Must-Read Pre-Teen Novels
If you haven't noticed from the book series blog post I did a while ago, I am all about books! When I was ten, I got a Kindle for my birthday, and I read a couple books a week!
I read every night before I go to bed because I like sitting in the dark. I love all genres of books; funny, sad, or a romantic novel. Sometimes I stay up until midnight before I put my Kindle down, and sometimes I have to force myself to. Now I have a setting on my Kindle to show the clock on each page so I don't stay up too late.
I am going to tell you about some of my all-time FAVE novels!
FLIPPED by Wendelin Van Draanen
This is an AMAZING book I read in just two days because I couldn't take my eyes off of the pages. It is about a girl named Juli and she's been in love with a boy named Bryce since he moved in. Bryce hates her because she's so annoying and so desperate for him. Once they get into high school, Juli is still in love with him and Bryce hates her. After they get into a fight, Bryce learns the truth about Juli and suddenly feels different about her. He has a crush on her now. Unfortunately, Juli has decided to play the silent game.
This is a great book for ages 11+. Even my mom loves the book!
NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry
This is a really good, creepy, exciting, suspenseful novel. If you like being super scared at night while you fall asleep, this is the perfect book for you. Even though it's creepy, it's not too scary. It's about a 10-year-old girl named Annemarie who lives in Germany, with her family. Her best friend, Ellen, is Jewish and the German Troops are making all Jews leave. Ellen's mom and dad hide while she stays with Annemarie. The Danish Resistance make almost the entire Jewish population cross the sea to Sweden. Annemarie, Ellen, Annemarie's little sister, and her mother, go on a journey to where it's safe for Ellen.
The book isn't as boring or confusing as that might sound. It's so amazing, and it actually happened to some people back then. I would say ages 12+ but 11-year-olds might like it as well.
A LONG WALK TO WATER by Linda Sue Park
This is my absolute favourite book right now! It was just amazing and I finished it in less than three days.
A Long Walk To Water is based on a true story about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan named Salva and Nya. Salva's story takes place in 1985, and Nya's is in 2008. The girl, Nya, has to walk down to the pond two times a day to get water but the pond is two hours away. She has to go barefoot and there are giant prickles that go into her foot every time she walks down there. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who travel Africa by foot as they search for their families and a safe place to stay. On the way, they find killer lions and crocodiles. Salva is a survivor, and by the end, Salva's story intersects with Nya's in an amazing way.
A part of why I love it, is because I've been to Africa so I have a full vision of what they are talking about in Nya's story and I can picture the hard times in Salva's. I would say that this novel is for ages 11+. Even adults with enjoy this book. This is a definite must-read for everyone. Even though it takes place in 1985 and 2008, people are going through this right now.
FISH IN A TREE by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This is a really great book about a girl named Ally who has dyslexia but nobody knows--not even her--. Every time she lands at a new school, she hides her inability to read by creating very disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help and believes she is dumb however, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and her world opens up with possibilities. She discovers that great minds don't always think alike.
WISHTREE by Katherine Applegate
I love this book because it's something I've never read before. Ever since this fiction novel I've actually began to like trees. One day I honestly said hi. This is a novel about an oak tree named Red who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhoods "wishtree". Once a year, people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to his branches. Red's best friend is a crow named Bongo, and living in his hollows, are animals who love Red and would never want to see him go. When a family moves in the neighborhood, not everyone is welcoming them. From Red's perspective, we see how trees don't tell great jokes, but they are amazing at storytelling.
This book is great for any age! It's fun and unique but it's probably good for 11+.
THE BREWSTER TRIPLETS SERIES by Jennifer Ziegler
These are awesome books about fun, mischievous, smart triplets who love US Presidents. They have different styles, thoughts and personalities but they are identical. This is a great, fun series!
REVENGE OF THE FLOWER GIRLS
The triplets, Dawn, Darby, and Delaney would usually spend their summer eating ice cream, playing with their dog and learning about US Presidents. But this year their stuck planning their older sister Lily's wedding. Let's just say it's probably not going to end well...
REVENGE OF THE HAPPY CAMPERS
Dawn, Darby, and Delaney love their Aunt Jane and would usually love hanging out with her, but this time she is taking the girls somewhere they've never been... Camping!
Disasters keep happening, and worst of all, they meet three boys who think that the oldest brother is going to be President. This is not a good mix because Dawn was dreaming of becoming President.
REVENGE OF THE ANGELS
Christmas is here! The triplets usually love Christmas, but this year nothing is going right starting with the Christmas pageant. They practiced looking wise and stroking their beard so that they could be Wise People, but they get cast as Angels - Just because their girls! Totally not fair.
Lily and their mom get stuck in a different place because of snow, and the megaphone Dawn wanted was NEVER going to happen.
These books are for all ages but I think ages 10+ would enjoy them.
DONUT GO BREAKING MY HEART, YOU BACON ME CRAZY and MACARONS AT MIDNIGHT by Suzanne Nelson are great books that I love! The author is the same in each book but the characters are different. These books are for ages 12+ but 11-year-olds might like them.
I hope you enjoy my book suggestions--and seriously, you HAVE to read them--and if you have any other novels you think I would like, comment down below :)