I’m a big believer in the “4 Gift Rule” for holiday giving: 1) Something they want, 2) Something they need, 3) Something to wear, and 4) Something to read. As the founder of Bookopolis.com, you can guess which one is my favorite. If you’re unsure what book to get the young reader in your life, ask them questions about what movies they like, YouTube channels they follow, things they do in their free time, or the last book they enjoyed.
Here are 22 ‘kid-approved’ picks for tween readers, including titles for those who like magical adventures, inspiring sports stories, sad but hopeful coming-of-age tales, page-turning mysteries, mind-bending riddles, and more.
no no 9780593429464 The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
When Sky goes to live with her mysterious uncle, she doesn’t know she will meet two new best friends — an alien and a hedgehog. Hilarious antics, lovable characters, and engaging artwork make this highly illustrated novel an excellent choice for kids who love series like The Last Kids on Earth.
9780593385920 Who Is the Man in the Air?: Michael Jordan by Gabe Soria and Who HQ, illustrated by Brittney Williams
Part of the WHO HQ Graphic Novels series, this book celebrates the grit, willpower, and sheer athleticism of Michael Jordan during the famous 1997 “Flu Game.” Perfect for sports fans or anyone who loves an inspiring story about overcoming adversity.
9780593325179 Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
An emotion-filled coming-of-age story about the power of family told from 12-year-old Addie Ramírez’s perspective. When her stepfather offers to adopt her, she goes on a mission to uncover more about her biological family that leads to a journey of self-reflection and acceptance.
Gift Guides, Holiday Stories, & More!
![❄]()
EXPLORE NOW ![❄]()
EXPLORE NOW
no no 9780593310526 Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by Tae Keller
When middle schooler Jennifer Chan goes missing, her classmate Mallory becomes obsessed with finding her. The mystery of why Mallory cares so deeply slowly unfolds in this gripping story about friendship, bullying, being yourself, and… aliens. Sad yet hopeful, this beautifully written story tackles ‘real kid issues’ like belonging and identity in a kid-appropriate way.
9780593435465 Would You Rather? Family Challenge! Edition by Lindsey Daly
This is my favorite icebreaker and family road trip game. With over 160 prompts, this book will lead to hours of family fun, creativity, and thoughtfulness as participants answer questions like: Would you rather jump into a pool filled with paint or a huge pile of glitter? Would you rather have a one-on-one lesson with Socrates or Albert Einstein? Would you rather spend an hour floating around in space or swimming in the depths of the ocean?
9780593479421 Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib
Imagine a theme park that lets you experience your wildest dreams — that’s Futureland. When a few kids go missing from the park, the founders’ son, Cam, embarks on a mission to find the kids and the truth. Part science-fiction, part mystery, this illustrated novel is a page-turning adventure perfect for fans of hero’s journey story arcs.
9780593235836 Fruits by Jo Firestone and Josh Knapp
If your tween loves playing games like Uno or Gin Rummy, they will go bananas for Fruits! Players work to collect fruit cards and harvest bunches to earn points. But be careful. Some sneaky cards are scattered throughout the deck that might spoil your bunch — but never the fun!
9780593483152 Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
Young readers adore this humor-filled adventure tale that has a heartwarming friendship story at its core. When Hilo, a superhero robot, falls from the sky, he’s befriended by two earthling kids, D.J. and Gina, and the trio must work together to save the planet. It’s perfect for fans of series like Big Nate and Dog Man.
9780593376478 Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger
Jessica and Elizabeth are back! A new generation of readers can get to know the beloved Sweet Valley twins as they navigate the ups and downs of middle school and learn that it’s okay to have your own interests. Full of heart and humor, this series is excellent for fans of books like Sisters and Real Friends.
9780593405239 The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
The eighth book in this bestselling series reunites the four “last” kids on a mission to take out the evil Thrull, who is threatening to destroy the entire dimension. This book is jam-packed with intense action, witty dialogue, and meaningful friendships.
9780399545443 Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
ZJ is excited to have his dad home more now that he’s retired from the NFL. However, his dad forgets things, acts strangely, and is almost always irritated. This novel-in-verse shares the touching story of one family as it explores prominent societal themes around sports and race.
9780593379936 Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia
This compilation of short stories by beloved Black male and non-binary authors celebrates the experiences of Black boys and teens through fantastical adventures, realistic dramas, humorous antics, and page-turning mysteries.
9781524770488 Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Geneva B
When 9-year-old Jaxon discovers that “Ma,” the cranky old woman who babysits him, is actually a witch, he helps her deliver three baby dragons back to their magical world. Mystery, magic, and humor collide in this excellent fantasy series that weaves in themes like segregation, appreciating our differences, and belonging in an age-appropriate way.
9780744063462 The Met Amazing Treasures Coloring Book by Meghann Rader
Discover all of the treasures the Metropolitan Museum of Art has to offer, all without leaving the house! In this mesmerizing coloring book, your tween can add their own style to all of the iconic works found in the Met.
9781984830258 Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Maizy is not excited when her mom forces her to spend the summer in the small town of Last Chance, Minnesota, to help her grandparents run their family restaurant, The Golden Palace. But, when Maizy tries to solve a racially motivated crime, she discovers big secrets about her immediate family and her ancestors who first immigrated from China. Heart, humor, and an incredible cast of characters make this a highly engaging story that also shines a light on the dark challenges experienced by many Chinese immigrants.
9780593436028 The Ultimate Riddle Game for Kids by Zeitgeist
This book will keep kids of all ages laughing and problem-solving for hours. It offers a mix of “quick hitter” short riddles, math logic problems, and longer stories filled with more complex situations to solve. It is a fantastic gift to get the whole family’s creative juices flowing.
9780593325438 The Invisible Spy (The Forgotten Five, Book 2) by Lisa McMann
Part X-Men, part spy story, this is a fantastical adventure series by the author of the beloved Unwanteds series. Five kids with supernatural powers have grown up together on a remote island after their parents fled persecution by city dwellers who resented their powers. All the adults have disappeared or died, leaving the kids behind with a mysterious note and a secret map.
9780593126318 Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau
Set in 1935 during the Great Depression, 11-year-old Turtle gets sent to live with unknown relatives in the Florida Keys. She comes out of her proverbial shell as she discovers a new way of life. Full of adventure, humor, and a healthy serving of family drama, this award-winning book is now available as a graphic novel.
9780375850868 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This perennial favorite for older tweens blends elements of science fiction and friendship drama with the twists and turns of a page-turning mystery. Miranda and Sal have been NYC neighbors and best friends forever. Suddenly, Sal starts doing out-of-character things (like punching another kid), and Miranda finds odd notes with mysterious messages about saving a life. The friends must work together to solve a puzzle and prevent a tragedy.
9780375822742 The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Ember is a city created by the Builders to harbor and protect the human race. But their utopia starts to crumble as food becomes scarce and energy less stable. Two young citizens, Lina and Doon, discover an ancient scroll that might hold the secret to escaping and saving the people of Ember. But will anybody listen? Suspense, adventure, and epic world-building make this a favorite for fans of dystopian stories. Available as a ‘regular’ book or graphic novel.
9780440419396 Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
When Roy moves to a new middle school in Coconut Grove, Florida, he must figure out how to stand up to the school bully and land developers who want to destroy the natural habitat of endangered owls. This laugh-out-loud funny story is full of action, adventure, and a profound message about environmental conservation.
9780142403709 Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
What would it be like to be a kid living on Alcatraz Island when the infamous Al Capone was imprisoned there? That’s the premise of this engaging and suspenseful historical fiction series centered on “Moose” Flanagan, who juggles making new friends, parental relationships, and an autistic sister — while living on an island with some of the worst criminals of all time.
yes yes More Giftable Reads for Book-Loving Tweens: 9781984837141 Pages and Co.: The Bookwanderers by Anna James, illustrated by Paola Escobar
A magical adventure for book lovers? Yes, please! If your kids are obsessed with The Land of Stories series, they’ll love this book. Tilly enjoys working at her grandparents’ bookshop, but when the characters from her favorite books walk into the store, she discovers there’s more to the bookshop than she thought. As Tilly follows the characters into their stories, she finds adventure, danger, and clues that could help her find her missing mom. Be sure to check out the rest of the series: The Lost Fairy Tales, The Map of Stories, and the latest book in the series, The Book Smugglers, out 12/14/2021.
9780399580727 Let’s Make Comics! by Jess Smart Smiley
This fun, low-pressure activity book teaches readers how to draw comics while pulling them into one. Each (silly!) page guides readers through a simple skill like creating facial expressions or brainstorming ideas for characters and story plots. On their own, the pages are a fun, creative exercise, but when you put them all together, you can create your very own comic.
9780593232286 Kid in the Kitchen by Melissa Clark and Daniel Gercke
If you know a chef-in-the-making, this is the perfect book for them! Kid in the Kitchen includes 100 fun recipes and lots of tips, tricks, and substitutions. With fun names like Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits Put a Spell on You, Buttery Mashed Potato Cloud, and Fast Pho, bite-sized chefs will be eager to get in the kitchen — and dig into their creations!
9780593203415 One Life: Young Readers Edition by Megan Rapinoe
Learn more about soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe in this middle grade adaptation of her memoir, One Life. From her personal experiences in childhood, on the soccer field, and beyond, Megan discusses the importance of speaking up and making the world a better place.
9780593179147 Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart with Geoff Rodkey, illustrated by David Cooper
Stand-up comedian Kevin Hart brings readers an illustrated novel about a kid who wants to turn his superhero cartoon into a movie. But Marcus doesn’t know how to make a movie, and he needs a lot of help from his classmates — including the bully Marcus wants to cast as the villain.
9780525555032 How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani
Tackling big topics like Jewish identity, interracial marriage, and prejudice, this book, which takes place in the 60s, addresses current hot-button issues while looking through a historical lens. Ariel Goldberg’s life is a mess — her family’s Jewish bakery is not doing well, and her sister just married an Indian man, much to the chagrin of their parents. With everything changing, Ariel must use her voice to stand up for what she believes.
9780147515636 Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan W. Stokes
It’s up to Addison, his sister, and their friends to figure out the mystery of the Incan treasure so they can rescue their kidnapped aunt and uncle. Not to worry, Addison is smart, charming, and totally overconfident … so what could go wrong? Hilarious characters, fast-paced action scenes, and lots of archaeology references make this a favorite middle grade read amongst Brightly readers.
9780593323373 Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann
Clarice and Charles Sebastian, siblings and ship mice, are in trouble. They’re afraid of both the sea (which took their mother) and the ship’s cat (who ate their sister) and are hiding out when a mutiny separates them. Clarice winds up on a leaky boat with the cat while Charles Sebastian gets stuck on the ship with mutineers and angry chickens. Will they be able to survive and find each other again?
9780553508116 Pony by R.J. Palacio
From the author of Wonder comes a historical novel about love and courage. Silas’s dad gets kidnapped in the middle of the night, leaving him all alone — except for a teenage ghost named Mittenwool. When the kidnappers’ pony shows up, Silas heads out to search for his dad with a reluctant Mittenwool in tow.
9781950785308 Food Network Magazine: The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book foreword by Maile Carpenter, edited by Food Network Magazine
Novice bakers will think this book is sweet! Featuring 110+ super simple recipes that the Food Network Kitchen has tested, this cookbook includes tips, fun facts, and colorful photos of each recipe. Recipes include everything from muffins and bars to cookies and fake cakes (think sweet, yummy cakes that look like grilled cheese or spaghetti and meatballs). There are even edible crafts and games included in a special section at the end.
9780593205464 Kitty Quest by Phil Corbett
Two kitten friends start a business as monster slayers, but they don’t actually expect to face one. So, when they get their first job, it requires courage, luck, and a little help from a new friend to succeed. This hilarious graphic novel features ghosts, monsters, and wild beasts — plus two bumbling novices who try their best to save the day.
9780593303740 Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers by Michelle Obama
Reworked for young people, Michelle Obama uses her memoir to ask: what do you want to become? In telling her story — from her roots on the South Side of Chicago to Princeton, Harvard Law, and the White House — Obama outlines how she lived the life she wanted to through hard work and determination, and shows young readers how to do the same.
9780593206973 Kiki Kallira Breaks the Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna
Drawing characters from Indian mythology has always helped ease Kiki’s anxiety — until the day her characters jump out of the pages of her sketchbook, and she falls right into their world. Kiki has to figure out how to save both the real world and the world in her notebook by defeating the evil god she created.
9780593306673 Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli
On Dead Wednesday, every eighth-grader in Amber Springs wears a black shirt and assumes the identity of a teenager who died in a preventable way. Worm is happy to have the town pretend he’s invisible for a day. After all, it’s not that different from a typical day. But he doesn’t expect the girl he’s assigned to show up and turn his life upside down.
9780593125557 The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast by Chad Sell
The kids from The Cardboard Kingdom are back, and this time they have a monster mystery to solve. Literally! A monster roams the neighborhood, and no one knows who it is — or even what it looks like. The friends join forces to protect the community and crack the case.
9780744029178 On This Day by DK
Want to know what cool things happened throughout history on your birthday? Or on April Fool’s Day? Or your dog’s birthday? This colorful, quirky, and engaging book is the perfect gift for trivia buffs. It takes readers through the history of the world using the calendar as its guide.
The post Holiday Book Gifts for Tweens <br>Ages 9 – 12 appeared first on Brightly.