A hundred years ago, reading books was something boys did as enthusiastically as girls. No longer: computer games, DVDs and gadgetry compete. Meanwhile, the choice is bewildering. So the School Library Association list is to be welcomed, up to a point.

Here are old classics by H. Rider Haggard, Tolkien and Robert Louis Stevenson, and newer ones by Anthony Horowitz, Steve Voake, Katherine Langrish and Rick Riordan. I loathe Christopher Paolini, Luc Besson and Jason Hightman for their poor prose, and wonder why they were chosen instead of Cressida Cowell, Alan Garner, Rosemary Sutcliff and Kipling. Often, the association seems to have chosen hyped-up debuts by overpaid authors. The best new books for boys, such as Joseph Delaney’s Wardstone Chronicles and Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother, are fun for adults too. Try before you buy is my advice.

What does worry me is the lack of variety in the books chosen. Great to see Bill Bryson’s A Short History Of Nearly Everything in there, and some graphic novels, hurrah! But where is history? There’s a lot from the excellent publisher for reluctant readers Barrington Stoke, whose graphic version of Kidnapped is recommended. However, where is Tintin? There’s lots of tension but not enough humour.

One of the surprises of having a son is how much seemingly “girly” literature can appeal. Boys have always loved sword fights, battles, spies, pirates, dragons and dens, but a list that neglects their emotions is an incomplete one. Philip Pullman’s Lyra matters to boys just as much (if not more) as his Will; they enjoy Joan Aiken and even Frances Hodgson Burnett, given a chance. Good for librarians for trying – but I give this list six out of ten.

Amanda Craig is an author and critic

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