Are you ready for your child’s next reading adventure? Turning 12 is a big deal, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into a great book? Reading is an excellent way to expand your child’s horizons, and it’s never too early to start! Our selection of the best books for 12-year-olds includes a variety of genres, from thrilling adventures to heartwarming tales, and everything in between. So, let’s get started on finding the perfect book for your young reader!
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Books For 12-Year-Olds Picks
1. Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Introducing Princess Cimorene, a princess who defies convention. She is independent, snobbish, and everything a princess is not meant to be.
She becomes so bored that she flees to live with a dragon. And not just any dragon either, but Kazul, one of the strongest and most lethal dragons in existence. Cimorene, of course, has a tendency of becoming friends with dangerous people, and before she knows it, she’s dealing with a witch, a jinn, a death-dealing talking bird, a stone prince, and some very greasy wizards.
2. Amari and the Night Brothers
Amari Peters is convinced her missing brother Quinton is still alive, despite the police insisting otherwise. When she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she sees it as an opportunity to find him.
However, she must compete with children who have grown up around magic, and her supernaturally increased gift is labeled as “illegal.” Amari feels alone and faces a wicked magician posing a danger to the magical realm. She must persevere through the auditions if she hopes to find out what happened to Quinton.
3. Greenglass House
Winter has arrived at Greenglass House, a smuggler’s inn, and Milo, the 12-year-old adopted son of the innkeepers, is looking forward to a relaxed time. However, things take a sudden turn when the doorbell rings repeatedly on a cold night, and the mansion is soon filled with strange and secretive visitors.
Each visitor seems to have a peculiar story to share that connects them to the old house. To uncover the truth about the inn and themselves, Milo and his friend Meddy must solve a series of riddles and puzzles.
4. The Left-Handed Fate
Lucy Bluecrowne and Maxwell Ault are on a mission to end the conflict between England and France by finding three components of a mysterious machine. However, they are captured by the Americans who have just declared war on both countries. Oliver Dexter, a young midshipman, is given command of their ship, the Left-Handed Fate, and is faced with a difficult decision when he learns about their mission and the danger the technology poses.
Should he help Lucy and Max and become a traitor to his country or obey orders and risk countless lives? Meanwhile, the French and a mysterious ship are also after the components, making the situation even more perilous.
5. The Ice Cream Machine
Get ready to embark on an adventure with a young boy and his robot nanny in search of the ultimate treat, a mechanical prodigy that creates the freshest desserts, and an evil ice cream truck driver who terrorizes children in six tales set on different planets.
From a kingdom ruled by a king with a sweet tooth to a coastal promenade with an ice cream kiosk run by a penguin, and even a giant alien space lab with a homesick human patient, you’ll travel far and wide. The unique black-and-white illustrations for each tale are done by different artists such as Daniel Salmieri, Charles Santoso, Liniers, Emily Hughes, Nicole Miles, and Seaerra Miller.
6. The View from the Cherry Tree
Rob witnessed Mrs. Calloway’s murder but wants to believe it was an accident. He keeps quiet about the hands he saw pushing her out of the window. But when he narrowly escapes death multiple times, including an attempt to poison his food, he knows he needs to speak up about what he saw. Unfortunately, his family is preoccupied with his sister’s wedding and doesn’t take him seriously. Will Rob be the next target of the killer?
7. Percy Jackson X 5 Book Set Series Collection 5 Book Set
Get ready to embark on an epic adventure with Percy Jackson! When Percy discovers that he’s the son of Poseidon at the young age of 12, he’s thrown into a world of demigods and monsters. But don’t let his cool character fool you, he’s got plenty of flaws and trouble fitting in.
Author Rick Riordan has crafted a hero that everyone can identify with, one who doesn’t always have extraordinary bravery, but who learns to develop his own strength and power. Your 12-year-old-child can experience the entire series in this amazing five-book box set, which is well-loved and renowned by fans of all ages.
8. The Nameless City
In the Nameless City, every conqueror gives it a new name. But the locals never take part in the constant battles and see it as their true home. Kaidu, a citizen of the most recent occupying power and a native of Dao, befriends Rat, a girl who hates him for what he represents. Together, they hold the fate of the Nameless City, which is overrun by rats. Will they be able to protect it from incoming threats?
9. Ali Cross
Ali Cross admires his father, a former FBI agent, and detective who solved some of the toughest crimes in the country. But when Ali’s friend Gabe goes missing and his neighborhood is plagued by burglaries, Ali must step up as a young detective to find leads and locate his friend.
However, his father is on trial for a crime he didn’t commit and warns Ali to stay out of it. As Ali investigates, he discovers that not all hints are what they seem to be. Will he solve Gabe’s case or put his family in even more trouble?
10. Pay Attention, Carter Jones
Carter Jones is in for a surprise when he opens the door to find a real English butler, who sticks around to help his dysfunctional family. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, Carter also has to deal with the butler’s high standards of behavior and attitude.
But through this experience, Carter learns that sharing his emotions can lighten his load and help him confront his past. This insightful and funny story will resonate with 12-year-olds who have their own secrets to face.
11. Brown Girl Dreaming
Jacqueline Woodson’s poetry collection reflects on her experience as an African American growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, navigating the lasting impact of Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights movement. Her heartfelt and emotionally stirring poems offer a window into a young person’s psyche as she searches for her place in the world.
Despite struggling with reading as a child, Woodson found her voice through penmanship and developed a love of storytelling that would shape her into the talented writer she is today. This book is written in a poetic format that is sure to captivate your 12-year-old.
12. Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers
Three girls with distinct personalities – Aster, a foodie; Cat, a rule-follower; and Ofelia, a budding journalist – receive an invitation to a luxurious estate. The mysterious invite, sent by Lane DiSanti, piques their curiosity, and they can’t resist the temptation to investigate.
Although they didn’t hit it off immediately, they band together to convince the Floras, a local scout group, to abandon an old tradition. In their quest for justice and a memorable summer, they form a sisterhood that they never knew they needed.
13. Bad Machinery
The beloved British kid detectives are back, and they’re facing a new, thrilling mystery! The safety of Tackleford is at risk as young children start to disappear and rumors of a terrifying, beast-like creature lurking in the woods spread. Meanwhile, Mildred has a new dog named Archibald, but he’s not your typical canine – he drinks tea from a cup!
When the group captures a photo of the monster and Archibald goes missing, everything becomes more urgent. Is there a connection between the strange events, and what’s the story behind Mildred’s magic pencil win at the carnival? The suspense is high, and you’ll have to follow the clues to solve this intriguing case!
14. Up for Air
Thirteen-year-old Annabelle struggles in school, but once she hits the pool, she becomes unstoppable. Joining the high school swim team over the summer changes everything, as she quickly proves to be the fastest girl on the middle school squad. Suddenly, new friendships and the attention of a high school boy make her feel special.
But in her quest to fit in and help the team make it to the Labor Day Invitational, Annabelle risks losing her old friends. And when a practical joke goes wrong, she finds herself stranded in the water without the one thing she’s good at. Who is she without swimming?
15. Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
Hold onto your wands, Muggles! The magical world of Harry Potter is waiting for you! The later books in the series may be too heavy for younger readers, but 12-year-olds will relish the complexity of the story. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the books, they’ll keep your child glued to the pages with their enchanting stories. These seven novels have brought happiness to countless young readers.
16. Mostly the Honest Truth
Jane Pengilly is back in yet another foster home after her father Pop returns to treatment. She’s determined to do everything right this time and return to her beloved father. But as she spends twelve days alone in a remote area, she begins to realize that family doesn’t have to be just about blood ties.
Sometimes, it can be found in the most unexpected places. Despite missing her father terribly, Jane discovers that home is where the heart is, and she learns valuable lessons about love and family along the way. This book is a great way to teach your 12-year-old the importance of family.
17. New Kid: A Graphic Novel
Jordan Banks is a talented seventh-grader who loves creating cartoons about his life. He’s excited to attend Riverdale Academy Day School, a prestigious private school known for its academic excellence, but he quickly realizes that he’s one of the few students of color in his grade. Jordan’s parents chose Riverdale over the art school he really wanted to attend, and he struggles to fit into this new environment while staying true to himself.
Despite the challenges, Jordan works hard to adapt to the culture of his new school and navigate his relationships with his classmates. He also tries to maintain his connections with his old neighborhood in Washington Heights. This graphic novel offers a relatable and thought-provoking story for 12-year-old readers, making it a great choice for summer reading.
18. All of Me
Ari is struggling with his body image and feeling neglected as his parents focus on promoting his mother’s artwork. On top of that, he’s being bullied at school for his weight and feels like he has no one to turn to. That is until he meets Pick, Jorge, and Lisa, who become his new friends.
Ari’s mother suggests he start a diet after a traumatic event, but he soon realizes that it’s not a cure-all for his problems. As his parents’ relationship deteriorates, Ari begins to understand the importance of accepting oneself and life’s imperfections.
This poignant narrative explores themes of body image, bullying, and family struggles, and it is a must-read for 12-year-olds who may be going through similar experiences.
19. The Brave
Collin has a rare disease that forces him to count every single word that he hears. This quirk makes him an easy target for bullies and causes frustration for his dad. When he asks to leave school yet again, his father decides to send him to live with his mother in Minnesota, whom he has never met before.
Collin and his loyal dog, Seven, travel to Duluth where they are welcomed by his Ojibwe mother and her community. He finds solace in his new home, where people understand his condition and accept him for who he is.
Collin also befriends Orenda, a young woman who believes she’s transforming into a butterfly and shares his peculiarity. With her help, he begins to overcome his obstacles, but things become more challenging when he has to stand up for Orenda and trust in his new family. This touching story highlights the power of acceptance, community, and friendship.
20. Stella by Starlight
Stella lives in Bumblebee, a segregated town in the South, where she is treated differently depending on where she goes and who she meets. She believes that things are relatively balanced and that the Ku Klux Klan is no longer a concern. But one night, Stella and her brother witness something they were never meant to see, and it becomes the first step towards a much-needed change, even if it isn’t welcome.
Stella is faced with a decision to use fire as a weapon to fight for justice, and her town and the world are shaken up. In the aftermath, she learns that sometimes, even from ashes, new beginnings can arise. This powerful story teaches readers of all ages about the importance of standing up for what’s right, no matter the cost.
Reading Milestones For 12-Year-Olds
As children get older, they continue to develop their reading skills (1). Here are some milestones that 12-year-olds should be able to reach:
- Read and comprehend literature, including narratives, dramas, and poems, at an adult level (2)
- Use a range of reading strategies, draw conclusions, and identify cause and effect
- Analyze the author’s purpose and perspective in a text
- Whatever your child reads can influence, change, or affect their opinion. They ought to be able to defend their thoughts or viewpoints using the information they’ve read
- They should be able to make inferences based on what they read
How Long Should A 12-Year-Old Read Per Day?
Try to encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes per day (3). This can be done all at once or in small increments throughout the day. If your child is struggling to find time to read, you can try setting aside a specific time each day for reading or placing books in strategic locations around the house. Lastly, make sure to set a good example by reading yourself!
Is 12 A Tween?
Tweens are children between the ages of 8 and 12 who are in the middle stage between children and teenagers. Children at this age typically begin to transition from being dependent on their parents to becoming independent. However, kids in this age group still depend heavily on their parents for support and assistance.
Tween-aged children often experience a lot of change and tumult in their lives, as they are growing and developing at a rapid pace. As such, parents of tweens must be patient and understanding, yet firm in their boundaries.
