12 Books Every Parent Should Read With Their Kids

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12 Books Every Parent Should Read With Their Kids Before Age 12 (momswhothink.com)

Unlock Adventures: Top Book Picks for Kids Under 12

As Mary Pope Osbourne wisely said, “Reading is a passport to countless adventures.” Even in our screen-centric world, this sentiment holds true.

Books offer a fantastic way for families to embark on thrilling journeys together, all without leaving the comfort of home. When you show excitement for the stories on the page, your children will follow suit!

Each book has the power to impart valuable lessons, share fascinating facts, or build confidence in the things they love. It’s never too early to introduce your children to the magic of storytelling.

With an overwhelming number of titles available, choosing the perfect books can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best books for kids under 12-titles that we’re confident both you and your children will adore!

Wings of Fire

The Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland, published by Scholastic, offers 19 high-fantasy books, each more captivating than the last.

Geared for ages 9-12, these books are perfect for independent readers but truly shine as a shared family experience. Dive into a world of dragons, aerial combat, valiant heroes, and epic tales of friendship, all while exploring progressive themes.

Ideal for avid readers comfortable with fantasy settings and battle scenes, this series serves as an excellent introduction to more mature young adult sagas like The Lord of the Rings.

What Kids Will Learn: Lessons in acceptance, tolerance, and bravery when facing adversity.

I Survived

Another Scholastic gem, Lauren Tarshis’s I Survived series, is perfect for ages 7-12. These books bring historical events to life through the eyes of children who endured them.

From the Titanic’s tragic voyage to the Holocaust, young readers can experience history firsthand. Parents will appreciate how each event unfolds with age-appropriate detail, always concluding with a positive outcome for the main character.

What Kids Will Learn: Significant historical moments, age-appropriate details of tragedies and natural disasters, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Goosebumps

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps horror books have been a family favorite since the 1990s and remain incredibly popular, especially with kids who love all things spooky.

Perfect for readers 12 and under, these books are just creepy enough to keep stories exciting without being too scary. The Goosebumps Choose-Your-Own-Ending books add an extra layer of fun, allowing children to control the story’s outcome!

What Kids Will Learn: Critical thinking, imagination, and creativity as they explore different narrative paths.

Historical Fiction by Jennifer A. Nielsen

For young history buffs craving more historical adventures, Jennifer A. Nielsen’s standalone historical fiction novels are a must-read.

Aimed at ages 8-12, each book features a strong central character navigating heroic stories rooted in historical events like the Holocaust, the sinking of the Titanic, and the French Resistance. These gripping tales will keep both you and your child on the edge of your seats.

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

Magic Tree House Series

First published in 1992, Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series continues to be celebrated for its adventure, engaging characters, and educational themes. Ideal for kids ages 6-10, each story transports main characters Jack and Annie to different worlds and eras.

One book might take you to Ancient Rome, while another features ferocious dinosaurs. Each story is a unique adventure, ready to whisk readers away!

What Kids Will Learn: Educational themes spanning science, history, and biology.

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

For a heartwarming story about ancestry, family history, and enduring bonds, look no further than The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson. This powerful picture book follows a young girl’s generational journey, learning how her family survived immigration, the slave trade, and new life in America as her bond with her grandmother deepens.

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, these books offer a fun way to engage their sense of intrigue. Ideal for ages 5-8, they make for excellent bedtime reads, teaching children about dinosaurs, history, politics, and science through fascinating tales.

What Kids Will Learn: Paleontology, history, science, and politics.

Courage Like Kate

Anna Crowley Redding’s Courage Like Kate tells the true story of a young lightkeeper named Kate. She bravely took on her ailing father’s role, keeping the lighthouse beacon lit for ships for decades. This beautiful tale of strength, determination, and bravery is an excellent read for kids ages 4-8, and parents will find Kate’s inspiring story equally captivating.

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

Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid

Written by Mikaila Ulmer, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid is a part-memoir and guide for young entrepreneurs. After achieving her dream of starting her own business, Ulmer shares her journey, making this book perfect for young adults (ages 10 and up) with big dreams.

Ulmer is a strong, determined, and relatable character whose real-life story serves as a motivational and heartwarming testament to the power of daring to dream. Adults will also find inspiration in her journey.

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

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak’s children’s classic, Where the Wild Things Are, remains a beautiful read today. This wild adventure is brimming with wonder, imagination, and masterful storytelling.

As you read aloud to your child, dare to dream with them through encounters with monsters, forest creatures, and a mysterious island. After finishing the book, you can even watch the 2009 movie adaptation!

This is a fun read for kids ages 4-8, and older kids will enjoy it too.

What Kids Will Learn: How to use their imaginations; the main character, Max, is often interpreted as being autistic, offering relatability for neurodivergent readers.

Amelia Bedelia Series

The Amelia Bedelia series, initiated by Peggy Parish in the 1960s and continued by her nephew Herman until 2022, is a timeless story of a young girl navigating life’s challenges. Even today, Amelia Bedelia’s wacky and often relatable situations resonate with children.

Her literal interpretations provide comic relief, while the illustrations perfectly capture her quirky nature. These books, targeted for ages 6-8, will also bring a wave of nostalgia for parents.

What Kids Will Learn: Real-life situations and how to navigate them; Amelia Bedelia’s character is often seen as having neurodivergent thought processes.

The Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan’s beloved Percy Jackson and the Olympians series kicks off with The Lightning Thief. This Greek-inspired fantasy series is cherished by kids worldwide and is appropriate for children aged nine and up.

Parents often find themselves just as engrossed as their children. While the series has been adapted into a movie, nothing beats reading Percy Jackson’s epic journey of peril, triumph, and inner strength as a family.

What Kids Will Learn: Basic Greek mythology, tales of bravery, and an excellent introduction to other Greek epics.