Best Books for Tween Girls
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I have a daughter who is quite choosy about the books she will read. Her reading ability has really accelerated this past year and she is searching for good things to read. I know I am not alone in the struggle to find great books for my kids to read, so I thought I would compile a list of the best books for tween girls.
I have another list for tween boys. Now don’t get me wrong many of these were read and loved by my son and the same with my other list. There just seems to be a difference in favorites between my sons & daughters. 🙂 These books are great for kids ages 8-12 (some are loved by older kids, too!)
Also, check out my Called to Homeschool Episode on Books for Tweens:
Classic Books for Tween Girls:
Heidi by Joanna Spyri
The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie
Mary Poppins series byÂ
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
The Island of Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
Roald Dahl books
Nancy Drew (original) series by Carolyn Keene
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Misty of Chincoteague (series) by Marguerite Henry
A Wrinkle in Time trilogy, by Madeleine L’Engle
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
In Grandma’s Attic series by Arleta Richardson
Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell
Classics are some of my favorites of all, however there are some amazing newer books that have come out more recently that my daughter (and I) love! Â Here are some of those modern favorite books for tween girls that your daughters (and sons) may really love!
Modern Favorite Books for Tween Girls:
Tuesdays at the Castle series by Jessica Day George
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherine M. Valente
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konisburg
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Recipe for Adventure series by Giada de Laurentiis
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatly Snyder
The Green Ember by S. D. Smith
The Wingfeather Saga series by Andrew Peterson
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick
American Girl books (We prefer the older more historic ones, but the newer stories are fun, too!)
Cupcake Diaries series by Coco Simon
School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley
Rowan Hood by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes series by Nancy Springer
Magic Attic Club by S. Gayle
Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker
The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
Wow! Â What a list, right? Â Now it’s your turn to share. What did I miss that your daughters love reading? Be sure to stop by my post on Books for Tween Boys, too!
Also check out 50 Must Read Classics for Kids
This is an iHomeschool Network collaboration. Check out what books the other bloggers have shared!
I recommend that everyone should try out SARAH PLAIN AND TALL SERIES I love all of them I just need 2 more and I have finished the series [FYI] read HATCHET By: Gary Paulsen
What a comprehensive list! Thanks for sharing. My daughter also loved “Wish” by Barbara O’Connor and “Out of My Mind” by Sharon Draper.
First, I love y’alls podcast. It has been such a calming help to me as I’ve been navigating my first year (now 2nd) of homeschool. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspectives!
Second, I love that y’all love books! I love that I’m finding new books for my family. Here are some I didn’t see on your lists (though I may have missed them). I hope y’all will come to love them as we have.
Brown Girl Dreaming. Becoming Naomi Leon, and Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan. Heartbeat, Boy On the Porch, Ruby Holler, and Walk Two Moons (all by Sharon Creech). The Girl Who Drank the Moon, and Witch’s Boy (by Kelly Barnhill). Stella By Starlight. Anything by Diane Zahler. The War That Saved My Life. Seeds of America series. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. Nim’s Island. The Way to Stay In Destiny. All-of-a-Kind Family. King of the Wind. Golden (by Cameron Dokey). Little Maid of Provincetown. Nory Ryan’s Song. Stargirl, and The Warden’s Daughter (Jerry Spinelli). A Gathering of Days. Sky Jumpers.
Thank you for so many great suggestions! I am excited to check them out. We have read a few of them. Stella By Starlight we just read this year. IT was SO good! The Girl Who Drank the Moon is another we recently read & loved!!
Thanks for listening to the podcast! <3
This is an incredible list! My daughter reads like crazy and we go thru so many books. I’ve studied your list and gotten some great ideas to get for her next!