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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect adventure that will keep your 12-year-old glued to the pages? Look no further than our guide to the best Ninja Books for 12-Year-Olds! Whether your young reader is a budding ninja enthusiast or just loves a thrilling tale, these books promise to deliver excitement and intrigue. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to ignite their imagination and transport them to a world of stealthy missions and heroic escapades.

Fun Ninja Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Ninja! by Arree Chung
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: This lively book follows the adventures of a young boy who imagines himself as a ninja navigating through his family home, using everyday items to complete his secret mission.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with energy and creativity, encouraging kids to use their imagination and see the adventure in their everyday surroundings.
  • Perfect for: Energetic readers who love action-packed stories and using their imagination.

• Magic Tree House: Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this installment of the Magic Tree House series, Jack and Annie are whisked away to ancient Japan where they encounter ninjas and have to find an ancient book to help them in their quest.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces history and culture through a thrilling, magical adventure, making learning fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who enjoy time-travel stories and learning about different cultures.

• The Way of the Warrior (Young Samurai, Book 1) by Chris Bradford
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Adventure, Martial Arts
  • Synopsis: Shipwrecked on the shores of Japan, young Jack Fletcher is rescued by a samurai who teaches him the ways of the warriors. He must use his new skills to protect himself from dangerous rivals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling mix of action and historical detail, providing both entertainment and a glimpse into the life of samurai.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love action-packed historical tales and learning about samurai culture.

• Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fractured Fairy Tales, Humor
  • Synopsis: This twist on the classic fairy tale features a ninja-trained Red Riding Hood who must use her martial arts skills to deal with the tricky wolf.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and humorous retelling that encourages problem-solving and self-reliance.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fairy tales with a twist and humorous, action-filled stories.

• Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: This diary-format book follows 11-year-old Chase Cooper as he starts at a new school and is recruited into a ninja clan. He faces bullies, challenges, and adventures, all while trying to fit in.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor and school-life drama with exciting ninja action, making it relatable and engaging for tweens.
  • Perfect for: Middle schoolers who enjoy stories about school adventures and secret ninja missions.

Educational Ninja Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Ninja Boy's Secret by Tina Schneider
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young boy who learns to balance his love for ninja adventures with his emotional and social development.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to managing emotions and understanding the importance of balance in life, all within an exciting ninja-themed story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love adventure but also need guidance on emotional growth.

• The Ninja Club Sleepover by Laura Gehl, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Friendship, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A story of a girl who proves to her friends that she is a real ninja by planning a special sleepover filled with ninja-themed activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship skills, creativity, planning and organization
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the values of friendship and inclusivity through a fun and engaging storyline that captures the spirit of imagination and teamwork.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about friendship and creative play.

• Ninja in the Kitchen (Moby Shinobi) by Luke Flowers
  • Genre(s): Early Reader, Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Moby Shinobi, a young ninja, tries to help out in a busy restaurant kitchen but finds that his ninja skills cause more chaos than help.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, motor skills, understanding cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious and action-packed story that teaches children about the consequences of their actions in a very light-hearted way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read independently and enjoy funny, fast-paced stories.

• Ninja Camp by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Jen Taylor
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure, Skill Building
  • Synopsis: Join a group of young campers as they learn about being ninjas and discover their own unique skills through various challenges and adventures at Ninja Camp.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, physical fitness, self-confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages physical activity and teamwork, wrapped up in an engaging ninja-themed adventure.
  • Perfect for: Energetic kids who love outdoor activities and learning new skills.

• Flat Stanley and the Very Big Cookie by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this fun adventure, Stanley becomes a ninja to help his friend sell the most cookies in a contest. His flatness and ninja skills come in handy in unexpected ways.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Entrepreneurial thinking, strategy, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a spirit of entrepreneurship and problem-solving, making it both entertaining and educational.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with a mix of humor, adventure, and practical lessons.

Challenging Ninja Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around Lily Wong, a young ninja in modern-day Los Angeles who uses her martial arts skills to protect women and children in her community from domestic violence and dangerous threats.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of justice, personal duty, and complex family dynamics, combined with a sophisticated narrative structure, make this book a challenging yet rewarding read for advanced young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a thrilling and action-packed narrative that also delves into important social issues, empowering readers to think about their own roles in community and family.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are looking for a strong female protagonist and are interested in stories that blend action with deeper social themes.

• Escape from the Overworld by Danica Davidson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the journey of Stevie, a character from the world of Minecraft, who accidentally discovers a portal to the Earth and teams up with Maison, a human girl who practices ninjutsu, to battle against a horde of zombies and other creatures threatening both their worlds.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces concepts of parallel worlds and includes technical descriptions of Minecraft game mechanics, which are intellectually stimulating and complex for younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively merges popular video game elements with traditional storytelling, offering a unique narrative experience that encourages imaginative and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young gamers and fans of Minecraft who are also interested in reading and adventure stories involving martial arts.

• Ninja Girl Adventures by MG Wilson and Phil Elmore
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Action, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sakura, a young girl trained as a ninja, embarks on a quest across ancient Japan to recover a stolen artifact that is vital to her village. Along the way, she confronts various enemies and learns about her family's mysterious past.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex character developments and a richly detailed setting that requires readers to engage with historical and cultural contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a mix of exciting action sequences and a deep dive into historical adventure, providing both entertainment and educational value.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical fiction and stories of personal growth and adventure.

• The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand by Jen Swann Downey
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Dorrie and her brother Marcus stumble upon a secret society of ninja librarians who travel through time to protect historical writers. They become swept up in an adventure that spans across centuries and continents.
  • Why this book is challenging: This novel combines a complex plot with historical details and literary references that demand a higher level of comprehension and engagement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an imaginative blend of history, literature, and adventure that encourages readers to explore and appreciate the importance of knowledge and history.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love libraries, history, and a good, sprawling adventure through time.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the exciting world of ninja books, you're in for a thrilling adventure. To make the most of your reading experience, especially if you're around 12 years old, it's great to develop some nifty reading habits. Here are a few exercises that can help you do just that. Not only will they enhance your understanding of the stealthy and strategic world of ninjas, but they'll also make your reading time more effective and enjoyable.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much you want to read each day or week.
  • How it helps: Helps you stay focused and make reading a consistent habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Visual Reading Map
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the story’s events and characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps you keep track of complex plots and characters.
  • Tips: Use drawings or symbols to represent different parts of the book.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out or imagine yourself as your favorite character from the book.
  • How it helps: Deepens your connection with the characters and enhances understanding of their motives.
  • Tips: Try writing a diary entry or a letter from your character’s perspective.

• Discussion Group
  • What it is: Form a group with friends to discuss the book.
  • How it helps: Allows sharing of different perspectives and enhances understanding.
  • Tips: Prepare a few questions or topics for discussion to keep the conversation focused.

• Chapter Summaries
  • What it is: Write short summaries of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and comprehension of what you read.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries brief and highlight key events.

• Reading Breaks
  • What it is: Take short breaks during long reading sessions.
  • How it helps: Keeps you energized and maintains concentration.
  • Tips: Use a timer to remind you to take a break every 30 minutes or so.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enjoy your ninja books more, but you'll also develop skills that can improve all your reading adventures. Remember, the key is consistency, so try to practice these exercises regularly. Happy reading, young ninja!