12 Books Every Parent Should Read With Their Kids Before Age 12

Mary Pope Osbourne once said, “Reading is a passport to countless adventures.” Even in a digital age where adventures are one streaming service away, this still rings true. Reading is a wonderful way to go on adventures with your children without ever leaving the house. If you're excited over the words on the page, they will be, too! Each story can teach a lesson, share a fact, or encourage them to have confidence in things they love. It's never too early to read with your children and show them how exciting stories can be.

But with thousands of titles to choose from, we know how overwhelming it can be to pick the best books. This is why we've compiled a list of the best books for kids under 12. And know that you'll love them just as much as your child does!

Wings of Fire

The Wings of Fire series consists of 19 high fantasy books, each story more thrilling than the last. The series is written by Tui T. Sutherland and published by Scholastic for ages 9-12. Kids can read these on their own, but the series is a beautiful story that's more fun to read together. It features dragons, aerial combat, strong heroes, progressive views, and epic tales of friendship. These books are ideal for avid readers who are comfortable with high fantasy settings, including battle scenes. It's also an excellent precursor to other mature young adult series, such as The Lord of the Rings.

• What Kids Will Learn: Lessons in acceptance, tolerance, and bravery in the face of adversity

I Survived

The I Survived book series is another Scholastic favorite written by Lauren Tarshis. These books are excellent for ages 7-12 and center on historic events. Each one is told from the perspective of kids who survived them. From the Titanic to the Holocaust, young readers can follow along as other kids their age experience history firsthand. As parents read along, each historic event unfolds with stunning detail while also keeping the reader's age group in mind.

• What Kids Will Learn: Significant historic moments, age-appropriate details of tragedies and natural disasters, but with a positive outcome for the main character

Goosebumps

R.L. Stine's kid-themed horror books have been family favorites since the 1990s. These books are still very on-brand today, especially with children who love all things Halloween or spooky. They're age-appropriate for readers ages 12 and under, but just creepy enough to keep the story exciting. The Goosebumps Choose-Your-Own-Ending books are even more fun to read. And it's a blast watching your child make their own choices to control the story ending!

• What Kids Will Learn: Critical thinking, imagination, and creativity as they go back time and time again to choose different outcomes

Historical Fiction by Jennifer A. Nielsen

For history buffs looking for even more historical tales, Jennifer A. Nielson's historical fiction series is perfect. The books are standalones, but each features a strong central character that your child will easily relate to. Whether the character is fighting for freedom or striving for survival, each of these books will keep you on edge. The age group for this series is 8-12 years old, and it features heroic stories rooted in historical events. Some of these include the Holocaust, the sinking of the Titanic, the French Resistance, and more.

• What Kids Will Learn: History, tales of courage, and female empowerment

Magic Tree House Series

The first Magic Tree House book was published in 1992. However, the series is still praised for its adventure, characters, and educational themes. Written by Mary Pope Osborne, these books are perfect for kids ages 6-10. Each story revolves around a magic tree house that transports the main characters to another world and era. In one book, you and your child might adventure through Ancient Rome, while another features ferocious dinosaurs. Each story is wildly different from the last, ready to take its readers on the ultimate adventure.

• What Kids Will Learn: Education themes such as science, history, and biology

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

For a heartwarming tale about ancestry, family history, and lifelong bonds, look no further than The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. Written by Nikole Hannah Jones and Renee Watson, this picture book follows the generational journey of a young girl with a tremendous story. As the bond with her grandmother grows, she learns how her family survived immigration, the slave trade, and new life in America.

• What Kids Will Learn: American and colonial history, perseverance, and the importance of family

Truth or Lie Series

Erica S. Perl's Truth or Lie series is perfect for curious young minds. If your child is full of questions, this book is a fun way to engage that sense of intrigue. It's ideal for ages 5-8, and makes for an excellent bedtime read. Your child will learn about dinosaurs, history, politics, and science, with fascinating tales to read along the way.

• What Kids Will Learn: Paleontology, history, science, politics

Courage Like Kate

This true story of Courage Like Kate, written by Anna Crowley Redding, follows the life of a young lightkeeper named Kate. She stepped up to take her father's role after he fell ill, keeping the light lit for ships for decades. After devoting her entire life to guiding sailors to safety, her story was finally written down. This is a beautiful tale of strength, determination, and bravery. It's an excellent read for kids ages 4-8. However, parents will also adore this heartwarming story just as much as their children do.

• What Kids Will Learn: Historic lighthouse keeping, tales of perseverance, and how to rise to the challenge

Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid

Mikaila Ulmer authored Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid, a part-memoir. After achieving her dream of becoming a young entrepreneur, she wrote this as a guide for kids. This book is perfect for young adults who dream big and aspire to own their own businesses someday. Ulmer is a strong, determined, and relatable character, and kids will love the fact that she exists in real life. Her story is just as real as she is, making it a motivational yet heartwarming tale of what happens when you dare to dream. It's targeted for kids ages 10 and up, but adults will love this story, too.

• What Kids Will Learn: What it takes to start a business, how hard work pays off

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak authored and illustrated this children's classic, which is still a beautiful read to this day. Where the Wild Things Are is truly a wild adventure, full of wonder, imagination, and storytelling. As you read this story aloud to your child, dare to dream with them as you encounter monsters, forest creatures, and a mysterious island. When you're finished, you can even watch the 2009 movie based on the book! This is a fun read for kids ages 4-8, but will be enjoyed by older kids, as well.

• What Kids Will Learn: How to use their imaginations, and the main character, Max, is often interpreted as being autistic, which makes him relatable to neurodivergent readers

Amelia Bedelia Series

The Amelia Bedelia series is a classic story of a young girl dealing with life's growing pains. The series was written in the 1960s by the author Peggy Parish and continued by her nephew, Herman, until 2022. Even today, the wacky, often relatable situations that Amelia Bedelia finds herself in are relatable to kids. Her literal thinking adds comic relief to the stories, while the illustrations perfectly bring her quirky nature to life. These books are targeted for ages 6-8, but will also be nostalgic for parents.

• What Kids Will Learn: Real-life situations and how to navigate them, and Amelia Bedelia's character is often characterized as having neurodivergent thought processes

The Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan's series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, begins with book one: The Lightning Thief. This Greek-inspired fantasy series is beloved by kids worldwide. It's appropriate for children aged nine and up, and parents often love these books just as much as their kids do. While the series was adapted into a movie, there's nothing like reading the story for the first time as a family. Percy Jackson's epic journey is one full of peril, triumph, and inner strength.

• What Kids Will Learn: Some Greek mythology, tales of bravery, and it's an excellent precursor to other Greek epics

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