50 Best Books for 12-Year-Olds: 2024 Picks

Starting with a bang, this incredible book was a 2020 Newbery Medal Nominee, amongst many other prestigious awards. Told through verse, this poetic novel follows Jude, who leaves her brother and father in Syria to travel with her mother to America.

With a new identity and struggles, Jude sets out to fit into her new home. It’s an excellent resource for highlighting life as an immigrant and moving somewhere that treats you like you don’t belong.

Everyone is afraid of Xan the witch. They keep her at bay by sacrificing one baby every year. Xan is a good witch, though, nourishing the babies with starlight before sending them to good homes.

But one day, she makes a big mistake. She accidentally feeds a baby with moonlight instead of starlight, which fills her with amazing magic. Xan decides to raise this girl, Luna, on her own. When Luna turns 13, her magic 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.

Percy Jackson has become a hero in 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 must discover his courage, power, and strength.

He’s a flawed but cool character who struggles to fit in. Rather than promote unbelievable heroism, Riordan has given kids a hero they can relate to. This five-book box set contains the complete series, which is much loved and acclaimed and can be enjoyed by all.

Swimmers will love this, but so will other kids. It tackles multiple struggles that many young girls face during teenagehood.

Annabelle loves swimming but struggles with learning. She hates needing extra time to complete tests and, instead, 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.

I’ve previously recommended the first book — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — to younger kids. What’s different here is that from age 12 your child is ready to delve into the rest of the series.

While the serious tone from book four onwards might be too grim for younger children, 12-year-olds can process the more advanced themes. They’ll be enthralled by the longer books, and won’t find them too challenging.

These seven books have made many children happy. Harry’s journey from an ordinary orphan to a savior of the world is in a league of its own.

What will happen when unpopular Flint becomes friends with the popular new girl, McKell? Flint is constantly bullied because of his squint, which is caused by a disease that causes him to lose his vision. McKell doesn’t like how the other kids make fun of him, and deep down, she wants to be his friend.

She takes a risk and starts hanging out with Flint in this inspiring tale of an unlikely friendship. Follow these sweet characters as they battle their own problems while putting their trust in one another.

This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something outside of fantasy. 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 learns that family can be so much more than blood and that home is where the heart is.

Your 12-year-old will learn a lot about home and how some kids aren’t blessed with nuclear families. There are valuable lessons about community, forgiveness, and kindness, too.

Even the least sporty 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 one child, including Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu.

These kids deal with various issues, such as having a parent in prison or losing a mother during childbirth. This series has garnered many fans, especially since all four characters are interesting and gripping.

I appreciate these books because they’re short and fast-paced, each just a few pages above 200. Put these in the hands of your sports-loving 12-year-old, and they’ll be hooked!

Body positivity is something children need to learn from a young age. If your child struggles with loving the body they’re in, this book would be a tremendous help.

In this novel-in-verse, Ari is bulled for being overweight. His mother insists he goes 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 positively.

This story is moving and a must-read for children and their parents.

Roll With It is an excellent book featuring a character with a physical disability. Kids will encounter children with differing abilities often, but the question is: how will your kids respond to them?

The author, Jamie Sumner, has a child with cerebral palsy — the same condition as our protagonist, Ellie. 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 focused 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.

Does your daughter 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 friends bonding. With four unique and ethically diverse characters, there’s surely someone for your child to identify with.

Reminiscent of the work of Jack London, this warm story portrays the bonds between boy 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.

But nothing will stop Peter from reuniting with his friend while Pax waits patiently for him. This story is full of love and warmth and displays a fine example of companionship.

More and more educators agree that reading comic books is still reading. So, of course, we’ve included a few of those on this list. Our first is from an expert graphic novel author, Raina Telgemeier.

This novel follows a nervous girl and the physical and psychological effects of her anxiety. Guts is based on Telgemeier’s experience with anxiety and eceived rave reviews. Many kids have expressed how relatable the comic book has been for them.

If your child struggles with anxiety, has a friend who does, or just enjoys graphic novels, don’t miss out on this title.

Comparable to Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” 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 he can’t get out once he’s in. With the help of other kids, he must solve clues to escape.

Can your 12-year-old figure out the riddles before Kyle does?

Sal is always trouble; Gabi is a goody-two-shoes. The two become friends only after Gabi realizes Sal has a magical power. 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.

This book is so good, even math haters (like my niece) will enjoy it. The lightning strike that gives Lucy genius-level intelligence that means she’s ready for college by 12 years old!

However, after years of homeschooling, her grandmother insists that Lucy attend middle schoolf for one year, make a friend, try one new activity, and read something that’s not a textbook.

This is one of those books that helps 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.

I can’t leave this one off the list. I’ve never met anyone who disliked reading this as a child. J.R.R. Tolkien has crafted a masterpiece, and the illustrated edition is wildly stunning.

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 high-stakes mystery novel balances an exploration of a boy’s struggle with OCD and his determination to save a child’s life.

Matthew Corbin is forced to stay home all day, every day, thanks to his OCD. But staying home means he might be the only one who knows what happened to the toddler next door who went missing.

Matthew will have to expose his condition and step out of his comfort zone to help save the day. This well-paced story focuses on a complex subject but still has a light tone that your 12-year-old will enjoy.

Genesis hates her dark skin and dreams of having a lighter complexion. The harsh criticism of her grandmother and father do not help her self-loathing. But after they move to a new neighborhood and she joins the choir, Genesis starts to feel like maybe she’s worth something.

This powerful middle-grade book is perfect for 12-year-olds finding and learning to love themselves. Warning: this book isn’t the easiest read. It’s uncomfortable at times and very emotinoal, with themes of emotional and verbal abuse. But overall, it’s one of the most thought-provoking and eye-opening middle-grade stories out there.

This series follows a group of gifted children working to solve various mysteries. It’s a fun one for kids and adults, especially those who enjoy twists and turns during their reading experience!

The books also contain photos, brain teasers, and puzzles as the kids dive into an adventurous secret mission. If you’re a reader who enjoys adventure, science, and a good dose of mystery, you’ll love these books!

This honest story tells readers of two young brothers who leave their comfort zone to spend the summer with their grandparents. When the brothers stop at nothing to prove that they are brave, everything backfires, and they end up in a world of trouble.

It’s a coming-of-age story that explores serious themes, like disability, boundaries, and growing up. While it’s quite a heavy one, the author does a fantastic job ensuring it’s not too overwhelming for the reader. This is done exceptionally well since the story is told through Genie’s tweenage voice, which is relatable for young readers.

Coyote Sunrise has lived in a school bus with her dad for five years since her mother and sisters died in a car crash. Coyote has had enough of her dad avoiding his grief when news from her grandmother forces her to take action.

As she takes her dad home (without his knowledge), they pick up a few eclectic characters on the way. Prepare for a lot of feelings, fun, and laughs on this unforgettable journey.

Charlie is autistic and has challenges with processing the world around him. His father has also been injured in Afghanistan, which has strained their family.

The family takes a road trip from California to Virginia for his father’s medical treatment. Along the way, Charlie tries to find all the birds he and his father always planned to see together as a sign that his dad will be okay.

This book is a fantastic road trip read, filled with hijinks, sibling drama, and a whole lot of heart.

This honest graphic novel follows Jordan, who’s sent to a prestigious private school where he’s one of the few kids of color in his whole grade. Eventually, he feels a cultural divide between his Black neighborhood and upscale private school.

If your child enjoys graphic novels, they’ll tear through this one quicker than you can imagine. And if they’ve ever been the new kid, they’ll relate a lot to Jordan Banks.

Does your child love scary books? Are they big fans of being terrified (in a fun way) by their reading material? Then the Spirit Hunters series is the pick for them.

Haunted houses and ghosts rule in this pick. I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to readers new to the horror genre. However, if your child is a horror fiend, they won’t be able to get enough.

It follows young Harper, who moves to a new house, which is haunted. Her brother begins acting weird and Harper is having strange bouts of déjà vu. It’s up to her to figure out exactly what’s happening in the four haunted walls around her.

After her father dies in 1922, young Ophie realizes she can see ghosts. When she and her mother move from Georgia to Pittsburg, where Ophie’s mother’s family lives, Ophie is employed as a maid for a wealthy family.

But when she gets there, she finds out that the house is haunted by ghosts with their own problems. She befriends one of the ghosts, and learning that his life was unjustly taken, Ophie wonders whether she can help her get justice.

If your kids enjoy funny realistic middle-grade books with a serious twist, they’ll love Gordon Korman’s books — especially Linked. In this book, three kids, Link, Dana, and Michael’s lives are upset when a swastika is found on the walls of their school.

As if that’s not bad enough, more swastikas keep popping up and no one can figure out who’s responsible. Told from the perspective of the three kids and a few of their friends, this story teaches tolerance, forgiveness, and history.

It’s 1963, and the kids are going through integration with white kids at their school. As if that isn’t a big shock already, when Jez and her twin brother turn 11, their uncle announces that he will train them in their family’s African-American folk magic.

As they learn more magic, Jez and her brother realize that there is more to their family’s magic, and they’ll need to decide how to use their powers for good. This is a gripping fantasy novel for young readers with an incredible atmosphere and great character arcs.

Ellie is bullied at school for her weight, and her mom doesn’t make things any easier. She’s constantly restricting Ellie’s diet and taking her to get weighed at the doctor.

Thankfully, Ellie has her father as an ally. Her best friend Catalina is also supportive, and when Ellie finally gets a therapist who stands behind her, she’s able to stick up to bullies and take up space. This powerful verse novel will encourage kids to accept their bodies and gracefully handle bullies.

Native American Maisie is going through a rough time. An injury has disrupted her dream of being a ballerina, causing her to lose touch with her ballet friends.

When her mom, brother, and stepdad take her on a hiking trip, all her built-up emotions pour out, forcing Maisie to realize that she might need help. This tween book is an excellent resource for kids dealing with life disappointments and mental health challenges.

Twelve-year-old Jake is bummed about his middle school closing, but there doesn’t seem to be much he and his friends can do about it. That is until he finds and eats some jelly beans at his mom’s workplace. It turns out that the jelly beans were not mere jelly beans but rather INGESTIBLE INFORMATION PILLS developed by a scientist.

Jake becomes the smartest kid in the universe and thinks maybe he can help save his school. But the government is after him because the pills haven’t been tested. Prepare for a thrilling, hilarious story that any kid will love.

After Felix and Benji spend $20 from a tech billionaire’s lost wallet, she challenges them to spend $5,368,709.12 in 30 days (a penny doubled every day for 30 days). As the boys go to Disney World, rent cool cars, and find other ways to spend their money, they realize that spending money isn’t as easy as it seems.

This fun story teaches kids important finance lessons while highlighting the value of friendship and the impact of privilege. Packed with humor and great life lessons, this is a fabulous pick for pre-teens!

Sara Martinez is a hacker in the New York foster care system. When she gets into trouble with her awful foster parents, a strange man rescues her and recruits her to join four other spy kids. Their first mission is in Paris as the kids try to unravel a conspiracy.

This is the first in James Ponti’s City Spies series. Although this book is longer, the adventurous thrill will keep most 12-year-olds hooked.

In this stunning middle-grade fantasy debut, 13-year-old Amari is sure that her brother Quinton is still alive, even though he’s been missing for a while. When she finds a ticking briefcase in Quinton’s closet containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s sure this will be the key to finding him.

Join Amari as she competes with young skilled magicians in hopes of saving her brother. This is an absorbing read for fans of fantasy stories.

Coop loves his small town of Windy Bottom, Georgia, where nothing ever goes wrong — until now. It’s worse because his Gramps is getting blamed for what’s buried under the playground. Can Coop and his friends get to the bottom of this mystery?

If your kids enjoy a gripping mystery with small-town charm, this is the one for them. Perfectly paced with dimensional characters, this book is mysterious but funny.

After pirates kill 10-year-old Bronte’s parents, she is left with a list of wild instructions in their will. If she doesn’t complete the tasks, bad things will happen. So, she embarks on an adventure visiting one aunt after another — one who owns an orange orchard and another who is an expert in dragon care.

This extraordinary tale is more than what it appears on the surface, and Bronte will soon discover the real purpose behind her journey. It’s a gripping page-turner that is funny and insightful, making it a delightful choice for 12-year-olds.

If your little one likes bizarrely magical books, then this will be right up their street. Nine is an orphan who finds a magical house-shaped ornament that grows into a giant house before her eyes! She steps inside to find a funny and magical cast of characters, including a wizard and a stroll.

They are under a curse, which only Nine has the power to break. If she can solve this problem, she could be rewarded with a new life. It’s a fast-paced read, so if your child struggles with their attention span, this book is a marvelous choice. Plus, it’s a series, so there are other books in the same world to enjoy!

Marlee finally makes a friend, Liz, who is awesome and outspoken. This rubs off on Marlee, who can overcome her number one fear: speaking. But suddenly, the truth is revealed that Liz is actually Black, passing for a white girl, and so she is removed from the school.

Liz doesn’t care about the segregation rules. All she wants is her best friend back. Together, they risk it all in the hopes of integration.

Even the least keen readers will fall in love with this inspiring and amazing story of race in the 1950s.

This is the inspiring true story of Malala, who was shot by the Taliban in 2012. Though she should have died from her injuries, she didn’t. In the aftermath of her survival, she became an international symbol for fighting for education and peaceful protesting at only 16!

If you’d like to introduce your child to the world of nonfiction, this phenomenal book highlights terrorism, inequality, and parents’ strong love.

I’ve already mentioned that 12-year-olds will be on the hunt for more mature content. This book by Alan Gratz serves that to your child while ensuring the writing style and themes are suitable for pre-teens.

Join Yanek Gruener in his journey through 10 concentration camps where he is abused, starved and tortured. During the 1930s, Poland is under the rule of the Nazis, and as a young Jewish boy, Yanek becomes a prisoner. Will he survive the horrors he faces while figuring out who he really is?

One of the most famous memoirs of all time, this diary was found in an attic in Amsterdam, where Anne Frank spent the last few years of her life. During the second world war, Anne and her family hid in a secret annex for years before their location was revealed to the Nazis. In this honest diary, Anne documents what life was like living in a cramped attic with eight people.

If your 12-year-old is interested in history, memoirs, and war, then I think they will appreciate this poignant historical artifact.

I can only describe this as a high fantasy for pre-teens and teens. Slightly more complex than Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, this book follows Lyra, who is heading to the far North after her friend Roger was stolen by the Gobblers. Meanwhile her Uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.

While Lyra has the power to save Roger and help her uncle, she can only choose one route and betray the other. Find out what she does in this grand fantasy series that contains three epic books.

One of the most famous and beloved novels of the past 100 years, Watership Down tells the story of a group of wild rabbits who have to flee their beautiful rural home after humans invade it. And so begins an intense journey of avoiding predators and dangerous obstacles as the rabbits seek a better (and safer) home.

Readers adore this one for its poignant commentary on animal rights and immigration, even though the author claimed that it has no deeper meaning. Find out for yourself in this dramatic and gripping story.

Meet Logan, Miles, Daisy, and Philip in this multi-perspective novel about four kids who go head to head in a competition to create the tastiest candy in the country. Told through different voices, this clever book takes readers on an intimate journey with each character as they run their experiments and try different recipes. It’s a sweet (no pun intended) and fast-paced story that touches on themes of good vs evil, happiness, and unlikely friendships.

In this utterly emotional novel, Lucy must navigate her grief to complete her late mother’s research. And unfortunately, that means following the sharks.

Lucy’s mother died during a mission that involved swimming with Great White Sharks. Four years later, Lucy loses another friendship, triggering her grief once again. To help herself and her depressed father, Lucy follows in her mother’s footsteps, following the sharks, hoping to find what her mother was desperately searching for.

If your child can handle heavier topics, like grief and loss, then I think they will find this one absolutely incredible.

This series hooked me as a 12-year-old. There are 12 books in the series, which still wasn’t enough for me! I was mesmerized by Mia’s funny and honest diary entries and found myself laughing out loud as I read this book late at night.

If you don’t know, this book is about Mia Thermopolis, who is self-conscious and not doing too well in school. One day, she finds out that she is the princess of Genovia!

“WHAT? A PRINCESS?? ME???” Find out how Mia copes (or doesn’t really cope) in this immersive and adorable series.

Set in Edinburgh, this creepy story follows Cassidy Blake, daughter of a ghost-hunting couple. Cass can actually see ghosts — thankfully, since her best friend Jacob is a ghost.

When she and her family head to Edinburgh to hunt for ghosts, Cass finds herself surrounded by paranormal creatures. And not all of them are very nice. Cassidy is sent on a mission to get rid of the sinister Red Raven in the hopes of saving herself.

I loved that this book was set in Scotland (my home country) and was imaginatively creepy. The friendship between Jacob and Cassidy was also lovely.

I have another historical fiction rec for you; this time, it’s set in the Dominican Republic (1960). Anita is a 12-year-old whose relatives have immigrated to the US. When her uncle mysteriously disappears and the government begins harassing the rest of her family, it’s time for Anita to fight for her freedom, even if that means leaving behind the only world she’s ever known.

This masterpiece is a realistic representation of life for people in unsafe countries. It’s an excellent pick for fans of Anne Frank’s diary: it’s honest, tender, and will have you on the edge of your seat.

Praised for its amazing writing, sensitivity, and comedy, this book follows 14-year-old Doug, who doesn’t have it easy. Feeling worthless, he starts a new school where he becomes the bully and disrupts class constantly.

But when he seeks refuge at the local library and meets the savvy and outspoken Lil, Doug starts to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Find out what happens in this exceptional book about making mistakes and having hope for a better future.

I firmly believe this is a must-read for both middle school boys and girls. It follows Mila, a seventh grader who begins getting some unwanted attention from her male classmates. While her friends convince her that it’s just flirting, Mila finds the interactions extremely uncomfortable. To defend herself from boys who won’t take no for an answer, she joins a new karate class so that she can stand her ground.

This book touches on the casual nature of certain types of harassment. While it’s important to teach girls about this, it’s also a great resource for teaching boys about boundaries, respecting others, and stopping when somebody says no.

It’s a must-read for middle schoolers, so get a copy for your child or students!