce the arts to young children. My husband loves all manner of music, but especially jazz, and used to play Gershwin to the boys from his phone when they were playing Duplo on the floor. This picture biography was a favorite.
Churchill the Man of the Century, a pictorial biography - Our eldest boy has loved warriors, swords, and military history from the time he was 3. He chose a St. George costume to play in (from his Mimi) and he never looked back. Churchill was an early favorite as he dove into World War II (what is it about ships and planes that fascinates boys so much?) and this biography was a simple way to encourage his interest while sharing plenty about the extraordinary life of Winston.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - this is a fantastic illustrated edition of the poem with Gustave Dore’s engravings of the classic poem. Spooky and intense, boys naturally gravitate to this wonderful piece of classic literature and dads give an unforgettable voice to the Ancient Mariner’s tale.
Rags: Hero Dog of WWI - The love of history and military exploits meets the gentleness and faithfulness of man’s best friend. Rags is a true story that showcases the love between man and dog and how that relationship can bring about the extraordinary.
Irenaeus of Lyons by Sinclair Ferguson- biographies of heroes of the faith are a great avenue for dads to share remarkable lives with their sons to encourage them in their own faith walk. When I purchased this book, it was still in print so you may want to look for it used.
Martin Luther, A Man Who Changed the World - Another great biography.
Incredible Creatures and Creations of the Bible - this is a fun book that all the boys (husband included) enjoyed tremendously.
Through the Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Created Narnia - Learn the beautiful story about how Clive became Jack and eventually turned his big dreams into stories that have charmed generations.
The Wilderking Trilogy - This set is a wild adventure, in a sort-of allegory of the story of King David, that takes some raucous and often humorous turns. There will be belly laughs, giggles, and some deep conversations that make this an adventure worth sharing. I would put this set at the 8 and up range.
More great biographies
Augustine of Hippo by Simonetta Carr
Patrick of Ireland by Simonetta Carr
Beyond the Early Years
Many of the books my husband has read with our boys are books I have found through recommendations of friends and that I have seen via online people I generally trust. They have varied widely in content and as the boys have gotten older, they have requested more intense stories like soldier memoirs and deeper devotionals. I do recommend previewing all books to make sure they align with your family and your child’s specific sensitivities.
And remember, too, that books that challenge us in our ideas and convictions also give opportunities for deep and humbling conversations as our children become young adults (the term I prefer to teenagers). We don’t have to agree with everything in a book for it to be a worthy read.
The Bible in a Year - we all come together for family Bible time, but going through the Bible in a year has become a beloved nightly reading time.
All the Bob Schultz books, and these are listed in the order we introduced them beginning when the boys were around 11 and 9. These are gentle, practical guides that are solid and create many opportunities for my husband to share more wisdom with our boys:
Created for Work (this is such an excellent study- both boys have picked it up on their own to read again.)
Boyhood and Beyond (this one my husband studied with them when they were 13 and 11, and it has also been reread by both boys)
Practical Happiness (this is the current study my husband is doing with the boys at 16 and 13. They are also planning to go through it with some friends and their dads over the summer for Fire pit Fridays, which I am ecstatic about!)
Everyday Battles (this one is next in our stack but we are waiting till after my youngest turns 14 this summer)
Man Up! A Guide to Restoring Biblical Manhood by Mike Winter (not pictured)- This one is between my husband and our eldest, who has expressed a desire to become a young man worthy of courting and wanted to be guided in that direction. 15+
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 - This one is more gritty and one they are currently reading together that chronicles how Seal Team 10 fought valiantly in Afghanistan and conveys the team’s courage, honor, brotherhood, and patriotism. Definitely a 13+ book.
Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle - I can’t give a better description than Amazon for this beautiful book. “In Thoughts for Young Men, renowned 19th-century preacher J.C. Ryle offers urgent and fatherly counsel to young men standing at the crossroads of life. With piercing insight and pastoral warmth, Ryle warns of the spiritual dangers unique to youth—pride, laziness, lust, and the lure of worldly success—while urging readers to pursue holiness, wisdom, and wholehearted devotion to God.” 12+
George Washington’s Rules of Civility - Short bits of wisdom for daily life and interactions from the General himself. Each boy has his own copy and my husband is guiding them through.
The Wingfeather Saga - This is an epic adventure full of danger, emotions and struggles with siblings and family, growing up, responsibility, wrestling with good and evil, and so much more. The true meaning of sacrifice and love are felt over and over again. It can be intense so 10+ is our rating.
The Chronicles of Narnia - I read these to our boys when they were young, but having the menfolk read it together at a more mature age was very different for them. I think the story speaks to each age with a different bit of wisdom and dads can really expound on that as they are reading to their boys.
Carry a Big Stick - Theodore Roosevelt was an exceptional man of many talents and experiences. This is a short but thorough biography. 10+
Common Sense - The classic piece from Thomas Paine is required reading in our home. Having dad lead the reading makes it more fun.
100 Best-Loved Poems - This is a collection of poetry that spans many poets and contains many loved and often referenced poems. Thanks to Warrior Poet (more about that further down), the boys decided it would be okay to at least be more familiar with the popular poems of the world 😂
Otto of the Silver Hand - Howard Pyle has been inspiring adventure and chivalry for more than 100 years. This tale is epic and enthralling.
The Life of Chesterton - This is an enchanting biography of G.K. Chesterton, the author of the Father Brown mysteries the boys love. It is great for younger children, but it worked well for my husband to share with the boys after they discovered Father Brown, too.
Portraits of Integrity - This lovely book contains 45 stories of real people who exemplified godly character. The short sketches are a perfect pre-bedtime read.
Voice of the Martyrs graphic novel anthology - This book covers the earliest period of church history and the men and women who were faithful to their Savior, regardless the cost.
One Nation: Patriots and Pirates Portrayed by N.C. Wyeth and James Wyeth - This book gives a glimpse at the different views of patriotism held by grandfather N.C. and grandson James. Two men from two very different generations share their feelings and thoughts through art. It is a book to foster discussion.
Memoirs and Biographies
War as I Knew It - War as I Knew It is the captivating memoir of George S. Patton, Jr., the legendary general, incendiary warrior, and unparalleled tactician of World War II. My Papaw, the boys’ great-grandfather fought under Patton in the 3rd Army in Europe. We also offer a geography curriculum based on the memoir of one of Papaw’s Infantry soldiers: Marching with the Greatest Generation
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story - Dr. Carson shares his humble beginnings all the way to his career as a top neurosurgeon. His story is full of godly wisdom and achievement.
Brave Men - I saw this book in my favorite second hand bookshop and grabbed it. I knew what an incredible journalist Ernie Pyle was, and that he had cared very deeply for the soldiers he covered. The remarkable nature of his honest reporting brings the courage of all those men to life.
Endurance - Shackleton’s voyage is full of courage and miracles and shows what grit and determination can accomplish. 12+ for intensity.
Blood and Thunder - The eldest expressed a desire to learn more about Kit Carson due to reading the Time Life set all about the American West (a neighbor gave him the set!!!) so I got the book as one for them to read, but they haven’t gotten to it yet.
Paderewski: The Lion of Poland - (public domain) The book tells the story of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a Polish pianist and composer who became a world-renowned musician and later served as the Prime Minister of Poland.
The Lombardi Rules - This is one we chose because it helps prepare our boys for life as an adult. And also because my husband is a big Lombardi fan.
The Way I Heard It - Mike Rowe is an incredible storyteller (and a pretty awesome baritone, too). Sharing stories that are interesting, funny, well-told, and short is a winning combination for evening read alouds.
Always with Honor - Widely recognized for his tactical brilliance and unimpeachable character, Pyotr Wrangel accepted the burden of command over the last remnant of anti-communist forces. His memoirs show a man of courage and conviction, even in the face of certain defeat.
Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation - The history of a truly exceptional man. As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America's greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike. Henry's passion for liberty (as well as his very large family), suggested to many Americans that he, not Washington, was the real father of his country. 13+
American Original - a biography of Antonin Scalia, a true Constitutional Jurist on SCOTUS. 14+
My Grandfather’s Son (not pictured) - Justice Clarence Thomas speaks out, revealing the pieces of his life he holds dear, detailing the suffering and injustices he has overcome, including the polarizing Senate hearing involving a former aide, Anita Hill, and the depression and despair it created in his own life and the lives of those closest to him. In this candid and deeply moving memoir, a quintessential American tale of hardship and grit, Clarence Thomas recounts his astonishing journey for the first time. For modern reading in Civics, reading Thomas’ dissents and opinions is a masterclass on Constitutional originalist law. 14+
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - A consummate prankster with a quick wit, Tom Sawyer dreams of a bigger fate than simply being a “rich boy.” Yet through the novel’s humorous escapades—from the famous episode of the whitewashed fence to the trial of Injun Joe—Mark Twain explores the deeper themes of the adult world, one of dishonesty and superstition, murder and revenge, starvation and slavery.
The Swiss Family Robinson - When a violent storm destroys their ship bound for Australia, the Robinson family—father, mother, and four sons—finds themselves stranded on an uninhabited tropical island with only what they can salvage from the wreck. Rather than despair, this resourceful Swiss family rises to the challenge, using ingenuity and teamwork to build an extraordinary new life.
Men of Iron - This is a classic tale of chivalry from Howard Pyle that sees injustice resolved, a boy growing into a man, and more adventure than you can joust at.
Shane - This classic western explores the age old drama of good versus evil, coming of age, and while the story is told from the 8 year old’s point of view, there is a depth to the characters that is mesmerizing. It’s also an excellent illustration of how choices, even old ones that you have moved beyond, carry consequences. 12+
God’s Smuggler - The exciting narrative follows the dangerous true-life mission of Brother Andrew, a Dutch factory worker who goes undercover to transport Bibles across closed borders. 11+
Great Men Bow Down - 150 one-page profiles of legendary men over the past 500 years of western culture who have acknowledged Jehovah God as their source of inspiration. These men's careers span the horizon of science, military, sports, medicine, art, music, literature and government.
Siege - Following the battles of Lexington and Concord, Congress unanimously elects George Washington commander in chief of the American armed forces, and he is sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to transform the ragtag collection of volunteer militiamen into America’s first army. This wonderful tale is told in verse!
The Boys in the Boat - Out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant.
Profiles of Valor Set- Step into the earliest days of America’s fight for freedom, experience the key turning points, see the struggle unfold, and celebrate the eventual founding of the nation. From the chaos of battlefields to secret midnight rides, you’ll meet forty real heroes (ten per volume), each demonstrating a powerful virtue like humility, justice, and determination. These true stories reveal the Christian faith and grit that built a nation. This four-book series will help you fall in love with American history, reconnect with its godly founding values, and discover a pathway for its future. 11+
The Love Poems of Elizabeth and Robert Browning - a collection of poems between the husband and wife that show both the serious and playful sides of marriage.
Aesop’s Fables - this edition contains the Arthur Rackham illustrations. Aesop’s fables are wonderful for young children, but there is more depth to be explored when hearing them again after a little more life experience.
Preparedness, Leadership, and skills they need for Trail Life
Having outdoor skills is generally a good idea. Having first aid knowledge is a good idea. Having determination is a great thing. Having survival skills is also a great thing. We want our boys to be prepared for anything that comes their way (including military service if they choose that option), and also to earn all the Trail Life badges they need for Freedom. These books get them closer to all that.
Do Hard Things - Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, Alex and Brett Harris weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact. This book had a big impact on both our boys! 12+
Tactical Wisdom Series - I don’t remember how I came across these books or the author, but I’m glad I did! The TW series covers all kinds of helpful information for WROL and other not-so-awesome situations. My husband has found these books just as helpful as the boys and they have had a lot of fun implementing many of the practices during their Nerf Gel Blaster wars with friends out in our woods.
What I love is there are biblical tie-ins through all the books. The author is a leader in the Every Man a Warrior Bible study group and it really shows in how he has written these guides. 8+
Escape the Wolf - Escape the Wolf raises the safety IQ of today’s global travelers. Using Escape the Wolf’s exclusive, holistic Total Awareness System, international travelers are empowered to identify, minimize, or avoid all types of wolves or threats—from common crime, health issues, and natural disasters to kidnapping and even terrorism. The author shares his years of hands-on experience in dealing with high-risk situations. This one harkens back to having our boys prepared for whatever life brings at them, especially if it’s military service. Side note: I actually enjoyed this one and found it very helpful for general situational awareness. 12+
The Warrior Poet Way: A Guide to Living Free and Dying Well - All my guys really loved this book and they refer to it often among themselves. We also met the author at GHC in 2025 and the boys were very inspired by his talks. Both philosophical and practical, this guide dispenses essential advice on how to be a whole man, from tyranny-proofing your home to wooing the right woman. Through anecdotes of his time in the military, interviews with other men, and practicums at the end of each chapter, Lovell teaches the virtue of balance—navigating the tension between violent warrior and romantic poet—and guides men through each mental and physical change they must make to embody the ancient spirit of a real man. 13+
The Guerrilla’s Guide to the Baofeng Radio - All 3 men in our home are Hams. They also like to see how they can stretch themselves engineering new things or different things. I don’t ask too many questions 😂 But they all enjoy this book. If you have an amateur radio aficionado, then they might have fun with this, too. Going far beyond simple programming or what's written from the Amateur Radio perspective, this manual goes in-depth on how to communicate, creating a communications plan, improvised wire antennas, digital operations and encryption in an easy to follow, step-by-step format based on combat proven methods. 12+
Brave Faith
We want to send the boys out into their adult lives fully prepared to stand firm in their faith against all the wiles of the world. These are some of the books we have chosen with that in mind.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs - Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a history of the lives, sufferings and deaths of the Early Christians and Protestant Martyrs. As Christians, this is our family album and we should be diligent in sharing our heritage with our children. 12+
The Confessions of Saint Augustine - This book is an excellent choice for dad to read with your junior and senior aged boys. It is incredibly impactful and every Christian should read it, in my opinion. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his renunciation of secular ambition and marriage, and the recovery of the faith his mother Monica had taught him during his childhood. 16+
Brave By Faith (a study of Daniel) - This is a Bible study by Alistair Begg that delves into the courage of Daniel and is full of wonderful insights. In this realistic yet positive book, renowned Bible teacher Alistair Begg examines the first seven chapters of Daniel to show us how to live bravely, confidently, and obediently in an increasingly secular society. 12+
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus - Helping our sons learn how to share the Gospel with people of other faiths is very important to us, and this books gives incredible insight into ministering to muslims and to the power of God to change hearts and minds. “more than the memoir of a man's pursuit of answers to the most important issues of life and faith. Ultimately, it's the story about the transformative grace and mercy of the one true God. 14+
Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason - Developing logic skills is a lifelong task, and we have merely helped lay the foundations for our children. Dr. Lisle uses logic to walk you through biblical controversy/contradiction arguments and show how and why they are wrong. This is a gift to help your sons grow into men who can stand firm and share Truth. In this book Dr. Jason Lisle examines 420 claims of Bible contradictions and sets the record straight. 14+
The Screwtape Letters - If you want your young men to be warned, aware, and able to recognize when sin is scratching at their door, Screwtape is required reading. A masterpiece of satire, it offers a sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below.”
The Space Trilogy- For parents, I recommend listening to the Literary Life Podcast here before beginning this journey with your children. There is so much depth and literary references in these three stories and it covers the gamut of humanity in all its glory and depravity. Called to join the universal battle of good vs. evil, Dr. Elwin Ransom, a renowned scholar, fights demonic forces with the help of heavenly messengers. Follow his out-of-this-world adventures.
The Way of Kings - This study is great for dads and 14+. Which reminds me that I need to buy another copy since my eldest has already gone through this one. Drawing on the ancient tradition of an older and wiser ruler passing on his wisdom, like Solomon in the book of Proverbs, Nathan Clarkson offers young men 40 short and to-the-point letters for the journey. Packed with practical, biblically based advice on real-life issues, this book helps men base their identity not in who the world says they should be but in who their King says they can be.
Winning His Spurs - This is a daring adventure taking place during the Crusades that will keep your boys on the edge of their seats! Themes of loyalty, honor, and the desire to grow into a valiant man are all there. Be aware that most Henty books have been republished by random companies because they are public domain, so I recommend finding a vintage hardcover, but I have linked to the Gutenberg edition.
Whew, y’all! That is a big list, and I know I have missed many. I do hope this is helpful to get you started on some great Father and Son reading. What titles would you add?
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Thank you for this amazing resource!
Thanks! Lots here I didn’t know about.
The short story “The Diving Fool” is one I ran across in a copy of a very old magazine decades ago, but Google can find it. It’s a great one for boys 12 and up.