10+ Best Books By Indian Authors for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for engaging and culturally rich books by Indian authors for 12-year-olds? You've come to the right place! Whether you're hoping to dive into captivating stories or explore new perspectives, our curated lists are packed with must-reads that cater specifically to pre-teens. Keep reading to discover our top picks of books by Indian authors for 12-year-olds, perfect for young readers eager to explore diverse narratives.

Fun Books By Indian Authors for 12-Year-Olds

• The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's literature
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around Binya, a young girl in a small village of Garhwal, who trades her leopard-claw necklace for a beautiful blue umbrella. This umbrella soon becomes the envy of the village, leading to a series of events that change Binya's life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a simple yet profound tale that teaches the values of kindness and the joy of simple pleasures. The narrative is easy to follow and deeply engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with moral lessons and picturesque settings.

• Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Haroun Khalifa’s father is a famous storyteller who loses his ability to tell stories. Haroun embarks on a fantastical journey to restore his father's talent, encountering magical creatures and bizarre adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination with its creative world-building and playful language, making it a delightful read that also touches on themes of freedom of speech and the importance of storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fantasy and adventure, and anyone looking for a story about the power of storytelling.

• The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Anand, a boy from Kolkata, who is entrusted with a magical conch shell that he must return to its rightful place in the Himalayas. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and meets various characters, both friend and foe.
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends fantasy with Indian mythology, offering a thrilling adventure that also educates about cultural heritage. The story is engaging and filled with moral dilemmas that are thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Fans of fantasy and mythology, or anyone interested in stories that combine magic with a journey of self-discovery.

• Swami and Friends by R.K. Narayan
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Coming-of-age
  • Synopsis: Set in the fictional town of Malgudi, the novel captures the adventures of a young boy, Swami, and his friends during the British Raj in India. Swami's life is full of amusing yet poignant incidents that portray the essence of childhood.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a nostalgic look at childhood and friendship through the lens of humor and simplicity. The characters are relatable, and the setting is vividly described, making it a charming read for all ages.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about school life and friendships, or anyone who likes tales with a nostalgic feel.

• Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Set in the Sunderbans, the story follows a young boy named Neel who sets out to find a missing tiger cub to save it from being sold by poachers. His journey is filled with challenges and decisions that test his morals and determination.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting adventure that also educates about environmental conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife. The illustrations add to the appeal, making it visually engaging as well.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and animal lovers, or anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with a strong moral grounding.

Educational Books By Indian Authors for 12-Year-Olds

• Small Acts of Freedom by Gurmehar Kaur
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book is a narrative of three generations of women from the same family, exploring their challenges and triumphs in India.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of modern Indian history, empathy, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a personal and inspiring look into the lives of strong women, encouraging young readers to reflect on the impact of history on personal lives.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in autobiographies and stories of personal courage.

• The Adventures of Stoob: Testing Times by Samit Basu
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Stoob, a high-spirited 10-year-old, faces the trials of his last year in primary school with both humor and anxiety.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, coping with change, humor writing
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a light-hearted, funny take on the fears and excitement faced by students transitioning from primary to middle school.
  • Perfect for: Children who are about to transition into a new school phase or who enjoy humorous stories.

• The Serpent’s Revenge: Unusual Tales from the Mahabharata by Sudha Murty
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Folk Tales
  • Synopsis: A collection of lesser-known stories from the Mahabharata, retold in a simple and engaging manner by Sudha Murty.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural knowledge, moral reasoning, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes ancient tales accessible and enjoyable, providing moral lessons through engaging storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in Indian mythology and those who enjoy stories that teach life lessons.

• Looking for the Rainbow: My Years with Daddy by Ruskin Bond
  • Genre(s): Memoir, Family
  • Synopsis: Ruskin Bond recounts the two years he spent with his father in Delhi during World War II, offering a tender look at his childhood and the special bond he shared with his father.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical context, emotional development, memoir writing
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully written memoir that captures the warmth and complexities of a father-son relationship during a tumultuous time.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical memoirs or stories about family bonds.

• A Children’s History of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta
  • Genre(s): History, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a comprehensive overview of Indian history from ancient times to the present, tailored for young readers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, critical thinking, understanding of India’s cultural and political history
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning history engaging and informative, with a narrative style suited to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Young historians or any child interested in learning more about India’s past.

Challenging Books By Indian Authors for 12-Year-Olds

• The Village by the Sea by Anita Desai
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Drama
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of a poor family in a small village in India and their struggles to survive and thrive against a backdrop of poverty.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with complex themes like poverty, resilience, and survival, which are presented through a nuanced and mature narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a realistic look into the hardships and small joys of rural life in India, encouraging empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate emotionally rich stories and are interested in social issues.

• The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Coming-of-age
  • Synopsis: The story follows Rusty, an orphaned sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy living in Dehradun, who yearns for love, companionship, and adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book explores themes of identity, belonging, and adolescence with a depth that can be introspective and thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story that resonates with anyone navigating the tricky waters of youth and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for stories about growth and self-discovery, and fans of character-driven narratives.

• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This autobiography of former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam details his rise from humble beginnings to become a leading aerospace scientist and later the President of India.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes technical descriptions of aerospace engineering and deep reflections on personal and professional growth that require a mature understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspiring and motivational, showing how determination and hard work can lead to tremendous achievements.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring scientists and leaders, or any young reader interested in a real-life success story.

• The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Historical
  • Synopsis: This novel explores the lives of individuals affected by the Nepalese insurgency in the mid-1980s, weaving together personal and political tragedies.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex issues such as colonialism, nationalism, and globalization, presented through sophisticated narrative techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a profound narrative that encourages deep thinking about history, politics, and human emotions.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical contexts and those looking to understand more complex global issues.

• Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
  • Synopsis: The book narrates the life of Saleem Sinai, born at the moment of India's independence, who finds himself mysteriously linked with 1,000 other children born at that hour with special powers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex narrative structure with elements of magical realism intertwined with historical events, requiring advanced reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a richly textured novel that blends history with fantasy, offering a unique way to understand important historical events.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who enjoy a blend of history, fantasy, and rich storytelling.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into books by Indian authors, that's fantastic! To make your reading journey even more enriching, especially for 12-year-olds, here are some fun exercises that will help develop great reading habits. Let's get started!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of books to read each month.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and creates a sense of achievement.
  • Tips: Start with a realistic number, and adjust as you go along.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific spot at home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes reading time special.
  • Tips: Make sure it's quiet, comfortable, and has good lighting.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Spend some time reading the book aloud.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps understand the text better.
  • Tips: Try different voices for different characters to make it fun.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Start a book club with a few friends who are also reading Indian authors.
  • How it helps: Allows sharing of perspectives and enhances comprehension.
  • Tips: Meet once a week to discuss a chapter or a book.

• Summarize Chapters
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after reading it.
  • How it helps: Helps in retaining and understanding the content better.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries short and to the point.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Write down any questions that arise while reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and deeper engagement with the text.
  • Tips: Discuss these questions with others or look for answers in the book or online.

• Visualize the Story
  • What it is: Imagine the scenes as you read, like watching a movie in your mind.
  • How it helps: Enhances creativity and makes reading more enjoyable.
  • Tips: Pay close attention to the descriptive parts of the book.

• Keep a Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Write down new words and their meanings.
  • How it helps: Improves language skills and helps in understanding the book better.
  • Tips: Use these new words in your daily conversations or writing.

That's it! With these exercises, you'll not only enjoy reading books by Indian authors but also boost your reading skills significantly. Remember, the key is consistency. Happy reading!