11 Books Every Kid Should Read Before High School
From timeless classics to timely hits, here are 11 books we think should be required reading before going to high school.
RELATED: 10 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in September
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Four Chinese American immigrant families in San Francisco start a mahjong group known as The Joy Luck Club. Structured somewhat like a game of mahjong itself, each part of the story focuses on a mother-daughter duo...and is so relatable to anyone striving to differentiate themselves from their parents.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
This 2013 memoir by 19-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Yousafzai (who was attacked by the Taliban for her outspokenness on the importance of girls’ education) is stunningly inspirational and should be required reading for any young person as a lesson in how to change the world.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Anyone who’s ever grown up (or is in the process of growing up) will recognize Margaret’s triumphs, struggles and confusion. And while today’s kids might not recognize some of the more dated references (like, umm, sanitary belts), they'll get the point.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Riggs’s dark fantasy is about a young boy who time travels to a home for strangely gifted children with “peculiarities,” like invisibility, superhuman strength and prophetic dreams. It’s also worth seeing Tim Burton’s film version—after reading the book of course.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The wildly popular story of grouchy misfit Meg, her genius little brother and their missing scientist father swoops through time and space to teach lessons about individuality, patience and love.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
This 1993 dystopian YA novels follows 12-year-old Jonas as he prepares to take his government-appointed position as “Receiver of Memories,” only to discover the sinister reason behind state-sanctioned “release dates” for the elderly and developmentally challenged children. The themes are a little hit-you-over-the-head obvious, but for a tween they’re mind-blowing enough to spur deep conversation.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Rowling’s entire series is suitable for readers of just about any age, but we strongly support a middle school introduction to Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the gang at Hogwarts.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Rowell wrote the equally excellent Eleanor & Park, but we’re partial to Fangirl. The novel follows Cath, an awkward teen, through her first year of college, where the only thing getting her through is the fan fiction she obsessively writes and reads. Even if college is a few years away, Cath’s struggles to fit in are pretty much universal.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Talking animals, mythical creatures and a White Witch make up the first installment of Lewis’s fantastical Chronicles of Narnia series. (Plus, again, there’s a movie series with which to bribe reluctant readers.)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
This non-saccharine book, told from the alternating perspectives of a ten-year-old with jarring facial anomalies and his various family members and friends, gets our Golden Tissue Box award for most quality tear-jerker in recent history.
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
A bit more accessible and consistently engaging than The Lord of the Rings, this is just a really great adventure story. The themes of personal growth and overcoming challenges—told through the story of a pint-size hero—are just icing on the cake.
