Not sure how old your son is, but my son recently enjoyed Concrete Rose (it's' the preequal to the The Hate You Give and focuses on the Father in The Hate You Give) but probably better for late MS to HS age. For MS and late ES, he liked Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. He LOVED Wonder and the Saving Mr. Terrupt series--both of which are written from the perspective of multipel kids depending on t hechapter. Althoug not particularly "modern" becuase its 20 years old, he Loved Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (about an unusual bond between two boys facing very different challenges). The common thread here is that my kid likes books that are riviting, often include some adventure, but deal with some real-world like gang violence, cancer, disabilities, foster care etc.

Anonymous wrote:I’m finding it hard to find books with boy characters that aren’t about sports or some kind of fantasy or adventure.

My son is currently reading the Hero/Scout/Max books by Jennifer Li Shotz. They're all boy and his dog stories - entirely predictable, but entertaining for my 9 year old.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo? Some heavier themes but a bunch of superpowered teen protagonists, about 2/3rds male.

Slightly less modern, but Diana Wynne Jones and Ursula K Le Guin have lots of good male protagonists. Also Susan Cooper -- The Dark is Rising series as well as King of Shadows.

Mercedes Lackey also has some boys, although she does tend to more female protagonists. I like Take a Thief by her and Brightly Burning (although that one's very tragic so YMMV depending on the kid).

For a slightly older teen, I really like the Imager series by L. E. Modesitt Jr. as well. Lots of plot and interesting magic and a great main character.

If you can find a copy, The Player's Boy and The Players and the Rebels by Antonia Forest are wonderful historical fiction (with male protagonist).

Tristan Strong

Kane Chronicles

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

Stars Beneath our Feet

Witch Boy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Percy Jackson, Harry Potter

Most novels have a male protagonist. This isn’t hard to find OP. You’re really reaching to find something to be offended about.

Thanks everyone for the suggestion, except PP!

Funny you ask. I was just looking for something similar yesterday and i found this: https://www.raisingteenagers.com.au/30-books-for-boys-aged-13-14-and-15/

Anonymous wrote:Percy Jackson, Harry Potter

Most novels have a male protagonist. This isn’t hard to find OP. You’re really reaching to find something to be offended about.

I’m finding it hard to find books with boy characters that aren’t about sports or some kind of fantasy or adventure.

Rick Riordan's books are pretty good. That's why it sells so well.

Anonymous wrote:My son and I are reading The Raven Cycle books by Maggie Stiefvater, and we both really like them. There’s a quest, and magic, and excellent character development. There are 4 main characters, 3 boys and a girl. The audio versions are fantastic as well. The guy who reads them is incredibly talented.

I love those books!

Jason Reynolds

Percy Jackson, Harry Potter

New Kid and Class Act graphic novels

My son and I are reading The Raven Cycle books by Maggie Stiefvater, and we both really like them. There’s a quest, and magic, and excellent character development. There are 4 main characters, 3 boys and a girl. The audio versions are fantastic as well. The guy who reads them is incredibly talented.

Any recommendations? I noticed all of the novels my son has been assigned over the past few years have been female centered.