10 Exciting Books For Children And Preteens

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 7 July 2018

Finding the right books for a child can shape the rest of their life. Whether they go on to become avid readers and writers themselves or move on to other pursuits, children's books are a crucial part of development. And the same is true for early school years, all the way through the young adult days. If you're having trouble introducing the little ones to their first book, or you want to find something for a slightly older reader who's appetite is insatiable, there will be something for you on this list. When you click links from this website, we may receive advertising revenue to support our research. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Must-Reads For Kids And Tweens

  1. Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  2. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
  3. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers
  4. The World's Worst Children by David Walliams
  5. Charlie Goes to School by Ree Drummond & Diane deGroat
  6. Blue Dog by Louis de Bernieres
  7. Into the Lion's Den by Linda Fairstein
  8. Once Was a Time by Leila Sales
  9. Archvillain by Barry Lyga
  10. Amy Unbounded: Belondweg Blossoming by Rachel Hartman

What Books Will My Kids, Tweens, And Teens Enjoy?

Every child is different. But that doesn't mean you can't get a general idea of what they might be interested in based on their age. If the books in this list don't seem to align with what you know about your offspring, here are some further suggestions:

  • Middle schoolers are a hard group to cater to, but they might enjoy some of these fun reads.
  • Youngsters who like to follow longer arcs will find something compelling in these fantasy series.
  • Folks with more regional tastes might prefer some books by midwestern authors.
  • Those who are willing and able to tackle some of the harder parts of life can look at these books with tough subject matter.
  • Once they're in their teens (or can read at that grade level), they might prefer something relatable, something romantic, or maybe something with a little magic.

Making A Living On Children's Books

In Depth

Reading books can boost a child's learning potential, improve their communication and thinking skills, and enhance their concentration. However, forcing a book on a child takes the fun out of reading.

If you're looking for exciting books to give to your child, we've created a list that children up to the age of thirteen would enjoy. Do note that this list is written in no particular order.

First up at #1 is "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" This is the first children's book written by Mo Willems. The story begins with a bus driver taking a break from his shift, when a pigeon volunteers to take his spot. The bus driver requests the readers forbid the pigeon from driving while he is away, but the pigeon thinks of several excuses to trick the readers into letting it drive. This is an exciting read that will engage children and help them to think critically during complicated situations.

The story begins with a bus driver taking a break from his shift, when a pigeon volunteers to take his spot.

Coming in at #2 is "When You Reach Me," a Newbery Medal winner by science fiction and mystery author Rebecca Stead. It is set in the year 1978 in Upper West Side New York and features the story of Miranda Sinclair. She receives notes requesting her to do certain things. Through this title, Stead hopes to teach children the value of friendship, redemption, and independence.

At #3, we have "The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt. It is an interesting tale of a boy named Duncan, who finds the note "We quit!" written in his box of crayons. The Blue crayon has had enough of coloring water, and Black is tired of being used for outlining. Orange and Yellow are arguing about which one deserves to be the real color of the sun. Thus, Duncan is left with a big problem: how to get the crayons to do what they're supposed to. It is a book that can help enhance your child's curiosity and thinking skills.

Next up at #4 is "The World's Worst Children." Written by David Walliams, this is a collection of stories of some of the most wicked children you will ever read about. One of the characters is a girl named Sofia, who loves to watch TV on the sofa all day long until she eventually turns into a sofa herself. These fun and insightful stories are the author's way of teaching children how to behave properly.

One of the characters is a girl named Sofia, who loves to watch TV on the sofa all day long until she eventually turns into a sofa herself.

At #5, we have "Charlie Goes to School." Written by Ree Drummond, it circles around the life of a ranch dog named Charlie. He wants to start a school for the ranch animals. This volume is filled with illustrations by artist Diane deGroat, and is a good back-to-school read for the young ones.

Next, at #6 is "Blue Dog" by Louis de Bernieres. It features the life of Mick, a young boy who was made to live with his grandpa due to a family tragedy. It is tough for him, but things begin to change when he finds a lost puppy after a cyclone. The two immediately share a strong bond and become inseparable. They go on adventures and make a lot of memories together. This coming-of-age story will definitely touch the hearts of many readers, especially preteens.

At #7, we have "Into the Lion's Den." Penned by Linda Fairstein, it features the story of a young female sleuth named Devlin Quick. In the New York Public Library, an unknown person has ripped a page from a rare book and Devlin is determined to find out who the thief is. As she hunts for clues, she unravels a mystery bigger than she expected. It is an exciting narrative that draws readers into the book as they follow the adventures of the 12-year-old heroine.

In the New York Public Library, an unknown person has ripped a page from a rare book and Devlin is determined to find out who the thief is.

Next up at #8 is "Once Was a Time" by Leila Sales. It is set in the year 1940, when England was severely damaged by the war. The protagonist, Charlotte Bromley, has to make a big decision: whether to travel in time to safety, or to stay with her best friend and face the dangers brought by the Germans. This classic time travel story will show readers the heartwarming tale of an unbreakable bond of friendship.

At #9, we have "Archvillain." It is a superhero story written by the young adult author Barry Lyga. The protagonist, Kyle Camden, is preparing for one of his pranks when Mighty Mike arrives. Kyle can not tell anyone about where he is or his prank will be ruined. What he does not know is that when some strange plasma fell from the atmosphere, it brought alien energies that affected him. It is an exciting story that children in their early teens will enjoy.

Coming in at #10 is "Amy Unbounded: Belondweg Blossoming" by Rachel Hartman. It focuses on the life of 10-year-olds Amy and Bran. As Amy reads the epic Belondweg, she wishes for her life to be as interesting as the story, wherein a queen unites her kingdom and saves it from invaders.

As Amy reads the epic Belondweg, she wishes for her life to be as interesting as the story, wherein a queen unites her kingdom and saves it from invaders.

As she goes through her own life, Amy realizes that there are a lot of things in books that don't happen in reality, and that she does not have to do everything all by herself to become a heroine. It is an insightful book that can inspire young adult readers to think about love and life.

If you plan on enticing your children and preteens into reading, you might want to consider picking any of the exciting books from this list. You will find something interesting for them, whether your child is as young as 4 or as old as 13.