As established independent readers, pre-teens and teens begin to discover more about themselves, their interests, and the world we live in through what they read. These incredible middle grade and young adult books will mesmerize them with exciting stories that keep them hooked on reading throughout their teen years with characters that reflect where readers are in their lives.
The books pre-teens read are formative, helping readers hone their own path of self-discovery and self-expression. For instance, Barakah Beats is a coming-of-age tale about Nimra, a twelve-year-old girl who is new to public school. In the book, she must choose between honoring her religion and family values or following her passion for music.
In Gordon Korman's book Linked, three friends living in a quiet town begin to face up to crimes of the past and present when their school is vandalized and swastikas start to appear. In Kelly Yang's award-winning Front Desk series, readers will get to know an empowering 10-year-old Chinese American immigrant girl who manages the front desk of a motel while her parents clean the rooms.
While these books might have been written with a younger audience in mind, they are all stories that can inspire far beyond the teenage years. Be sure to read along.
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