If you actually want literature, my favorite book as a child was Where the Red Fern Grows. If they are around 14+ there are some great, captivating Hemmingway books. A Farewell to Arms, Island in the Stream, A Movable Feast, and The Garden of Eden (In that order). I keeping editing as I think of new things. This may sound odd, but if they are in the 14+ range, How to Win Friends and Influence People is great. It changed a lot for me. When I was like 9 I got the book How to be Twice as Smart and it taught me a ton of mental tricks. This book taught me a lot (probably if the boy is like 10 or 12+?) http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Ballistics-Cannons-Cincinnati... (http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Ballistics-Cannons-Cincinnati-Dynamite/dp/1556523750/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285352917&sr=1-1)
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