Books About Preteens

The Best Preteens Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about preteens? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#1 in Series

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Preteens

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 1997

The Care and Keeping of You 1

By Valorie Schaefer, Josee Masse (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the American Girl® Wellbeing series

Discover essential tips for navigating the changes of growing up with confidence and ease.

104 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 3,172 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Explore the journey of growing up with this essential guide for girls aged 8 and up. Packed with expert advice, it covers everything from hair care to healthy eating, and periods to pimples. This book answers your most pressing questions about your changing body, helping you feel confident and prepared for the next steps. Dive into a world of knowledge and embrace the changes with understanding and ease.

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$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

Break

By Kayla Miller · Book #6 in the Click series

Spring break with dad tests Olive's patience and emotions. Can she find joy or will it all fall apart?

220 pages· 8,083 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,435 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Olive faces a challenging spring break, leaving her friends for a week with her dad in the city. While her sibling Goober is excited, Olive struggles with feelings of loneliness and resentment from her dad's past move. As she navigates the tension, Olive must decide if she can reconnect with her father or let the week become a missed opportunity. Will she find a way to embrace the present, or will her fear of missing out ruin her break? Discover Olive's journey of second chances and unexpected connections.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Just a Pinch of Magic

By Alechia Dow

A love spell backfires, endangering a town. Can two young enchanters fix the magic gone awry?

292 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 297 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Wini's desperate spell to save her family's bakery backfires, threatening her town. Meanwhile, Kal's mysterious grandfather reappears, stirring whispers of dark magic. When Wini and Kal meet, they bond over their outsider status and join forces to mend the magical chaos. As they navigate family secrets and budding friendships, can they restore balance before it's too late? Discover a tale of enchantment, adventure, and unexpected alliances.

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Something to Say

By Lisa Moore Ramée

Jenae must choose between staying invisible or risking friendship in a school debate.

304 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,042 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Eleven-year-old Jenae is a master at being invisible, content without friends. But when persistent new student Aubrey enters her life, she faces an unexpected challenge. Paired for a school debate, Jenae must confront her fear of speaking up or risk losing her first real friendship. As Aubrey aims for the debate team, Jenae grapples with finding her voice. Will she step out of the shadows, or will her silence cost her everything?

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2014

The Feather Chase

Book #1 in the Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries series

Two cousins find a mysterious briefcase, sparking a thrilling chase through the woods.

216 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 514 ratings

$12.95Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old cousins Sophie and Jessica couldn't be more different—Sophie loves the outdoors, while Jessica prefers city life. Their summer takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious briefcase in the forest. Suddenly, they're being pursued by shadowy figures, forcing them to unite and unravel the secrets within. Can they solve the mystery before it's too late? Dive into 'The Feather Chase' and join the adventure as these unlikely detectives face danger and deception in a race against time.

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$1387

Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2002

Two Heads Are Better Than One

By Anne Mazer · Book #7 in the The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes series

Abby must navigate a science fair with an unexpected partner.

135 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 881 ratings

$14.60Save 5%

Prebound-Sewn

Summary: Fifth grader Abby Hayes returns to school with a bad haircut and a surprise: she's paired with a boy for the science fair. Can she find her place in a seemingly perfect world while tackling this unexpected challenge? As Abby navigates the ups and downs of school life, will she discover her unique role amidst the chaos? Dive into Abby's world where self-discovery meets the unpredictability of school projects.

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$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Mya's Strategy to Save the World

By Tanya Lloyd Kyi

A young activist's quest for a phone leads to unexpected growth after a family accident.

200 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 169 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Mya Parsons, a spirited twelve-year-old, dreams of changing the world and owning a cell phone. Running her school's social justice club, she faces a challenge when her parents deny her phone request. Determined to prove her responsibility, Mya takes on babysitting and household duties, but her plans falter. An unexpected accident forces Mya to step up, revealing her true growth and leadership, even without the coveted phone. Can Mya balance her ambitions with newfound maturity?

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

The Ghoul Next Door

By Cullen Bunn, Cat Farris (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Ghoul Next Door series

A boy's eerie gifts lead to a forbidden friendship with a ghoul, risking a fate worse than death.

200 pages· 9,213 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 947 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the eerie town of Ander’s Landing, eleven-year-old Grey feels watched. Mysterious gifts from the graveyard—bone art and peculiar jewelry—draw him into a hidden world of ghouls. His secret admirer, Lavinia, is one of these reclusive creatures. As their friendship blossoms, Grey faces a chilling dilemma: their bond defies ancient traditions, and the consequences could be dire. Can Grey navigate this supernatural mystery without losing everything? Discover a tale where friendship defies the grave and the stakes are life and death.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 11–14 · 2015

BFF

By Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, Natacha Bustos (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur series

A genius girl and a dinosaur team up to face modern-day threats.

160 pages· 6,851 words· Est. 51 min read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 6,416 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Lunella Lafayette, a brilliant preteen, fears her Inhuman genes. Her world shifts when a dinosaur from the past appears in her life. Together, they form an unlikely duo, navigating school challenges and monster hunters, including the formidable Hulk. But danger looms as prehistoric foes, the Killer-Folk, arrive in New York. Can Lunella and her dinosaur ally overcome these threats, or will their partnership be short-lived? Discover the thrilling adventures of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as they tackle the unexpected in a world that’s anything but ordinary.

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$2184

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Lost Time

By Tas Mukanik

A girl trapped in the past must survive with a pterosaur to find her way home.

240 pages

3.8/5 Goodreads · 349 ratings

$22.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Evie is stranded 65 million years in the past. Alone and desperate, she befriends a baby pterosaur, Ada. As Ada grows, Evie discovers a potential way home. Together, they embark on a perilous journey across prehistoric lands, facing dinosaurs and storms. Can Evie and Ada overcome these challenges and return to her family, or will they remain lost in time forever?

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