Is your 12 year old a bookworm? Find the best free books for your child without spending a dime with our well-selected list of 20 free online books for 12 year olds.
At the age of 12, your child will experience a lot of emotional and physical changes. Most female children go through a lot of physical changes and emotional changes as a result of puberty. This is why it is advised that you tell your child about the best books by age.
Reading is the best way for your kids to acquire valuable knowledge and it also keeps them entertained.
If you’re looking for a way to distract your kids from watching TV, get them books appropriate for their age.
What kind of books are suitable for 12 year olds?
A 12 year old child should read books according to his age. Finding an age-appropriate book shouldn’t be difficult, all you have to do is match your child’s age with the publisher’s recommended age.
For example, a 12-year-old can read books between the ages of 9 and 12.
Children’s books must not contain violence, sex or drug content. Rather, campaigning should be done against those things. A 12 year old can read books in these categories: middle grade, coming-of-age, young adult, children’s graphic novels, children’s fiction, and more.
Best Websites to Find Free Online Books for Kids
If you are clueless about where to get free books for your kids, we have gathered some of the best websites to find free books for kids online, including:
20 Free Online Books for 12 Year Olds
Below is a list of 20 free online books for 12 year olds:
#1. touch soul bear
Author: ben mikkelsen
Style(s): realistic fiction, coming-of-age, young adult
publication date: 9 January 2001
Touching Spirit Bear is about a fifteen-year-old boy, Cole Matthews, who is in big trouble after beating Alex Driscoll. Instead of going to prison, Cole agrees to participate in a choice of punishment based on Native American circles.
Cole receives a year’s exile to a remote Alaskan island, where his encounter with a giant white spirit bear turns his life around.
#2. crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Style(s): young adult
publication date: 18 March 2014
Crossover follows the life experiences of twelve-year-old basketball player John Bell. John has a healthy strong relationship with his twin brother, Jordan Bell, who is also a basketball player.
The twins’ relationship is threatened by the arrival of a new girl at school.
In 2015, The Crossover won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award of Honor for children’s literature.
#3. the girl who drank the moon
Author: Kelly Barnhill
Style(s): children’s imagination, middle grade
publication date: 9 August 2016
The Girl Who Drunk the Moon tells the story of Luna, a young girl who accidentally casts a spell on her because she was fed moonlight.
As Luna grows up and her thirteenth birthday approaches, she struggles to control her magical power that can have dire consequences.
#4. Escape to Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Author: Chris Grabenstein
Style(s): mystery, middle grade, young adult
publication date: 25 June 2013
A millionaire game designer, Luigi Lemoncello, built a new library in downtown Alexandriaville, Ohio, after the old library was destroyed 12 years ago.
For the grand opening of the library, Kyle (the main character) and the other 11 twelve-year-olds were invited to spend a night in the library.
The next morning, the door is locked, and they have to play a survivor type game to escape the library. The winner will get the chance to star in Lemoncello’s game commercials and win other prizes.
Escape From Mr Lemoncello Library has received very positive reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly etc.
#5. hobbit
Author: J.R.R. tolkien
Style(s): children’s imagination
publication date: 21 September 1937
The Hobbit follows the story of Bilbo Baggins, a peaceful and home-loving hobbit who has to leave his comfort zone to help a group of dwarves retrieve their treasure from a dragon named Smaug. .
#6. the maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Style(s): Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction
publication date: 6 October 2009
The Maze Runner is the first book released in The Maze Runner series, followed by The Scorch Trials.
The book centers around Thomas, who awakens in a labyrinth without any memory of his past. Thomas and his new friends try to find a way out of the maze.
#7. front desk
Author: Kelly Yang |
Style(s): realistic fiction, middle grade
publication date: 29 May 2018
Front Desk centers around Mia Tang, a ten-year-old girl working with her parents at a motel. Mia and her parents are not appreciated by the motel owner Mr. Yao, because they are immigrants.
The story is based on immigrants, poverty, racism, bullying and family. This is a must read for kids.
Front Desk won an award in 2019 from the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the category “Children’s Literature”.
#8. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Style(s): fantasy, young adult
publication date: 28 June 2005
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The book won the Adult Library Services Association Best Books for Young Adults and other awards.
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief tells the story of Percy Jackson, a troubled twelve-year-old boy who is diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD.
#9. Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase
Author: Jonathan Stroud
Style(s): supernatural, thriller
publication date: 29 August 2013
The Screaming Staircase centers on Lucy Carlyle, who fled to London after a paranormal investigation she was working on went wrong. Lucy begins working for Anthony Lockwood, who runs a paranormal investigation agency called Lockwood & Company.
In 2015, The Screaming Staircase won the Mystery Winters of America’s Edgar Awards (Best Teen).
#10. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: JK Rowling
Style(s): imagination
publication date: 26 June 1997
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in the Harry Potter series, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The story revolves around Harry Potter, a young magician who, on his eleventh birthday, discovers that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards.
Harry Potter is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he makes close friends who will help him discover the truth about his parents’ deaths.
#1 11. Sister’s
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Style(s): Graphic novel, autobiography, non-fiction.
publication date: 21 August 2014
Sisters details a family road trip taken by Raina’s family from San Francisco to Denver and focuses on the relationship between Raina and her younger sister, Amara.
#12. Stupidest idea ever!
Author: Jimmy Gownley
Style(s): Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
publication date: 25 February 2014
Stupidest idea ever! Jimmy, a gifted student and basketball star, discovers his passion for creating comics.
This graphic novel focuses on the most intriguing idea that turns the life of Jimmy Gownley, a famous comics creator. This is a real life story from the life of the author.
#13. Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Style(s): classics; Novel
publication date: 19 December 1843
A Christmas Carol is about Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean, clingy old man who hates Christmas. After meeting the ghost of his former business partner, Christmas Past, Present, and Still Too Come, Scrooge transforms from a miserly man into a kind, gentle man.
#14. lost hero
Author: Rick Riordan
Style(s): fantasy, young adult fiction
publication date: 12 October 2010
The Lost Hero is about Jason Grace, a Roman god with no memory of his past, and his friend, Piper MacLean, daughter of Aphrodite, and Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus, who tries to save Hera, the queen. Looking for of the gods, who have been captured by Gaia, the primordial goddess of the earth.
#15. the call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
Style(s): adventure story
publication date: 1903
The Call of the Wild is about a mighty dog named Buck, half St. Bernard and half-Scotch Shepard. Buck lives a comfortable life at Judge Miller’s estate in Santa Clara Valley, California, until he is kidnapped and taken to the Yukon, where he experiences a difficult life.
#16. Wonder
Author: RJ Palace
Style(s): realistic fiction
publication date: 14 February 2012
Wonder tells the story of August Pullman, a ten-year-old boy with a facial deformity. After years of homeschooling, August is sent to Beecher Prep for fifth grade, where he struggles to make friends and learns to deal with bullying.
#17. imaginary friend
Author: Kelly Hashaway
Style(s): children’s fantasy, young adult
publication date: 4 July 2011
The Imaginary Friend is about Samantha, who has been friends with Trey since kindergarten. Samantha didn’t know she was just an imaginary friend of Tracy. Tracy makes new friends and Samantha feels lonely.
Samantha meets Jessica, a girl in need of an imaginary friend. Will Samantha be able to help Jessica?
#18. ghost
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Style(s): September 2016
publication date: Graphic Novel, Fiction
Bhoot tells the story of two sisters: Katrina and her younger sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Katrina and her family moved to the Northern California coast in the hope that the cool ocean breeze would help the Maya get better.
#19. diary of a young girl
Author: anne frank
Style(s): 25 June 1947
publication date: coming of age, autobiography
Diary of a Young Girl tells the true-life story of Anne and her family, who were forced to move to Amsterdam during World War II. This is the true life story of Anne Frank.
#20. The Care of Keeping Up with You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls
Author: Dr. Kara Naterson
Style(s): non-fictional
publication date: 26 February 2013
The Care of Keeping You 2 is a guide for girls in puberty. It gives an in-depth look at the physical and emotional changes of girls. The book covers topics like menstruation, its growing body, peer pressure, personal care etc.
We also recommend:
conclusion
Whether you’re trying to distract your kids from watching TV, or you want them to stop playing games most of their time, provide them with tons of books in different categories.
Now that we come to the end of this article, have you or your kids read any of the 20 Free Online Books for 12 Year Olds? do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comment section.
For more children’s books, see 100 Best Free Online Books to Read for Kids and Adults,