Books for Young Readers Pre Teens and Tweens: Ages 9-12

Pre Teens, tweens, and middle grade readers (books for ages nine and up) begin to soar with well-developed fantastical worlds, a gentle increase in the complexities of social and emotional plot developments, smaller fonts, and more pages.
With maturity developing and a wide range of reading abilities among preteens and tweens, middle grade novels launch readers into incredible worlds, a gentle increase in the complexities of social and emotional plot developments, smaller fonts, and more pages.
While kids used to read books featuring characters around their age, preteens and tweens begin to “read up”–they often like to read about characters older than themselves while also reserving the right to “read down” at any moment in time. We believe that our job here at The Children’s Book Review is to select excellent middle grade books that cover the many interests, maturity levels and varying ranges of emotional readiness of kids ages 9-12.
Our middle grade book reviews and book lists cover everything from the fun and enjoyable to stories that begin to raise difficult questions. You’ll find fantasy novels, mystery books, historical fiction, graphic novels (books formatted in comic book style), and much, much more.
Here Are a Few Middle Grade Book Lists to Get You Started:
5 Gorgeous Animal Adventure Novels for Middle Grade Readers
5 Laugh-Out-Loud and Reach-for-the-Kleenex Middle Grade Novels
What to Read Next If You Love the Ramona Books
5 Middle Grade Books That I’ll Never Lend Out to Anyone Ever
If you’re a huge fan of middle grade novels and a socialite, digitally speaking, and feel that we must know about one of your favorite books for ages 9-12, then you can send us suggestions on books for preteens and tweens through our Twitter handle, and share your most distinguished books on Instagram or Facebook with #thechildrensbookreview. We’re looking forward to connecting with our fellow bookworms!
Buy recent books and ebooks for preteens and tweens in our Book Shop powered by Amazon.
Books For Kids Ages 9, 10, 11, 12 and Up
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a book that has everything a young avid reader could want. It’s an action-packed, whimsical adventure.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, is a true gem in literature, with its themes and messages inspiring future generations.
Close Yet Far, by Roberta R. Carr and Sierra Treewater, is a compelling, thoughtful, and enjoyable read—perfect for the classroom or summer reading.
Buckle up and prepare to laugh yourself silly because Jon Scieszka’s The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is not to be missed!
Tuck Everlasting is a compelling adventure story. Following the Tuck family gives you a unique perspective on the possibility of immortality.
Chris Grabenstein talks about his new hilarious picture book No Is All I Know and the latest book in The Smartest Kid in the Universe series: Evil Genius.
Grace Lin’s The Year of the Dog is an enchanting tale filled with heartwarming moments that captivate readers from start to finish.
Eleanor Estes wrote 19 children’s books and one novel for adults. The Hundred Dresses won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of print.
Come on now; it’s time to go crazy over One Crazy Summer—an excellent and moving book punctuated with humor in all the right places.
All-of-a-Kind Family is a recipient of the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. The author, Sydney Taylor, has an award named after her.