Have you curled up with a good book lately? As your child gets older, don’t forget the importance of reading aloud–yes, to each other! Reading experts note that reading to older children provides amazing benefits as well as providing opportunities for that sometimes hard to find snuggle time. If that doesn’t work with your child, read the same book, independently, then talk about it later Here are some titles to consider. Enjoy!
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly. Glenwillow, 2018. Middle school friendships and online communications are explored in this book as 12 year old Charlotte and 11 year old Ben experience tumultuous weeks yet stay connected through their online Scrabble game. Appropriate for ages 8-12.
Two Men and a Car: Franklin Roosevelt, Al Capone, and a Cadillac V-8 by Michael Garland. Parallel stories comparing the life of FDR to that of notorious mobster Al Capone.
Midsummer Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca. Little Bee Books, 2019. 11-year old Mimi’s life takes a turn for the strange when a new cafe in town opens up.
Tight by Torrey Madlonado. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018. Brian is someone many tweens can relate to. He’s an introvert who’s navigating societal pressures, and considering what to do about a potentially toxic friendship.
Rebound by Kwame Alexander. HMH Books, 2018. For tweens who “don’t like books” this is a bit different! It features graphic novel panels and a story told in verse, with rythmes that mimic the bounce of Jordan and Josh Bell’s basketballs. This book is a prequel to the popular book by the same author, The Crossover.
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer. Dial Books, 2019. Brett and Avery find out their dads are dating and are sending them to summer camp together. They are NOT friends and conspire to stop the relationship and the plans for camp. This middle-grade novel is sweet and funny.
Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. HarperCollins, 2018. Melly and Olivia are best friends, and they do everything together, from joining band in 5th grade to going to rock-and-roll camp three years later. But the timing isn’t good– the day before leaving for camp, Melly finds out her parents are divorcing. Publishers Weekly calls this book “a story about growing pains, turning points, and self-discovery.”
Need more ideas? Read The Big Issue’s list of Top 5 Books to Read Before You’re 12
