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20+ Fabulous Books for 12 Year Old Girls

Most 12-year-old girls are happy to read any good book, whether or not it has a female protagonist. So on this list of great books for 12-year-old girls, you’ll find a mix of romance, fantasy, coming-of-age, and graphic novels — including upper-middle-grade and young adult options. A few of them also feature male protagonists. In addition to the books on this list, I recommend the classics: think Jenny Han, Sarah Dessen, The Hunger Games, Divergent series, and books by Alan Gratz! The options on this list are perfect for supplementing those classics and introducing young readers to newer authors.

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20+ Books for 12 Year Old Girls to Read

Here are 20+ of my favorite books to recommend to 12 year old girls:

For the Jenny Han Enthusiast

Got a reader who loves the romance, boisterous families, and angst of Jenny Han’s novels? Try these readalike options!

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding

Published: April 19, 2022

Zurika Damani plays the violin with a sprinkle of hip-hop and has just been rejected by Julliard. Her current options are to go to college for pre-law or compete in a contest judged by major college scouts (including Julliard scouts). The only problem is that the contest is during her big sister’s week-long Indian wedding. Thankfully, her cousins band together to help her disappear during the ceremony without being discovered. But things get complicated when Zurika finds out that the group’s South African cousin is a fellow contestant. This is a rambunctious, chaotic story about family and music and featuring a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance. No language or sexual content.

The Love Match

Published: January 3, 2023

Zahra Khan is a new high school graduate who’s saving up for college—which she’s had to defer because her mom can’t afford to send her just yet. Her mother, though? She thinks their family’s way out is an arranged marriage to a wealthy family. Too bad the family’s son, Harun Emon, doesn’t care for Zahra. Zahra herself is falling for a new waiter in the cafe where she works. So Harun and Zahra band together to make their parents call off the courtship. But we all know that love doesn’t quite play by the rules, don’t we? This is a romantic, tender, feel-good Pride and Prejudice retelling with lots of insight into Bangladeshi culture, arranged marriages, and Bangladeshi film history. It’s really good on audio and free of sexual content or language.

Listen to Your Heart

Published: May 29, 2018

Kasie West books are the perfect romance for this age group and this one is my favorite of the lot so far. It’s about a girl who becomes a podcast host and starts doling our relationship advice. When a boy who she thinks likes her best friend starts asking for advice, she’s invested in helping him out. Soon, though, her helpful feelings begin to feel more like attraction.

For the Advanced Reader

These stories are longer, tackle more advanced themes like mental health and sexism, while still remaining appropriate for mature 12 year olds.

The Queens of New York

  Published: June 6, 2023

Jia, Everett, and Ariel are high school besties whose summer plans could not be any more different. Jia is a Chinese-American helping out at her family’s restaurant in Chinatown while looking after her little sister and grandmother. Everett is a Vietnamese-American off to theater camp in Ohio, while Ariel, the genius Korean-American, is in pre-college grieving the death of her older sister months before. As the summer progresses, all three girls will need their friendship to anchor them through the waves of grief, first loves, and standing up for themselves. I LOVED the depiction of friendship in this book and the way the author brings cities and characters to life. If you loved The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and can’t get enough of emotional, fast-paced YA stories — this book is for you! Nearly no language and no sexual content.

Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend

Published: June 27, 2023

Gary Vo is a Vietnamese-American soon-to-be junior high schooler. Gary and his friend Preston have been at the bottom of the social totem pole forever, and Preston is determined that this is the summer they rise up the ranks. So when they’re approached by two popular classmates with an offer to join their group, the boys are all ears! The task is to steal a bracelet from Gloria Buenrostro (a popular, but mysterious A+ student) so the boys can add it to their collections of tokens from “the hottest girls” in school. Easy enough, no? That is until Gary Vo befriends Gloria and realizes that there’s more to her than meets the eye. This is a richly layered, relatable teen novel about what it means to be a man and how to be a good friend.

The Noh Family

  Published: May 3, 2022

Chloe Chang lives a boring life in Oklahoma — with her busy single mom and her two best friends — where she loves watching K-dramas. But when her best friends gift her a 23-and-me test kit for her birthday, things take a dramatic turn. She finds out that her father was a son of the Noh family, a prestigious family in Seoul, South Korea and before she knows it, she’s off to meet them for the first time. Unfortunately, she’s thrust into a web of lies as she realizes that the family might have ulterior motives for reaching out to her. This is a suspenseful, dramatic, and highly engaging YA book about Korean high society, family drama, and finding your voice.

For the Romance Fan

Hand these stories to the girls who unabashedly love a great romance. This books have a sweet romance at the center of their plot.

The Boy Next Story

  Published: May 21, 2019

The Boy Next Story is the second book in the BOOKISH BOYFRIENDS series by Tiffany Schmidt—I LOVED this one. You can totally skip the first book,  A Date with Darcy , and read this one without missing a beat. I enjoyed this one much more than I did the first book, probably because I could relate more to introverted, overthinker, Rory. I also fell HARD for her love interest. And the intersection of the bookish storylines in this series makes me so happy! I love seeing all the modern takes on classics. This series actually makes me want to read and watch the classics —  Little Women  &  Pride and Prejudice . I would especially recommend it for YA lovers looking for a sweet, fresh take on the classics.

Bubble Trouble

  Published: July 18, 2023

Since her mom died during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been just Chloe and her dad. She worries about their finances, so when she has the chance to go on a school trip to Broadway, she’s hesitant to tell him. On a good note, there’s a boy she maybe likes? He works at a boba tea place in her neighborhood, and things are going well until an altercation at the shop ends with Chloe being banned from the boba tea place. What unfolds is a string of chaotic, surprising, and satisfying events, including a boba-making business, two lost lovers reuniting, and a new furry family member. Bubble Trouble  is a lighthearted, feel-good middle grade romance — the exact kind constantly sought out by kids in this age group.

This Time It’s Real

  Published: February 7, 2023

Eliza Lin has never had a boyfriend and moves every couple of years because of her mother’s exec role. Now she’s a new kid again at an international school in Beijing with a viral essay about as boyfriend she doesn’t have. She convinces a classmate and famous author to fake date her until the storm blows over. And we all know how fake dating goes. This is a cute YA rom-com about identity (especially when it’s hard to put the finger on “home”), life in the spotlight, and embracing vulnerability.

If She Likes Graphic Novels

Here are some wonderful graphic novel recommendations featuring stand-out heroines navigating realistic, challenging life situations.

Lunar New Year Love Story

Published: January 9, 2024

The art in this book is phenomenal, and it is also a sweet YA romance featuring Val, a girl who feels like she’s destined for constant heartbreak. I appreciated the plot, but it’s on the longer side and has fantastical elements this author is well known for. Readers who love romance and a touch of fantasy will adore this one. No sexual content and zero language. It also tackles several important themes (parental abandonment, identity, alcoholism) sensitively.

Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper

Published: April 11, 2023

Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper  follows 7th grader Gemma Hopper, whose mother has left their family. Gemma lives with her dad, older brother Teddy, and their twin younger brothers. While their dad works overtime to fend for the family materially, Gemma is saddled with caring for the home and her twin siblings while also serving as a ball machine/practice partner for her brother, who’s a baseball prodigy of sorts. One day, while practicing with Teddy, she strikes him out with two impressive pitches, capturing the attention of some scouts from a competitive baseball team. All of sudden, Gemma now also has star potential. Can both siblings find a way to work together? This is an engaging graphic novel about family (absent mothers), baseball, and  sibling relationships .

Published: November 7, 2023

Since their father died, sisters Gigi and Lucy haven’t seen eye to eye. Their mother is worn out by her grief and her demanding job and can’t deal with their constant bickering. Now, Lucy is a new 6th grader at the school where Gigi is the 8th grade Queen Bee, and on Lucy’s first day, the girls get into an altercation that ends with Lucy challenging her sister (and school fencing champion) to a duel. What follows are chapters alternating between each girl’s first-person narration as they go between the past and present, exploring their relationship, where it went wrong, and planning their fencing duel. This story has sports, friendship, sisterhood, family, grief, and even a grandparent relationship, lending it some major kid and adult appeal! It’s a spectacular debut–one of the best I’ve ever read.

For the Mystery/Thriller Lover

The Agathas

Published: May 3, 2022

Rich kid Alice Ogilvie and her new tutor Iris Adams are forced to work together when one of Alice’s former besties (who stole her boyfriend) is found murdered with Alice’s ex-boyfriend as the prime suspect. As the two girls collaborate in this funny, cozy mystery, they end up finding a warm friendship with each other — and the shocking culprit.

The Inheritance Games

Published: September 1, 2020

Avery is a high schooler living in her car when she discovers she’s been named heiress to the fortune of Tobias Hawthorne, a man she never knew. There’s only one condition: She has to live in the family home with Hawthorne’s kids and grandsons (one of whom was heir apparent) for a year — while solving some intriguing riddles along the way. I didn’t love this one as much as many teens do, but it is a huge favorite, and I like that there’s barely any strong language. It’s also a traditional mystery with little to no gritty elements.

The Liars Society

Published: February 6, 2024

Weatherby is a new kid at a Boston private school. She’s at the school on a sailing scholarship and immediately is thrust into a world she knows nothing about. Old school phone booths, scrambled phone service at school, friends with kids who go to the country club, and a boy who seems to hate her guts. Jack is a rich kid at the school who is also on the sailing team and is constantly pressured by his father to be the best. When the money for a famed school trip is stolen, Jack, Weatherby, and some of their friends are invited to play a high-stakes secret game that leads to the revelation of shocking family secrets. This suspenseful mystery, told from Jack’s and Weatherby’s perspectives, is fast-paced and high-stakes, perfect for the upper middle-grade crowd.

If She Likes Friendship Stories

The books in this section are perfect for readers who love a good friendship story, complete with drama, feels, and of course, crushes.

Hurricane Girls

 Published: August 29, 2023

Greer, Joya, and Kiki are three best friends born just after Hurricane Katrina. Now 12 years after the catastrophe, they’re dealing with personal life struggles. Greer feels responsible for an accident that left her sister paralyzed from the waist down and has stopped running track–something she loved dearly before the accident, Kiki is grappling with an absentee father, and Joya is trying to help her financially strained family. Kiki decides that the three girls will sign up for a triathlon to get Greer back into running, but the plan ends up changing all three girls’ lives. The Hurricane Girls  is a warm, stirring, and sparkling middle grade book about female friendships,  body image , sports, and self-forgiveness.

Free Throws, Friendships, and Other Things We Fouled Up

  Published: October 24, 2023

When Rory moves to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her dad after her parents’ separation, she meets Abby, a tall fellow basketball lover, and the two become fast friends. Imagine their shock when they find out that their dads can’t stand each other — and not because they coach the city’s rival basketball teams but because of something that happened years ago when THEY were middle schoolers. Bishop takes us through the girls’ lives as they dig into what happened between their dads, telling the story from multiple perspectives: the girls’, their dads’, and a ball-playing nun in their lives. Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up  is a fast-paced and compelling book about true friendships, family secrets, forgiveness, and basketball.

The Braid Girls

Published: June 13, 2023

In  The Braid Girls , Maggie’s summer is off to a rocky start when her parents announce that she has a half-sister—a daughter her father never knew about until now. Callie’s presence throws off soft-spoken Maggie’s dynamic with her outspoken best friend Daija, even more when Callie joins their hair-braiding business. The Braid Girls  is a sweet, relatable middle grade  book about sisterhood , entrepreneurship, and finding your voice. 

For Fans of Coming-of-Age Stories

Coming-of-age stories are my absolute favorite! If your 12-year-old girl loves to read about other tween girls figuring life out, they’ll love these books.

Kyra, Just for Today

Published: March 5, 2024

In this companion to  A Song Called Home , Kyra’s mother is an alcoholic in recovery. She could always count on having her best friend, Lu — until now. Lu has new friends and splits her time between both friend groups, eventually asking Kyra to join them sometimes. Kyra is also getting bullied for being bigger than most other 13-year-olds. Already, Kyra does so much at home: cooking, and even helping her mom out with her cleaning job. But then her mother starts acting weird, leading Kyra to believe that she’s relapsed. I loved how the author shows readers that recovery is not linear and I enjoyed watching Kyra feel safe in her own skin. Hand to fans of Sumner’s  Maid for It  and readers who love books featuring food and cooking.

The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn

Published: July 11, 2023

Maudie is a sweet, autistic girl spending the summer with her dad. When her dad’s home is razed in a California wildfire, they move to the small beach town where her father grew up. Throughout the summer, as Maudie makes new friends, starts learning to surf, and enters a surfing contest, a secret tugs at her–one her mother has asked her to keep from her dad. The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn  is a vivid, triumphant, and authentic coming-of-age story about discovering one’s inner strength.

The First Magnificent Summer

Published: May 30, 2023

It’s the 90s, and Tori (Victoria) Reeves is planning the first magnificent summer with her father since he left their family over two years ago. He now has a new partner and two kids but is taking Victoria and her two siblings with his new family camping in Ohio. As the trip progresses, Victoria and her siblings realize that their father hasn’t changed much from the emotionally abusive parent he was. But will he stop Victoria from writing her own story? The First Magnificent Summer  is a vivid, heartwrenching, and emotionally resonant book about dealing with difficult parents and  navigating a first period .

If She Likes Fantasy

Finally, even though I read a ton of intense fantasy, I have two fantasy book recommendations I know 12-year-old girls will love.

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, an Avvisi’s/newswriter’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes it when they tell the truth. After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, Cinzia and her Mestra are arrested at night, and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. This is a beautiful graphic novel about activism, speaking the truth, and speaking up despite censorship. 

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy

Apple and Dorothy are half-gods, descendants of the Greek gods Zeus and Hera and Pandora, respectively. When Dorothy’s mother refuses to return to Olympus one solstice, she becomes a full human and is soon killed in a car accident, leaving Dorothy and her father grieving. Motivated by a promise she made to Dorothy’s mother, Apple befriends Dorothy. But when the gods rule that all half-gods must return home to Olympus and take their place as gods or remain human, Dorothy chooses Earth, to Apple’s dismay. Apple’s fear of losing Dorothy leads her to make a decision with terrible consequences. As a non-fantasy reader, I loved this book — how clever, creative, and profound it is, especially in the way it approaches friendship and grief. I think fans of  Greek mythology  will love it.

There they are 20+ of the best books for 12-year-old girls! Which of these sound good to you? What else would you add?

Home  >  Blog  >  Book Lists by Age  > Awesome Books for 10 Year Old Boys

Awesome Books for 10 Year Old Boys

Ages 10-12 are prime middle grade reading years and my favorite age group to recommend stories to. For this list of books for 10 year old boys, I rounded up some of my favorite stories featuring boys between the ages of 9-11 finding their way in the world. Some of these kids are learning to stand up for themselves, pursuing their passions bravely, going on global spy missions, taking eye-opening road trips, and dealing with difficult life situations. There’s a story for every reader!

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📚 Disclaimer in the books: Just so you know, Reading Middle Grade uses affiliate links. This means that when you shop via the links in our posts, we may earn a cent or two at no extra cost to you. Thanks for adding to our book buying fund.

More Books for 12 Year Olds

• Great books for 7th graders
• The best books for 12 year old boys
• My favorite mystery books for 7th graders

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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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Books for 12-year-olds: Good Reading for Young Boys And Girls

Melanie Smith

Exploring an exciting array of books for 12-year-olds opens up a world of adventure, knowledge, and imagination perfectly tailored to their growing interests and developmental stage.

The age of twelve is a momentous one for kids. There are major things happening in terms of brain development and puberty, and children are having to navigate new social relationships.

Great books for twelve-year-olds offer an escape, companionship , and, importantly, can help provide the tools needed to make sense of the world around us in all its complexity. All the books on the list below are perfect for this age group and beyond—many are likely to be enjoyed by the entire family, too.

Books for Summer Holidays

Coming-of-age books, mystery books, books about fantasy and magic, adventure books, science fiction books, inspired by history, non-fiction, funny books, graphic novels, other interesting books for 12-year-olds, turning kids into readers, the secrets of the immortal nicholas flamel (box set) by michael scott.

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Box Set)/amazon.com

Nicholas Flamel was a real person who was born in the fourteenth century, and legend has it that he discovered the secret of eternal life. This fantasy box set of three books will have readers racing through the pages following the story of two friends who find themselves caught up in the adventure of a lifetime. Can they protect Flamel’s secrets, or will they fall into the wrong hands, putting the fate of the whole world in danger?

Product Specs:

• Author: Michael Scott
• Reading Age: 10–13 years
• Grade Level: 7–12
• Length: 1,408 pages total
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Publication Date: September 28, 2010
• ISBN 0375873112

Buy the book.

Up for Air by Laurie Morrison

Up for Air/amazon.com

Recommended for kids in grades 5-7, Up for Air features the main character Annabelle who is the fastest swimmer in her school. While she excels in the pool, Annabelle struggles socially and academically. When she loses the ability to swim, Annabelle must discover her worth beyond the surface of the water.

• Author: Laurie Morrison
• Reading Age: 11–13 years
• Grade Level: 5–9
• Length: 304 pages total
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication Date: April 13, 2021
• ISBN 1419751425

The Ice Cream Machine by Adam Rubin

The Ice Cream Machine/amazon.com

This quirky book for 12-year-olds is actually a collection of six different stories, all with the same title. Funny, light-hearted, and reminiscent of summers passed, this is a great beach book or family vacation read. Each story features different characters, a unique setting, and illustrations by a range of talented artists.

• Author: Adam Rubin
• Reading Age: 8–12 years
• Grade Level: 3–7
• Length: 384 pages total
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s & Sons
• Publication Date: February 15, 2022
• ISBN0593325796

Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Perez

Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers /amazon.com

A great summer read for 12-year-old girls, Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers tells the story of four friends who come together for a great cause. Driven by their love of animals, the girls take on the local scout group “The Floras” and its tradition of using a hat made from real bird feathers. As their mission develops, so too does their friendship and commitment to social change.

• Author: Celia C. Perez
• Reading Age: 9–12 years
• Grade Level: 4–7
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Publication Date: September 1, 2020
• ISBN042529045X

Mostly The Honest Truth by Jody J. Little

Mostly The Honest Truth by Jody J. Little/amazon.com

Add this to your holiday packing: your twelve-year-old will be engrossed in this thought-provoking book that’ll take their mind off a long plane trip and help them relax by the pool. The story follows Jane, beginning with her arrival at her latest foster home, and is a poignant, bitter-sweet, inspiring tale of forgiveness, community, and kindness—and how families can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

• Author: Jody J. Little
• Length: 288 pages total
• Publisher: Harper Collins
• Publication Date: April 5, 2022
• ISBN 0062852507

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Before the Ever After/amazon.com

For kids dealing with the impact of mental health on their family life, like protagonist ZJ, there can be a significant emotional toll. Exploring these issues with sensitivity and compassion, Before the Ever After follows ZJ as he tries to figure out how his family can move forward when everyone seems stuck mourning the past, and how life used to be. Poignant and, at times, heartbreaking, this book is ultimately an inspiring and uplifting tale of how love can overcome even the most difficult of situations.

• Author: Jacqueline Woodson
• Grade Level: 5–6
• Length: 176 pages total
• Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
• Publication Date: September 6, 2022
• ISBN 0399545441

Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea

Lei and the Fire Goddess/amazon.com

Looking for a great vacation read for a twelve-year-old? This could be the perfect option! When Anna heads to Hawaii for the summer she has no idea of the adventure that awaits her. Upon inadvertently insulting the fire goddess, Pele, Anna’s best friend is kidnapped by a giant hawk, and she must team up with demigods and talking animals in a bid to save both her friend and her family members.  Books for 12-year-olds don’t come much more exciting than this!

• Author: Malia Maunakea
• Reading Age: 10–12 years
• Publisher: Penguin Workshop
• Publication Date: April 23, 2024
• ISBN 0593752503

Books for 12-Year-Old Girls

Winner takes gold by eloise smith.

Winner Takes Gold/amazon.com

When it comes to books for 12-year-old girls, this one ticks all the boxes. Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning a gold medal in Paris, determined to honor her late mom with the accolade. But the training camp poses many challenges, and not all are sport-related. Rivalry, sabotage, bullying, and even cheating are all issues that Pearl must contend with—will fair play and honesty win the day? Your young reader will be keen to find out!

• Author: Eloise Smith
• Grade Level: 3–4
• Length: 320 pages total
• Publisher: Chicken House Books
• Publication Date: December 1, 2023
• ISBN 191502630X

Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor

Wonderland: A Novel/amazon.com

Written by beloved children’s author Barbara O’Connor, Wonderland is a book about a girl and her dog—at least on the surface. Buried in the pages, though, are lessons about growing up, overcoming hardship, and what it means to be a friend. Tween girls will find connections with the feisty, but big-hearted main character Mavis while they fall in love with her dog, Henry.

• Author: Barbara O’Connor
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
• Publication Date: August 28, 2018
• ISBN 0374310602

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Echo Mountain/amazon.com

Set during the Great Depression, Echo Mountain follows Ellie who leaves her home during hard times to start over in a rural area near Echo Mountain. When her father has a serious accident and Ellie is blamed, she treks to the top of the mountain in search of a miracle cure. However, what she finds is something even more healing. One of the most beautiful books for 12-year-old girls on this list, this story has a profound message at its heart.

• Author: Lauren Wolk
• Length: 368 pages total
• Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: April 27, 2021
• ISBN 0525555587

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay/amazon.com

Unfolding in alternate chapters, one by Andi in the UK and the other by her eight-foot-tall half-brother in the Philippines, Tall Story is an exploration of two very different cultures and a sibling relationship. The story draws on the author’s own experience growing up in the Philippines and is a sensitive narration of the challenges of coming of age in a country that offers a heady mix of modern internationalism alongside primitive superstitions and living conditions.

• Author: Candy Gourlay
• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication Date: February 14, 2012
• ISBN 0385752334

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

All the Birds in the Sky/amazon.com

A wondrous mix of science fiction and fantasy, this contemporary classic by one of the masters of the genre is, at its heart, a charming coming-of-age narrative full to the brim with wisdom, romance, and humor. Talented witch Patricia and ultra-bright engineer Laurence find themselves on different sides of a culture war—what each chooses to do next will have repercussions not just for their friendship, but the whole world.

• Author: Charlie Jane Anders
• Reading Age: 12+
• Grade Level: 7+
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication Date: April 11, 2017
• ISBN 0765379953

The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars (Series) by L.B. Anne

The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars (Series) by L.B. Anne/amazon.com

Sheena Meyer was just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life… until her father ends up in hospital following a car accident, and she encounters a beautiful, glowing creature healing him. Sheena doesn’t realize it, but she possesses a special gift, and dark forces—in the form of the Murk—are marshaling against her. When it comes to mystery books, this coming-of-age drama weaves a magical spell that’ll have your young reader captivated from the first page.

• Author: L.B. Anne
• Reading Age: 10–12
• Grade Level: 5–7
• Length: 181 pages total
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: October 28, 2019
• ISBN 1700075721

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams/amazon.com

Genesis doesn’t like herself much. She particularly dislikes her dark skin, and her dad’s and grandmother’s criticism isn’t helping. A challenging book that sees Genesis as the target of emotional and verbal abuse, its themes are both powerful and important. When the family moves to a new neighborhood, Genesis joins a choir, and her sense of self-worth increases. She begins to see that, actually, she’s beautiful inside and out, after all.

• Author: Alicia D. Williams
• Reading Age: 9–13 years
• Grade Level: 4–8
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: August 18, 2020
• ISBN 1481465813

Hannah Saves the World (Series) by A.M. Luzzader

Hannah Saves the World: Book 1: Middle Grade Mystery Fiction/amazon.com

In this contemporary “Nancy Drew” spin-off, middle-schooler Hannah and her best friend Mia embark on a mission to save the world. Along the way, clues are unveiled, and epic adventures are shared. Readers who agree that this is one of the best books for 12-year-olds will be happy to learn that it is part of a 3-book series. Hannah Saves the World is recommended for girls aged eight to twelve, so it will likely be an easier read for tweens.

• Author: A.M. Luzzader
• Grade Level: 3–6
• Length: 172 pages total
• Publisher: Knowledge Forest Press
• Publication Date: December 13, 2020
• ISBN 1949078205

Premeditated Myrtle (Series) by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 1)/amazon.com

Another top pick for mystery lovers, Premeditated Myrtle , is an award-winning mystery series starring 12-year-old sleuth Myrtle Hardcastle. Readers will be enthralled by the unfolding mystery of a spinster’s untimely death as Myrtle follows clues that lead her to exciting revelations. This novel explores real-life science like crime scene analysis, forensics, and toxicology while keeping young readers hanging onto every word . 

• Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
• Reading Age: 10 years+
• Grade Level: 5+
• Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
• Publication Date: September 7, 2021
• ISBN 1643751875

The Owl Service by Alan Garner

The Owl Service by Alan Garner/amazon.com

Already hailed as a modern classic, this beautiful, haunting tale combines mystery and adventure and has won accolades including the Guardian’s Children’s Books Award and the Carnegie Medal. Your young reader will fall under the spell of the story of Alison who, with her family, is spending a holiday in a guest house in Wales, UK. Alison discovers a mysterious dinner service in the attic, which features a pattern of owls that seem able to rearrange themselves by magic—and this is just the beginning of the adventure.

• Author: Alan Garner
• Reading Age: 12 years+
• Length: 224 pages total
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication Date: August 5, 2002
• ISBN 0007127898

The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit

The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit/amazon.com

At the center of this story is a pair of autistic sisters, Caroline and Lara. When Lara decides to set up a detective agency, the Finkel Investigation Agency Solving Consequential Crimes Only (FIASCCO) she’s annoyed to find that her sister isn’t interested in joining—the latter is too busy texting other kids from school on her tablet. When Lara’s investigation uncovers a major family secret, however, events threaten to spiral out of control.

• Author: Sarah Kapit
• Publisher: Dial Books
• Publication Date: March 23, 2021
• ISBN 0593112296

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick/amazon.com

Neurodivergent Frankie finds it difficult to make friends. So when the one friend she does make, Colette, vanishes, and it transpires that Frankie is the last person to see her, she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. A mystery book with a huge heart, Tornado Brain is a touching depiction of Frankie’s experiences navigating the world, and her attempts at creating a space in which she can be her authentic self.

• Author: Cat Patrick
• ISBN 1984815334

The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian

The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian/amazon.com

During summer camp, five friends come across an old film that sheds light on both the camp’s founder and the history of their town. The intrigue deepens when this film also leads the group to a strange tower, where time itself is distorted—and there may even be treasure to be found. Fast-paced, exciting, and lots of fun, The Mystery of Moon Tower will have even less-than-eager readers hooked.

• Author: Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian
• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: April 21, 2020
• ISBN 0425291871

The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman

The Silver Arrow/amazon.com

Weaving in important lessons regarding environmental issues and animal rights, The Silver Arrow is a must-read adventure story. In it, a girl named Kate receives a magic locomotive as a gift for her eleventh birthday. Kate and her brother Tom then proceed to take a trip of a lifetime, exploring exotic locations and meeting talking animals. This book is your tween’s ticket to hop on board and find inspiration along the way!

• Author: Lev Grossman
• Reading Age: 7–12 years
• Length: 272 pages total
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: August 31, 2021
• ISBN 0316539546

T he Patron Thief of Bread by Lindsay Eager

The Patron Thief of Bread/amazon.com

A main character raised by street urchins, a talking gargoyle, and a moral dilemma. These are just some of the things your twelve-year-old will encounter within the pages of the mystical novel The Patron Thief of Bread . Eight-year-old Duck is assigned to be the apprentice for the local baker, and her street urchin family urges her to steal from the baker’s coffers. Duck must decide where her loyalty lies and ultimately, who she really is.

• Author: Lindsay Eagar
• Reading Age: 10–14 years
• Length: 448 pages total
• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication Date: May 11, 2022
• ISBN 1536204684

City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak/amazon.com

Set in a fictional India of 1855, where magic is forbidden under British rule, the story revolves around Chompa, whose mother—due to her magical powers—has been kidnapped and shipped across the sea to England by the mysterious and nefarious Company. Resolving to rescue her mother from the Company’s clutches, Chompa must use her own magic abilities, as well as her innate courage to succeed . It quickly becomes clear that power, whether wielded for good or bad, always comes at a price.

• Author: Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
• Reading Age: 9–14 years
• Grade Level: 4–9
• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication Date: May 28, 2024
• ISBN 0241567483

The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts

The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts/amazon.com

Ever since she was a young girl Abby Shepherd has known she was different. Now in seventh grade and a fully-fledged teenage witch, Abby suddenly discovers, from her new mentor, that she’s not the only one in town with magical abilities. She also finds out that her home of Willow Cove has a secret past, that inherently connects with her own witchy powers. Abby must dig deeper to unearth the mystery, and decide who she can—and can’t—trust along the way.

• Author: Josh Roberts
• Length: 310 pages total
• Publisher: Owl Hollow Press
• Publication Date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN 194565449X

The Inheritance Game (Series) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Inheritance Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes/amazon.com

Mystery books don’t come more suspenseful than this page-turner from author Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Full of twists and turns, the story follows Avery who, out of the blue, inherits a fortune—and she has no idea why. Moving into her newly acquired mansion, Avery finds herself surrounded by the deceased’s surviving relatives—who aren’t best pleased, to say the least. The house is also full of fantastical clues and secrets that seem to point to an even deeper mystery.

• Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Length: 400 pages total
• Publication Date: July 27, 2021
• ISBN 0759555400

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy/amazon.com

If you have a Harry Potter fan in the house—or have one in the family—then they’ll be sure to love The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy . When Marya is sent to the academy, she finds herself far from home and among strangers, in the service of a powerful sorcerer. When the Dread attacks, all the girls must work as a team, and they discover that they wield more power than they ever thought possible.

• Author: Anne Ursu
• Publisher: Walden Pond Press
• Publication Date: December 6, 2022
• ISBN 0062275135

Books for 12-Year-Old Boys

Black hole cinema club by christopher edge.

Black Hole Cinema Club/amazon.com

Looking for books for 12-year-olds that feature prehistoric monsters, thrilling missions, secret hideouts, lost cities, and a group of friends who find themselves swept away on an epic adventure? Then this book could be perfect! Being the hero of a movie may sound fun, but as the scenes become ever more dangerous, it soon becomes apparent that the stakes are higher than the pals could ever have imagined.

• Author: Christopher Edge
• Grade Level: 4–6
• Length: 256 pages total
• Publisher: Nosy Crow
• Publication Date: March 14, 2024
• ISBN 1839942738

Children of the Flying City by Jason Sheehan

Children of the Flying City/amazon.com

Orphan Milo Quick has lived in the flying city of Highgate since he was a little kid. Now twelve years old, he finds himself in possession of a dangerous secret. He’ll need his close friends Jules and Dagda to help him elude the bounty hunters as a war erupts around them all. This fast-paced narrative will encourage even young readers to slow down and ponder questions of character and loyalty.

• Author: Jason Sheehan
• Length: 416 pages total
• Publication Date: March 15, 2022
• ISBN 0593109511

Tristan Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong series) by Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky /amazon.com

Though it’s packed with action, the first book of the Tristan Strong series isn’t your run-of-the-mill middle-grade adventure story. When Tristan experiences a traumatic loss, he’s sent off to his grandparents’ farm to recover. There, he stumbles into a strange and mysterious world full of monsters, a burning sea, and African-American folk heroes. Since it’s part of a trilogy, readers will have more to look forward to as Tristan’s journey continues in books two and three.

• Author: Kwame Mbalia
• Length: 528 pages total
• Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
• Publication Date: September 22, 2020
• ISBN 1368042414

My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons

My Brother Is a Superhero/amazon.com

A fun story that your twelve-year-old will love, My Brother is a Superhero is a must-read for fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Luke can’t believe that it’s his boring, nerdy brother Zack who gets turned into a superhero when it’s him with the love of all things super. However, when his bro’s alter ego, Star Guy, gets into major hot water, it’s Luke who must come to the rescue… This is one of those books for 12-year-olds that’s sure to become an instant favorite.

• Author: David Solomons
• Publication Date: June 27, 2017
• ISBN 0147516056

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien/amazon.com

The much-loved classic that’s enchanted generations of kids and adults alike, this amazing story of adventure follows the most unlikely of heroes: the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. A very unexpected adventure awaits, and Bilbo finds himself swept off on a road that takes him to mysterious forests, troll-infested mountains, and a cave where the dragon Smaug is guarding a stolen horde of gold. Can Bilbo and his companions defeat the dragon and rescue the treasure? The Hobbit reminds us that we all have the potential to master our own destiny and make a difference—no matter how little we are.

• Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
• Grade Level: 7–9
• Length: 300 pages total
• Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt
• Publication Date: September, 2012 (this version)
• ISBN 054792822X

The Extinction Trials by S.M Wilson

The Extinction Trials by S.M Wilson/amazon.com

Did your twelve-year-old devour The Hunger Games ? If so, they’ll adore this novel, set in a world of two continents: the barren, plague-riddled Earthasia, and the beautiful, green—and dinosaur-infested—Piloria. Narrated alternately by characters Storm and Lincoln—who must undertake a seemingly impossible quest— The Extinction Trials offers a slice of suspenseful fantasy adventure that’ll fulfill your kid’s The Hunger Games cravings perfectly!

• Author: S.M. Wilson
• Publisher: Usborne
• Publication Date: July 12, 2018
• ISBN 1474927343

Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen

Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen/amazon.com

This thoroughly contemporary adventure story sees Richard set off on a mission to rescue his cousin, Malley, who has run off with a man she’s met on the internet. Richard is worried his cousin could be in real trouble, so when he meets eccentric drifter Skink, he’s keen to enlist any help he can get. The pair set off on a madcap ride around Florida, determined to stop at nothing to bring Malley home safely.

• Author: Carl Hiaasen
• Reading Age: 12–15 years
• Publisher: Ember
• Publication Date: December 1, 2015
• ISBN 0307930599

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

The Lion of Mars/amazon.com

Is your tween obsessed with science fiction? If so, The Lion of Mars will make a great addition to his reading list. This popular book follows eleven-year-old Bell who lives on Mars. When a virus breaks out that targets the adults, it’s up to Bell and his friends to literally save the planet. Full of epic space adventure, fun science, and lessons about community, this book has it all!

• Author: Jennifer L. Holm
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: January 5, 2021
• ISBN 0593121813

Greystone Secrets (Series) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers/amazon.com

Siblings Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone lead ordinary lives. That is until their very existence comes into question when a local kidnapping raises eyebrows. When details of the incident reveal that the victims are strangely similar to themselves, the Greystone kids are thrust into a startling mystery. Your tween won’t want to put this book down, but when he does, he can pick up the next two books in the series!

• Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Length: 432 pages total
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication Date: March 3, 2020
• ISBN 0062838385

We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey

We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey/amazon.com

This middle-grade book from bestselling author Geoff Rodkey asks readers to imagine a scenario in which they are the aliens! With Earth no longer habitable, humans must search for a new home in the stars; which is how the book’s narrator finds himself living on Planet Choom, among its giant mosquito-like inhabitants, the Zhuri. While the two species don’t have much in common, unlikely friendships are formed which could have profound consequences for all.

• Author: Geoff Rodkey
• Publication Date: March 10, 2020

Ender’s Game (Series) by Orson Scott Card

Ender’s Game (Series) by Orson Scott Card/amazon.com

Buy this book for your twelve-year-old and they may not emerge from its pages for some time! Ender’s Game has won a slew of awards including the prestigious Nebula and the Hugo and takes the reader on an epic sci-fi adventure. Protagonist Andrew “Ender” Wiggin believes he’s simply playing computer-simulated war games, but the truth is much more deadly, and Ender must grow up fast: the world’s survival could depend on him.

• Author: Orson Scott Card
• Reading Age: 7–14 years
• Publisher: Tor Trade
• Publication Date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN 1250773024

A Small Zombie Problem   (Series) by K.G. Campbell

A Small Zombie Problem by K.G. Campbell/amazon.com

August DuPont is delighted when he receives an invitation in the mail from an aunt and cousins he didn’t know he had—and they want to meet him! Things take a strange turn, though, when August accidentally reanimates and befriends a zombie. As well as contending with a whole new set of family members, August must also navigate this friendship with Claudette, which could become a little more than a “small” problem.

• Author: K.G. Campbell
• Length: 240 pages total
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: June 4, 2019
• ISBN 0553539558

Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox (Series) by Michael Buckley

Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox by Michael Buckley/amazon.com

Finn Foley’s lunchbox is not all it seems. For starters, it contains a seven-foot-tall robot and opens wormholes that Finn can use to visit the farthest corners of the galaxy. It also contains a blinking device, and it’s this that’s caught the attention of the Plague, a race of giant bugs. They want this little device, which just so happens to be a weapon of unimaginable power, back. And they’ll stop at nothing to get it.

• Author: Michael Buckley
• Publication Date: March 2, 2021
• ISBN 0525646906

Duet by Elise Broach

Duet/amazon.com

Fans of music and mystery will be spellbound by this charming book about a boy, a bird, and some of the best creative minds of the 19th century. As 11-year-old prodigy Michael Jin struggles to learn a complex piano score in preparation for the renowned Chopin festival, something magical happens. A goldfinch named Mirabelle sings the tune for him as he plays. Soon after, the plot thickens, and the duo goes on a quest to find a lost piano worth a fortune.

• Author: Elise Broach
• Publisher: Chrissy Ottavanio Books
• Publication Date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN 0316311359

The Storm Runner (Series) by J.C. Cervantes

The Storm Runner/amazon.com

Based on Mayan mythology, The Storm Runner follows Zane, an awkward kid who walks with a limp but is destined for greatness. When Zane’s dog Rosie becomes a victim of mayhem, Zane discovers his inner strength and embraces his destiny as the Storm Runner. Your tween will be on the edge of his seat as Zane confronts volcanoes, demons, and warring gods. And that’s just the beginning of this exciting three-part adventure series.

• Author: J.C. Cervantes
• Length: 464 pages total
• Publication Date: August 20, 2019
• ISBN 1368023606

Eleven by Tom Rogers

Eleven by Tom Rogers/amazon.com

One of the more challenging books on this list, Eleven is based on the events of the 9/11 terrorist attack in the US, written from the perspective of Alex, who is due to turn eleven on the now notorious date. This multi-award-winning novel deals with both the reality of the events and their aftermath and explores, in an accessible way, the complex ways in which 9/11 changed the world forever.

• Author: Tom Rogers
• Length: 200 pages total
• Publisher: Alto Nido Press
• Publication Date: January 14, 2014
• ISBN 099118100X

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park/amazon.com

This tween book weaves a beautiful story, taking the reader back to twelfth-century Korea in an unforgettable coming-of-age drama about the importance of determination in overcoming adversity and working towards our dreams. The book is full of intrigue, danger, and excitement, as Tree-ear resolves to prove his skills to the village’s master potter, an endeavor which ultimately takes him to the royal court seeking a commission, bearing just a single celadon shard.

• Author: Linda Sue Park
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication Date: January 10, 2011
• ISBN 0547534264

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen/amazon.com

From New York Times ’ bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes this extraordinary tale of Gerta, who finds her family divided as the Berlin Wall rises. Gerta, her mother, and her brother are on the east side of the wall, while her father and another brother, who had traveled west in search of work, can no longer get home. Offering a fascinating look at the realities of this period of history, A Night Divided is utterly captivating and boasts a cast of colorful characters that kids will love.

• Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
• Length: 352 pages total
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication Date: April 24, 2018
• ISBN 0545682444

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai/amazon.com

An Amazon’s Teachers’ Pick book , Shooting Kabul is set in the summer of 2001 when Fadi’s family makes the difficult decision to illegally leave Afghanistan to travel to the United States to resettle. Tragically, Fadi’s sister Mariam becomes separated as the family flees, and ends up being left behind in Kabul. In the aftermath of the events of September 11, Fadi’s family struggle to settle into their new home, but remain determined to locate Mariam and bring her to safety.

• Author: N.H. Senzai
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication Date: July 12, 2011
• ISBN 9781442401952

While books are a fantastic way for your preteens to learn and explore new worlds, it’s also crucial to ensure their safety in the real world. As a parent, you can provide an extra layer of protection by downloading the Findmykids app . This app allows you to keep track of your child’s location and stay connected, giving you peace of mind while they enjoy their books and adventures!

A Wrinkle in Time (Series) by Madeleine L’Engel

A Wrinkle in Time/amazon.com

Enchanting young readers since it was first published in the 1960s, this classic book is a coming-of-age fantasy story that follows the story of Meg, her little brother Charles, and Calvin (one of the most popular boys at school) as they search for Meg’s father. The three journey through space and time, looking for the scientist who mysteriously disappeared while working on a secret government project. Exhilarating and imaginative, this book also perfectly captures the awkwardness of the tween and teen years.

• Author: Madeline L’Engel
• Reading Age: 8+
• Publisher: Simon Square Fish
• Publication Date: May 1, 2007
• ISBN 0312367546

Buy the Book

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet/amazon.com

An instant bestseller and now modern classic, Hatchet tells the story of young teen Brian Robeson who finds himself alone and deserted in the wilderness after a plane crash. While grappling with his parents’ divorce, Brian must find it within himself to survive the 55 long days until his eventual rescue. When he does triumph over his circumstances, he is changed by the experience. This is a must-read classic survival story that’s perfect for ages twelve and up.

• Author: Gary Paulsen
• Length: 192 pages total
• Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: December 26, 2006
• ISBN 1416936475

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars/amazon.com

A classic work of historical fiction for preteens, Number the Stars recounts 10-year-old Annemarie’s experiences as a Jewish family member living in German-occupied Denmark during World War II. Taken in by her friend’s family, she must hide in plain sight while her people are relocated to Sweden to escape the Nazis. Readers of the book will come away with knowledge of the Holocaust as well as timeless lessons about humanity.

• Author: Lois Lowry
• Length: 160 pages total
• Publication Date: May 2, 2011
• ISBN 0547577095

Stig of the Dump by Clive King

Stig of the Dump by Clive King /amazon.com

A classic read for both younger readers and older kids, Stig of the Dump has been loved since it was first published back in 1963. While exploring an old chalk pit, Barney makes an unexpected discovery: stone-age Stig, a caveboy who has made the pit his home. The pair learn how to communicate, and Barney helps Stig improve his den, while the caveboy teaches his new friend how to fend off bullies.

• Author: Clive King
• Length: 184 pages total
• Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween
• Publication Date: September 6, 2016 (this version)
• ISBN 1504037707

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss/amazon.com

The iconic story of survival that has fascinated readers for decades, The Swiss Family Robinson is a perfect middle-grade book for kids who are keen to try the classics. After surviving a shipwreck, the Robinson family wash up on a tropical island, and have only their survival skills, tenacity, sense of humor, and love for each other to rely on. If you have a young avid reader in the household, this book won’t disappoint.

• Author: Johann D. Wyss
• Publisher: Signet
• Publication Date: December 7, 2004 (this version)
• ISBN 0451529618

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

The Borrowers by Mary Norton/amazon.com

First published in 1952 and still a much-loved classic, Mary Norton’s book weaves a story of the tiny people living, unseen, in our homes—staying out of the eye line of “human beans” is the number one rule of bringing a borrower, after all! The exploits of Pod, Arrietty, and Homily Clock are sure to entertain middle-grade readers, who will sympathize with Arrietty’s determination to explore beyond the boundaries of her miniature world.

• Author: Mary Norton
• Reading Age: 6–12 years
• Length: 180 pages total
• Publication Date: January 1, 2001 (this version)
• ISBN 9780439325103

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken/amazon.com

Adored by readers for more than six decades, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a fast-paced, gothic fairy tale adventure that’ll have kids hooked from the first line. When Bonnie’s parents leave on a voyage Miss Slighcarp is left in charge—she wastes no time in selling the family furniture, dismissing the staff, and shipping Bonnie and her cousin off to a bleak orphanage. Escaping from this prison-like establishment, the girls must figure out how to save Willougby Chase from the human wolves who now inhabit it.

• Author: Joan Aiken
• Publication Date: October 1, 1987 (this version)
• ISBN 0440496039

A Wizard of Earthsea (Series) by Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea (Series) by Ursula K. Le Guin/amazon.com

Twelve-year-olds who enjoy fantasy and mystery books will devour this first book in the Earthsea series, which follows Ged (known as Sparrowhawk) who discovers he possesses powerful magical abilities. Journeying to the School of Magic on the Island of Roke, the young wizard begins to hone his craft. However, a miscast spell results in the release of a terrifying shadow creature, and now Ged must decide whether to leave the island or confront the entity he’s set loose.

• Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
• Length: 264 pages total
• Publication Date: September 11, 2012 (this version)
• ISBN 0547722028

Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet by Valentina Camerini

Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet/amazon.com

An inspiring book that will fascinate your twelve-year-old, this true story proves that anyone—however young—can make a positive difference. At the age of just fifteen, Great Thunberg decided to stop waiting for world leaders to take steps to tackle climate change and decided to take account herself. Going on strike, rather than to school, and protesting outside the parliament building of Stockholm, Greta’s solo stance has now turned into a global movement.

• Author: Valentina Camerini
• Length: 144 pages total
• Publisher: Aladdin
• Publication Date: April 6, 2021
• ISBN 1534468781

Becoming Muhammed Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander

Becoming Muhammad Ali/amazon.com

Tweens interested in the sport of boxing or even just the game of life will be intrigued by this story of heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali’s childhood. Readers of the book will learn fascinating details about the kid named Cassius Clay, his friends and family, as well as his brushes with racism. Most of all, they’ll be inspired by his hard work and perseverance from the age of twelve to seventeen as he begins his professional boxing career and “becomes” Muhammed Ali.

• Author: James Patterson
• Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
• Publication Date: May 3, 2022
• ISBN 0316498173

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition/amazon.com

If you’re looking for one of the most uplifting books for 12-year-olds, don’t miss this inspiring true story of a boy who builds a windmill to save his village in Malawi. When his family finds themselves destitute after a drought, young William takes action. After reading everything he can find on the subject, William constructs a fully functioning windmill from scrap. Readers will come away from the book awestruck and believing their ideas matter!

• Author: William Kamkwamba
• Publisher: Rocky Ponds Book
• Publication Date: January 5, 2016
• ISBN 9780147510426

Survivors of the Holocaust: True Stories of Six Extraordinary Children Edited by Kath Shackleton

Survivors of the Holocaust/amazon.com

This book has won numerous awards including the a UK’s School and Library Association Information Books Awards 2017. Taken from their homes, separated from their families, and imprisoned or forced into hiding, these six true stories from holocaust survivors are powerful, emotional, and utterly unforgettable. The book includes a timeline to help the reader and recently taken photographs of each contributor, along with updates on their lives.

• Author: Kath Shackleton
• Length: 96 pages total
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
• Publication Date: October 1, 2019
• ISBN 1492688932

Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge/amazon.com

If you’ve got a middle-grade child in the family who is interested in art, then this is the book for them! The beauty of this book is that it explores the sort of questions that this age group tends to have about artworks, such as why some artists paint in a ‘blurry’ fashion, and what makes certain works so expensive. Both irreverent and informative, this book may teach the entire family a few things about the art world!

• Author: Susie Hodge
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Publication Date: October 18, 2016
• ISBN 9780500650806

History’s Unsolved Mysteries by Arch Stanton

History’s Unsolved Mysteries by Arch Stanto/amazon.com

Is your middle school kid a fan of both mystery books and historical fiction books? Then send them on a thrilling voyage of discovery with this gorgeous tome that takes the reader to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the mysterious Bermuda Triangle, and Easter Island (among many other locations ) to try to solve some of the globe’s most perplexing puzzles. History’s Unsolved Mysteries fuses fascinating factual information with tantalizing legends, myths, and cryptic clues.

• Author: Arch Stanton
• Reading Age: 9–15 years
• Length: 177 pages total
• Publication Date: July 18, 2023
• ISBN 979-8852624062

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess/amazon.com

Greg is set to return in 2024 with this highly anticipated nineteenth installment of the best-selling book series. Join Greg as he deals with the two sides of his extended family coming together for the summer and the drama and hilarity that ensue. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have become must-reads for this age group—and are likely to be enjoyed by the whole family, too.

• Author: Jeff Kinney
• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Publication Date: October 22, 2024
• ISBN 1419766953

Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart and Geoff Rodkey

Marcus Makes a Movie/amazon.com

If you’re in search of a funny book for your 12-year-old, you can’t go wrong with a novel written by a world-famous standup comic! In addition to a kid-friendly dose of Kevin Hart’s comedic prowess, this book manages to have an actual heart as well. The story features middle-schooler Marcus who, with hard work and a little help from his friends, realizes his dream of being a filmmaker.

• Author: Kevin Hart
• ISBN 059317917X

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid (Series) by Jeff Kinney

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid/amazon.com

From the author of the immensely popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series comes a spin-off series narrated by the beloved character Rowley Jefferson. Full of hilarious situations recalled by the notoriously clueless narrator, the book will have your tween laughing out loud . Perhaps more importantly, the book’s style is not overly complex, making it an easy read even for reluctant readers.

• Publisher: Harry N.Abrams
• Publication Date: April 9, 2019
• ISBN 141974027X

The Summer I Robbed a Bank by David O’Doherty

The Summer I Robbed a Bank by David O’Doherty/amazon.com

The main character Rex’s summer holidays haven’t gotten off to the best start. His parents have split up and he’s been packed off to a remote and wet Irish island to stay with his eccentric—but brilliant—Uncle Derm. Things take a turn for the hilariously unexpected, however, when Uncle Derm tells his nephew that he’s planning to rob the island’s traveling bank… and he needs Rex’s help to pull off the heist.

• Author: David O’Doherty
• Publication Date: May 27, 2021
• ISBN 0241362237

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley/amazon.com

Looking for mystery books for your 12-year-old that’ll also tickle her funny bone? If so, Midnight at the Barclay Hotel could be just the ticket! Spooky, suspenseful, and frequently hilarious, the novel centers on JJ, who is thrilled to receive an invitation for an all-expenses-paid trip to the Barclay Hotel, alleged to be one of the most haunted establishments in Colorado. It turns out, though, that there are scarier things than ghosts lurking in the hotel’s dark corridors…

• Author: Fleur Bradley
• Length: 336 pages total
• Publication Date: August 24, 2021
• ISBN 0593202910

Little Badman and the Time-Traveling Teacher of Doom by Humza Arshad and Henry White

Little Badman and the Time-Traveling Teacher of Doom by Humza Arshad and Henry White/amazon.com

Fans of David Walliams’ and David Badiel’s books are sure to enjoy this laugh-out-loud story about eleven-year-old rapper Little Badman (aka Humza Khan) whose dad is threatening to ship him off to summer school in Pakistan. Little Badman and his best bud Umer soon discover that this summer school is far from run of the mill, though—in fact, the very fabric of time is being messed with by the staff.

• Author: Humza Arshad and Henry White
• Publication Date: August 20, 2020
• ISBN 0241378508

The Happy Shop by Brittany Long Olsen

The Happy Shop/amazon.com

Great books for 12-year-olds come in many forms, including graphic novels. For kids who may be a little reluctant to pick up a book, a graphic novel could be perfect. The Happy Shop is the heartwarming tale of a girl who discovers a shop that sells feelings; could this be the answer to all her problems? However, it soon becomes apparent that all feelings are important, and understanding and embracing even the more difficult ones is, in fact, the real key to happiness.

• Author: Brittany Long Olsen
• Publisher: Oni Press
• Publication Date: February 13, 2024
• ISBN 1637152795

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor/amazon.com

If your kid loves graphic novels, this one is worth a trip to the bookstore. Heroine Haley is also an avid reader and is obsessed with Gothic romance novels. One night, she quite literally falls into one while trying to save a stranger from drowning. This dark, yet strangely whimsical book-within-a-book will have your 12-year-old hooked from page one.

• Author: Shaenon K.Garrity
• Publisher: Margaret K.Elderry Books
• Publication Date: July 20, 2021
• ISBN 1534460861

The Witch Boy (Series) by Molly Knox Ostertag

The Witch Boy: A Graphic Novel/amazon.com

Happily, this graphic novel is a three-part series because your pre-teen is going to want more after turning the final page. In The Witch Boy , the main character Aster is a boy who wants to be a witch. Unfortunately for him, his fantastical society doesn’t allow males to be anything other than shapeshifters. Young readers will identify with Aster as he struggles to find his identity while navigating societal pressures.

• Author: Molly Knox Ostertag
• Publisher: Graphix
• Publication Date: October 31, 2017
• ISBN 133808951X

The Nameless City (Series) by Faith Erin Hicks

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks/amazon.com

Rat and Kaidu are from very different worlds, but when they meet in the streets of the Nameless City they form a friendship that will change their fates forever. With breathtaking artwork that’ll instantly draw readers into the story, this tale encompasses everything from adolescent angst to explorations of identity and belonging. Readers will be relieved to learn that the action doesn’t end with the turning of the final page—it’s the first book in a series.

• Author: Faith Erin Hicks
• Publisher: First Second
• Publication Date: April 5, 2016
• ISBN 1626721564

New Kid by Jerry Craft

New Kid A Newbery Award Winner/amazon.com

When Jordan is sent to a prestigious private school he discovers he’s one of just a handful of kids of color in his entire grade. Any child who has felt like an outsider, or had to contend with getting to grips with life in a new school will relate to the main character of this graphic novel, which explores how to navigate new environments while staying true to ourselves.

• Author: Jerry Craft
• Publisher: Quill Tree Books
• Publication Date: February 5, 2019
• ISBN 0062691198

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi/amazon.com

Great comic books aren’t always about superheroes or set in a magical world, as proved by this award-winning memoir in the form of a graphic novel. The book offers an insight into what it was like to grow up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war and the aftermath of these events. The black-and-white comic strip form is strikingly powerful, offering a child’s eye perspective on the seismic events that took place in this region.

• Author: Marjane Satrapi
• Publisher: Pantheon
• Publication Date: June 1, 2004
• ISBN 037571457X

Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock.com

• The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty (Fantasy).
• Better Nate than Ever by Tim Federle (Coming of Age).
• My Own Lightening by Lauren Wolk (Coming of Age).
• Willodeen by Katherine Applegate (Fantasy).
• Holes By Louis Sachar (Classics).
• The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera (Science Fiction).
• The Secret Fountain by Grace Lockhaven and Michael Jaymes (Science Fiction).
• The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis (Historical Fiction).
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Coming of Age).

As parents, we all know how important it is for kids to get off their phones and put their noses in a book. Yet, it can be an uphill battle getting some preteens to open a book instead of an app. Consider the above list your free handbook to turning your social media-obsessed tweens into lifelong readers. Just put one of these novels in their hand, and let the authors do the rest!

Did you find this article useful? Don’t forget to share it with your tribe of tween parents—they’ll thank you later!

The picture on the front page: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

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The Best Books For 12 Year Olds

Written by: Laura Carpenter

May 11, 2024

Time to read 5 min

Embarking on a literary adventure is a rite of passage for every 12-year-old reader. This pivotal age marks a transition into more complex narratives, thought-provoking themes, and captivating worlds that ignite the imagination. From fantastical realms filled with magic and mystery to poignant tales of self-discovery and friendship, the best books for 12-year-olds offer a gateway to endless possibilities.

These stories not only entertain but also inspire, challenge and nurture a lifelong love for reading. Whether you're seeking thrilling escapades, heartwarming narratives, or mind-bending puzzles, there's a book waiting to transport you on an unforgettable journey. So, get ready to turn the pages and immerse yourself in the enchanting worlds that await.

1. The School For Good And Evil by Soman Chainani

The School For Good And Evil by Soman Chainani is not only a brilliant fantasy adventure book, but is now a major Netflix film starring Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington! Two best friends find themselves swept into the Endless Woods, where they're switched into opposite schools - one for Good, one for Evil. As they navigate this magical world, they discover who they truly are and what they're capable of, proving that the only way out of a twisted fairy tale is to live through it.

2. unOrdinary by uru-chan

uru-chan's unOrdinary is a thrilling graphic novel that follows John, a seemingly ordinary teenager attending a high school where the social elite possess extraordinary powers. As John's secret past threatens to unravel the school's social order, readers aged 12 and up will be captivated by this action-packed story filled with turf wars, betrayal and deadly conspiracies.

3. How To Stop The End Of The World by Tom Mitchell

In How To Stop The End Of The World , Colin and Lucy find themselves on a hilarious, fast-paced adventure involving an ancient sword, a mysterious curse, and a plan to save the world. Not quite what they were expecting on their summer break! This action-packed fantasy for readers aged 9+ from the acclaimed author of Escape from Camp Boring is perfect for kids who love books filled with suspense, mystery and magic.

An extract:

For Col Coleridge, the annual Westerham and Sevenoaks family athletics day was like a visit to the dentist. Not only did it happen too regularly, but it was also … well … like … the worst thing ever. Okay, so not the best comparison, but figurative language is difficult when you’re blinded by passion, and Col really hated both orthodontics and field events, with a strength equalled only by his feelings towards screen-time limits. It’s not like his mum and dad ever set themselves screen-time limits.

And, I have to say, I completely agree. (About the running. Screen time is a worry.) Because how can running be ‘fun’? You don’t see any animals doing it for the lolz. Antelopes don’t start giggling when they’re being chased down by lions. Consider this: have you ever seen a jogger smile? No. Case closed. I’ve never trusted anyone who claims to like running. But, unlike me, Col’s parents didn’t, couldn’t understand his attitude. It was as if they spoke a different language to their son, ran on an alternative operating system.

The headline event of the Westerham and Sevenoaks family athletics day was the family relay race. Each family member held a baton and ran a certain number of metres that Col could never exactly remember, but was loads, literally hundreds, and then handed the baton to the next family member. Showing a complete lack of imagination, the winners were the first to cross the finish line. That was another thing Col didn’t like about sports. They were always so … predictable. Not like games. At least his Xbox had the power to surprise.

Relay teams were meant to comprise four runners, but, as Mum had complained that this was prejudiced against one-child or single-parent families, Dad was allowed to run twice – at the start and at the end. Col was, therefore, third.

That fateful day, he wore his special sports watch. A birthday present, it was a strangely pale blue, like it was ill. He hadn’t asked for it, but had still tried to appear grateful because he was a GOOD BOY. In addition to showing the time, a genuinely useful feature, the watch could take all kinds of health readings when you were out being healthy. Col tended not to wear it, though, because the constant alerts that it was ‘time to stand up’ got a bit annoying.

And so he stood behind a line in his lane, the running track being a wonky set of squished and massive circles painted on to a local field more accustomed to dog poo and teenagers on quad bikes. Behind them were farmers’ fields and beyond these Tower Wood.

Col picked out his dad, lined up across the other side of the looping track. He was the only competitor to have adopted a runner’s crouch rather than standing normally (because, you know, this wasn’t the Olympics). There was no starter’s pistol – something else that Col’s mum had complained about – just a woman, whom Col had seen earlier wearing a T-shirt with the slogan If I collapse, please pause my watch, with a really loud voice, who shouted, ‘ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO!’

I know I’m a geek because I’ve just looked it up in the Oxford English Dictionary. I drew a little tick next to all the symptoms I recognise, and I appear to have them all. Which – and I should be perfectly honest here – hasn’t come as an enormous surprise. The fact that I have an Oxford English Dictionary on my bedside table anyway should have been one clue. That I keep a Natural History Museum pencil and ruler next to it so that I can neatly underline interesting entries should have been another.

Oh, and then there’s the word GEEK, drawn in red marker pen on the outside pocket of my school satchel. That was done yesterday.

I didn’t do it, obviously. If I did decide to deface my own property, I’d choose a poignant line from a really good book, or an interesting fact not many people know. And I definitely wouldn’t do it in red. I’d do it in black, or blue, or perhaps green. I’m not a big fan of the colour red, even if it is the longest wavelength of light discernible by the human eye.

To be absolutely candid with you, I don’t actually know who decided to write on my bag – although I have my suspicions – but I can tell you that their writing is almost illegible. They clearly weren’t listening during our English lesson last week when we were told that handwriting is a very important Expression of the Self. Which is quite lucky because if I can just find a similar shade of pen, I might be able to slip in the letter R in between G and E. I can pretend that it’s a reference to my interest in ancient history and feta cheese.

I prefer Cheddar, but nobody has to know that.

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45+ Best Fantasy Books for Tweens and Middle Grade Fantasy Readers

Does your middle schooler love to read fantasy? Our kids adore fantasy books so much that we knew we needed to make a list of middle grade fantasy books. These books are perfect for your 10, 11, 12, and 13-year-olds to read.

None of the books is too scary or contains a subject matter that is too mature, in our opinion. We have read all these books and love them. When it came to which books to include, we had input from all our kids as well as my niece who is a huge bibliophile!

*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.

Table of Contents

Ultimate List of Fantasy Books for Tweens

Book series // school // dragon // mythology // magic // graphic novels // fairy-take retellings // ghost // historical fantasy // animal // classics // more //, best middle grade fantasy of 2023.

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson

Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown knew her mom kept secrets- giant, dangerous secrets. Now her mom has disappeared, and Daisy is determined to find her. 

Her search brings her to a hidden doorway in a simple shop. When she steps through, she finds herself in an entirely different world. Greenwild is magical, both figuratively and literally. Daisy can barely believe her eyes. But after a few minutes, she realizes that what she sees is completely real.

What she also realizes is that there are people who strive to destroy this beautiful place, and Daisy is determined to stop them. Daisy has to save Greenwild and find her mom in this tween fantasy book.

The Best Middle Grade Fantasy Book Series for 10-13-year-olds

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Move over Harry Potter , there is a new middle grade fantasy series poised to take your throne! Meet Sophie Foster, a newly found elf living in the human world.

In book one of this ever-growing series, she’s taken back to the Lost Cities and sent to Foxfire Academy to learn to harness her powers as a Telepath. In the process, she is welcomed into a new family, makes loads of friends, and uncovers a secret organization trying to destroy the human world.

Why We Love This Book:  All 5 of our children loved this series, and frankly, Jackie and I did too! It’s also a great family-friendly audiobook for long car trips. We’ve got a list of books like KOTLC if you have already read this series. Appropriate for ages  9-12 Find this book in Secret Society Books / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books for 11-year-olds / Books Like Percy Jackson / Kids Audiobooks

Did you love this series? We do too! That’s why we created a list of Books Like Keeper of the Lost Cities

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K Rowling

I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published. 

This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio.  We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?

Why We Love This Book:  In our opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents. Appropriate for ages  9-13 Find this book in Books like Harry Potter / Books Like Percy Jackson / 21 Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Harry Potter Books in Order / Best Audiobooks for Kids

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

This first Percy Jackson book is about our beloved Percy, who discovers he is a demi-god and must recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. He travels into the underworld to locate the lightning bolt and, at the same time, try to save his mother.

His amazing adventures with Annabeth and Grover along the way create the foundation for all the books that follow in this amazing and epic series. This show has been adapted to TV on Disney and is fantastic!

Why We Love This Book:  I don’t think anyone has read this middle grade fantasy series and not loved it. It’s a contemporary greek mythology retelling for the ages. Appropriate for ages  9-13 Find this book in Books like Percy Jackson / Epic Guide to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Books / Audiobooks for Kids

Perfect for fans of Harry Potter / Keeper of the Lost Cities / Tween & Teen Fantasy Books

Love Fantasy Books? We do too! That’s why we created a list of Books Like Harry Potter and Books Like Percy Jackson !

Fantasy books for tweens set in school.

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

My daughter read this book and loved it. “Marya’s brother is going to be a sorcerer. When an accident happens, Marya is sent to Dragomir Academy. It is a place for troubled girls.

When she is there, the Dread attacks. The Dread is a cloud-like creature that can spawn itself and destroy villages.

I really liked this book because I love magic and the girls at the school work together as a team. This book was exciting and I want to read the next one.” This is one of the fantasy books for tweens that is perfect for Harry Potter Fans

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

This book is a fairy tale retelling of Cinderella. A fairy named Lucinda puts a curse on Ella that requires her to do whatever anyone tells her to do. Lucinda thought that she was helping Ella’s mother because she would not stop crying.

As Ella gets older, she being to attend a boarding school where she tried to make friends. She realizes she needs to rid herself of this gift so that she can stop doing the horrible things that other people make her do.

This is one of those middle grade fantasy books that my daughter reads over and over again.

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

I love Neil Patrick Harris and was so excited to read this book that he wrote about a group of magical misfits who come together to find friendship and self-worth in this wonderful series.

Carter has run away and never expects to find friends and magicians like him in the little town. Now, the friends must come together to save the little town from B.B. Bosso and his crew.

Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School #1) by Jen Calonita

Gilly gets caught stealing a bracelet and it is her final strike. She is sent to Fairy Tale Reform School. There, she meets her roommate, Kayla, who is a fairy.

The teachers at the school are reformed villains like the Evil Queen and Cinderella’s stepmother. When things go awry in the school, Gilly is the only one that can help. Will she be able to save everyone? If given a chance to go home early, should she go or stay to fight the evil in the school? This is such a cute middle grade fantasy series that adds a little humor.

Fantasy Books for Tweens with Dragons

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Hiccup, an unlikely hero, overcomes many obstacles in the harsh Viking landscape.  These middle-grade fantasy books are funny with cute illustrations that are bound to entertain even the pickiest of readers.

They have been made into a popular animated movie as well that my kids watch over and over..

The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire #1) by Tui T. Sutherland

Five dragons of different types, (a mud wing, a sea wing, a sand wing, a rain wing, and a night wing) are trapped in a mountainside cave to protect them from the outside world because they are part of a prophecy.

The dragons learn that the guardians plan to kill Glory, the rain wing because she was not supposed to be part of the prophecy. In order to save Glory, they hatch a plan and must work together as a team to escape.

Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

Sik and his friends, Daoud, Belet, and Rabisu are in search of an ancient, powerful, tablet. They run into trouble to get it, but make it to the tablet unharmed, until Sik runs into Lugal.

Lugal has been looking for the table as well and will do anything to get it away from Sik and his group. As the story goes on, it escalates more and more. Well-written and exciting, this story keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is perfect for YA readers who enjoy Fantasy and Adventure.

Mythology Middle Grade Fantasy for your 10-13-year-olds

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwambe Mbalia

Like me, my eldest is fantasy-book obsessed. After ripping through all of Rick Riordan’s books, he wasn’t sure what to read next.

Enter, Tristan Strong! This epic middle-school fantasy trilogy is based on African American folk heroes and West African mythology and it quickly engrossed my son. He finished the story and begged me to take him to the library for the next installment. 

Tristan is grieving the loss of his best friend, Eddie when a mysterious creature shows up and tries to steal Eddie’s notebook. 

As he tries to keep the notebook, Tristan accidentally punches a tree…opening a gateway to another world. Soon he’s in the middle of a battle and he needs to figure out a way to get back home. This is the perfect series for kids that love books like Percy Jackson.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan

This middle school fantasy series by Rick Riordan is based on Norse Mythology. Magnus Chase dies in battle and is brought to Valhalla where he is given the task of bringing back a powerful weapon to keep the monsters at bay and stop Ragnarok from destroying everything.

We don’t want to give too much away about this trilogy. All of our kids love Rick Riordan and this book is no exception. If you want more info and the complete guide to all things Percy Jackson (who is a secondary character in this series, you can check out our post: Epic Guide to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Books in Order. This is one of the fantasy books for tweens that is an absolute must-read for kids that are looking for books like Percy Jackson.

The Flame of Olympus (Pegasus book 1)

When Pegasus crashes onto a roof during a storm, Emily finds him and comes to his rescue. She treats his wounds and cares for him when she finds out he is from Olympus.

Now Emily finds herself teaming up with a team to bring Pegasus back to Olympus ad rescue the gods. My daughter really loved this middle-grade fantasy book.

Tween Fantasy Books About Magic

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

This book is the perfect mixture of adventure, magic, and mystery. Felicity and her family arrive in Midnight Gulch, a town that used to be filled with magic before a curse pushed all the magic away. Felicity hopes to understand where the magic went and bring it back to the town.

It is a wonderful tween fantasy book that is perfect for all ages.

A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer

Brystal Evergreen finds out that she can perform magic when reading a book from her library, but women aren’t supposed to read!

When she is sentenced to a correctional facility, she was quickly whisked away to an academy where she can learn magic! My kids devoured this middle-grade fantasy as quickly as Chris Colfer’s last series. While no correctional facility could be as bad as Azkaban, this series is a perfect pick for books like Harry Potter for kids.

Tuesday’s at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Every Tuesday, the Castle will change itself in some way by adding rooms or changing stairways. When Cellie’s parents, King and Queen Glower, are ambushed, nobody knows what happened to them. It is up to Cellie to find the truth and save her family.

This book is the first in a series of fantasy books for tweens. The series is light-hearted and fun.

Fantasy Graphic Novels for your 10-13-year-old

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

Boys grow up to be shapeshifters and girls become witches.  But, what if you are a boy who loves witchery? Would you show your talents if it meant you would be exiled? 

This Middle grade challenges gender stereotypes and is a perfect witch book for any middle-grade fantasy reader. Not only is the story great and the illustrations gorgeous, but the message of this book made it a must for best graphic novels of all time. This is one of the witch books for an 11-year-old that every child should read!

The Stonekeeper: A Graphic Novel (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kiuishi)

To me, the images in this graphic novel, along with the story, make this one of the scarier picks on the list.

After Emily and Navin’s father dies, they move into the home of their great-grandfather with their mother. strange things start happening and a strange creature lures their mother into another world. With the help of a mechanical rabbit, they must venture to the underground world to save her.

Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier

After a monster apocalypse has hit his town, Jack has been living in his treehouse with everything a 13-year-old needs: Oreos, Mountain Dew, and lots of video games.

He realizes that he cannot fight the monsters on his own so he builds a team of middle schoolers to launch a fight back. This is the first book in the fantasy books for tweens series with over 7 million copies in print.

Fairy Tale Retellings for your Tween

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Sophie thinks her history makes her a good fit for the School of Good like Cinderella and Snow White before her. Agatha thinks the School of Evil is a better fit for her. But when the opposite schools are assigned to each girl, they need to figure out who they are and where they belong.

Why We Love This Book:  Utterly addicting, this series has 6 stories and was recently made into a movie starring Kerry Washington. Appropriate for ages  9-13 Find this book in books similar to Percy Jackson / Netflix Adaptations / Middle Grade Fantasy / Kids Audiobooks

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

While this story is about the land of fairy tales, think Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, it has the element of magic and wonder that Harry Potter fans will love.  

Alex and Connor’s grandmother gives them the family book of fairy tales.  Before they understand what is happening, they find themselves transported into the book.  They set off on an adventure to get back home . 

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Berry

This Peter Pan retelling finds Peter aboard a ship of sailors. He and a bunch of other orphans aboard the ship have to protect a treasure locked in a chest hidden on the ship from pirate captain Black Stache.

Think of this as the origin story of Tinkerbell, her fairy dust, and how Peter gained his ability to fly.

Fantasy Books for Tweens: Ghosts

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

This middle-grade fantasy / mystery reminded me of Harry Potter in some ways. A child is trying to uncover the secrets of Greenglass House, a hotel for smugglers and spies before the adults do.

We read this as a family read-aloud and it was wonderful. You may wonder why this mystery is on a list of fantasy books for tweens, but keep reading and you will find out!

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

We like to listen to books as a family when we are in the car together or doing a puzzle. The standout book for me this month was Winterhouse. It’s such a fun hotel novel!

Why We Love This: This middle grade mystery was as enthralling to me as it was to my boys. I loved the slight bits of magic in the story and the captivating setting of an expansive ski hotel on a snowy mountain at Christmas time. If you love a cozy mystery book for a 10-year-old, pick this one up! Find this Book in Paranormal Books / Books for a 10-Year-Old / Books About Puzzles

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children By Ransom Riggs

When Jacob experiences a family tragedy, he finds himself on a remote island off the coast of Whales. He Discovers a crumbling ruin that was once Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

As Jacob explores the ruins, he finds clues that lead him to believe these children might be alive even though it seems impossible.

Why I Like It: This series is full of magic and mystery. The amazing combination of fiction with antique photographs leads to a truly unique story that brings the characters to life.

Find this book in YA Fantasy Books / Middle Grade Fantasy / Halloween Books for Kids / Time Loop Novels

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

While this is technically a middle-grade fantasy book, it was SCARY.  I absolutely loved it but, it should not be read by anyone who is afraid of ghost stories. 

When Cass is rescued from drowning, she is suddenly able to maneuver between the land of the living and the other side of the veil. The boy that rescued her is a ghost and he becomes her best friend. 

Her parents are ghost hunters and then they get a job filming a tv show in Scotland, they all pack up and go, including Cass’s ghost.  What they find is scary, creepy and a fabulously fun read

Historical Fantasy Books for Tweens

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

All of my kids have read this book and they all loved it- devoured it in a day. In 13th century France, three children set out on a quest with their dog. Each of the children, and the dog, have a magical gift.

Somehow this book is able to combine historical characters and mythical tales of the 13th century with morals and lessons that are completely relevant today.

Magyk by Angie Sage

Septimus Heap is the seventh son of a seventh son.  He disappears the night that he is born and his parents are told he is dead.  

That night, his father finds a baby girl in the snow.  This story sets up the adventures for the rest of the series with magic, adventure, and bravery.  

The Alchemyst: The Immortal Life of Nicholas Flamel

Like so many great fantasy novels, Sophie and John Newman have newfound powers that they do not know how to use. Suddenly, it is up to them to save everyone from Dr. John Dee.

Dr. Dee has stolen the Book of Abraham the Mage, Nicholas Flamel’s book. Inside are the secrets to eternal life and in the wrong hands, the book can destroy everything. Can Sophie and John master their powers and save the world? If you are looking for book series like Percy Jackson, this is perfect for you!

Tween Fantasy Books by Diverse Authors

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

My daughter loved this Newberry Award-winning book. It is also the winner of more awards than I will mention. Every year the people of a small town leave a baby as an offering to a witch in the hope that she will not hurt the town.

But, the witch is kind and rescues the children rather than harming them. When the witch, Xan, accidentally feeds the baby moonlight instead of starlight, the girl becomes magic and Xan chooses to raise her and names her Luna. Luna will have to learn to use her magic and protect the ones she loves.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

This fantasy book for tweens is a book that is perfect for all ages. Amari is searching for her brother and will not be deterred. She believes the key to finding him is an invitation to try out at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs she finds a briefcase in his closet.

The magical world, the story, and the characters are all captivating in this book. Be aware that there is a bullying aspect woven throughout these books for Percy Jackson fans.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah is a Rick Riordan Presents story based on ancient Indian mythology. 12-year-old heroine Aru is a storyteller who stretches the truth. But on a dare from classmates trying to catch her lying, she lights a lamp that sets an ancient demon free.

Now she’s on a mission to find the legendary Panda Brothers and return the demon to the land it came from. The first in the series, this is a great one for fans of Keeper of the Lost Cities .

Fantasy Books for Tweens with Animals

Willowdeen by Katherine Applegate

In a fire, Willowdeen’s house burns down and kills her parents with it. She is adopted by her aunts. She loves all animals, especially screechers. People think they are pests but she loves them and finds out they are dying off. Her new friend, Corner, gives her a wood screeched as a present when the last screeched dies off.

One day and she is crying, she comes back to find her wood screeched has come to life. With the help of her pet screecher and corner, they must solve the mystery of the disappearing hummingbears. Any thing Katherine Applegate writes is amazing so this fantasy book for tweens is a must-read!

Endling by Katherine Applegate

Byx is a Nearly extinct creature that resembles a standing dog that can glide. Right after her family is chased off and killed she has to seek help from humans and a creature that she was planning to kill for food.

She dodges death many times before finally ending up in a populated city, pretending to be a normal dog. This is the perfect animal fantasy book for tweens.

Warriors #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

This is the first book in a series of books. Rusty, a house cat, wanders into the forest where he has a fight with a cat named grey paw. Two cats, part of a Clan of wild cats, were watching the encounter and asked Rusty to join the clan.

There is a prophecy that a cat with fire-colored fur would save the Thunder clan from evil. This is the book that has launched the 7 series of Warriors!

The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein

This series was introduced to my daughter by her middle school librarian. There is a cat named Aldwyn who is being chased by a bounty hunter. When he escapes into a shop that is specifically for magical pets, he finds himself adopted by a wizard in training. Together, Aldwyn, a bluejay named Skylar, and a tree frog named Gilbert, must rescue Jack and the other Loyals after they are kidnapped and cannot use their powers.

Classic Middle Grade Fantasy Books for 10-13-Year-Olds

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

The iconic book is actually the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. However, since the first book is technically a prequel, I consider this the first and it can be read independently of the rest of the books in the series,

When four children discover a secret passage from a wardrobe into the Land of Narnia, they find a land enslaved by the white witch. They find friends, enemies, and magic. This is one of the classic fantasy books for tweens that has withstood the test of time.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

This classic book tells the story of Meg, a high school student, who must travel through space and time to rescue her father.

Along with her younger brother and her friend, Meg learns about the tesseract- a wrinkle in time and space that she must travel through in order to save her father from Evil.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

An introduction to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit was the first high fantasy book that I ever read.  Smaug, a dragon, is the main antagonist in this story. This book opened up a whole new world and genre of book.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys his comfortable life close to home. When a wizard named Gandalf shows up on Bibloa’s doorstep with dwarves, they invite him on a quest. There, he will encounter Smaug, a creature named Gollum, and find a ring that will change his life.

This YA fantasy is the prelude to the amazing Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is an iconic book which made it an easy pick for the best graphic novels of all time.

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials) by Philip Pullman

I read this fantasy book for tweens years ago and it stayed with me. As the name suggests, it is dark and probably not for kids who get scared easily.

Lyra lives in a world where all humans have animal familiars and parallel universes are all within reach. When Lyra’s best friend Roger is taken North by gobblers, she sets off to find him and bring him home. With the help of an armored bear, Lyra is determined on her quest but what she doesn’t know could kill her.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Peter Pan is one of Kirsten’s favorite childhood stories. The magical world of Neverland with its pirates, mermaids, and natives is so engrossing.

The story of Peter Pan and his adventures with the Darling children have inspired countless spin-off books, movies, and theatrical productions for a reason. This classic fantasy book for tweens is a must-read for everyone.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol and MinaLima

My daughter recently came home with this tween fantasy book from school. It is classic and many children know the story of Alice. While my daughter loves the Disney version of this book, She did not enjoy the original.

For her, it was too creepy. I am not sure if her feelings would have been different if she had not seen the movie version.

More Fantasy Books for Tweens

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

This tween fantasy novel is a retelling of Anne of Green Gables – except Grace (Anne) is in training with the witch (Marilla). Oh! And Matthew is a cloud.

Fantastical? Yes — and utterly delightful. I loved when retellings completely rework the story so readers get glimpses of the classics we love, while experiencing something completely new.

I was swept away by this story and was so sad when it ended.

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

This book is the newest in a series of fantasy books for tweens by Rick Riordan. Ana and her brother Dev are students at Harding Pencfoft Academy, a school that specializes in marine science. When Ana heads out on an expedition, the school is bombed and Ana believes everyone has died.

With only her brother left in her family, Ana is desperate to find out what happened and who bombed the school. The Professor who accompanied them on the trip informs them that Land Institute and H-P have been fighting in a war for over 150 years.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Animals all head to Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. It is a sanctuary of magic in a world that has stopped believing. Kendra and her brother Seth do not know that their grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven.

On the festival night, a window to their bedroom gets left open and the monsters are let in. It is up to Kendra and Seth to save their family. Parts of this middle-grade fantasy book are a bit scarier for younger children to read but if your child likes books like Percy Jackson, they should be ok with it.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a kid genius who is trying to utilize the power of fairies to find his father. With the help of his butler, they kidnap a fairy names Holly Short in order to restore his family’s fortune and find his power.

He underestimates the power of the fairies because he thinks that he is the smartest. This fantasy book for tweens is perfect for anyone who wants to see the villain’s perspective and root for them as well. These are the perfect books for Percy Jackson fans.

Middle-Grade Fantasy Books for Tweens We Want to Read

Which is your favorite fantasy book for tweens, for more middle-grade books, check out our list of books for 10-year-old , 11-year-old , 12-year-old , or 13-year-old readers ..

Co-founder and Editorial Director

Jackie is the mother of three children and a Speech-Language Pathologist who uses her love of books to create language-based learning opportunities in her speech therapy practice and with her own children. Her 20+ years of experience in regular and special education classrooms ensures the website content is relevant and informative. She started this website with Kirsten to share their passion for literacy with other moms and kids.

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10 Comments

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my favorites are keeper of the lost cities and wings of fire. they’re both pretty long series and keeper of the lost cities has some long books and major cliffhangers, but I would definitely recommend them.

Both are great series! I’m glad KOTLC has a 10th book coming!

Keeper of the Lost Cities, one hundred percent. Not a lot of people I know read it, and I was more than pleased to see it first on the list.

It’s fantastic – the kids and adults in my family all ready it!

Would you say The Ranger’s Apprentice counts as MG, or is it more YA?

I would say it is right in between but we did include it for some older MG readers. The protagonist is 15.

that is a great point thanks for bringing that up Jackie.

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12 Can't-Put-Down Books for 12 Year Olds

In order to make this list of books for 12 year olds I decided to poke around my tween's bookshelf to see what he was reading! I can't believe my kid is already 12 years old! I started making these book lists based on what he was reading with  books for an 8 year old boy . And now look where we are!

I picked titles on a variety of topics, as I tend to do, and tried to choose books your own 12 year old might not have read yet, but I know will enjoy no matter what their interest! Middle grade books  are generally aimed for 8-12 year olds, but I've chosen books in the 10-14 age range ( in my opinion ).  Plus, there are more lists with books for 12 year olds at the bottom of this post.

Please note: while in general you can be confident that I have read every book I recommend, in this case there are several books on this list which my kid has read, but I have not read yet. However, I chatted with my 12 year old and read professional reviews so I feel very confident recommending them! (Note: book titles are affiliate links that earn from qualifying purchases.)

Books for 12-Year-Olds

The Mighty Odds (series) by Amy Ignatow. A bus accident gives a four studenta, an Amish kid, a bus driver and a teacher superpowers ranging from invisibility to teleportation. This diverse group of people must now work together to solve the mystery behind what happened during the accident and how they got their powers. The narration switches among the protagonists so readers get many different viewpoints. My 12 year old told me this book was "great and hilarious!"

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi. A magical, mysterious modern day Alice in Wonderland. 12 year old Alice is determined to find her father after he disappears from Farenwood. Alice is a bit of a misfit. In a world full of color, she has pure white hair and white skin, and she performs miserably at the magic competition, when all 12 year olds are supposed to display their unique talent. After the competition, Alice and a boy, Oliver, set off on a topsy-turvy, inside-out and upside-down adventure into Furthermore to find and bring back her father.

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen (series) by Eric Berlin. After Winston gives his little sister a puzzle, they both find themselves stumped. They begin a journey to solve the puzzle which leads them on a scavenger hunt which may lead to a load of cash. Readers solve puzzles along with the protagonists, all the while realizing that cooperation is the most necessary ingredient.

The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen. This is a very suspenseful tale by the author of two other series I have not been able to put down ( The False Prince and The Mark of the Thief ) . When Ani is captured and tested for a deadly disease she is sent, along with her social opposite, to a quarantined colony. While in the colony Ani and her cohorts begin to discover the truth about the supposed disease. They plot escape and hatch a plan to bring the government's deception to light. Thrilling!

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands (trilogy).  There is some dark subject matter in this book but it is an incredibly suspenseful and action-packed read aloud for older kids. ( On par with some of the darker imagery in the Harry Potter books ). Christoper, an orphaned apprentice in 17th century London must solve a complex puzzle surrounding the murders of apothecaries. Despite the seriousness of the plot, the well-drawn characters provide some humor.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Woodson describes her memories of growing up in South Carolina, and later in Brooklyn, against the backdrop of the civil rights movement. The narrative is funny and poignant as Woodson figures out what makes her special and discovers her love words. See all those medals on the cover? This book totally earned every one of them.

Lawrence Yep's  Golden Mountain Chronicles   is a 10 book series which tells the story of the Young family over many generations and two centuries.  Dragon's Gate is   set in 1867. Otter has always been in awe of his father and uncle who work for the railroad companies across the sea. When he gets there himself, however, working conditions, the bitter cold, racism and his uncle's behavior serve to disillusion him. You don't need to read the series in order to enjoy them and Yep is a skilled author. Your kids won't want to put the book down.

As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds. Both my kid and I loved this book about 11 year old Genie and his brother who have come to rural Virginia to spend the summer with their grandparents. Genie is a boy who loves to ask questions and when he learns about his grandfather's blindness he has a lot to ask! During the summer Genie struggles with making sure he makes the right decisions as he uncovers the secrets of his family's history.

The Door by the Staircase by Katherine Marsh, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. This is a fascinating novelization of the Baba Yaga folk tale. The suspense will keep your tween turning the pages long into the night. ( Try to encourage her to get a little sleep, though. ) 12 year old Mary is taken away from her orphanage by the mysterious Madame Z. Madame Z is full of secrets and lives in a curious house. In town, Mary befriends Jacob, a magician's assistant. When they learn the true identity of Madame Z they must work together to escape her power.

Hazardous Tales  (series) by Nathan Hale. My kid loves the Nathan Hale's historical graphic novels. The topics range from the Revolutionary War to the Donner Party, the Alamo to WW1 and more. As a narrator, Hale makes history fascinating and funny. If your kids say they aren't "into history" sneak a few of these books into their reading stash.

The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly. Multiple narrators describe the adventures of several children and their ( potentially ) holy dog. This book is an amazing mix of morality tale and puzzling mystery. Jeanne with her psychic visions, Willian, a biracial Muslim monk with superhuman skills, and Jacob, a Jewish fleeing his destroyed village who has healing powers come together for an adventure that enriches their lives, as well as the lives of the readers.

The Left-Handed Fate by Kate Milford. Lucy and Max are trying to put an end to the War of 1812 by assembling a mysterious and ancient engine. While on a ship, The Left-Handed Fate, the ship is captured by the Americans and put under the command of a 12 year old, Oliver who must wrestle with the moral decision of becoming a traitor or putting the lives of others in jeopardy. Full of high adventure, treacherous journeys and suspenseful action, this book will keep your tween on the edge of his seat.

More books for 12 year olds: 

• Classic books for tweens
• Graphic novels for grades 4-8
• 6th grade summer reading list (with a global emphasis)
• Thrilling historical fiction for kids
• 11 books for 11 year olds
• Check out the index of all our book lists .

Reader Interactions

Danette says

January 16, 2017 at 11:59 pm

Love this! I teach 7th grade. I have a huge classroom library and book talk at least one book to my class each school day. You list is awesome because I have only heard of one of them! I love having more new ideas of tried and true books for this age! Thank you!

January 22, 2017 at 11:24 am

I'm so glad you found some new books!

January 24, 2017 at 11:32 am

Thanks for the list! As a librarian, I know of the books that get great reviews, but not always of the books that kids are reading and loving.

January 31, 2017 at 6:07 am

I'm glad you found the list useful.

Alison at NOVA Frugal Family says

February 28, 2017 at 6:37 pm

My son already read all of the books in the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales so I was looking to see if there were an other books that might be good for him. The hardest part is he is 8 so the subject material is a little tougher to judge then the reading level. I just might have to look a few of these up now at the library!! Thanks for the tips.

March 01, 2017 at 11:45 am

The content of many of these books may not be right for an 8 year old, but I have other age appropriate chapter book lists which you can find listed here: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/books-for-kids

Hank Ellis says

August 03, 2018 at 5:51 pm

I have written a book (more for young-preteen boys) than girls, but most people who have read it (including adults) loved it. The title is The Promise A Perilous Journey by Hank Ellis. If your kids like good clean adventure then I'm sure they'll love The Promise. It's at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Google play books. If you really like it I'll send some free books to pass around to friends.

Sonia Gonzalez says

January 18, 2020 at 12:13 am

My son would love to read it!

July 13, 2017 at 12:47 pm

i am only 10, but i already luv these books!!! this will definitely giv me a head start on middle school

Aliehsa says

March 17, 2019 at 6:52 pm

I'm eleven but books are so interesting for all ages! No my b-day wish list is complete!

November 16, 2020 at 10:10 pm

I am 11 and have not heard of any of theese books!!!! I love all of them and will really help me going into middle school.

July 07, 2018 at 4:31 pm

These books are so great and fun

December 20, 2018 at 7:26 am

I'm an eleven year old and have always loved reading what books would you recommend for a kid of my age? I've read the hunger games little princess Andersons tales for the young ect ect and I enjoy reading dystopian future.

Someone says

October 23, 2021 at 10:11 am

hmm if you like dystopian societies you should read the giver and the series! 😀

Christine says

November 04, 2021 at 10:43 am

Thank you for compiling this list. My 12 year old son is not an avid reader, and our biggest problem is choosing books that are "good". I will try a few of these and see if we can't get the ball rolling! Again, thank you for putting this together!

November 07, 2021 at 7:06 pm

I'm glad the list was useful. Happy reading!

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•   Books for children
•   Books for 9-12 year olds

Books for 9-12 year olds

These books for nine, ten, eleven and twelve-year-olds are sure to keep readers captivated and inspire more independent reading..

With new schools, friendships and their growing independence to navigate, the pre-teen years can be a challenging and exciting time for kids and parents alike. If you're looking for book recommendations for the middle-grade reader in your life, check out our edit of the best books for nine, ten, eleven and twelve-year-olds. With tales of magic, mystery and adventure, there's a book on the list every kid is sure to love. 

If you're looking for more great recommendations for kids, discover our list of the best new children's books for every age, or for readers that are a little older our edit of the best YA books is full of this year's must-reads.

Books for 9+ year olds

The ice children, by m. g. leonard.

The Ice Children  is an exciting, modern, magical mystery adventure inspired by classic fairy tale 'The Snow Queen'. On a cold December dawn, young Finn Albedo is inexplicably frozen at a park, yet he remains alive. His situation appears to be tied to a vanished enchanting book. Finn's sister, Bianca, grows alarmed as more 'Ice Children' cases come to light. With time running out, Bianca navigates a dangerous winter world, which deceives with its beauty. Can Bianca unravel the truth and rescue the Ice Children, including her brother, from their freezing fate?

The Missing Sword

By melissa de la cruz.

Set in Never After, a land where fairy tales are not quite what they seem, The Missing Sword is perfect for fans of all things fantasy. Join Filomena as she embarks on a quest to the legendary land of Camelot to find the sword Excalibur and save her mother from wicked Olga’s evil clutches in the fourth book in Melissa de la Cruz’s best-loved Never After series .

The Boy With Wings

By sir lenny henry.

Comic Lenny Henry has written a suitably laugh-out-loud adventure story for readers of 9 to 12 years, with dazzling illustrations throughout by Keenon Ferrell. Tunde has some problems with the school bully, but when he sprouts wings and realises his true mission is to save the Earth, school becomes the least of his problems. Flying high in the face of danger, Tunde is the boy with wings.

The Umbrella Mouse

By anna fargher.

A Second World War story with a difference: in this timeless middle-grade tale, we meet Pip Hanway, a young mouse whose world is turned upside down when a bomb destroys her home. This story of courage, resistance and friendship will teach children about the impact of war, while taking them on a journey with a lovable cast of furry characters. Pip returns for more adventures in the sequel Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue .

The Highland Falcon Thief

and Sam Sedgman

The first book in a new mystery series for middle-grade readers, The Highland Falcon stars Harrison Beck, who, while on a seemingly dull train journey through Scotland, finds himself on the trail of a priceless missing brooch. This intriguing locked-room mystery is sure to keep young readers guessing as they try to help Harrison identify the thief and save the day. The adventure rolls on with the rest of the books high-speed series: Kidnap on the California Comet , Murder on the Safari Star and Danger at Dead Man's Pass .

Don't Miss

The Adventures on Trains series in order

The breakfast club adventures, by marcus rashford.

The first novel by everyone's favourite international footballer, child food-poverty campaigner and #1 bestselling author. Written with Alex Falase-Koya, Marcus Rashford tells a story strongly influenced by his own childhood. Something odd is happening at school . . . When twelve-year-old Marcus boots his  football over the school fence, he knows it's never coming back. But the next morning Marcus gets a mysterious note inviting him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators, and fun and adventure beckons in a bid to reclaim the ball.

More books from footballer and campaigner, Marcus Rashford

The book of legends: what if all the stories were real.

From comedy legend Lenny Henry comes the story of two ordinary kids who are about to go on one extraordinary adventure! Bran and Fran love living with their mum, who is the storyteller at the Once Upon a Wow bookstore in their small Midlands town. But when mum goes missing and her stories turn out to be a portal to another world, they're going to have a huge, magical adventure on their hands. Luckily, they have Wilma, the Wizard's Wife, and Zack, the wisecracking Zebracorn, to help them on their journey . . .

The Cloud Horse Chronicles: Guardians of Magic

By chris riddell.

This is the first illustrated book in Chris Riddell’s magical adventure series The Cloudhorse Chronicles. The Guardians of Magic are three children who have no idea how powerful they really are. In their world, enemies of magic are working together to destroy it. Can Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba believe in the impossible and fight back? If they don’t, soon magic and the mysterious cloud horses will be gone forever. 

A Dinosaur Ate My Sister

By pooja puri.

Esha Verma, her snotty apprentice Broccoli and his cunning pet tortoise have a dream. They are going to win the legendary Brain Trophy – the ultimate inventing prize. This year's entry: A TIME MACHINE. But the day before the competition, Esha's IGNORAMUS big sister hijacks the time machine and gets lost in the Cretaceous age. With help from a new recruit for The Office of Time, Esha and Broccoli will have to face hungry dinosaurs, mysterious black holes and malfunctioning inventions to get them back in time . . .

Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals

By rob biddulph.

Some legends are born, some are drawn . . . This second title in the funny, exciting adventure series for boys and girls of 8 to 12 fizzes with magic, danger, friendship and art. Famous works of art are disappearing from all over the world, and Peanut Jones and her friends suspect it might have something to do with the magical world of Chroma and the wicked Mr White's plot to wipe out colour, art and creativity. It's time to head back to the Illustrated City and help the resistance fight back.

Dragon Mountain

By katie tsang and kevin tsang.

Expect mythical beasts, brave adventurers and lots of peril in Dragon Mountains , the first book in Katie and Kevin Tsang's new fantasy series. Young readers will love this brilliant new fantasy story's brave characters, epic dragon battles and mountainous Chinese setting. 

Coming to England

By floella benjamin.

Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for fifteen months. They had left their island home of Trinidad to make a new life in London – part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. With a foreword by the author and some additional historical information, this is the incredible story of Floella's journey from Trinidad to London, as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords.

Noah's Gold

By frank cottrell-boyce.

Packed with mystery, adventure and laughs, Noah's Gold is the exciting new novel from the bestselling author of Millions and Runaway Robot , Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Eleven-year-old Noah sneaks along on his big sister's geography field trip, but everything quickly goes wrong, and six kids end up marooned on an uninhabited island - disaster! Until Noah discovers a treasure map and the gang goes in search of gold.

The Magician's Daughter

Caryl Lewis

Stitched Up

Joanne O'Connell

Eowulf: Of Monsters and Middle School

Mike Cavallaro

Summer School and Cyborgs

Steven Camden

Books for 10+ year olds

You have the power, by leah williamson.

Leah Williamson, captain of the England women's football team, encourages us to be leaders and follow our dreams in You Have the Power. In 2022, Leah led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championships. Now, she shares her positive guide for life to show you really can achieve anything you put your mind to – both on and off the pitch. Filled with stories from Leah's own life as well as practical and helpful advice, this is the perfect read for any child looking to be empowered by a brilliant female role model. 

by Gary Paulsen

Another compelling read from Gary Paulsen, the bestselling writer of Hatchet . Leif is an orphan who lives in a small fishing village, on a wild coast where the seas rage. When a plague approaches, he leaves in a cedar canoe, heading north along the fjords and paddling from one peril to the next. And as he journeys, Leif discovers his authentic self, connecting to the heartbeat of the sea itself. This is a wonderful historical adventure, which conjures up Norse myths and legends.

Joyful, Joyful

By dapo adeola.

Joyful, Joyful  is a book to sing about: a colour-illustrated collection of stories and poems celebrating joy, showcasing forty talented Black writers and artists from across the world. Beautifully illustrated with artwork from an array of talented illustrators, alongside stories and poems by the likes of Malorie Blackman, Alex Wheatle, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Dorothy Koomson, Joyful, Joyful is perfect for readers age 8-11, but can be enjoyed by all ages.

Greenwild: The World Behind The Door

By pari thomson.

An extraordinary fantasy book with an environmental twist and a mystery at its heart. Daisy Thistledown has escaped from boarding school and is trying to find her missing mother. Her search takes her across London and through a hidden doorway into a world bursting with plants and magic: the Greenwild. But it soon becomes clear that all is not well. Can Daisy revive the Greenwild, save our world, and solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance? A botanical genius, a boy who can talk to animals and cat with an attitude are on-hand to help. 

by Roald Dahl

No list of the best books for children aged nine to twelve would be complete with Roald Dahl's Matilda . Children will be delighted to discover Matilda's magic powers, Miss Honey's kindness and Miss Trunchbull's wicked ways for the very first time. And parents will enjoy taking a walk down memory lane – and hoping they didn't end up like the grown-ups in the story! 

The Girl of Ink & Stars

By kiran millwood hargrave.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave creates a mythical fantasy world filled with intriguing characters, incredible detail and tons of adventure in The Girl of Ink and Stars . This award-winning book for nine to twelve-year-olds is perfect for young readers who are intrigued by all things magical and dream of embarking on their own mythical adventures. 

The Orphans of St Halibut's

By sophie wills.

With stolen cakes, massive explosions, and interfering Inspectors to hide from, life is certainly never boring for The Orphans of St Halibut's . This chapter book, which is the first in a new series from Sophie Willis and David Tazzyman, will have kids and adults alike laughing out loud as the crew of crafty kids try to outsmart the nosy adults and save their home.

You Are A Champion

By marcus rashford with carl anka.

'There is no finish line when it comes to your dreams.'

You Are A Champion  will empower young people to develop positive thinking, build mental resilience, learn how to navigate adversity and, ultimately, achieve their full potential.

Written with journalist Carl Anka,  You Are A Champion  is the empowering and life-changing first children’s book from Marcus Rashford MBE. It is full of practical advice and engaging illustrations and infographics, including input from performance psychologist Katie Warriner.

Wave Riders

By lauren st john.

Twins Jess and Jude Carter live a dream life sailing from one exotic destination to the next with their guardian, Gabriel. But after Gabe vanishes and a storm smashes up their lives, they’re left penniless and alone. When a wealthy, glamorous family offer them a home, everybody tells them they’re the luckiest children in the world. But the Blakeneys’ stately mansion is full of secrets – secrets that seem entangled with the twins’ own fate. As they race to uncover the truth, Jess and Jude must confront their deepest fears.

My Big Mouth

By steven camden.

When Dad leaves, ten-year-old Jay has questions.

Where has he gone?

Why did he go?

When no one can give Jay the answers he needs, he makes up his own stories, setting off a chain reaction that sees regular old Jay go from just another face in the crowd, to the centre of attention. But being the coolest kid in school comes at a cost. And as things spiral out of control, can the most unlikely person help him learn the most important lesson of all?

Return to Wonderland

Enjoy a twist on Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland with this collection of contemporary short stories, each based on the classic tale. Young readers will love finding out what would have happened if Alice hadn't fallen down the rabbit hole, whether the Mad Hatter still goes for tea, and if Tweedledum and Tweedledee ever solve their argument.

Marcus Rashford

Out There in the Wild

James Carter

The Arctic Railway Assassin

M. G. Leonard

Aya and the Star Chaser

Radiya Hafiza

Books for 11+ year olds

The shadows of rookhaven, by pádraig kenny.

in the long-awaited sequel to  The Monsters of Rookhaven , shadows are gathering over Rookhaven. It is the time of The Great Configuration, a once in a hundred years event. Family and monsters descend on Rookhaven from all over the country to take part. But amid the guests there is an interloper. One who is disguised and has an eye on their destruction. Meanwhile Mirabelle – part human, part monster – discovers that to those from outside Rookhaven she is not considered family at all . . .

Owl and the Lost Boy

By amy wilson.

Owl and the Lost Boy is the follow up to Amy Wilson's hugely popular middle-grade fantasy novel, A Girl Called Owl . A sparkling tale of friendship, this charming and magical story will be loved by children who are captivated by nature and the great outdoors. 

The Marcus Rashford You Are a Champion Action Planner

An interactive guide, packed full of fun and engaging activities and challenges as well as brilliant advice, The Marcus Rashford You Are a Champion Action Planner is the perfect way to get kids reading and empower them to achieve their dreams. Having already inspired millions of children around the world with his guide for life, You Are a Champion , this new book cements Marcus Rashford's place as the ultimate role model for young readers. 

The Swallows' Flight

By hilary mckay.

From the Costa Award-winning author Hilary McKay, The Swallows' Flight is a moving WWII story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. Erik and Hans are German boys. Ruby and Kate are English girls. They grow up in worlds that would never meet, until war tumbles their lives together. This clever and compassionate story is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War .

Books for 12+ year olds

Are you there, god it's me, margaret, by judy blume.

There's nothing like the shock of recognition, and relief, that comes from realising that you're not the first or only person who feels the way you feel.  Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret  is a bold, empathetic exploration of what it's like being a teenage girl who feels that they don't quite fit in. Originally published in 1970, it's a timeless YA classic, and is now a major film starring Rachel McAdams ( Mean Girls ,  The Notebook ) and Abby Ryder Fortson ( Ant-Man ).

Just as Long as We're Together

Vega jane and the end of time, by david baldacci.

Bestselling storyteller David Baldacci wraps up his epic fantasy adventure series with this fourth book centring on Vega Jane. She has tried to escape and elude her enemy, but now the showdown Vega Jane has feared is finally upon her: with her ragged group of friends and fighters, she must stand up against a fully trained army. This is a fast-paced breathtaking tale, illustrated throughout in black and white.

Journey to the River Sea

By eva ibbotson.

Maia, an orphan, can't wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures. Instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy and refuse to go outdoors. But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins and their parents. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary and beautiful new world.

by Frances Hardinge

In a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift, but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle who was trapped in the body of a bird for years. She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally. But the Unraveller carries a curse himself and, unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything – and everyone – around him . . .

Island of Whispers

Frances Hardinge

Our Cursed Love

I Wish You All the Best

Mason Deaver

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Illustrated Edition

Douglas Adams

American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang

Lunar New Year Love Story

Friends With Boys

Faith Erin Hicks

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong

Prudence Shen

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Best Books for Kids » Ages 9-12

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Last updated: May 20, 2024

9-12 is a wonderful age for children who like to read, as there is a huge range of fiction and information books published for this age range. By the age of nine, many children will have started to read full-length novels with character development (usually with a main character who is a couple of years older).

Adventure and fantasy are very popular, but children age 9-12 tend to be open to reading different types of books so it’s a great time to introduce diverse voices and different genres. As with readers of any age, 9-12 year olds love to recognise themselves in books whilst also expanding their world through reading. Books can definitely be a part of children’s growth and development, making them think about feelings such as empathy, courage and hope through characters they read about and the situations those characters find themselves in.

9-12 year olds often enjoy book series, and sometimes reread the ones with their favourite characters over and over again. We keep up to date with popular book series for 9 year olds , 10-11 years olds , and 12 year olds . If you want to get the children in your life started on something else for variety, why not pick something to read aloud and catch their attention that way? Even after children have started to read independently, many still love being read to.

Many 9-12 year olds are still reluctant readers. We have interviewed authors who suggest scary books and horror (preferably with a good dose of humour), science fiction and verse novels to engage those kids who think that books are not for them. Graphic novels are popular, too.

Some children may have developed a dislike of reading due to dyslexia (or single word decoding and spelling difficulties). Remember that audiobooks are another brilliant way to access stories. More and more of the children’s books recommended on Five Books have an audio version, often published at the same time as the print book.

Experts have discussed a huge range of books for 9-12 year olds, both fiction and non-fiction, so there will be something for everyone in the recommendations below. The experts explain their choices in an interview:

Beautiful Science Books for 9-12 Year Olds , recommended by Our Children's Editor

Birds: explore their extraordinary world miranda krestovnikoff, angela harding (illustrator), glow: the wild wonders of bioluminescence jennifer n. r. smith, dr. edith widder (consultant), mountain of fire: into the heart of volcanoes julie roberge, aless mc (illustrator), translated by charles simard, ben rothery's deadly and dangerous animals by ben rothery, botanicum by kathy willis & katie scott (illustrator).

Nonfiction books for 9-12 year olds can be just as fun for adults as for kids, especially when they are beautifully illustrated. Here, our Children's Editor picks science books for 9-12 year olds that are not only informative, but also beautiful works of art.

Nonfiction books for 9-12 year olds can be just as fun for adults as for kids, especially when they are beautifully illustrated. Here, our Children’s Editor picks science books for 9-12 year olds that are not only informative, but also beautiful works of art.

The Best Science Books for Children: the 2023 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Usha Goswami

Bodies, brains & bogies by paul ian cross & steve brown (illustrator), live like a hunter gatherer naomi walmsley, mia underwood (illustrator), am i made of stardust dr maggie aderin-pocock, chelen écija (illustrator), step inside science: germs by sarah hull & teresa bellon (illustrator), a bug's world by dr erica mcalister & stephanie fizer coleman (illustrator).

The judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize look for books that explain high quality science in an engaging and accessible way. Neuroscientist Usha Goswami , chair of the 2023 judging panel, explains why it is important to get children excited about science via books, and introduces us to the fabulous titles that made this year’s shortlist.

The judges of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize look for books that explain high quality science in an engaging and accessible way. Neuroscientist Usha Goswami, chair of the 2023 judging panel, explains why it is important to get children excited about science via books, and introduces us to the fabulous titles that made this year’s shortlist.

The Best Graphic Novels for 10-12 Year Olds , recommended by Harald

Persepolis by marjane satrapi, the legend of sally jones jakob wegelius, translated by peter graves, mysteries of the quantum universe thibault damour, mathieu burniat, translated by sarah-louise raillard, kariba by daniel clarke, daniel snaddon & james clarke, northern lights - the graphic novel: volume one philip pullman, adapted by stéphane melchior, illustrated by clément oubrerie, translated by annie eaton.

Even as kids become old enough to read books without pictures, reading a graphic novel is a great way to relax or get a grasp of a complex subject (like quantum physics). 11 year old Harald , an avid reader, recommends some of the best ones he's read that other kids his age might also enjoy.

Even as kids become old enough to read books without pictures, reading a graphic novel is a great way to relax or get a grasp of a complex subject (like quantum physics). 11 year old Harald, an avid reader, recommends some of the best ones he’s read that other kids his age might also enjoy.

The Best Historical Fiction for 8-12 Year Olds , recommended by Catherine Johnson

The apprentices by leon garfield, carrie's war nina bawden, alan marks (illustrator), coram boy by jamila gavin, the elemental detectives patrice lawrence, amanda quartey, luke ashforth, paul kellam (illustrators), city of stolen magic by nazneen ahmed pathak & sandhya prabhat (illustrator).

There is some fabulous historical fiction out there for 8-12 year olds, some of it old, some of it new. British novelist Catherine Johnson , author of a number of historical novels for kids and young adults, recommends some of the best—from short stories to epics and from straight historical novels to those with a strong dose of fantasy and magic.

There is some fabulous historical fiction out there for 8-12 year olds, some of it old, some of it new. British novelist Catherine Johnson, author of a number of historical novels for kids and young adults, recommends some of the best—from short stories to epics and from straight historical novels to those with a strong dose of fantasy and magic.

The Best Science Fiction Books for 8-12 Year Olds , recommended by Dan Smith

The shooting star by hergé, tripods: the white mountains by john christopher, crater lake by jennifer killick, skywake invasion by jamie russell, mary shelley's frankenstein: a retelling by tanya landman.

There needs to be a lot more sci-fi for kids, especially if it's got a good dose of horror, argues Dan Smith , author of the sci-fi mystery series Crooked Oak . He recommends five works of science fiction for 8 to 12 year olds, from books written more than half a century ago to more recent jewels.

There needs to be a lot more sci-fi for kids, especially if it’s got a good dose of horror, argues Dan Smith, author of the sci-fi mystery series Crooked Oak . He recommends five works of science fiction for 8 to 12 year olds, from books written more than half a century ago to more recent jewels.

Best Chess Books for Beginners , recommended by Andrew Green

Winning chess strategy (for kids) jeff coakley, antoine duff (illustrator), steps method chess workbooks by rob brunia and cor van wijgerden, bobby fischer teaches chess bobby fischer, stuart margulies, donn mosenfelder, chess for tigers simon webb, edward mclachlan (illustrator), the chess player's bible james eade, al lawrence, carol & john woodcock (illustrators).

Chess is one of the most enduringly popular games in the world, transcending language barriers and teaching valuable life skills. Chess teacher and master Andrew Green recommends books (plus a few websites) to help beginners of all ages learn the game.

Best Horror Novels for 9-12 Year Olds , recommended by Jennifer Killick

Demon slayer: kimetsu no yaiba by koyoharu gotouge, monstrous devices by damien love, below zero by dan smith, the bigwoof conspiracy by dashe roberts, christmas dinner of souls ross montgomery, david litchfield (illustrator).

Adults sometimes worry that horror novels are too scary for children, but children’s author Jennifer Killick is a fan. Here she picks out five fantastic horror books for 9-12 year olds and explains that in addition to the sheer fun of reading a thriller, horror books can help kids develop courage and often appeal to reluctant readers.

Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize , recommended by Alan Wilson

How was that built the stories behind awesome structures roma agrawal, katie hickey (illustrator), microbe wars: humanity's biggest battles with the world's smallest life-forms by gill arbuthnott & marianna madriz (illustrator), fourteen wolves: a rewilding story by catherine barr & jenni desmond (illustrator), fantastically great women scientists and their stories by kate pankhurst, if the world were 100 people jackie mccann, aaron cushley (illustrator), beetles for breakfast and other weird and wonderful ways to save the planet madeleine finlay, jisu choi (illustrator).

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson , Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson, Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.

The Best Philosophy Books for 8-13 Year Olds , recommended by Zara

Philosophy: a visual encyclopedia, children's book of philosophy: an introduction to the world's great thinkers and their big ideas sarah tomley & marcus weeks, big thinkers and big ideas: an introduction to eastern and western philosophy for kids by sharon kaye & tara sunil thomas (illustrator), big ideas for young thinkers: 20 questions about life and the universe jamia wilson & andrea pippins (illustrator), think about it philosophy for kids: key ideas clearly explained alex woolf, daniel o'brien, olivia daisy coles (illustrator).

Zara , age 12, is an avid reader of philosophy books. Here she shares her favourite picks, and gives adults some tips on selecting the best books to get kids interested in philosophy.

Zara, age 12, is an avid reader of philosophy books. Here she shares her favourite picks, and gives adults some tips on selecting the best books to get kids interested in philosophy.

The Best Ocean Novels for 10-14 Year Olds , recommended by Helen Scales

Between sea and sky by nicola penfold, the song that sings us by nicola davies, blueback by tim winton, nation by terry pratchett, skin of the sea by natasha bowen.

Marine biologist Helen Scales reflects on the power of stories to bring all kinds of readers into the ocean realm. She recommends books for children and young adults, and explains why her selection focuses on novels for readers age 10-14.

We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

This site has an archive of more than one thousand seven hundred interviews, or eight thousand book recommendations. We publish at least two new interviews per week.

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© Five Books 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Books for Reluctant Readers Ages 12 to 13

Karina Glaser

Karina Yan Glaser is a full-time writer and illustrator with a varied career teaching and implementing literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer in under-resourced areas around the world. Karina is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade books, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden . She lives in Harlem with her husband, two daughters, and an assortment of rescued animals. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can't go anywhere without a book. Website: www.karinaglaser.com ; Twitter: @KarinaYanGlaser; Instagram: @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting

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Here in New York City, I’ve observed a distinct mood change around the schoolyards. Decibel levels have crept into the danger zone, kids are literally bouncing off the walls (scuffed sneaker prints on the walls to prove it), and teachers are gulping down Advil. Something is coming.

S U M M E R  

While some of us welcome summer (more relaxed schedules, wearing tank tops, going to the beach), others dread it (kids are not in school, family reunions, it’s hot!). And for many kids, reading takes a huge backslide during the summer. Those nightly reading assignments and endless five-hundred word essays for school may have made reading a chore rather than a joy.

Here at Book Riot we’ve had a lot of questions come in about this very topic, especially among kids ages twelve to thirteen . Here is a list of recommended books with high interest plots (special thanks to Ms. Pryor and Ms. Millman, librarians extraordinaire, for their help in compiling this list!), plus some more tips for keeping your reluctant readers turning those pages throughout the summer. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section below!

Book Suggestions

After a school year full of analyzing texts, drawing sentence diagrams, and writing persuasive first paragraphs, kids need books that will draw them in and keep them interested. (And kids don’t need to be afraid someone is going to ask them to write a character sketch afterwards.) Give these a try!

*Note: For books in a series, the series name links to the book series set (if available), and the photo and blurb refer to the first book in the series.

But he’s going to tell you—unless he gets caught first. . . .

Lucy’s vision of a perfect year begins to crumble, and in its place come an unwelcome roommate, foiled birthday plans, a bully who tries to scare Lucy off the basketball team, and Chinese school with the annoying know-it-all Talent Chang. Lucy’s year is ruined — or is it?

Ben: who began it all by sneaking in one night and filling homeroom with ball-pit balls. Frank: who figured out that an official club, say a  pickle-making  club, could receive funding from the PTA. Oliver: who once convinced half of the class that his real parents had found him and he was going to live in a submarine. Bean: who wasn’t exactly invited, but her parents own a costume shop, which comes in handy if you want to dress up like a giant squirrel and try to scare people at the zoo.

TOGETHER, they are an unstoppable prank-pulling force, and Fountain Point Middle School will never be the same.

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author’s own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character’s art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

When her family visits a  cuarto de milagros , a miracle room in a famous church, Erica decides to make a  promesa  to God in exchange for her mom’s health. As her mom gets sicker, Erica quickly learns that juggling family, friends, school, and fulfilling a  promesa  is stressful, but with a little bit of hope and a lot of love, she just might be able to figure it out.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick (first book in series: The Mother-Daughter Book Club ): Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma’s already read every book in existence, and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month.

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading  Little Women  soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can’t help but wonder: What would Jo March do?

Joey Pigza series by Jack Gantos (first book in series: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key ): Joey Pigza’s got heart, he’s got a mom who loves him, and he’s got “dud meds,” which is what he calls the Ritalin pills that are supposed to even out his wild mood swings. Sometimes Joey makes bad choices. He learns the hard way that he shouldn’t stick his finger in the pencil sharpener, or swallow his house key, or run with scissors. Joey ends up bouncing around a lot – and eventually he bounces himself all the way downtown, into the district special-ed program, which could be the end of the line. As Joey knows, if he keeps making bad choices, he could just fall between the cracks for good. But he is determined not to let that happen.

Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo (first book in series: Midnight for Charlie Bone ): A mysterious case, the search for a missing girl, and a legacy of magic . . . When Charlie Bone discovers that he can hear the conversations of people in photographs, he is shipped off to Bloor’s Academy, an elite school for the rich, gifted, and magically endowed. Once there, he realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and Charlie becomes absorbed in uncovering their dangerous secrets.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler (first book in series: The Tail of Emily Windsnap ): For as long as she can remember, twelve-year-old Emily Windsnap has lived on a boat. And, oddly enough, for just as long, her mother has seemed anxious to keep Emily away from the water. But when Mom finally agrees to let her take swimming lessons, Emily makes a startling discovery — about her own identity, the mysterious father she’s never met, and the thrilling possibilities and perils shimmering deep below the water’s surface. With a sure sense of suspense and richly imaginative details, first-time author Liz Kessler lures us into a glorious undersea world where mermaids study shipwrecks at school and Neptune rules with an iron trident — an enchanting fantasy about family secrets, loyal friendship, and the convention-defying power of love.

The 39 Clues series by Rick Riordan (first book in series: The Maze of Bones ): Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: “You have a choice – one million dollars or a clue.”

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world’s most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family’s secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what’s important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

Frindle by Andrew Clements: Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school — and he’s always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he’s got the inspiration for his best plan ever…the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there’s nothing Nick can do to stop it.

Liberty Porter, First Daughter series by Julia Devillers (first book in series: Liberty Porter, First Daughter ): In  Liberty Porter First Daughter , eight-year-old Liberty Porter’s father has just been elected President of the United States—and she’s the new First Daughter! As Liberty moves into the White House, she vows to make herself indispensable to her country—but can she get past her run-ins with the Chief of Staff?

The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch (first book in series: The Name of this Book is Secret ):  Warning:  this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch.  As much as he’d love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn’t want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn’t want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.

Non-Fiction:

There are great biographies that make famous people really come alive to kids. Go to the biography section at the local library and grab whatever might look interesting, or try these two series and see what you think.

Childhood of Young Americans Series

Who Was? book series

Graphic Novels:

You can check out audiobooks at your local library or get a subscription service through  Audible or audiobooks.com . Load up the iPod and bring these books along during your summer travel!

More Suggestions!

Read Out Loud (Yes, read aloud to 12 and 13 year olds!)

Kids twelve and thirteen still want to be read to , even if they’ve been reading independently for many years (and even though they may ask you to read to them only when no one else can see them). Read classics that you might have loved out loud with your kid. Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club , Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three , Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High , Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew , C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia , Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising , J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings .

BONUS: Look for the original books covers you remember from used bookstores, on Ebay, or at your local Goodwill.

Research Favorite Authors and Check Out Book Websites

Look up your favorite author to see if s/he has a website (they usually do!). Websites have FAQs, extra resources, and announcements for book readings or when their next book is coming out.

NPR has an excellent podcast series called Backseat Book Club where they interview authors and review books. There are great recommendations on there, and hearing the authors talk about their inspiration and why they wrote their stories might inspire kids to pick up the books.

Rita Meade spoke about middle grade books with author Heidi Schulz and had some excellent suggestions here on Book Riot’s  Dear Book Nerd Episode #35 .

Read Books that Inspired Movies and Television Shows: Watch the movie then read the book or vice versa, then talk about what you might have liked from each. There might be productions and local theater companies performing shows based on books as well, so keep an eye out for those! Some reviews and more book/movie pairings can be found on FromtheMixed-UpFiles.com .

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex ( Home the movie )

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh ( movie )

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers ( movie )

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl ( movie )

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo ( movie )

Matilda by Roald Dahl ( movie and Broadway musical )

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen ( movie )

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card ( movie )

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George ( movie )

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater ( movie )

How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell ( movie )

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ( movie )

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass ( movie )

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle ( movie )

Holes by Louis Sachar ( movie )

Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr ( movie )

The Tale of Despereux by Kate DiCamillo ( movie )

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl ( movie )

Coraline by Neil Gaiman ( movie )

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Public Library Summer Reading Programs usually have great programs with prizes and events.

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Pizza Hut Book It Program (details will be announced on June 22)

I hope this list is helpful and keeps your reluctant readers busy throughout the summer!

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Best children's books: 12-years-old and over

I capture the castle: dodie smith.

The first entry in Cassandra Mortmain's diary ends with her feeling happier than she ever has in her life, despite her depressed father and impoverished state. "Perhaps it is because I have satisfied my creative urge; or it may be due to the thought of eggs for tea." The story of the restoration of a degree of the family fortunes unfolds in the same briskly beguiling voice and appeals to the romantic streak in every teenage heart. Trust no one who does not love this or, of course, 101 Dalmatians.

His Dark Materials: Philip Pullman

Bleak, brutal, warm, lush and exhilarating by turns, fiercely intelligent, compassionate and compelling always, it will undo all the harm or all the good you feel was done by letting your offspring loose on Narnia. That's what reading is for.

The Chaos Walking trilogy: Patrick Ness

An unbelievably thrilling read that nevertheless poses profound questions – about the effects of war, the constraints of love and hate, the competing claims of vengeance and forgiveness – as the epic tale of Todd's efforts to escape various warmongering forces unfolds. Profoundly humane and utterly magnificent.

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret: Judy Blume

At a time when the disturbingly affectless Gossip Girl series and Twilight books, with their troubling attitudes towards teenage girls' sexuality, have such a stranglehold, Blume's concentration on the lived experience of adolescence makes the books an increasingly valuable corrective to this prevailing mood, as well as continuing to be great reads.

Goodnight Mr Tom: Michelle Magorian

Any synopsis makes it sound twee – irascible, long-bereaved old man Tom Oakley grudgingly takes London evacuee and abused child Will into his home and their needs and gifts help heal each others' wounds – but it is not. It is beautiful, sad and true. Get it to your kids before it is ruined by being presented as a set book at school.

A Little History of the World: EH Gombrich

Talking of beautiful, sad and true – Gombrich's short, measured jog through the main civilisations and events that have shaped the world is a warm, witty presentation of vital facts in narrative form, which grew out of a correspondence the author had with his friend's young daughter. And a useful reminder that there is lots of fantastic non-fiction as well as fiction out there too.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Mark Haddon

The boy with Asperger's syndrome, who is trying to navigate his way through a family break-up and solve the mystery of who killed the dog next door, provides an unlikely hero whose fresh perspective engages the reader, although he fails to engage with people himself. It's one of those "easy reads" with substance for which there is frequently such a gaping need (see goddamn Gossip Gir) in teenage life.

Little Women: Louisa May Alcott

There is something for everyone (or, OK, every girl – much as we hate to admit the possibility of gender division in readers, we sometimes must) in Alcott's bestseller. Tomboys have Jo, wannabe celebs have Amy, homebodies have Meg and drips have Beth. And, of course, because we all contain multitudes, we love all of them equally according to mood. Except, of course, for Beth. Die, drip, die.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Mark Twain

And a classic for – ostensibly –the boys. Until they are ready for the greater demands of Huckleberry Finn, whet juvenile appetites with Tom, his entrepreneurial spirit and his taste for treasure-hunting adventure. A paean to true boyhood.

Witch Child: Celia Rees

In 1659, 14-year-old Mary Newbury travels from England to the New World, where she becomes embroiled in what are effectively the Salem witch trials. It's a completely absorbing account of what happens when suspicion and rumour fuel secret agendas, prejudices and politics. A book to make you sigh with satisfaction.

Exposure: Mal Peet

This contemporary retelling of Othello – the doomed couple now a black Brazilian star footballer and a pampered young pop goddess – will continue to grip young readers for years to come.

The Sterkarm Handshake/The Sterkarm Kiss: Susan Price

These books cross effortlessly between science fiction and fantasy, depicting life as it might have been in the primitive past with rare and enthralling realism. A British corporation, FUP, has developed the Tube, a means of time-travelling between the 21st and 16th centuries, and made contact with an ancient Scottish tribe. FUP expects no difficulty in negotiating for resources with savages, but the Sterkarms are unexpectedly ruthless – and Andrea, FUP's 16th-century liaison, has complicated matters by falling in love with the Sterkarm leader's son. Not for the fainthearted, and with some decidedly adult language in Kiss, these books never talk down or soften the harshnesses of the past. Unforgettable.

The White Darkness: Geraldine McCaughrean

Sym is a typical teenage girl in many ways, wrestling with a colossal crush – unusually on long-dead Polar explorer, Captain Oates. When her eccentric uncle offers her the opportunity to go to Antarctica, she's delighted – but Uncle Victor's unnerving behaviour and the dark cold of the South Pole are more than Sym bargains for. Bleakly, heroically romantic.

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The best children's books ever

The best children's books: 0-2 year-olds, the best children's books: 2-4 year-olds, the best children's books: 5-7 year-olds, the best children's books: 8-12 year-olds, most viewed.

Top 10 Action And Adventure Books for 9-12 Year Olds

In Lewis Carroll's timeless classic Alice in Wonderland, the Gryphon cries out to Alice, "No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time." We agree with the Gryphon, let's get to the adventures! That's something we love most about children's books: they offer instant access to adventure. As Stephen King said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” One minute we're in our home on the couch, and a moment later we're journeying across the African savanna, exploring the world in a hot air balloon, or even rocketing through space. The possibilities for adventure are endless. Here we've compiled a list of the best adventure books for kids. This list features adventure books of all sorts and for all ages (we've searched long and hard to ensure we have titles exciting for girls and for boys). There are books that involve mysteries, magic, and fantasy, or books about leaving home, journeys, and friendship. Some are classic stories you may recognize from your own childhood, while others are exciting new titles containing new adventures just waiting to be had. Some titles are even part of a series that might become a new treasured favorite for your kids or start a cherished tradition of reading aloud together. The list includes board books, picture books, and chapter books. Board books are best for babies and toddlers from ages newborn to around 2 or 3. Picture books are generally good options for toddlers and for preschool and kindergarten age children. The chapter books on our list are generally best for elementary and early middle school age children. Within that range, some titles are best suited for 9 year olds and 10 year olds (around 4th or 5th graders) while others are better suited for 7 year olds and 8 year olds (around 2nd or 3rd graders). Still others are best for advanced readers approaching middle school age (11 year olds and 12 year olds). Each book includes age suggestions you can reference to guide your search. You can filter to sort by the best book type for your kid, and you can also use our table of contents to jump to particular topics you think your kid will enjoy. We've kept you from the list long enough. As the Gryphon says, explanations take such a dreadful time. Let's get to the adventures! As you explore the list, please comment below to let us know what books you would add.

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What is the 'best' children's book? Kids, parents and authors on why some rise to the top

What was your favorite book as a kid?

That question makes for a surprisingly effective icebreaker. You can tell a lot about someone from the books they read as a child. Case in point: I’m a journalist, a talker, a storyteller. Many of my childhood favorites had equally yappy and imaginative characters – “Junie B. Jones” by Barbara Park, “Olivia” by Ian Falconer, “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes.

The stories we read at bedtime seldom stay there . Here’s what parents, booksellers, authors and – most importantly – kids told me about what makes the best children’s book.

What makes the best children’s book?

Reading is subjective, of course. But in the quest for the “best” children’s books, parents should look out for a story that’s as entertaining to them as it is to their kids. 

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

“The secret to a really successful picture book is a picture book that both the parent and child can each enjoy on their own level,” says Peter Glassman, the owner of children’s bookstore “Books of Wonder” in New York City.

At a minimum, you have to make sure it’s a book you’re willing to read over and over.

“Sometimes I view children’s book authors as parenting partners where they’re like ‘This book is for the kid, but I’m going to make sure there’s a joke in here for you,'" said Tocarra Mallard , a TV writer from New York and a mother of two who makes TikToks about children’s books.

A good children’s book may teach kids about colors or numbers, but the best children's books can give them a voice to process and experience emotions.

In “The Pout-Pout Fish” by Deborah Diesen, a favorite in Mallard’s house, an act of acceptance helps turn a frown upside down. It has a silly, catchy rhyme that makes her 2-year-old laugh , but also a lesson for her 5-year-old that it's OK to feel blue sometimes. Kids aren't just kids – they're small people who live in a world that can foster anxiety, depression and other complicated feelings," Mallard says.

“For us to pretend that children (exist in) light and love and goodness at all times is denying them their humanity,” she says.

In their words: Kids tell us what makes a good book

Sometimes, finding the “best” book for your kid is just about knowing your kid. Some children want a picture-heavy book while others, like Mallard's son, who is autistic and hyperlexic, need a strong story with lots of words.

I spent the day at “Books of Wonder” earlier this spring to ask kids what makes the best children’s book.

Iago and Nico Akerman, both 11, told me the books they liked reading in school were about human history, how money works and agriculture in Latin America. Reading is a tool for the brothers to help decode the world around them.

Valerie Song, 8, also loves to learn through reading. It “helps your brain grow,” she told me. 

She’s drawn to series because she’s a speed reader – and they help her feel connected to characters. Valerie was reading the last "Harry Potter" book when we spoke. Fantasy books can help you “go anywhere you want,” she said. As for everyday adventures, “I get enough of that in real life,” she reported. 

Frog and Toad are everywhere: How 50-year-old children's characters became Gen Z icons

What makes an award-winning children’s book?

A captivating story is the foundation for an award-winning book, says Shannon DeVito, the senior director of books at Barnes & Noble, which hosts an annual “Children’s and YA Book Awards.” Witty characters and dynamic illustrations aren’t powerful if there isn’t a story that inspires young readers to keep reading, she says.

But beyond that, a book should have characters or lessons that young readers can identify with. Last year’s overall winner was “ The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels ” by Beth Lincoln, a chapter book with a vibrant cast of characters. This year’s winner, “ A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits ) ” by Lisa Yee, is described by Barnes & Noble as a book for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

One pair of young sisters I spoke to at Books of Wonder, 3-year-old Azadeh and 5-year-old Arya Hashemi-Sohi, love “Saffron Ice Cream” by Rashin Kheiriyeh because one of the characters is named Azadeh. The sisters are half Persian, so their mom, Jeunelle Cunningham, told me they keep an eye out for books with Persian characters.

Glassman has been a bookseller for decades and says it excites him to see different childhood experiences represented in books.

“ Max and the House of Spies” by Adam Gidwitz , for example, is a story he wished he had growing up. It follows a Jewish boy living in London after leaving Germany during World War II. Max has red hair and freckles, just as Glassman did when he was growing up. 

Children’s books have gotten more diverse, both in the authors and the characters they write. A 2022 breakdown from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center noted 40% of books published in 2022 and received by the CCBC were by authors of color. On the other hand, an analysis of award-winning children’s books showed white characters are overrepresented .

“A good book that talks about modern culture, (and has a) diverse cast of characters is better than something that doesn’t,” DeVito says.

How to write a children’s book

Author Dan Gutman knows a thing or two about writing successful children’s books. His “My Weird School” books have sold over 35 million copies and he published the series’ 100th book earlier this year.

His secret sauce? Target the kids who don’t like to read. He focuses on short chapters and paragraphs, a linear, easy-to-follow storyline and, his personal favorite, “grown-ups doing dumb things.”

“I wasn’t a big reader myself, I relate really well to kids, especially boys, who don’t like to read,” Gutman says. “My goal is that that kid will open up one of my books and an hour later look up and think ‘Wow, that didn’t even feel like I was reading. I felt like I was watching a movie in my head.’”

That feeling is what Glassman looks for in a book as well. “I go to a book not to be impressed with someone’s writing – which sometimes I am – but I go to a book for the story. I love story, that is my great love,” he says.

The Best Back-to-School Books for Every Age

School can teach us who we are. These books will get kids of any age stoked to start back up.

There's something special about back-to-school season. It's a time for new supplies and new routines, and, for many, can kickstart adventures, discoveries, or reinventions. This list of new-ish children's books, mostly by creators of color , reflect a variety of school-related themes—community, friendship, and identity. They reinforce the most important lesson of all: from pre-K to high school, school teaches us who we are.

Related: Best Children's Books 2022

Preschool and Kindergarten

The Day You Begin Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López (illustrator)

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López remind young readers that we all feel like outsiders sometimes—especially on the first day of school —and how brave it is to go forth anyway. In lyrical language, the book celebrates the courage to make new friends, hear new stories, and cast your own magic in the world.

Our Class is a Family

Shannon Olsen and Sandie Sonke (illustrator)

Olsen, a teacher and elementary education blogger, introduces the concept of the classroom as a second family—a place to make mistakes and be yourself. The book's rhyming text emphasizes kindness, empathy, and inclusivity among classmates.

Your Name is A Song

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe (illustrator)

A girl becomes frustrated when her teacher mispronounces her unique name at school, and her mother shows her that all names have a beautiful melody. They create a song to celebrate the importance of cultural identity and the beauty of diversity, inspiring readers to embrace their own names and to honor and respect the names of others.

Related: The All-Time Best Books for Toddlers

Elementary School

New Kid Jerry Craft

In this Newbery Medal winning graphic novel, 12-year-old Jordan Banks navigates the challenges and complexities of being a Black boy in a predominantly white private school: identity, friendship, and microaggressions in an unfamiliar environment. Funny and poignant, the work shines a spotlight on systemic racism and encourages readers to question societal norms and embrace the beauty of diversity.

Save Me A Seat Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks

Varadarajan and Weeks' middle grade novel follows the parallel lives of Ravi, a recent immigrant from India, and Joe, a boy struggling with learning differences. Through alternating perspectives, chapters explore the challenges and triumphs these two characters face as they navigate school bullies and cultural misunderstandings—and discover the power of true friendship.

Related: Alternate Summer Reading List: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's Antiracist Book Recommendations

Middle School

The First Rule of Punk Celia C. Pérez

A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book, The First Rule of Punk follows 12-year-old María Luisa O'Neill-Morales, or Malú, a spirited Mexican-American girl who rebels against her new school's strict dress code and finds solace in punk music. "I wanted to write a book for brown weirdos," the author said in an interview with NPR . "There is no one way to be anything. I just wanted to kind of get across that there are so many different ways to be Latino."

Indian No More Charlene Willing Mcmanis and Traci Sorell

Drawing from personal experiences, McManis tells the story of an Umpqua girl named Regina Petit, who, in the wake of the Termination Act, is forced to leave her tribal land in Oregon and adapt to a new life—and new school —in Los Angeles. The book offers a nuanced exploration of identity, culture, and resilience, and invites readers to reflect on the lasting impact of government policies on Indigenous communities.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears Meg Medina

In this Newbery Medal winning novel, 12-year-old Merci Suarez kicks off a new school year at an elite private school in Florida. As she grapples with changes in friendships and mean girls, academic pressures and her scholarship, she becomes increasingly aware of her grandfather's declining health—his forgetfulness and falls—and the impact it has on her tight-knit community.

Three Keys Kelly Yang

Mia Tang, 12, faces new challenges and fights against injustice in this sequel to Front Desk . The book is set in the 1990s, when California's Prop 187, which would have banned undocumented immigrants from access to health care and public schooling, was on the ballot. Determined to fight back, Mia and her friends embark on a journey to rally the community, raise awareness, and stand up for what is right.

Related: Why Book Banning Is Bad For For Our Kids

High School

The Greatest Thing Sarah Winifred Searle

Winifred's two best friends have transferred to a private school; she must now navigate high school on her own. Set in the Portland, Maine, area in the early 2000s, this graphic novel follows anxious and broken Winifred as she makes new friends: April, whose wealthy parents are emotionally absent, and Oscar, who struggles with depression. Despite the book's weighty themes, it is healing and empowering: the trio are each other's lifesavers.

It's Not Like It's a Secret Misa Sugiura

Sana Kiyohara, 16, carries secrets small and big: she has a huge crush on her best friend, Trish, and she suspects her father is having an affair. When the family moves from predominantly white Wisconsin to much more diverse California, Sana realizes that the world is much more complex than she previously assumed. Sugiura deftly explores the intersecting issues of race, immigrant-family relationships, and queer romance.

Related: Alternate Summer Reading List: Dahlia Adler's LGBTQIA+ YA Book Recommendations

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My Daughter Thinks Books for Her Age Are Too “Simple.” What She Does Want to Read Is Concerning.

I don’t want to hold her back..

Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column.  Have a question for Care and Feeding?  Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

My daughter is 12 and extremely good at reading. She can read pretty much anything, no problem, and has been able to since she was about 10 or so. She’s also fairly intelligent/grown up for her age.

Because of both of these things, the books she tends to be drawn toward are aimed at young adults, and I’m not sure they are appropriate. But she isn’t interested in books aimed at children her age as she says they’re patronizing and too simple, and she can figure out most of the plot just from reading the first couple of pages. I don’t want to put her off reading by telling her she can strictly only read books aimed at 12-year-olds, but I also don’t want to let her read books that might expose her to harmful/adult content she isn’t ready for. Any advice?

—It’s Called Young Adult for A Reason

Dear Young Adult,

Indulge me in a little storytelling, if you don’t mind. I was an avid reader as a kid (and still am today!), as was my mom. When I was a few years younger than your daughter, I was reading the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. My mom read the books as well—not aloud to me, but on her own and on pace with me. I asked her why, and she said it was because she was curious about what books I liked, and so that we could talk about any issues the books brought up. Well, it turns out that the Alice books are among some of the most controversial books for young people out there because they discuss things like sex, menstruation, genitalia and more. (Did my mom know that at the time? I honestly don’t know.) Though I quit the series before it got to a lot of that more advanced content, I love the fact that my mom was reading the books, too. I think a book can be a great medium for conversations around awkward subjects; it’s way easier talking about a character’s period than your own, when you’re 13.

I’ll also note that by the time I was in 5 th grade, I was reading teen horror novels by R. L. Stine and adult-aged Star Trek novels that contained their share of sex and violence. (The latter probably more PG-13 than R, but still not “kid” material.) Again, to my mom’s credit, she never told me these books were too old for me. She read some of them to monitor the content and trusted me to opt out of what I didn’t think I could handle. And while yes, I still to this day remember a gruesome death from Stein’s Fear Street Cheerleaders series and a racy-to-me sex scene from a Trek novel, I don’t think I came out worse for wear for the experiences. They were certainly no more harmful than some of the movies I saw at friends’ houses!

And that was the 1980s—the last decade of analog childhoods. Your daughter is growing up in the digital age, where more than 50 percent of surveyed kids report having seen porn by the time they were 13. Are reading advanced books really a huge threat? Yes, your daughter might be exposed to some mature themes, but it’s probably nothing compared to what else is at her fingertips—and honestly, in many cases it may be a whole lot better. Plus, if you follow my mom’s lead, you’ll actually be able to talk to her about the content, which could help you both establish open and frank dialogue around sex and other topics. Let her read, be aware of what she is reading, and let it foster trust and communication—precious commodities as she enters her teen years.

More Advice From Slate

My older sister and I are very close, and I missed her terribly while she was living on the other side of the country with her kids. This past year, she was able to move within a two-hour drive from me! I was so thrilled, and we immediately began planning family outings and visits with her two sons (who are almost 7 and 5) and mine (ages 7 and 10). Now that I see my nephews regularly, I realize that they are the most misbehaved kids I have ever encountered.

The Best Books of the Year (So Far)

The nonfiction and novels we can’t stop thinking about.

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By The New York Times Books Staff

• May 24, 2024

Fiction | Nonfiction

We’re almost halfway through 2024 and we at The Book Review have already written about hundreds of books. Some of those titles are good. Some are very good. And then there are the following.

We suspect that some (though certainly not all) will be top of mind when we publish our end-of-year, best-of lists. For more thoughts on what to read next, head to our book recommendation page .

James , by Percival Everett

In this reworking of the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck down the Mississippi River, is the narrator, and he recounts the classic tale in a language that is his own, with surprising details that reveal a far more resourceful, cunning and powerful character than we knew.

Local bookstores | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Good Material , by Dolly Alderton

Alderton’s novel, about a 35-year-old struggling to make sense of a breakup, delivers the most delightful aspects of romantic comedy — snappy dialogue, realistic relationship dynamics, funny meet-cutes and misunderstandings — and leaves behind clichéd gender roles and the traditional marriage plot.

Martyr! , by Kaveh Akbar

A young Iranian American aspiring poet and recovering addict grieves his parents’ deaths while fantasizing about his own in Akbar’s remarkable first novel, which, haunted by death, also teems with life — in the inventive beauty of its sentences, the vividness of its characters and the surprising twists of its plot.

The Hunter , by Tana French

For Tana French fans, every one of the thriller writer’s twisty, ingenious books is an event. This one, a sequel to “The Searcher,” once again sees the retired Chicago cop Cal Hooper, a perennial outsider in the Irish west-country hamlet of Ardnakelty, caught up in the crimes — seen and unseen — that eat at the seemingly picturesque village.

Wandering Stars , by Tommy Orange

This follow-up to Orange’s debut, “There There,” is part prequel and part sequel; it trails the young survivor of a 19th-century massacre of Native Americans, chronicling not just his harsh fate but those of his descendants. In its second half, the novel enters 21st-century Oakland, following the family in the aftermath of a shooting.

Headshot , by Rita Bullwinkel

Set at a women’s boxing tournament in Reno, Nev., this novel centers on eight contestants, and the fights — physical and emotional — they bring to the ring. As our critic wrote: This story’s impact “lasts a long time, like a sharp fist to your shoulder.”

Beautyland , by Marie-Helene Bertino

In 1970s Philadelphia, an alien girl sent to Earth before she’s born communicates with her fellow life-forms via fax as she helps gather intel about whether our planet is habitable. This funny-sad novel follows the girl and her single mother as they find the means to persevere.

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder , by Salman Rushdie

In his candid, plain-spoken and gripping new memoir, Rushdie recalls the attempted assassination he survived in 2022 during a presentation about keeping the world’s writers safe from harm. His attacker had piranhic energy. He also had a knife. Rushdie lost an eye, but he has slowly recovered thanks to the attentive care of doctors and the wife he celebrates here.

Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis , by Jonathan Blitzer

This urgent and propulsive account of Latin American politics and immigration makes a persuasive case for a direct line from U.S. foreign policy in Central America to the current migrant crisis.

The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook , by Hampton Sides

By the time he made his third Pacific voyage, the British explorer James Cook had maybe begun to lose it a little. The scientific aims of his first two trips had shifted into something darker. According to our reviewer, the historian Hampton Sides “isn’t just interested in retelling an adventure tale. He also wants to present it from a 21st-century point of view. ‘The Wide Wide Sea’ fits neatly into a growing genre that includes David Grann’s ‘ The Wager ’ and Candice Millard’s ‘ River of the Gods ,’ in which famous expeditions, once told as swashbuckling stories of adventure, are recast within the tragic history of colonialism .”

The Rebel’s Clinic: The Revolutionary Lives of Frantz Fanon , by Adam Shatz

This absorbing biography of the Black psychiatrist, writer and revolutionary Frantz Fanon highlights a side of him that’s often eclipsed by his image as a zealous partisan — that of the caring doctor, who ran a secret clinic for Algerian rebels.

Fi: A Memoir , by Alexandra Fuller

In her fifth memoir, Fuller describes the sudden death of her 21-year-old son. Devastating as this elegant and honest account may be — it’s certainly not for the faint of heart — it also leaves the reader with a sense of having known a lovely and lively young man.

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

John S. Jacobs was a fugitive, an abolitionist — and the brother of the canonical author Harriet Jacobs. Now, his own fierce autobiography has re-emerged .

Don DeLillo’s fascination with terrorism, cults and mass culture’s weirder turns has given his work a prophetic air. Here are his essential books .

Jenny Erpenbeck’s “ Kairos ,” a novel about a torrid love affair in the final years of East Germany, won the International Booker Prize , the renowned award for fiction translated into English.

Kevin Kwan, the author of “Crazy Rich Asians,” left Singapore’s opulent, status-obsessed, upper crust when he was 11. He’s still writing about it .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Rescue Stories for Kids

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Introduce children to animal rescue with a good rescue story about dogs, cats, and other animals that have been rescued and adopted. (Even elephants, pigs, skunks, and squirrels!)

Our family has rescued three dogs and one cat so far…and for us, it’s very rewarding. (Although, it comes with challenges, too.)

These are the dogs that we rescued in the summer of 2021– one is a super mutt, and one is a husky.

Have you ever rescued an animal?

These animal rescue stories aren’t just about dogs and cats. You may be surprised to find an alligator, a tapir, and an elephant animal stories. And what about the animal rescuer characters? You will want to be these heroic characters!

Picture Books (Ages 2 – 8)

Can I Be Your Dog?  by Troy Cummings RESCUE DOG Arfy wants a forever home.  So he sends letters to “The People at Yellow House” and “Butcher Lady”  and “Fire Station No. 5” and many others detailing his many fine qualities. For example, he can fetch boots, he can keep the floor clean, he’s potty trained, and will bark if people steal stuff. But no one wants him. He’s lonely, discouraged, and sad. Until he gets a surprising letter from the mail carrier who wants to be his person!! YAY!!! Written in letter format, this is a sweet story that teachers can use to model both  letter writing  and persuasive writing.

Perdu  by Richard Jones RESCUE DOG Perdu is a lonely, scared dog who is looking for a home. He searches through the country to the city with a rumbling tummy he persists. When he enters a cafe to steal food, people yell at him, and he runs away, worried he will never find a place to belong. But, someone noticed him running from the cafe… Kids will predict the ending of this story using the pictures — and it’s lovely.

Chapter and Middle Grade Books (Ages 6 – 12)

Misty the Abandoned Kitten (Pet Rescue Adventures)  by Holly Webb RESCUE CAT In this charming easy chapter book, Amy finds and secretly cares for a kitten.  We learn that the kitten does belong to someone, an older person with a bossy bigger cat so the kitty didn’t get enough to eat or any attention and ran away. Luckily, all’s well that ends well, Amy gets to keep the kitty! This book is a good choice for  animal lovers . (If you like this book, you may want to read more in the  Pet Rescue Adventures series .)

Animal Rescue Friends  by Meika Hashimoto, Gina Loveless, and Genevieve Kote RESCUE ANIMALS Interconnected stories of children’s lives show how they  find solace and purpose through the  Animal Rescue  Friends shelter . Each child’s character is well-developed and we feel connected to their story and to their life. Kids who love animals will fall in love with this beautiful, appealing graphic novel.

Saucy  by Cynthia Kadohata, illustrated by Marianna Raskin RESCUE PIG Becca is a triplet who doesn’t feel special until she adopts a stray pig.  Because he will grow to be 600 lbs, she can only keep him for a while before he’ll go to an animal rescue. Despite his destructive behavior, Becca falls head over heels in love with her crazy pig, Saucy. Unfortunately, he bites her mom and must leave early for his new home, a devastating event for the entire family including grandma. But, Saucy and her brothers find out about a pig factory with deplorable conditions. They rescue even more pigs which helps them with their sadness.

Almost Home  by Joan Bauer RESCUE DOG A great teacher, a rescue dog, and a love of poetry help Sugar face the challenges of homelessness.

Dolphin Rescue (Animal Planet Adventures #1)  by Catherine Nichols RESCUE DOLPHIN Siblings Maddie and Atticus can’t figure out who is dumping trash everywhere. And when they rescue a baby dolphin entangled in trash, they know they must get to the bottom of this mystery. Full-color photographs with information about dolphins, marine life, and more add-in bonus  nonfiction information  for readers make this an interesting combination of fiction and expository text.

A Boy Called Bat  by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso RESCUE SKUNK When Bat’s veterinarian mom brings home an orphaned baby skunk, Bat immediately wants to prove that he can be the best pet caretaker ever in order to keep the kit named Thor.  Bat’s life isn’t only about taking care of Thor but going to school and visiting his dad every other weekend. The author skillfully weaves in Bat’s unique perspective on life showing the characteristics of his neurodiversity.

One-Third Nerd   by Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Eglantine Ceulemans RESCUE DOG I love these three unique, wonderful siblings — they stick together and look out for each other. Liam is a responsible, kind big brother in fifth grade. His mom and dad have recently divorced and now their grumpy landlord has given them an ultimatum — they’ll have to give away their German Shepard dog named Cupcake unless her peeing problem gets resolved.  This is a beautiful, warm-hearted story that celebrates family, unique personalities and the richness of having a dog . If you like the Penderwicks or the VanderBeekers, you will love this book, too.

Crime Biters: My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog  by Tommy Greenwald RESCUE DOG This is a funny beginning chapter book about  a boy who is convinced (rightly so?!) that his rescue dog is a crime-solving, vampire, genius!  A great easy book for older readers.

Sparkle Spa: Purple Nails and Puppy Tails  by Jill Santopolo ANIMAL SHELTER Surprisingly, I thought this was a delightful new easy chapter book series. Sisters, Aly and Brooke, start their own nail business in the back room of their mother’s nail salon for their soccer friends.  To help a local animal shelter, the girls decide to give free pedicures to help support the shelter’s efforts find homes for the animals.  And yes, pet-icures are in the story, too!

Gaby, Lost and Found  by Angela Cervantes RESCUE CAT I picked this book because of the cat pictured on the front cover — and found it to be more meaningful than I had expected.  Gaby loves animals and hopes to one day adopt a cat. But that’s not possible since her mom was deported to Honduras.  Now Gaby had to live with her neglectful father but she hopes that when her mom returns, everything will be better and she can adopt her favorite shelter cat.

Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig  by Clara Vulliamy RESCUE TAPIR Mango rescues Bambang, an Asian tapir, from a busy street and the two become best friends.  Together they find adventures, learn more about each other, and teach people that Bambang Is. Not. A. Pig. Four sweet stories of friendship and fun.

Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere  by Elise Gravel RESCUE ANIMAL If you LOVE kooky books, this book fits the bill.  Olga finds a most unusual, unknown creature whom she names “MEH” after the sound it makes . She uses her deductive reasoning to figure out what it is (something new!) and what it likes to eat (olives)! But what will she do when Meh disappears? Things I love about this book: 1) the illustrations — they rock! 2) the narrator’s voice — it’s believable and funny 3) the plot — especially finding out that the  mean girls  aren’t so mean after all.

The Poet’s Dog  by Patricia MacLachlan RESCUE DOG Short but filled with tenderness! When  a grief-stricken dog rescues two lost children in a terrible snowstorm , he takes them to the cabin of his deceased poet friend. Told from the dog’s perspective we watch the kids and dog bond while they try to survive without any adults.

Saving H’Non Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung EPISTOLARY GRAPHIC NOVEL / ANIMAL RESCUE Written like a graphic novel combined with a scrapbook, this based on a true story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming with a beautiful emotional arc. In first-person narration, Chang describes working at a wildlife rescue center in Vietnam and meeting an abused older elephant named H’Non. She and her boss save him from maltreatment and search for a kind trainer to work with H’Non. As you cheer Chang along, you’ll learn about Vietnam, elephants, and animal rescue work. The illustrations are detailed, gorgeous, and memorable. You won’t want to miss this exceptional middle grade graphic novel with four starred reviews. It belongs in every school library!

Elephant Secret  by Eric Walters RESCUE ELEPHANTS You’ll zip through this lovely story about a girl named Sam who  lives on an elephant sanctuary with her father.  A mysterious benefactor has paid for an elephant to become pregnant — but it’s not actually an elephant that she births, it’s a wooly mammoth cloned from DNA. Sam’s connection with the elephants is amazing, especially the baby mammoth whom she names Woolly. Things go very wrong when their benefactor forces her father and her to leave the sanctuary. As she deals with this, Sam must also come to terms with her father’s long-term girlfriend. It’s a great story that will keep animal-lovers enthralled with new knowledge about elephants and their behavior.

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl  by Stacy McAnulty SHELTER DOG My daughter and I love this book — it was her favorite of 2018 by far!  The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl  is a thoughtful  coming-of-age story about a girl genius with OCD  whose grandma wants her to go to public middle school for three reasons: to make one friend, read one non-math book, and join one school activity. Although she’s reluctant to go, Lucy finds friends and connects with a rescue dog for a school project. It’s a well-written, heart-warming story that will change your perspective of mental illness and give you hope for humanity.

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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