Enjoy these good books to read aloud to 12-year-olds, including books across a wide variety of genres and interests, including epic tales, hilarious stories and quiet but thought-provoking yarns.
The wonderful thing about these books to read aloud to 12 year olds is that they offer up so many juicy talking points! When you discuss these stories with your kids you will gain insights into how your child thinks and sees the world without having to ask annoying, prying questions which cause them to shut-down as is their pre-teen way!
In addition, I've included several shorter novels for families who want a quick win instead a read aloud that takes several weeks to finish. Happy reading!
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The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
What a story! When you want something extraordinary to read aloud to your 12-year-old turn to Nayeri's marvelous tale. The heart-pounding opening means no one will be able to stop reading the story of young Monkey and his journey with Samir, the "Seller of Dreams," or what we might call, a "con artist." The pair travel along the Silk Road, encountering fascinating characters and extricating themselves from scrapes, sometimes of their own making. Splendid! This is also a book teens and adults will enjoy listening to!
Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean
If your kids love myths and legends, introduce them to Gilgamesh with this wonderful oversized book filled with illustrations. It's perfect for reading aloud to older kids. The Epic of Gilgamesh dates back to c. 1600 BCE but McCraughrean's rendition makes it utterly readable for modern audiences. It is a heroic tale of friendship and glory. It may not have been on your radar as a read aloud for 12-year-olds, but now it is, so check it out!
The Real Thief by William Steig
Not all read aloud books need to be long novels. In fact, many tweens will appreciate a shorter story. This novella by Steig may seem like something you might read with your 8 or 9 year old, but the story of Gawain, a loyal guard of the royal treasury falsely accused of stealing, will best be appreciated by a more sophisticated audiences. It is an intriguing and though-provoking story about truth, false accusations and making honorable choices.
Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This masterful novel is told in several parts that cross historical and cultural boundaries. A single harmonica is the thread that binds three narratives about children in trouble. Friedrich dreams of being a conductor, but lives in Hitler's Germany. Mike Flannery is an orphan in Depression Era Pennsylvania and Ivy Lopez's family works as migrant laborers. Music is such an integral part of the story, so I also recommend the audiobook format which is absolutely stellar.
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood always seems to be getting into scrapes, but his father appears to be mostly concerned with how Holling's antics affect his business reputation. On Wednesday afternoons, most of his classmates head off to Catholic or Jewish religious education classes. However, the Hoodhoods are Presbyterian, so Holling stays behind at school where his teacher introduces him to Shakespeare. Holling's antics at school, his involvement in a Shakespeare production, and the general mayhem he creates wherever he goes make for lots of laughs from a master storyteller.
Sparrows in the Wind by Gail Carson Levine
Sparrows in the Wind is a historical fantasy set before and during the Trojan War. Cassandra, princess of Troy, narrates the first half of the story, describing how Apollo cursed her with the gift of prophecy. When Cassandra sees the tragedy of war, she befriends a lesser wind god, who helps her in her efforts to prevent the war from starting. Rin, an Amazon warrior princess, narrates the second half. She is part of a band of Amazons asked to assist the Trojans, and while in Troy makes friends with Cassandra. Levine's page-turning tale is an excellent choice for readers who like mythology and strong female protagonists.
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Just a Hat by S. Khubiar
Joseph Nissan lives in small town Texas in 1979. His family, immigrants from Revolution-era Iran, are also the only Jewish family in town. Joseph's good friends are his Tejano neighbors and together they get into all kinds of mischief. When he joins the football team, Joseph finds a way to channel the frustration he feels, but it also provides a way for him to connect with others and forge a path for himself. This may have a historical setting, but today's kids will absolutely relate to Joseph's emotional journey. This book is on my list of YA books teens will love, but it's appropriate to read aloud to 12- and 13-year-olds.
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
Six kids are put together in a room at school as a place where they can talk about the issues they are facing in their lives. Their burdens are as diverse as their backgrounds; incarceration, racial profiling, and possible deportation are just a few of the subjects the middle schoolers need and want to talk about with each other. Woodson's prose is gorgeous, almost poetic, and the reader will come to care for all of the teens as they tell their stories.
MORE: Books for 12-year-olds (to read independently!)
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
Want a fun and dastardly humorous book to read aloud? I listened to the audiobook narration of this twist on the Victorian boarding school mystery novel, and it was glorious. I didn't know what to expect and when, in the first few pages, the headmistress and her brother drop dead from poison, and the girls subsequently decide to bury them instead of report it, I thought, "how macabre!" The girls, who have wonderful monikers like "Smooth Kitty," "Disgraceful Mary Jane," and "Stout Alice," decide to try and convince everyone that their headmistress is still alive so they can avoid being sent home. If you enjoyed reading books like Roald Dahl to your kids, this is a great choice.
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Lily, her brother, and mother move in with her Korean grandmother. Halmoni (her grandmother) used to tell her bedtime stories based on Korean folklore and now Lily is seeing a magical tiger like the one her grandmother told her about. Halmoni tells Lily that the tiger wants something that she once stole, stories as stars which she put in jars. Halmoni is in poor health and Lily contemplates making a bargain with the tiger so her grandmother can heal. Marvelous and magical.
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
In 1805, Mary Lambert lives in a community where everyone speaks sign language and a quarter of the population is deaf. One day, a young man arrives in the village hoping to research the reason for the high rate of deafness. Mary narrates the story and her observations of the interactions between the English, Black, Irish, and Wampanoag peoples, as well as on racism, prejudice and ableism are perceptive and thought-provoking. The author's endnote gives historical background on the town of Chilmark and Martha's Vineyard are fascinating.
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A Story Like the Wind by Gill Lewis, illustrated by Jo Weaver
A Story Like the Wind is more of a very short novella, but the illustrations are everything! Lewis's tale of refugees is gorgeously illustrated by Jo Weaver. Rami and a group of refugees are in a bleak situation. They have no oars or motor and the tide is menacingly rising. But Rami has a violin and he begins to play and tell a story that offers hope. An astounding book that will give you and your children plenty to appreciate and talk about.
Sarah says
I am in the middle of reading When You Trap a Tiger to my 12 year old right now! So good. I’m also glad I read Harbor Me out loud to her, it started some necessary conversations. As always, your lists are amazing, and I will check out some of these others- some are ones I’ve been meaning to get to ❤️ Thank you
Erica says
Both are wonderful books! Thanks for sharing your experience!