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The Best Books for Kids Ages 9-12

Looking for the best books for nine- to twelve-year-olds?
Curated by Bookroo: The Children's Book Experts

Our mission is to help children find their next favorite book. As J.K. Rowling once said, “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” In our collection of the best books for nine- to twelve-year-olds, you'll find everything from new 2020 books to classic favorites, from award-winning books to hidden gems. Whether you have an advanced reader or a reluctant reader, boy or girl, in our collection you're sure to find a book that becomes a favorite.

Sponsored Books
Papillon: The Very Fluffy Kitty book
Papillon: The Very Fluffy Kitty (Book #1)
A.N. Kang
Picture book
5.3
leaving homemaking friendscostumespetscats
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And Away We Go! book
And Away We Go!
Migy England
Picture book
5.2
friendshipsharinghot air balloonsfoxesanimalstransportation
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Recently Reviewed By Bookroo

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Bookroo's Top Recommended 9- to 12-Year-Olds Books

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The Wheel on the School book
The Wheel on the School
Meindert DeJong, Maurice Sendak
Chapter book
7.0
storks birds friendship school
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Mr. Gedrick and Me book
Mr. Gedrick and Me
 
Chapter book
6.1
wishes family
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The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris book
The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris
Sara Ugolotti, Nicolas Jeter
Picture book
5.4
culture architecture
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Book Collections
Magic
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book
The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes book
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book
Book Collections
Bullying
Wonder book
The Infinity Year of Avalon James book
Jake and Lily book
The Queen Bee and Me book
All of Me book
Coat of Many Colors book
Book Collections
Animals
Stuart Little book
Where the Red Fern Grows book
The Trumpet of the Swan book
The Tale of Despereaux book
A Tail of Camelot book
The Best Bear in All the World book

Bestselling Books for 9- to 12-Year-Olds

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What Should Darla Do? book
What Should Darla Do?
Ganit Levy, Doro Kaiser, Adir Levy
Chapter book
social-emotional developmenthabits and behaviorgirls and womenmaking decisions
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Oh, the Places You'll Go! book
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss
Picture book
5.3
word playimaginationtravelself-esteemhabits and behaviorgraduation
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Wonder book
Wonder (Book #1)
R. J. Palacio
Chapter book
6.3
friendshipfacing fearsappearanceconfidencestarting schoolhappinessbullyingself-esteemdisabilitiesbeing differentchoosing cheerinessempathyteachersmiddle schoolschoolsocial themesself-esteem and self-reliancediseases, illnesses, injuries, and disabilitieshealth and daily livingself-acceptance
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Skin Like Mine book
Skin Like Mine (Book #2)
Board book
skinself-esteem and self-reliancegirls and womensocial themesself-esteemidentity
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Charlotte's Web book
Charlotte's Web
E.B. White, Garth Williams
Chapter book
friendshiphelping othersfarm animalspetsdeathbugs and insectsseasonscoping with deathbereavementanimalspigsfarmsspiders
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Esperanza Rising book
Esperanza Rising
Pam Munoz Ryan
Chapter book
agriculturehard workfamilyCaliforniahomelessness and povertysocial themes1920's
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Because of Winn-Dixie book
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
Chapter book
4.8
petstraveldogspartiesrainanimalsfriendshipfeelings and emotionssocial themescity and town life
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Island of the Blue Dolphins book
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
Chapter book
5.0
race and ethnicity1800-1849islandsculturesurvival stories
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Wish book
Wish
Barbara O'Connor
Chapter book
movingdogsself-discoverypetswishesfriendshiphuman-animal relationshipsfamily lifesocial themesfamilymultigenerationalanimals
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The One and Only Bob book
The One and Only Bob (Book #2)
Katherine Applegate
Chapter book
dogsthe zoofriendshipsiblingscouragecharacter traits
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Walk Two Moons book
Walk Two Moons
Sharon Creech
Chapter book
grandparentsfamily lifefriendshipcoming of agedeathculturerace and ethnicity
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Logan Likes Mary Anne! book
Logan Likes Mary Anne! (Book #8)
Ann M. Martin
Chapter book
coming of agefriendship
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Book Series
Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix book
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince book
Book Series
Little House on the Prairie Series
Farmer Boy book
On the Banks of Plum Creek book
By the Shores of Silver Lake book
The Long Winter book
Little Town on the Prairie: Full Color Edition book
These Happy Golden Years book
Book Series
A Series of Unfortunate Events Series
The Bad Beginning book
The Reptile Room book
The Wide Window book
The Miserable Mill book
The Austere Academy book
The Ersatz Elevator book

Classic Books

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Little Women book
Little Women (Book #1)
Louisa May Alcott
Chapter book
5.9
dads family moms sisters
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The Little Prince book
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Manuela Adreani
Chapter book
inspired by classic literature
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Lesser-Known Gems for 9- to 12-Year-Olds

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The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris book
The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris
Sara Ugolotti, Nicolas Jeter
Picture book
5.4
culture architecture
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The Best Bear in All the World book
The Best Bear in All the World
Jeanne Willis, Kate Saunders, Brian Sibley, Paul Bright, Mark Burgess
Chapter book
5.8
choosing cheeriness happiness bears stuffed animal friends friendship seasons animals toys
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Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring book
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
Matthew Burgess, Josh Cochran
Picture book
5.0
drawing artists painting art LGBTQ
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Book Types
Board Books
Skin Like Mine book
Color Dog book
Ocean book
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star book
The Fruits of Your Labor book
Explore a Frog book
Book Types
Picture Books
Oh, the Places You'll Go! book
Smile book
You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children book
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World book
The Juice Box Bully book
Animalium book
Book Types
Chapter Books
What Should Darla Do? book
Wonder book
Charlotte's Web book
Esperanza Rising book
Because of Winn-Dixie book
Island of the Blue Dolphins book

New & Coming Soon

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The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris book
The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre Dame de Paris
Sara Ugolotti, Nicolas Jeter
Picture book
5.4
culture architecture
Add to list
Sky Island book
Sky Island (Book #2)
Amy Chu, Janet K. Lee
Chapter book
mermaids culture places and regions
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Graystripe's Vow book
Graystripe's Vow (Book #13)
Erin Hunter
Chapter book
cats
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For Kids
Ages 0-2
Coat of Many Colors book
Rumple Buttercup book
The Heart of a Boy book
The Sky Is the Limit: A Celebration of All the Things You Can Do book
Michael Rosen's Sad Book book
The Lying King book
For Kids
Ages 3-5
Skin Like Mine book
Coat of Many Colors book
Rumple Buttercup book
Go Get 'Em, Tiger! book
The Heart of a Boy book
The Sky Is the Limit: A Celebration of All the Things You Can Do book
For Kids
Ages 6-8
Oh, the Places You'll Go! book
Skin Like Mine book
You're Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children book
The Juice Box Bully book
Lailah's Lunchbox book
Intersectionallies: We Make Room for All book

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