The Dangerous Book for Boys

I had heard about this book on National Public Radio and just purchased it at Costco. Written by Conn and Hal Iggulden, it is filled with chapters on how to do things like make paper airplanes, making a magnet, pirate flags, history, how to tie knots, identifying trees, how to play stickball, and how to tan a rabbit skin (not something we’ll be doing but interesting to read about). My eight year old loves this book and has completed five of the activities after having owned the book for less than three days. The directions are simple enough for him to read. I highly recommend it for boys and girls. School Library Journal calls it politically incorrect and old fashion but they like it. I am hoping a girl’s version comes out, and I’m already thinking about what should be in it. If they put things in like threading a needle, I am sure some people will be angry, but I’d say this is a relatively important and useful skill to have. If it were in the boys’ book it would be just as appropriate. I just love finding high interest low technology books like this one! Braiding is another skill that I’d put in both books.