The Reading Room
Recommended Books for Tweens & Teens
Browse Books by Mood:
A note on a few of these authors: Some books here were written by people whose public words or actions I - and many readers - have found hurtful, including J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman. I've kept their books on the list because they genuinely get kids reading, and I'd rather point you toward the joy of a great story than pretend it isn't there. Your library is always a lovely way to read those authors. Mostly, I hope you find a bunch of new books here to fall in love with too.
The Search for WondLa
WondLa · Book 1
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Strange & wondrous, Fast adventure
Ages: 10+
Raised underground by a robot, Eva Nine flees to a strange, alien-seeming surface in search of anyone like her. Wondrous, richly illustrated sci-fi from the co-creator of the Spiderwick Chronicles.
♡ Liked this? Try:
A Wrinkle in Time
The Unwanteds
The Unwanteds · Book 1
Author: Lisa McMann
Fast adventure, Strange & wondrous, Found family
Ages: 10+
In a society that condemns creativity, children marked for elimination are secretly spirited to a hidden land where art becomes magic. Continues in the sequel series, The Unwanteds Quests.
♡ Liked this? Try:
The Giver
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Tristan Strong · Book 1
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Fast adventure, Mythic & classic, Found family
Ages: 10+
A boy is pulled into a world where heroes of West African and African American folklore are real. Big, funny, fast-moving adventure.
♡ Liked this? Try:
The Lightning Thief
Stories Worth Getting Lost In
Every book on this shelf comes personally recommended - either I've read and loved it myself, or one of my kids has and won't stop talking about it. Pictured is my own bookshelf where I've collected many of these books in real life.
There are no paid placements here, just books we'd happily hand to a friend. I've gathered them here for readers around 8-14+ years old. It's probably clear, but we love books with adventures, magic, and mystery, and love amplifying voices that don't always get the spotlight.
Pick a mood below and find your next favorite.