10+ Best New Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the latest page-turners for your tween? Our curated list of new books for 12-year-olds is brimming with exciting reads that are perfect for young bookworms looking to embark on new adventures. From captivating tales that spark imagination to stories that resonate with the pre-teen experience, we've got something for everyone. Keep reading to discover our top picks of new books for 12-year-olds that can't be missed!

Fun New Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Coyote travels across the country in an old school bus with her dad, Rodeo. As they meet new friends and tackle challenges, Coyote secretly plans to return home to retrieve a memory box she left behind.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that addresses themes of grief and healing. The journey and the characters are engaging, making it a wonderful read for those looking to see resilience and adventure in action.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and readers who enjoy stories about family and self-discovery.

• A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, illustrated by Mónica Armiño
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the harrowing journey of a young wolf named Swift who gets separated from his pack and must survive in the wild, facing both natural and man-made challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an exciting and detailed view of the natural world through the eyes of a wolf, promoting empathy for animals and interest in wildlife conservation.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in nature and survival stories.

• The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Three siblings come home to find their mother missing and a mysterious set of clues that suggest a connection to a cryptic event. They must work together to uncover the truth and find their mother.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling page-turner with a clever mix of mystery and science fiction elements. It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and fans of suspenseful, thought-provoking stories.

• New Kid by Jerry Craft
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel tells the story of Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock when he enrolls at a prestigious private school. Through his eyes, readers explore themes of identity and belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles important topics like race and social class in an accessible and relatable way, enhanced by its engaging graphic novel format.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy visually driven narratives and stories about diversity and inclusion.

• The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Humor
  • Synopsis: When Caitlyn Breen enters her new school, she finds herself involved in a reality TV-style competition to find the next class legend, succeeding the infamous Paulie Fink.
  • Why we recommend this book: The novel creatively combines humor with a thoughtful exploration of leadership and friendship. It's a fun read that also prompts reflection on what makes someone truly memorable or impactful.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good laugh and stories about school life and forming unexpected friendships.

Educational New Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid by Dylan Thuras and Rosemary Mosco, illustrated by Joy Ang
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, Adventure, Geography
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers on a journey to 100 of the world’s most mesmerizing and mysterious places, from natural wonders to historical and cultural landmarks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, cultural awareness, curiosity about the world
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands horizons and encourages exploration, offering a fascinating glimpse into lesser-known parts of our planet.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

• The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: A girl genius, struck by lightning, gains extraordinary math skills and must navigate middle school after years of homeschooling.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematics, social skills, dealing with personal challenges
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story about overcoming adversity and the importance of friendship and acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love math or those who face their own unique challenges.

• Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Max Einstein, a 12-year-old genius, is recruited by a mysterious organization to solve some of the world's toughest problems using science.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Science, problem-solving, innovation
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines real science with thrilling adventures, inspiring readers to think creatively and care about global issues.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any kid who dreams of making a difference.

• Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Cruz Coronado joins the prestigious Explorer Academy and soon finds himself embroiled in a mysterious plot that could change the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, technology, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with puzzles, codes, and high-stakes adventure, perfect for keeping pages turning.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring explorers and lovers of mystery and technology.

• The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Music, Culture
  • Synopsis: A young girl, struggling to find her place after moving to a new city, creates a punk band and embraces her love for music and her Mexican-American heritage.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural identity, creativity, self-expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a lively and inspiring story about embracing who you are and expressing yourself through art.
  • Perfect for: Young musicians and anyone trying to find their voice.

Challenging New Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: After her parents' divorce, Bea learns that her father is gay and is getting remarried to his boyfriend. This book explores her emotions and experiences as she prepares for the wedding and deals with changes in her family.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex family dynamics and LGBTQ+ themes, requiring readers to engage with emotionally sophisticated topics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written story that promotes empathy and understanding of diverse family structures.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in contemporary issues and emotional growth.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magical Realism
  • Synopsis: This enchanting story follows a young girl named Luna, who is accidentally imbued with moon magic and must learn to control her powers while uncovering the dark secrets of her world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel's intricate plot and richly developed characters provide a deep and engaging reading experience that goes beyond typical middle-grade books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a spellbinding tale that combines magic with meaningful lessons about love and power.
  • Perfect for: Fantasy enthusiasts and readers who love stories with strong, magical heroines.

• Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This novel weaves together the stories of three young people in the WWII era, connected by a mysterious harmonica that impacts their individual journeys in profound ways.
  • Why this book is challenging: It blends historical context with magical elements and requires readers to make connections across different narratives and time periods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique narrative structure and the chance to explore historical events through a fantastical lens.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a mix of history and magic and those who enjoy interlinked stories.

• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: As Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that seem to predict the future, she must piece together the clues to prevent a tragic death.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story's complex plot involves elements of time travel and puzzles that challenge the reader's understanding of narrative and time.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thought-provoking puzzle of a book that combines elements of mystery and speculative fiction with real-life issues.
  • Perfect for: Fans of mysteries and science fiction, and readers who like stories that make them think.

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Roz, a robot, finds herself stranded on a remote, wild island and must learn to survive and navigate the challenges of the natural environment and its animal inhabitants.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of technology, nature, and what it means to be alive, presenting these ideas in a way that is accessible yet thought-provoking for younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book combines adventure with deep philosophical questions, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are fascinated by robots and nature, and those who enjoy stories about survival and adaptation.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into some of the exciting new books for 12-year-olds, it’s a great opportunity to develop strong reading habits. Here are a few fun and effective exercises that can help turn reading into a more engaging and beneficial activity. Let’s check them out!

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or a set amount of time to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps build a reading routine.
  • Tips: Start small, maybe 10 pages or 15 minutes, and gradually increase as you get more comfortable.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes reading time special and enjoyable.
  • Tips: Make it cozy with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and maybe even some decorations!

• Reading Buddy System
  • What it is: Pair up with a friend to read the same book.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity and can motivate you to read more.
  • Tips: Schedule regular discussions to talk about the book, share ideas, and ask each other questions.

• Book Selection Day
  • What it is: Dedicate a day to choose new books to read.
  • How it helps: Keeps reading exciting and gives you something to look forward to.
  • Tips: Explore different genres and authors to expand your horizons.

• Summarize Chapters
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after you read it.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of what you’ve read.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries short and sweet; try to stick to three to four sentences.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Spend some time reading out loud from your book.
  • How it helps: Enhances pronunciation and helps you engage more deeply with the text.
  • Tips: Try different voices for different characters to make it more fun and engaging.

These exercises aren’t just about improving your reading skills—they’re about making reading a fun and integral part of your life. Whether you’re curling up in your new reading nook or summarizing chapters to boost retention, each step you take builds a stronger foundation for lifelong reading. Enjoy your new books and happy reading!