Nurturing Young Minds: A Parent's Guide to Reading for 12 Year Olds
Introduction
Reading at age 12 has a number of advantages developmentally, academically, and emotionally.
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Encourages Critical Thinking: Novels like "The Lie Tree" by Frances Hardinge help young readers to think more deeply about the motives of different characters and events in the story, which is helpful for their cognitive development
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Encourages Emotional Reactions: "Refugee" by Alan Gratz is a collection of various refugee stories originating from around the world. Stories in this genre help children in developing emotional connections with others, thus enhancing their own emotional intelligence development.
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Supports In-Depth the Consideration of Important Issues: Works like "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman allow one to delve into the significant issues of morality, structures of society, and decision making. The author provides a framework within which the reader will ponder other issues related to life.
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Emotional Maturity is Nurtured: A novel such as "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera identifies ways in which children develop their coping mechanisms or simply make it through some of the difficult moments in life.
Recommended Books for 12 Year Olds
Selecting the appropriate titles presents one of those exciting challenges for a parent. Consider the following areas.
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Mature Themes: At the age of 12 years, more serious themes may be presented to them. For example, "Girl in the Blue Coat" is a novel that presents a very serious historic issue, namely World War II, in a friendly and comfortable environment.
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Interest-Based Selection: Discover the topics that interest your child. If they like post-dystopian settings, "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman might be perfect. If they like family adventures, "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo will delight them.
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Diversity and Representation: Consider literature that brings diversity of voices. "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi is a great read with LGBTQIA+ characters and ideas of justice, thus timely and enlightening.
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Diversity in Genres: Variety among genres make reading engrossing for your child. Some books, like "Rebound" by Kwame Alexander, are wholly written in verse. Such novels offer a completely different experience as compared with a prose book and help the reader appreciate diverse ways of writing.
Books Recommended for 12-Year-Olds
Below is a recommended list of books for 12-year-olds. These titles mesh entertainment with stories that compel the reader to contemplate deeply emotional issues.
When we first met
Author: Mazer, Norma Fox
Age Range: 11 - 18
Description: A teen-age girl has the misfortune to fall in love with the son of a woman who killed her sister in a car accident.
Whittington
Author: Armstrong, Alan
Age Range: 8 - 13
Description: The power of reading is beautifully captured in this 2006 Newbery Honor-winning book. Bernie keeps a barn full of animals the rest of the world has no use for–two retired trotters, a rooster, some banty hens, and a Muscovy duck with clipped wings who calls herself The Lady. When the cat called Whittington shows up one day, it is to the Lady that he makes an appeal to secure a place in the barn. The Lady's a little hesitant at first, but when the cat claims to be a master ratter, that clinches it. Bernie' s orphaned grandkids, Abby and Ben, come to the barn every day to help feed the animals. Abby shares her worry that Ben can't really read yet and that he refuses to go to Special Ed. Whittington and the Lady decide that Abby should give Ben reading lessons in the barn. It is a balm for Ben when, having toughed out the daily lesson, Whittington comes to tell, in tantalizing installments, the story handed down to him from his nameless forebearer, Dick Whittington's cat–the legend of the lad born into poverty in rural England during the Black Death, who runs away to London to seek his fortune. This is an unforgettable tale about how learning to read saves one little boy. It is about the healing, transcendent power of storytelling and how, if you have loved ones surrounding you and good stories to tell, to listen to, and to read, you have just about everything of value in this world. From the Hardcover edition.
Cinderella
Author: Mueller, Jenna
Age Range: 2 - 17
Description: Cinderella is too busy cleaning and fixing things around the house that she runs out of time to get ready for the ball with her stepsisters, but then her Fairy Godmother shows up to help the aspiring interior designer and Clementine go to the party.
The big picture
Author: Jones, Jenny B.
Age Range: 11 - 20
Description: Dumped by her possible boyfriend at a drive-in theater, Katie returns home to find that her mother, a former convict and current addict, wants to take her away from her foster family, friends, and church, and Katie must make important decisions as she considers what family and home really mean.
The sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary.
Author: Jackson, K. B
Age Range: 9 - 20
Description: "Twelve-year-old JAKE NELSON and his mom, a former Disney Princess, have recently moved from Orlando, Florida, to his grandfather’s home in Washington State. Shorter than the average sixth grader, Jake finds it difficult to fit in at his new school, Hawthorne Elementary, especially after making an enemy of one of the most popular boys on the very first day. Not to mention, Jake’s hobby is a little unusual: He’s a Sasquatch hunter"--Amazon.com.
Baker's magic
Author: Zahler, Diane
Age Range: 8 - 12
Description: Bee is an orphan in the poor kingdom of Aradyn, and when she is caught stealing a bun from a bakery, the lonely baker offers to take her on as an apprentice--but when she meets Princess Anika, and the evil mage Joris who is her "guardian" she embarks on a journey to save Anika, and restore the kingdom its rightful ruler. Includes bouts bun recipe (cinnamon buns).
Steinbeck's ghost
Author: Buzbee, Lewis
Age Range: 10 - 14
Description: After young Travis and his family move to a new housing development, he misses his old home and its way of life. Now he bikes back to his old library to reconnect with the characters from John Steinbeck's novels who seem to come alive in a very real way. But when budget cuts threaten his library, Travis knows that he must work to complete a novel like one that Steinbeck might have started.
The birchbark house
Author: Erdrich, Louise
Age Range: 8 - 14
Description: Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. For as long as Omakayas can remember, she and her family have lived on the land her people call the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. Although the chimookoman, white people, encroach more and more on their land, life continues much as it always has. Every summer the family builds a new birchbark house; every fall they go to ricing camp to harvest and feast; they move to the cedar log house before the first snows arrive, and celebrate the end of the long, cold winters at maple-sugaring camp. In between, Omakayas fights with her annoying little brother, Pinch, plays with the adorable baby, Neewo, and tries to be grown-up like her beautiful older sister, Angeline. But the satisfying rhythms of their lives are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever. Set on an island in Lake Superior in 1847, and filled with fascinating details of traditional Ojibwa life, The Birchbark House is a breathtaking novel by one of America's most gifted and original writers
Mission Telemark
Author: Mitchison, Amanda
Age Range: 8 - 17
Missile Mouse
Author: Parker, Jake
Age Range: 8 - 12
These books were selected for their potential to cultivate emotional intelligence, instill empathy, and foster critical thinking in young readers-all without sacrificing engaging storytelling.
Tips to Enhance Your Child's Learning with Books
Following are a few guidelines to assist your child in experiencing the best possible time while reading.
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Discussion: Have your child discuss the themes of the story after going through "The Lie Tree" or any other title. Let them communicate how they felt about the main character's decisions and what they would have done differently.
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Setting Reading Goals: It also helps to have your child set realistic reading goals, like reading one book a month. This will serve to establish a reading routine and give them a sense of achievement.
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Connect Books to Real Life: Connect themes in a book such as "Pet" to current events or personal experiences; this will make the story more relevant and help readers better understand the story.
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Use Different Formats: If your child seems to prefer the audiobook or e-book format, try those. Audiobooks, such as "Rebound," will make lar rides enjoyable and improve comprehension.
Why Choose MoBoo for Books for Your 12-Year-Olds
MoBoo selects books with all types of themes for all types of young readers. Here is why MoBoo is the best place to search for books your 12-year-old will love.
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Carefully Selected Titles: From "Refugee" to "The Last Cuentista," every new selection in our file has been made through the contribution of expert advice to ensure appropriateness, interest, and instructiveness for the young mind.
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Highlighting Diversity: Books in MoBoo's collection give voice to culture, identity, and experiences. For example, "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi represents the LGBTQ+ community, while "Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna" provides insights into historic incidents through the prism of diverse cultures.
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Informative yet Entertaining: From the action-filled plot of "Scythe" to the emotionally heart-touching story of "Louisiana's Way Home," this collection informs as well as entertains; each title supports the habit of learning while reading .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of books are recommended for a 12-year-old?
A: The best are books that present more complex themes to readers but remain age appropriate. Adventure or historical fiction or philosophical science fiction are great options, like "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman.
Q: How can I get my 12-year-old to read?
A: Make books accessible and available at home; provide a quiet, comfortable place for reading; and let your child choose some books. Books, such as "Rebound" by Kwame Alexander are wholly or partially written in verse and thus less daunting to a struggling reader.
Q: Are there any recommended series for a 12-year-old?
A: Neal Shusterman's "Arc of a Scythe" series is a deftly plotted, headily themed set that will have its readers thinking deeply. Another series to read is about young Truman Capote and Harper Lee in Tru & Nelle by Greg Neri.
Q: My 12-year-old does not like to read. Where do I even start?
A: If they do not like to read, introduce them to some graphic novels or books that at least have some focus on their interests: "Girl in the Blue Coat" would appeal to children who like history, whereas "Scythe" would fit readers interested in Sci-Fi. Audiobooks are good resources as well.
Q: Does reading prepare my 12-year-old for school?
A: Definitely! Rading enriches your vocabulary, improves comprehension, and develops your critical thinking-all that is helpful at school. Books like "The Lie Tree" introduce scientific ideas; that help in both language and subject knowledge.
These parenting tips and recommended books will instill a love of reading in 12-year-olds.