Hello, I am looking for suggested books that are appropriate for a preteen who is an advanced reader yet not ready for mature content.
I am putting together mystery boxes to send to her and want to send books with a few themed gifts if possible.
Currently she enjoys romance(cozy meet cute with no adult content), mystery and fiction.
Holiday or hallmark type books or light fantasy stories with magic are encouraged and series similar to the hunger games might be a hit.
She isn’t Interested in historical fiction at this time so lots of classics are off the table for now.
I am open to all suggestions and would appreciate any input about authors, series etc.
Thank you in advance!
by Foilageddrake
10 Comments
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo- A heist duology set in a fantasy world. Really well built characters and connects to a larger series. Also a part of the show Shadow and Bone.
We were Liars by E. Lockhart- A mystery/suspense involving teens on a private island. Emotional rollercoaster.
Cruel Prince by Holly Black- A (clean) enemies to lovers romance that blends the modern world and fantasy very well. First book of the Folk of the Air series.
To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han- A sweet, lovable highschool romance. I believe this one is a trilogy as well and has movies for each book.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han- Anything by Jenny Han is a good pick for a preteen girl who likes romance. I know the TV show is popular amongst that age group as well.
A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson- A classic high school murder mystery with a crazy twist at the end.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Another mystery, but has a very cool concept and the series is executed very well.
Lloyd Alexander, particularly his Prydain Chronicles
The Belgariad by David Eddings
The Harper Hall series (a subset of the Dragonriders of Pern series) by Anne McCaffrey
Percy Jackson series
Kane chronicles trilogy
Both are easy to read and follow and cant be considered mature
The Babysitter’s Coven books
His Dark Materials
I Woke up Dead at the Mall
{{The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh}}
[*P. S. I Like You* by Kasie West](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25486998-p-s-i-like-you) – cute, fluffy romance that is very tame. Kasie West in general is a great choice, she’s a big name in contemporary romance and well-loved for her ‘clean’ content. I don’t especially love the term ‘clean’ as it has certain moral implications tied up in it, but for lack of a better term, it gives you a good idea of what’s on the page.
[*Pivot Point* by Kasie West](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11988046-pivot-point) – kind of dystopian/fantasy mash-up? The main character can see potential futures. Easily appropriate for tweens and young teens.
[*To Best the Boys* by Mary Weber](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40556417-to-best-the-boys) – a dystopian with competition elements.
[*Red Fox Road* by Frances Greenslade](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49759100-red-fox-road) – survival story set in the PNW in the vein of Hatchet, aimed at ages 10-14.
[*Well, That Was Awkward* by Rachel Vail](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30422650-well-that-was-awkward) – cute, messy, comedy of errors with age-appropriate romance.
And… I wouldn’t go with Holly Black’s *Cruel Prince* series just yet. It’s not anything especially risqué, but there is a fade-to-black intimate encounter later in the series and that might not be a level of romance you’re looking for.
I never see it recommended, but as a kid I enjoyed Molly Moon series a lot! https://www.goodreads.com/series/64313-molly-moon
The tweens in my life have been enjoying:
The Keeper of the Lost Cities series
The Lunar Chronicles (although there is a disease outbreak/pandemic plot line. When my oldest read these, no problem. When my youngest picked them up recently, it hit a little close to home).
The Land of Stories series (I liked these too.)
Starfish by Jerry Spinelli.
{{My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick}}