The 12 Best Book Series for Preteen Boys (That Aren?t Harry Potter)

Trilogies, schmilogies. This fantasy series about a young apprentice fighting supernatural evil features a whopping 13 books. Once your tween is hooked, gift him with the follow-up series, The Starblade Chronicles. 

This 12-book New York Times best-selling gothic series is a must for vampire fans—but don’t worry, it’s nothing like Twilight. If he loves the novels, check out the film adaptation, The Vampire’s Assistant.

If you have fond memories of reading Lowry’s Newberry-winning dystopian novel The Giver, your kid will probably love it (plus the three subsequent books in the series) just as much as you did. 

Eighth grade is tough for anyone. But when you’re a vampire trying to control your hunger for blood, it’s even tougher. This five-book series follows the adventures of Vlad all the way up through his senior year. 

The highly addictive epic fantasy trilogy (consisting of The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass) will immerse preteens in the world of Lyra and Will, as they explore a series of parallel universes.

Set in postapocalyptic Chicago, this thrilling dystopian trilogy follows Tris Prior as she navigates a futuristic society that separates its citizens into five “factions.” If he loved The Hunger Games, he’ll devour this one.

Has your kid always dreamed of having special powers? This dystopian fantasy trilogy, which features an orbiting object that randomly assigns superhuman abilities, turning people into “Epics,” will be right up his alley.

This eight-book anti-hero series tells the story of Artemis, a teenage genius who captures a fairy at ransom in order to earn back his family’s fortune. (He isn’t exactly a role model, but don’t worry, Artemis has some redeeming qualities, too.) 

In this dystopian universe, you get extreme plastic surgery on your 16th birthday. But when Tally Youngblood tries to rebel, things turn…well, ugly. Your guy will speed through this four-book series faster than you can say “lip injections.” 

After a harrowing blood fever tears through the world, its few young survivors are left covered in scars. But some of these children, nicknamed the Young Elites, are rumored to also possess special gifts…

A sci-fi oldie-but-goodie that was originally a BBC Radio show in the ’70s…but maybe don’t tell your kid it’s that ancient. This hilarious, offbeat series still holds up, we promise.

Is your preteen learning Greek myths in school? Crank it up a notch with this highly entertaining fantasy-adventure series that centers on Percy, a 12-year-old who learns he’s a demigod and goes on a quest to prevent a war between Zeus, Hades and Poseidon.