Hey guys! Today I'm going to share a list of amazing books for tweens like myself:
1) The Night Dairy
This beautifully written story will give you the best kind of chills. It’s a Newbery Honor book for 2019 — an honor well-deserved. This epistolary novel follows young Nisha, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu girl as she and her family experience the partition of India.
After Nisha’s mother dies, she tries to maintain a connection by writing letters to her in her diary. Readers are privy to that diary and see how Nisha, her father, and brother escape to the Hindu side of newly split India.
It’s a story of courage, family, and will teach your child tons about the history of the world.
2) The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Everyone is afraid of Xan the witch. They keep her at bay by sacrificing one baby a year to her. Xan is a good witch though, nourishing the babies with starlight before sending them off to good homes. Until one day, when she makes an honest mistake. She accidentally feeds a baby with moonlight instead of starlight, and so decides to raise this girl, Luna, on her own. When Luna turns 13, the magic of her own emerges — with dire consequences.
This coming-of-age story is a New York Times Bestseller and has won numerous awards. Your 12-year-old will love the twists and Luna’s growth in power.
3) Percy Jackson
Percy Jackson has become a hero in the league with Harry Potter. He’s a 12-year-old boy who learns that he is the son of Poseidon. He’s plunged into a world of demigods where he has to discover his own courage, power, and strength. He’s a flawed but cool character who struggles to fit in. Rather than promote unbelievable heroism, Riordan has given boys a hero they can relate to.
4) Up for Air
This book is far from being for swimmers only. It tackles multiple struggles young people — especially young girls — face during the transition to teenagehood.
Annabelle loves swimming but struggles with learning. She hates needing to have extra time to complete tests and feels most alive in the pool. To make things worse, her best friends seem to be changing — becoming distant — this summer.
Things finally seem to be looking up when she’s invited to join the high school swim team. But when an older boy begins to seem interested in Annabelle, changing circumstances force her to find where her worth lies.
5) Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
6) The Science of Breakable Things
Mental health struggles are more common than ever — both among kids and their parents. The Science of Breakable Things is about Natalie’s efforts to cheer her mother up. This novel addresses mental illness explores healthy friendships and also delves into Natalie’s Korean heritage. Natalie’s mom is a botanist who discovered a rare cobalt-blue orchid which survives in harsh conditions in Mexico. Now, though, she rarely leaves her room — not even to join the family for dinner. So when Natalie’s science teacher tells her about an egg-drop contest with substantial prize money, Natalie competes on a team with two of her friends. She is convinced that she can make her mother happy again by replacing the now-dead blue orchid.
7) Mostly the Honest Truth
If you’re looking for something outside of fantasy, this is an excellent choice. While the premise seems somewhat sad, this book is heartwarming, beautiful, and inspiring.
It’s about Jane, who arrives at her newest foster home after her father is sent back to rehab, but she’s determined to see him again. As time goes by, Jane comes to learn that family can be so much more than blood, and that home is where the heart is.
8) Track Series
Even the least sports-interested child will enjoy Jason Reynold’s Track Series. The series examines the lives of four different kids on a track team. Each book is written from the perspective of another child — Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu. These kids deal with various issues from having a parent in prison to an ill parent to losing a parent in death and being an albino. Many readers especially love the first two books in the series, but the latest and final installment has also been garnering a number of fans.
9) All of Me
Body positivity is something children need to learn from a young age. If you struggle with loving the body they’re in (while working to be healthier, of course), this book would be a tremendous help. Ari, the boy in this novel-in-verse is bullied for being overweight. His mother is also insisting he gets on a diet, even as his parents’ marriage is ending. But through it all, Ari finds new friends and a way to view his body in a more positive manner.
This story is moving and can (and should) be enjoyed by both children and their parents.
10) Roll with It
Roll with It is an excellent book featuring a character with a physical disability. Kids today will encounter children with differing abilities at school and even at the grocery store. But how will you respond to them? The author, Jamie Sumner has a child with cerebral palsy — the same condition the protagonist Ellie has. Yet Ellie isn’t defined by her disability or the fact that she has to use a wheelchair. She is spunky and enjoys baking, watching cooking shows, and even writing to the hosts of these shows. This 2019 release is refreshing and also focuses on what good friendships should look like. Other themes include a strong bond between Ellie and her grandmother and a grandfather with declining Alzheimer’s.
11) Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers
Do you have a crew of friends looking to do a good deed? Were you a fan of The Babysitters’ Club way back when? Then you and your daughter will love Aster, Laine, Kat, and Ofelia. Four different girls become friends and band together to defend birds against their local scout group, The Floras. This book is packed with adventure, hilarity, and a lot of bonding. Because there are four unique and ethnically diverse characters, there’s surely someone for you to identify with.
12) Pax
Reminiscent of the work of Jack London, this warm story portrays the bonds between man and animal. Peter rescued Pax as a kit and the two have been best friends ever since. When Peter’s father joins the army, he makes Peter return Pax to the wild and sends him to live with his grandfather. There, Peter chooses loyalty and stops at nothing to be reunited with his friend, while Pax waits patiently for him. This story is full of love and warmth and displays a fine example of companionship.
13) Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
This is an epic and colorful story. The world’s most famous game maker has designed the town’s new library and Kyle is determined to attend its grand opening. The problem is that once he’s in, he can’t get out. With the help of other kids, he must solve clues to escape. Can your 12-year-old figure out the riddles before Kyle do?
14) Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Sal is always trouble, Gabi is a goody-two-shoes. It’s only after Gabi realizes Sal has a magical power that the two become friends. Sal has never had anyone else to share his power with, so the two team-up. There’s only one problem: their shenanigans could endanger the entire universe. This story’s value lies in how ordinary Sal’s power is, and Gabi does not treat him any differently because of it. The anti-discrimination message is subtle but brilliant.
15) The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
This book is so good, even math haters will enjoy it. The lightning strike that gives Lucy genius-level intelligence also gives her OCD. After 12 years of being homeschooled, Lucy is at college-level knowledge. However, her grandmother insists that Lucy will only be ready to take college classes after she’s grown socially. This is one of those books that help kids develop empathy and see the world from a different perspective. Readers can’t help but root for Lucy as she makes friends and expands her world beyond her love of math.
16) The Hobbit
I can’t leave this one off the list. I’ve never met anyone who disliked reading this. J.R.R. Tolkien has crafted a masterpiece. Bilbo Baggins, the eponymous hobbit, is whisked away on the adventure of his life. When a team of dwarves shows up at his door, Bilbo has no choice but to follow them. They lead him on a perilous journey: to reclaim gold guarded by a vicious dragon. It presents commentary on greed. When one character stops at nothing to get the gold, they lose what’s most important and find it wasn’t worth it. Tolkien will teach your 12-year-old life lessons in the best way possible.
This is just some amazing books, there tons more....
Hope you will look forward to reading them......
Bye.....
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