I love recommending books to kids so that they want to read, they just can’t put a book down. That’s why I read, review, and recommend so many books — so you can get your boys and girls into a good book. This best books for seventh grade 12-year old boys and girls list is huge and I know you’ll find lots of good books!
For more challenging books, check out my Best Book for Teens list or Challenging Books for Young Advanced Readers. For a bit easier books, read the Best Books for 11-Year Olds.
Related lists: Gifts for 12 Year Old Girls and Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys.
Best Books for 12-Year Olds (7th Graders)
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen REALISTIC
I can’t recommend this book enough — it’s life-changing and profound! Angry at the world, 15-year old Cole beats a classmate into a coma and brain damage. To avoid the jail time, Cole agrees to spend a year by himself on an island in Alaska, thinking he’ll escape as soon as possible this form of Native American justice. But after Cole almost dies, he decides to give the year-long process a chance. Throughout the experience, you’ll feel Cole’s pain and anger deeply which makes his healing and transformation that much more powerful. I just finished this amazing story and want to reread it again.
The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly ADVENTURE / HISTORY / FANTASY
This is the story of three children in medieval France who are hunted by the King. Fascinating writing shares pieces of the kids’ stories from third-hand witnesses as retold in an inn. The writing, the story, the characters, and the themes all pack a big punch adding up to a compelling novel, one of the best I’ve ever read. (Sensitive reader warning: There are two scenes with a lot of blood and a few bad words.)
Booked by Kwame Alexander REALISTIC
Alexander skillfully writes about the teenage human condition — he just gets it! 12-year old Nick struggles with his parents’ separation, a school bully, and the awkwardness of a first crush. The only thing that feels right is soccer. That is, until he gets injured and can’t play. Written in free verse, this is a lyrical, fast-paced story that feels honest and relatable.
Lockwood & Co The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud GHOST ADVENTURE
Don’t worry, it’s really too scary of a book, even though it’s about ghosts. Dangerous ghosts and spirits are appearing everywhere in London but only certain kids can see them. Teens Lucy, Anthony, and George badly need money for their ghost hunting agency, Lockwood & Co., so they take a perilous job that, if the ghosts have their way, may just be their last.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty REALISTIC / BOOKS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS – OCD
My daughter and I could not put this book down — it is excellent! 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 to make one friend, read one non-math book, and join one school activity. Surprisingly, Lucy does find friends and more than that, too. A well-written, heart-warming story!
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling REALISTIC
Ahisma by Supriya Kelkar HISTORICAL FICTION
Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull FANTASY
Brandon Mull has outdone himself with an inventive, totally unique world and characters! Cole, a regular kid, is trick-or-treating with his friends when they all get kidnapped. Cole manages to hide but follows the kidnappers — to another world – a world of five kingdoms, slavery, and magic. Cole is found and sold to slavers on the Outskirts. There he’ll battle mysterious beings living on cloud castles, discover an exiled princess, escape from slavery, and have unimaginable adventures. Amazing!
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli REALISTIC
LIFE-CHANGING! Seriously. This incredible story grips the coward in us all as we relate to Leo who shares how he loves and fails to stand up for Stargirl, the most unique, ukulele-playing girl that Mica High has ever seen. Her strangeness at first is delightful to other students including Leo, but when she cheers for both basketball teams, even the opposition!!, her classmates shun her. Even Leo. Leo regrets his behavior when Stargirl disappears. This is one of my favorite stories for this age group because it deals with kindness, peer pressure, acceptance, and individuality.
The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice book 1 by John A. Flanagan FANTASY / ADVENTURE
We follow a boy named Will as he’s apprenticed to become a Ranger, a job he’s unsure about. But as he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), Will comes to embrace his new life. When an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. Action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing — this book has everything!
See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng REALISTIC
Luminous and heartfelt, 11-year-old Alex Petroski’s story will grab your heart and expand it. His dream is to launch a rocket into space with his iPod of recordings about life on earth. The story is a transcription of what he records on the iPod — his solo journey to the rocket convention, the interesting people he befriends on the way and there, his trip Las Vegas to find information about his deceased father, and his unique, innocent perspective that tries to make sense of the world.
Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller COMING- OF-AGE / MENTAL ILLNESS
Whoa. This children’s middle grade book touched my heart so deeply. Natalie wants to figure out how to help her mother, who we gather is depressed (in her bed all day long, no longer working.) As Natalie prepares for an egg drop contest with two other kids, she looks at her mother’s situation with the same scientific process zeal. Her ultimate plan is to win the contest then use the prize money to whisk her mother away on a special trip. Throughout the story, we see Natalie’s friendships develop as well as the difficult understanding that life, and depression, not an exact science. It’s a beautiful, well-done story and a compassionate look at depression. (Added to Mental Illness in Children’s Books.)
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill FANTASY
Wonderfully crafted and imagined, this is a fairy tale of sorts about a good witch who rescues a town’s abandoned (the town thinks sacrificed) babies and gives them to another town to love. Except one baby who she adopts for her own; a special baby named Luna who is accidentally infused with moon magic. It’s also the story of the baby’s magical, bereaved mother, a wicked witch who feeds off sorrow, a woodcarver who wants justice, and most of all, Luna.
The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Avi HISTORICAL
Sea of Trolls series by Nancy Farmer FANTASY
A bard, a boy, a band of Viking beserkers, trolls, dragons, and a quest — what more could you want in a series? This is one of those can’t put it down books that will keep you up all night reading and I loved this it. (Actually, I love all Farmer’s books.) Your kids will enjoy reading a new adventure in Norse and Old English mythology.
Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink by Tod Olson HISTORICAL FICTION
(Next in the series: Lost in Outer Space: The Incredible Journey of Apollo 13.)
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson REALISTIC
Harbor Me tackles some very big issues including race, immigration, bullying, learning differences, friendship, and forgiveness. The story is about six diverse children with learning differences. They bond during a special kids-only time on Friday afternoons where they share their stories, many of which Haley records on a tape recorder. Even as she learns about the other kids who are, Haley is reluctant to share that her own dad is in jail for the car accident killing her mother. When she does eventually share, it’s beautiful to see the other kids support her. This well-written story deserves to be discussed as it has a wealth of ideas to ponder.
The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla REALISTIC
The Someday Birds is a magnificent story of emotional growth and healing. Charlie’s dad has brain damage from the war. When he’s moved across the country to a different hospital, Charlie and his siblings follow on an adventure that Charlie doesn’t want. But as the kids travel, along with a 20-something girl they hardly know, he searches for the birds he and his father always wanted to see . . . someday. The journey brings Charlie, who has autism, way out of his comfort zone. As it does, he grows in ways he never imagined. And Charlie hopes that if he can see all of the Someday Birds, his dad will get better.
Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi FANTASY
Mafi’s prose takes you on a journey of it’s own — it’s absolutely exquisite wordsmithing. This beguiling story of Whichwood (which can be read independently of the first novel) captures the humanity of loneliness, love, and life’s purpose inside a beautiful story of a mordeshoor girl with magic of the dead in a town that no longer values her work. Two young strangers appear on Laylee’s doorstep to help. They mostly fail. But fortunately for the reader, the young strangers get a second chance to help Laylee not just escape an unjust prison sentence but find happiness as well. This requires help from their buggy friend and thousands of reanimated corpses. It’s not your average story, it’s better –brilliant.
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson SCI FI
Wow – loved this adventure that is typical of Sanderson’s unique worlds with plot twists and turns. In this world the Epics, super-powerful individuals who have extraordinary powers and no goodness, control the cities. David’s father was killed by Chicago’s Epic, Steelheart. David wants revenge and he joins the Reckoners to assassinate them. This is a page-turner and completely entertaining.
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley MAGICAL REALISM
You’ll fall in love with this magical story about a lonely boy whose beloved grandfather faces a life-ending illness. Micah’s grandfather and Micah hope the Lightbender in the Circus Mirandus who owes the grandfather a miracle, will be able to help. With a missive to the Lightbender, Micah soon discovers the magical circus his grandfather once loved so much. It’s an adventure filled with emotion and faith.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander REALISTIC
Because this is written in verse, this is a fast read but packs a big punch. Basketball player and twin Josh narrates his life in quarters, just like the game he plays. He writes about missing his twin when his twin, Jordan, gets a girlfriend; about getting in trouble when he hits Jordan in the face with a basketball; and about watching his father as his heart fails. This is a coming-of-age, gripping story about a boy who is just trying to figure out life like most boys at age 12.
The Outcasts: Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1
I’m a new John Flanagan fan — this was such a well-written story of a young, father-less boy named Hal whose mom was an Araluen slave. To survive the town’s prejudice against him, he is helped by another outcast, his dead father’s former shipmate, a one-armed recovering drunk. When it’s time for his Brotherband training, he becomes the leader of a rag-tag group of boys. They’ll complete against better, stronger teams who don’t always play fair . The stakes are high and Hal must win even with his group of misfits.
This series kept my 12-year old daughter reading all summer last year. The story begins when a group of 6th graders join a mother-daughter book club. Each book in the series focuses on one book the girls read (such as Little Women, Daddy Long Legs, and Pride and Prejudice) and the relationships of the girls among themselves, the relationships with their mothers, and the business of growing up.
Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller REALISTIC
Right from the start, we know Captain Superlative is gone. This foreshadowing kept me reading with curiosity because I couldn’t imagine who this superhero girl in a book that was not a fantasy. It’s a thoughtful plot with captivating characters. The big lesson our main character, Janey, learns is about not standing by when injustice is happening. She learns this from a girl dressed in a swimsuit, wig, mask, and high tops who arrives at her middle school and changes everything. Read this with a book club or with your child — there’s so much to talk about!
Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura Martin ADVENTURE
Action from the first page! This is an awesome story about a dangerous world where cloned dinosaurs have taken over. Now Sky and her fellow humans live below ground in safety with Noah as their supreme ruler. Sky discovers that her missing (maybe traitor?) father left her a secret note with cryptic instructions on how to be found. She decides to leave the underground city in order to find her dad. Barely outside a day, she and her friend Shawn are rescued from hungry dinosaurs by a boy who lives in a treetop enclave. When his enclave is attacked by Noah’s soldiers looking for her, Sky realizes that everything she believed about Noah is wrong and is even more determined to find her father. LOVED it!
The Last Dogs: The Vanishing by Christopher Holt
Holt is an amazing writer and the story is a fast-paced, unique dystopian adventure that your kids will thoroughly enjoy. All the humans are gone. Max, a yellow Lab, knows that he must find and save his human family. From the moment he escapes the kennel at the vet’s, Max and his friends, Rocky and Gizmo, face huge obstacles in his quest to find his humans — starving wolves, no food, a gang of subway rats, a house of cats, and the controlling Corporation, a “perfect” society for dogs where everyone works and no one can leave.
The Sisters Club
by Megan McDonald REALISTICMeet the Sisters Club: twelve-year-old Alex, aspiring actress and born drama queen; eight-year-old Joey, homework lover and pioneer wannabe; and smack in the middle, ten-year-old Stevie, the glue that holds them together — through dinner disasters, disputes over stolen lucky sweaters, and Alex’s going gaga over her leading man. Great for 12 year old girls.
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt REALISTIC
One of the BEST books ever, it’s so well-crafted with deep emotional resonance. Doug is a boy who is struggling to read with no support from his home life. Not only are his dad and older brother abusive but they live in abject poverty. What saves Doug is his connection to a librarian who shows Doug Audubon’s bird paintings and how to draw. This eventually leads to reading and hope.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chaining FANTASY
The basic gist is there’s a school for villains and heroes and all your stereotypes will be blown out of the water. This series will make you think deeply about what makes someone good, friendship, and love. Excellent.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan REALISTIC
This book is AMAZING, beautiful, moving, life-changing! 12-year old Willow is a genius with limited social skills (it’s never stated but we might guess she’s got Aspergers) whose adopted parents are killed in a car crash leaving her so confused without her parents’ support and explanations about the world Willow observes. But, Willow pushes on, and finds a most unexpected new family in the back of a nail salon.
Chains, Forge, Ashes (Seeds of America) by Laurie Halse Anderson
I’m writing this after just closing Ashes, the final book of this historical fiction series about the time of the Revolutionary War as experienced through the eyes of an African-American girl named Isabel and her friend, Cuzon. Enslaved, escaped, or enlisted, these two are determined survivors. The writing is amazing and the stories, captivating. I love and highly recommend these books!
Secrets of Selkie Bay by Shelley Moore Thomas MAGICAL REALISM
Cordie’s the oldest of three daughters living with the hopes that their mother who left suddenly will return. Her sister believes their mom is a selkie who had to return to sea. After all, their mom looks like a selkie with her black hair and pale skin, and she owned a dark coat, and her favorite book is A Child’s Book of Selkies. To find out, the sisters take a boat to a secret island where they are helped by a mysterious seal. Is it their mother? Even more worrisome is that their boat leaks and the seal is injured. Secrets of Selkie Bay is magical story that made me believe in the unbelievable. And see the magic in family, forgiveness, and love.
The Quest for the Truth series (books 1 – 4) by Brock Eastman SCI-FI / CHRISTIAN
I couldn’t put these books down — which was a very fun surprise because I didn’t know what to expect from a Christian fiction series like this. The writing is fantastic — fast paced and engaging and the story itself is intriguing, a futuristic world in which the four siblings archeologist parents are kidnapped by forces trying to find artifacts which will lead them to eternal life. The kids pursue both the artifacts and their missing parents across different planets where they discover a hidden civilization of blue-colored people, escape a dangerous laboratory with predatory creatures including dinosaurs, learn a friend is really a foe, get captured by pirates, and so much more. I’m looking forward to the final book, book five!
Set in Victorian London, this is a beautiful, bittersweet story about a plucky girl and her protector golem which in the telling, illuminates the horrifying lives of chimney sweep kids as well as the world’s anti-semitism. It’s a book that reminds me of bitter dark coffee ladened with sweet cream — the bitter being the girl’s hard circumstances and the sweet being the hope that comes from love and friendship. I loved it so much I already want to read it a second time! Young Nan’s Sweep father-figure is gone; she still dreams of his kindness and their life before he left. To survive, she works for a cruel chimney sweep who uses children to make himself richer. When another sweep tries to burn Nan alive, a charcoal golem, formerly a piece of charcoal left to her by Sweep, emerges to save her. She and her growing protector golem, Char, find a new place to live but must stay vigilant so her old master doesn’t find them. On their own, they are helped by a street boy and a kind Jewish teacher. It’s an irresistible story that will expand your heart…and your definition of what makes a monster.
The Maze Runner by James Dasher SCI-FI
I loved this series . . . mostly. I didn’t love the last books and how the story ended — but that often happens with series doesn’t it? Series are hard, especially when the first book starts out so strong. In this dystopian world, kids are either killed or must kill to survive. There are tons of plot twists which kept me surprised and entertained.
A Tale of Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz FAIRY TALE
I found A Tale of Dark and Grimm dark in the bloody and macabre way but, still good in the I-want-to-keep-reading way. Gidwitz’s imaginative story weaves Hansel and Gretel with eight more Grimm stories like “Faithful Johannes,” “The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs,” and “The Seven Ravens.” In this story, brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, aren’t abandoned by their father. No, these siblings’ parents are the king and queen of Grimm; parents who are cursed and unwise. Our heroines, the children, abandon their terrible parents in order to find better ones – for example, ones that won’t try to kill them. The narrator, a strong, quirky voice, warns us of the bloody things to come. While he’s sometimes distracting, for the most part I liked how his snarky voice kept me from getting too freaked out out by the gruesome parts. Once in the wild forest, Hansel transforms into a ravenous, hunter — a beast. Sadly Gretel leaves on her own and continues her search alone. Will she ever see her brother again? What fairy tale will she wander into next? You’ll find this a fun but unusual book, one which pulls you in and keeps your interest. It, no doubt, will make you want to reread your Complete Brother’s Grimm. (Just don’t read it right before bed.)
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson HISTORICAL
I was hooked from the first page — and highly recommend this novel. This is a well-written story about a real life historical event when Philadelphia was the U.S. capital city and yellow fever killed thousands of citizens. We follow Mattie, a brave young girl, who struggles to survive in an abandoned and diseased city. She’s lost her grandfather to looters and doesn’t know where her mother has gone but fortunately finds help from their coffeehouse’s former cook, Eliza.
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani HISTORICAL
Written in a diary as letters to her Mama, Nisha shares how her life is turned upside down when the British rule of India ends in 1947, splitting the country into two — the Muslim north where she lives becomes Pakistan and the Hindu south remains India. Even though Nisha’s mom was Muslim, Nisha, her brother, her doctor Papa and her grandmother are forced to leave their home in the north because they are Hindu. There’s violence everywhere; nowhere is safe, not even the trains. It’s a harrowing journey and confusing time. This story, filled with historical significance, is masterfully told. You won’t want to put this one down.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman MYTHOLOGY
If you’ve been a fan of Rick Riordan, you’re probably more knowledgeable about Norse mythology than most. Now, discover the major stories of this Northern culture from Neil Gaiman’s perspective. Gaiman shares stories of the beginning of the Gods, how the Nine Worlds were formed, how Odin lost one eye, the children of Loki, and so much more, all the way to Ragnarok. These stories are more bloody than the Greek pantheon but they are quite entertaining none the less and hard to put down once you get reading.
Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail REALISTIC
Growing up means crushes, . . . awkward crushes. That’s why Gracie helps out her friend Sienna who is scared to text the boy who likes her. In the spirit of Cyrano and middle school drama, you’ll find this to be a realistic, amusing story of middle school romantic challenges that works out just fine in the end.
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead REALISTIC
WOW. In a word: powerful. This is middle school at it’s most intimate and revealing where friends experience the challenges of growing up, from an embarrassing sexting photo mistake to a shameful friend betrayal, and where we see the power of forgiveness and love.
Stead begs the question: why are we here in this world. She writes, “Bridge knew why she was here. It’s why we’re all here, she thought. Call it Mr. Partridge with his black-and-white cookies. Call it Em standing on that stage with her knees shaking but her voice strong. Call it Jamie looking awkward in the doorway of her bedroom after she’d had the mummy nightmare. Call it love.”
Phoenix by S.F. Said, illustrated by Dave McKean SCI-FI
Great writing and an amazing plot will hook you from the first moment in this science fiction adventure about dying stars, an imperial empire, cloven-hooved Aliens, and an unusual boy named Lucky who is far more than he seems. Creative and amazing!
The Absolute Value of Mike
If you only read one book this year, make it this one. It’s so powerful and stuck with me for weeks. (Kind of like Erskine’s other book, Mockingbird, another deeply moving book.) The title is the only math concept Mike understands — absolute value — a subject in which Mike’s dad wants Mike to excel. Only Mike hates math and when he gets sent to a small town for the summer with distant relatives, Mike learns his true value. SO POWERFUL and a perfect book for 12-year olds.
A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic by Lisa Papademetriou MAGICAL REALISM
Two girls in two locations (Texas and Pakistan) each discover a magical book, The Exquisite Corpse, in which a love story appears that will eventually connect the girls to each other and their histories. It’s a beautifully written story of friendship and self-discovery.
Crown of Three by J.D. Rinehart FANTASY (Book 1)
The realm is ruled but a power-hungry and despicable king. When his mistress gives birth to triplets of a prophecy, the three children are spirited away and hidden separately. Now that the children are older, each of them face challenges and adventures that lead them to the truth of who they really are — the foretold saviors of the empire. It’s a great adventure story with cool creatures, a few zombies, danger, and epic kid-power. I’m looking forward to the next book.
The Tragically True Adventures of Kit Donovan by Patricia Bailey HISTORICAL
13-year-old Kit is angry about everything. It’s 1905 in a Nevada gold mining town, her mother’s just died of the flu, her classmates and teachers mock her, and her dad gets murdered by his mining boss. Kit is determined to bring Mr. Granger, the mine boss, to justice. Her grit lands her a job at a newspaper where she can investigate more about the mine and Mr. Granger’s misdeeds. The author skillfully sets the historical stage with interesting details like the only motor car’s constant flat tires. Smart writing, an interesting plot, plus a compelling main character combine to make this a great read.
Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan GRAPHIC NOVEL / FAIRY TALE
I adore this reimagined Snow White set in New York City in the 20s. Snow White’s dad is a Wall Street king, her stepmother is a Zigfield Follies star, and her seven small protectors are street kids. It’s SO interesting how Phelan uses this historical setting to animate a familiar fairy tale. The black and white illustrations set the tone for this dark story with a happy ending.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt REALISTIC
An abused boy, Joseph, is taken away from his violent father to live as a foster kid with Jack’s family on an organic farm. As he learns to trust them, we learn about Joseph’s love for a girl named Maddie, his daughter named Jupiter, and his heartbreak. This is a painful story but one with redemption and hope. I really loved it and highly recommend it!
Dark Life by Kat Falls SCI-FI
When the oceans swallowed much of the earth, humans either moved into stacked cities or the ocean floor. Ty lives in the ocean but his way of life is threatened by murderous outlaws who steal and kill. He befriends a Topside girl named Gemma who is looking for her brother undersea. They learn that her brother is the leader of the outlaws, was a former medical experiment, and has Dark gifts just like Ty. This is action and intrigue from the get-go and you’ll love ever minute of it. (Next in the series is Rip Tide.)
Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm REALISTIC GRAPHIC NOVEL
Sunny’s summer vacation is spending time with her grandfather at his retirement home. (Not exactly her idea of fun.) Luckily, she meets the caretaker’s son, Buzz, and as their friendship and love of comic books develop, she also starts to deal with the real reason she’s there — her brother’s drug use. Well-written and an enjoyable narrative.
Loot by Jude Watson ADVENTURE
Once I opened this chapter book, I couldn’t put it down! When March’s dad falls off a building in his last jewel robbery (accident or not?), March is sent to foster care where he meets the twin he didn’t know he had. With the help of two friends at the foster home, they decide to escape and finish March’s dad’s plan to steal all the cursed Moonstones.
The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow HISTORICAL FICTION
American-raised Wendy’s Nazi-spy mom takes her to live in Germany during World War II. Wendy doesn’t even speak the language, and feels overwhelmed with her mother’s zeal for Hitler. Her mom gives her a bracelet to symbolize “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” At first it seems to be a good plan considering all the horrible things that might be happening. But when Wendy starts working at Lebensborn, the place where only Aryan children live — many who were forcibly removed from their parents — she learns from her new friend, a Jehovah Witness, that maybe this philosophy isn’t right and that you should stand up for what’s right. I couldn’t put this book down — it made my stomach hurt to learn about the Lebensborn, and wanted to know more because the author didn’t go into too much detail about the horror of this place, thankfully since it’s a children’s book. I really, really love this book for middle grade readers – it’s so good! (And don’t worry, Wendy escapes Germany for America in the end.)
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Wild Boy and the Black Terror by Rob Lloyd Jones HISTORICAL / MYSTERY
This second book in the series makes me so eager to read the first book — it’s really a fascinating story with it’s absolutely excellent character development and an intriguing plot. Wild Boy is literally covered in fur — yes, literally. He now lives with the Gentlemen who rescued he and his best friend, Clarissa, from the circus and the crazed Londoners who believed him to be a dangerous murderer. The Queen of England ask Wild Boy to solve the mystery of a most frightening terror that scares people to death — again, seemingly literally. Is is a really a demon’s curse or something more human at work?
The Girl in the Torch by Robert Sharenow HISTORICAL
The Girl in the Torch is a touching middle-grade historical fiction novel that follows an orphaned girls journey to America and struggle to stay. For awhile she hides out in the Statue of Liberty, then the watchman finds her and lets her stay at his boarding house. This is very well-written and shows a glimpse into the history of immigrants. I didn’t want to put it down once!
8th Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich REALISTIC
I’m in awe of how Rhuday-Perkovich created such a moving story and lovable main character, Reggie McKnight, an unpopular yet thoughtful middle-school student. I love this book!
The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke SCI-FI
What a fascinating, compelling story! When the government cracks down and discovers her mom’s secret lab, Nere learns that her mom has experimented on her . . . and many other kids . . . so that they can survive underwater. Suddenly Nere has gills and is forced to swim for her life to meet up with the other kids who are part of the Neptune Project, traveling to where her not-really-dead-after-all father has built an underwater headquarters. The journey is dangerous and there’s tension within the group. Will they survive the trip and if they do, to what end? (The second book, The Neptune Challenge, is also fantastic.)
Above World by Jenn Reese SCI-FI
The gist of the Above World series is that the humans were created to live into tech-dependent, animal-morphed groups who were lab created for different climates – mer people, snake people, centaur, bird people – and the groups have mostly remained separate from each other. The main character, Aluna, a Kampii (mer), has left her clan in order to discover why the clan is dying. In Mirage, she and her unique group of friends must try to convince the Equian colonies that the evil Karl Strand is trying to take over Above World. These books pack in the action and adventure with such creative storytelling, I highly recommend them!
The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and A Boy Called Eel by Deborah Hopkinson HISTORICAL FICTION
Wow. You’ll not only learn a TON from this historical fiction novel, but it is thoroughly mesmerizing! Eel is an orphan who turns one of his odd jobs into saving live when he helps a real historical person, Dr. Snow, determine if the water pump in Eel’s neighborhood is the source of the deadly cholera.
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine REALISTIC
Caitlin’s brother Devon is killed in a school shooting, leaving Caitlin, who has Aspergers, to make sense of the world on her own, with out his compassionate and understanding guidance. Her father isn’t helpful, he’s lost in his grief. So when Caitlin reads about grief and closure, she decides to go after closure in a literal, hands-on way. And it will help both she and her father build their relationship and let go of Devon. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read — so powerful and honest, I loved it.
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi FANTASY
Magic and color are closely linked in her world. Only Alice has no color in her skin or hair. And her Father has been missing for years making her even more sad. She travels with a boy named Oliver to a different magical land in order to find and rescue her Father. But the rules are wildly different and the inhabitants eat people for their magic. Even though Oliver and Alice start their quest at odds, the many challenges join them in a solid friendship. Furthermore is a uniquely creative plot that is so well written, you won’t want it to end.
It All Comes Down to This by Karen English
Experience the 60s in Los Angeles, a turbulent time of racism and burgeoning activism, from the perspective of Sophie, a sweet black girl who lives in an all white neighborhood. Her parents’ marriage is in trouble, her sister is about to leave for college, and her best (white) friend has moved on. Surprisingly, Sophie’s strict, disapproving housekeeper becomes an ally, something Sophie needs during the challenges of life and growing up. Well-crafted story and characters.
Out of Abaton, The Wooden Prince by John Claude Bemis STEAMPUNNK
In this unique, amazing reimagined Pinocchio story, Pinocchio is an automa whose been sent by the magical, imprisoned king of Abaton, a land with elemental magic, to a fugitive alchemist named Geppetto. Geppetto believes the king sent Pinocchio to be his new son and sets out to rescue the king. As their adventures ensue and they get separated, it’s clear that Pinocchio is becoming flesh and blood, a real boy with feelings and independent thoughts. He meets and befriends half-beasts (chimeras) with Abaton origins, a slave boy, and the sylph princess of Abaton, all who work with him to rescue Geppetto and the king, who end up in the belly of a the Deep One. It’s an exciting, interesting story with a very surprising, fantastic ending.
The Lost Kingdom by Matthew J. Kirby HISTORICAL FANTASY
The wild west plus fantastical elements combine in this marvelous adventure of an expedition to find the lost people of the Welsh Prince Madoc. This is the wild west like you’ve never imagined. And you’ll love it.
I Am the Mission by Allen Zadoff ADVENTURE
The second book in the Unknown Assassin series, this fast-paced adventure will keep your kids (advanced readers and teens) hooked until the last page. At least it did for me. In this story, we pick up after the last assignment where our teenage assassin had doubts, botched the job initially, and then finished it. This new assignment is to kill the leader of a radical militia camp for teenagers. Only everything goes wrong. Like maybe his handlers want him dead, too!
Winterling by Sarah Prunes FANTASY
In the forest Fer finds a puck who shows her the secret passage to another world – a world of magic where she feels like she belongs finally. But who were Fer’s parents and why does the evil Mor want to keep the land in endless winter? I think this book should be more recognized – it’s a great adventure.
Constable & Toop by Gareth P. Jones HORROR
Don’t worry, this isn’t scary like you might imagine. It’s an interesting imagining of the ghost world. Some ghosts work for the “Ghost Bureau” – a predictably stuffy governing agency that does very little. Other ghosts are stuck haunting houses and can’t escape. Yet other ghosts are rogues. In this story, the Black Rot is killing haunted house ghosts. And they don’t reappear. So it’s up to a bumbling ghost named Mr. Lapsewood to find out how to stop it. Totally entertaining and very well-written.
Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper REALISTIC
Now that Elyse is twelve, it’s not just the words that other people say about her that appear on her skin, but also her own self talk. The words stay about two weeks and the negative words itch badly. Because there are a lot of negative words right now ever since her best friend’s ditched her. Anonymous notes encourage Elyse to try new things, and grow out of her comfort zone. She does and is surprised with the positive results including a self acceptance. This would be an interesting book to discuss with a book group!
Thrones of Bones Frostborn by Lou Andres FANTASY
Two misfits — a boy named Karn who is only good at playing a board game, and a girl named Thianna who is a half-human, half-giantess — unexpectedly partner to survive deadly soldiers, undead warriors, trolls, and a dragon. I absolutely loved this adventure and can’t wait for the next in the series. Plus, I’m so happy to see that Norse mythology is growing in popularity with writers. The only thing I suggest is that you to make sure to use the glossary as you read — there are many words which aren’t commonly known and specific to Norse culture.
Freakling by Lana Krumwiede FANTASY
What I loved about Freakling was the author did an amazing job with the ending – thank you to her for that! (Don’t you hate a book you love but the authors end on a cliff hanger OR just hurry through the conclusion and ruin it!?) Anyway, this is a dystopian novel about a group of people with the power to do things with their mind. It’s a power that can be used for good or bad, and the leaders of the city, Taemon suspects, are using it for supreme control and evil. It’s a great story, with a different angle than most dystopians. I really enjoyed it.
The Living by Matt de la Pena ADVENTURE
Shy is a teenager from the ‘hood working on a cruise line when a huge earthquake causes a tsunami that sinks the ship. As you can imagine, it’s a harrowing fight for survival on the open ocean with only a spoiled rich girl, and when they eventually make it to an island, there’s a strange illness, men with guns, and more danger than trying to survive on the ocean.
The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari REALISTIC
I read this cover to cover in one sitting, totally mesmerized. This book is a journey of grief with a tempting allegorical shadow world where Charlie and Imogene Price’s mom is “alive”. But not everything is right in this shadow world world where you lose memories, especially the sad ones, to “feed” family members who have died. Charlie is afraid he’ll lose his sister, Imogene. forever to the shadow world, like he did his best friend, Frank. So well-written, this is a thoughtful treatment of emotions and grief — I highly recommend it, especially for book club discussions.
Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan W. Stokes ADVENTURE (ages 8 – 12)
Addison and Molly’s archeologist aunt and uncle are kidnapped for their specialized knowledge about the Incas and their famed, hidden treasure. But the kidnappers have underestimated the persistence and brilliance of Addison and Molly who, with their friends, pursue the treasure and their aunt and uncle. Action-packed.
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd MYSTERY
I struggled a bit with the British words– maybe your kids will as well. (It’s a great opportunity to learn to make inferences with British vocabulary!) All that aside, this middle grade novel is a puzzling mystery that only the boy named Ted who seems to be on the spectrum (his brain is different but not explained) can solve. How did his cousin disappear from a closed pod on the London Eye? The enjoyable action and intrigue will keep your attention throughout — and you’ll wonder why you didn’t guess the ending before Ted.
Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle by N.D. Wilson FANTASY
By the same author as 100 Cupboards, this is a creative, thrilling, action-packed time-traveling adventure. Our hero, Sam Miracle, is a foster kid with two bad arms, who sees things that no one else can — things in a parallel world. Of course, he’s got enemies who wish to stop him. In fact, those enemies have killed him many times in past versions of the world. But with the help of a wise Native American healer, a Native American priest, the two personality-filled snakes that have become his arms (!), and his friend, Glory, maybe, just maybe, Sam can live and save the world.
Cast Off: The Strange Adventures of Petra de Winter and Bram Broen by Eve Yohalem HISTORICAL
Petra escapes her abusive Dutch father by disguising herself as a boy and stowing away on a merchant ship. She’s befriended by a boy but soon discovered. The adventure of the two friends set amidst the history is absolutely fascinating. It’s a great book!
Friends for Life by Andrew Norriss REALISTIC
Jessica is a ghost who only Francis can see until two other outcast kids can see Jessica. The four friends spend happy times together until they decide to figure out how Jessica died. When they discover it was a suicide, the friends each reveal their own struggles with suicidal thoughts. The conclusion is very heart-warming with the message that we often all feel alone but we really aren’t if so many others feel the same way, too.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor REALISTIC
This book hooked me from the first page, taking me on a coming of age story that was both heartbreaking and filled with hope. Perry is well-loved by his mother and her friends. . . in prison. That’s where Perry has lived since he was born eleven years ago. But in an unexpected and unpleasant turn of events, his best friend’s stepfather, the new District Attorney, forces Perry to leave the prison. Not only that, the DA tries to stall Perry’s mother’s parole hearing. Perry discovers the stories behind the inmates lives, hoping that they’ll be helpful in reuniting him with his mother. This story will stay with you long after you read the last page.
The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen FANTASY
Calen purposely apprentices himself to the worst, most evil mage in the world, Krelig. He’s done so in hopes to learn enough to defeat Krelig. Without this knowledge, Calen is sure that Krelig will destroy all other mages and take over the world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this magical story; Calen is a courageous hero to love! (The first book is Dragon of Trelian but I didn’t realize I was reading the 2nd book until after I finished.)
Tales from the Haunted Mansion Vol 1 The Fearsome Foursome as told by mansion librarian Amicus Ravenswood HORROR (ages 8 – 12)
“It began at a lunch table, where a good number of friendships are born.” I love this first line! And yes, it does begin in a cafeteria where four kids learn they all have something in common — horror stories. When their clubhouse is mysteriously destroyed, they receive invitations to visit a creepy Gothic mansion. There they meet a corpse-like “librarian” who says he wants to tell the kids stories about . . . themselves. Well-written with illustrations, scary story fans will enjoy this story of friendship and terror.
Peas and Carrots by Tanita S. Davis REALISTIC
This beautiful story will grab your heart! Dess is a surviver who is reunited with her baby brother in his long term foster home which Dess helped him get after she called social services on her mother. The foster family loves on both kids but their biological daughter Hope struggles between jealousy and compassion for her new sibling. Just as Dess finally starts to trust her foster family, her mother wants her back. (Oh, and interestingly enough, the foster family is black and Dess is white.) There’s way more to the story of course but you should know that it’s a thought-provoking coming-of-age book about family and hard choices.
Bot Wars by J.V. Kade SCI-FI
Trout’s dad disappeared in The Bot Wars. When Trout makes a plea for his missing dad on a vid that goes viral, things go crazy FAST. Like the government trying to kidnap him. What do they know that he doesn’t know? A fast-paced, excellent adventure!
Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet HISTORICAL
I was hooked by this mysterious plot about a boy named Noah whose parents one day tell him they’re moving to East Germany, he has a different name and birthdate, and they must never talk about what’s going on or what they really feel. It’s 1989. Once there, Noah who is now called Jonah meets a sad little girl named Claudia. While there are some plot holes that are never addressed, this story gives us a glimpse into the fearful environment of this communist country just before the Berlin Wall comes down.
Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand REALISTIC
This is an amazing, beautiful story about facing your feelings, even big, huge depression sadness. It’s also a story that mixes the allegory of an imaginary kingdom named Everwood, a place Finley has written about forever but now finds in the back of her grandparent’s house, with the hope and healing that only pretend play can offer children. This is also a mystery story — what happened to make Finley’s father leave and never return? and why does Finley’s grandma hate the neighbors so much? Some Kind of Happiness is multi-layered, thought-provoking, and exquisite that addresses the big topics of divorce, secrets, and depression.
Messenger The Legend of Joan of Arc A Graphic Novel by Tony Lee and Sam Hart
Tween and teen readers probably don’t know the true story of Joan of Arc. While the authors don’t claim that this is anything but fiction, I would say it’s closer to nonfiction since it’s based on historical facts. It’s amazing to see Joan never waver in her convictions and stand strong in the face of doubt and eventually death. This is an excellent depiction of her life.
Summerlost by Ally Condie REALISTIC
This is a dealing with grief, coming-of-age, mystery, and friendship story all in one sweet story. Cedar, her younger brother, and her mom spend the summer after her father and other brother’s death in a small town with a Shakespeare festival. Cedar befriends Leo who helps her get a job at the festival. The duo also start giving unofficial tours about the town’s most famous resident, an actress who died under mysterious circumstances.
It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas HISTORICAL FICTION
Although it may sound like a heavy book, this is a funny, realistic story about growing up and living in a culture that is not your own. It’s the late 1970s and Zomorod (Cindy) and her family are back in the U.S. from Iran –again. She’s desperate to fit in with the other kids but faces both family pressures and anti-Iranian prejudice.
The Girl with the Ghost Machine by Lauren DeStefano GHOST
CONTINUE to more book recommendations for 12 year olds (7th grade)
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Cathy says
I’d like to add “Emmet’s Storm” (best STEM book 2017) and the second in the series “Inga’s Amazing Ideas”… both historical fiction with real life science incorporated into the narrative. Emmet spends time with batteries and electrical sciences, while Inga is more focused on mechanical sciences. Both are curricular bridges with social studies. Written by a retired science teacher.
Mariah Martinez says
This is a suggestion, you should try to put in a thumbs up and down next to each book. I saw some books that I’ve read and i would love to give feedback!
Deborah Hopkinson says
Thanks for this great list and including my book on it.
For advanced readers, I often recommend that they read my The Great Trouble along with the adult nonfiction book The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson on the same topic.. Steven’s PBS series How We Got to Now is also fantastic. And I think with Zika in the news it is a subject that parents and kids can discuss together, since Dr. John Snow was the founder of epidemiology.
When I present in middle schools, I meet lots of kids interested in nonfiction. Highly recommended: anything by Steve Sheinkin, Pamela Turner’s new SAMURAI RISING, paired with Margi Preus’s historical fiction takes readers to Japan; Tobin Anderson’s Symphony of the Dead takes place in Russia and could be paired with Candy Fleming’s The Family Romanov.
Ruta Sepetys’s new historical fiction, Salt to the Sea is definitely YA. I also loved Elizabeth Wein’s Black Dove, White Raven. Elizabeth’s WWII books like Code Name Verity are definitely for advanced readers. But I would say these are all good middle school titles.
And for summer, I think it’s fun to extend it to family activities like audiobooks or watching, say, films set in the same time period (eg, WWII) or place. I once had a 2nd grader ask if my Titanic book was based on the movie. My new book, A Bandit’s Tale, The Muddled Misadventures of a Pickpocket, is set in NYC and it would be fun to do a list with books set there, including When You Reach Me.
This happened to us – my husband brought home the classic German U-Boat film, Das Boot, and we got hooked on submarine movies. (And my next book is called DIVE! WWII Stories of Sailors and Submarines in the Pacific.) I’m watching Wolf Hall now, and writing a story in an anthology for middle schoolers of the wives of Henry VII.
Happy reading!
Deborah Hopkinson
Melissa Taylor says
thanks so much, Deborah!
kayla says
awesome
Heather says
Would love to see a list for advanced readers. I’m looking for books with a lexile above 1000 but for a 4th grade student. I’m looking for age appropriate content. So no scarlet letter or the like. Any suggestions?
Melissa Taylor says
Are you looking for more “literature” than popular fiction or does it matter? I’m happy to help make a good list that a 4th grader would be interested in reading. Give me a few days . . .
Melissa Taylor says
Here you go! http://imaginationsoup.net/challenging-books-for-young-advanced-readers/
Ali says
I would definitely recommend the Percy Jackson series, the first book is “the lighting thief”
Annette says
I wish the reading levels reflected more of a challenge for the age.
Most of the books I looked up were all at 4th and 5th grade reading levels.
I would love to see books like these written for the more advanced reader
in a skill level more indicative of the grade level.
Why does the publishing world ignore more advanced readers without
subjecting them to a more advanced (mature) concepts?
Kind of a rhetorical question, unless someone has an answer??????
Melissa Taylor says
About a third of these are YA so are you including those in your assessment of the reading level? The rest of the recommendations are middle grade which, as you probably know, is the wide range of 8 – 12 year olds. I’ve tried to select the books that I feel are of interest for 12 year olds maturity-wise and around grade level. What are you thinking for maturity that is missing?
I am writing a list of books that are all challenging — stay tuned! And, if you have any other thoughts or suggestions, please let me know! ([email protected])
Thanks!
Melissa Taylor says
Here’s a list with more advanced reading levels — http://imaginationsoup.net/challenging-books-for-young-advanced-readers/
Hannah says
Cool! I want to read these books now! I hadn’t even heard of some of these books.
Wonder is a MUST-READ for everyone!