The Best Wholesome Books For Tweens

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This article showcases our top picks for the Wholesome Books For Tweens. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).

We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM-Medical

Each week on Tuesday, the castle in which Princess Celie and her family reside adds one more room, tower, or wing to the structure. Celie is exceptionally fond of her ever-evolving castle. Therefore, when bandits attack her parents’ carriage, and they are not seen again, Celie finds solace in the fact that the king and queen’s apartment is the same and hopes the castle is aware that they are still alive.


The Ruby Princess Runs Away by Jahnna N. Malcom

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM-Medical

The Red Princess, Roxanne, has second thoughts about becoming king or queen, so she absconds shortly before her coronation. She finds out that there is a plan afoot to have a fake Red Princess ascend to the throne. She also comes into contact with benevolent individuals who impart the wisdom that ruling is not about being prepared but rather about love and friendship. As a result of this fresh insight, Roxanne can return to the castle and prevent the imposter from snatching her crown.


The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

This product was recommended by Derrick Hathaway from VEM-Medical

This heartwarming true story, which is told by a gorilla named Ivan, will quickly capture your attention. Ivan is isolated from other gorillas for the entirety of his 27 years in captivity by being housed in a run- down shopping mall and sleeping alongside a stray dog named Bob, an elephant named Stella, and a newborn elephant named Ruby was recently acquired. Stella asks Ivan to find Ruby home with other elephants before she passes away, and although Ivan agrees to do so, he warns that it won’t be easy.


Everyday Angel by Victoria Schwab

This product was recommended by Melissa Terry from VEM-Tooling Co. Ltd.

Written by Victoria Schwab, Everyday Angel is a collection of short stories that center on an angel named Aria who gains her wings by assisting young women who are contending with adversity in some form. In the first novel, she helps Gabby. The prognosis for Gabby’s brother is unknown now; therefore, Gabby’s mother concentrates all of her attention on her sibling. Aria is the one who needs to assist Gabby in adjusting to her new school and figuring out who she is. These are the kinds of heartwarming tales that young women will love reading.


The Best Friend Battle By Lindsay Eyre

This product was recommended by Brandon Wilkes from The Big Phone Store

The Best Friend Battle by Lindsay Eyre is the perfect book for tweens who are navigating the ups and downs of friendships. The book follows the story of two best friends, Emma and Sydney, who are in the midst of a major falling out. Through the course of the book, the girls learn valuable lessons about communication, compromise, and the importance of being true to yourself. This is an incredibly relatable and heartwarming story that is sure to resonate with tweens everywhere.


Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

This product was recommended by Iam Akshay from OnlineCourseing

This book is one of the best wholesome books for tweens because it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like loss and grief, but also provides hope and a way forward. The characters are believable and relatable, and the author’s writing style makes you feel like you’re right there with them. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read that also teaches life lessons.


The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman

This product was recommended by Dr. Staci Holweger from LifePatches

The Sandman Series is a collection of books from Neil Gaiman. It is a fantasy story that follows the travels of Morpheus, the King of Dreams, and his siblings in the Endless. It is a beautifully written story about morality, dreams, and other dimensions and how they all interconnect.


The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

This product was recommended by James Watts from Own The Grill

It teaches the reader via its warm, uplifting, and positive story the lesson that my aunt imparted to me when I was a child, and that I have clung to ever since “what’s for you, won’t go by you”. By exploring the possibility of multiverse theory, the infinite possibility Haig reinforces the idea that the decisions you make place you on the path that you need to, and should be, on. It’s a classic story of self-discovery and finding out who you really are that every tween and young person needs to read.


Wonder by R. J. Palacio

This product was recommended by CJ Xia from Boster Biological Technlogy

It’s a story of an innocent child who unfortunately has facial problems by birth. Throughout the story that little kid wants to be treated like other kids. This story tells us about his feelings and struggles.


Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

This product was recommended by Jack Williams from Handyman Reviewed

Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year-old villain, is the most cunning criminal mastermind in history. His ambitious aim is to hold a leprechaun hostage. But when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the Leprechaun, he gets more than he bargained for. Tweens will learn new words every day from these books, which have a large vocabulary. Excellent plots.


Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

This product was recommended by Brad Burnie from Starships

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein is a great book for tweens. Kids love imagining the adventure and being in it as the main character solving those mysteries. This book offers them this adventure that boosts their confidence as they read it. This fictional novel is an adventure in a library that the main character Kyle will discover as he enters a contest for his beloved game maker Mr. Lemoncello. It is fun to read and excites the kid when they read it motivating them to dig deeper into the book.


Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

This product was recommended by Erika Barnes from Pet Smitten

As the dust jacket blurb says, it’s the book that gives you the tools you need to deal with life’s everyday ups and downs. And being a tween can be difficult, so anything you can add to your child’s emotional arsenal to help them to cope with the stresses and strains of growing up in the digital world can, and will boost their morale and the way they approach life and how they live it.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This product was recommended by Mark Joseph from Parental Queries

This dystopian novel follows the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who must compete in a deadly televised competition to save her family and friends. While The Hunger Games may not be as light-hearted as The Giver, it’s an excellent example of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.


BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends) by Jessica Speer

This product was recommended by Jessica Speer from Familius Publishing

Let’s face it, friendships can be challenging. BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? tackles friendship struggles head-on, leaving readers informed and empowered as they navigate the tricky world of friendship. Through fun activities, quizzes, and real stories, this book helps girls decipher healthy vs. unhealthy relationship skills and how to navigate struggles. But more importantly, this book gives girls a new perspective on friendship and the role they play in creating positive change.


The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

This product was recommended by Sameed Alam from SoftMany

The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis would be my pick for wholesome books for tweens. A secret hidden universe is discovered by four children who must flee the country due to World War 2 in their caregiver’s clothes. A wicked queen and an endless winter must be defeated in order to preserve the world. The complete series should be read rather than just one book since it serves as a stunning and well-rounded allegory of Christ’s self-sacrificing love for us.


Unlocking the Universe by Stephan and Lucy Hawking

This product was recommended by Adam Berry from AdamBerrySEO

The book is all about the sun, moon stars and exploring the universe. Tweens love to read about our existence and what is beyond the planet. The book is a wonderful insight into how the earth evolved and what is the reason for our existence. It fulfills the curiosity of our younger ones and makes them aware of the past, present, and future.


Wish by Barbara O’Connor

This product was recommended by Iqbal Ahmad from Britannia School of Academics

Charlie, the main character, goes to live with an aunt and uncle when her parents can’t take care of her anymore. She feels abandoned and unwanted. With the help of a new friend, Howard, a stray dog she takes in, and her aunt and uncle, Charlie finally finds her place to belong. Being a dog lover, I also related to her on that level. This book was heartwarming, sweet, and a great lesson about being a real family. This story is about friendship, family, and never giving up on your wishes! It was an easy read, and tweens will surely love it. Words can’t describe how cute and heart-touching it was. All the characters of the story were written heroically. I must recommend this book as it has plenty of page-turning events and a happy ending.


Roll with it by Jamie Sumner

This product was recommended by Smriti Tuteja from Yogic Experience

The protagonist of this heartwarming story is a specially-abled girl struggling with cerebral palsy. Although Ellie’s life is bound to a wheelchair, her spirit is not. She likes to be independent and hates aid with basic tasks of life. Ellie moves with her mother to another state, makes her first friends and tries to liver her life on her terms. It is kind, emotional, meaningful, and motivational, a perfect choice for all young ones.


Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This product was recommended by Jen Stark from Happy DIY Home

This classic novel follows the story of Jess, a lonely and imaginative young boy, who befriends Leslie, a new girl in town who shares his love for creating imaginary worlds. Together they make a fictional kingdom called Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen. Tragedy strikes when Leslie’s life is cut short, and Jess must navigate his grief and come to terms with the loss.


A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This product was recommended by Luke Lee from PalaLeather

This coming-of-age novel follows the story of Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in poverty in 1900s Brooklyn, New York. She learns about love, family, and hardship through her experiences with her parents and community. This book contains themes such as finding joy amidst adversity that resonated with me during my childhood and still do to this day.


Ghost by Jason Reynolds

This product was recommended by Caitlyn Parish from Cicinia

Ghost is an exceptional runner who joins his middle school track team in hopes of finding an escape from his troubled past and uncertain future. Along the way, he learns about the power of determination and finding his own identity. This book also touches on themes such as poverty, racism, and gang violence in a relatable way for tweens.


Snow & Rose Martin by Emily Winfield

This product was recommended by Simon Gidney from A Mind To Care

This sympathetic rendition of a few different fairy tales is beautiful. Sisters Rose and Snow are two distinct female characters that readers may identify with and root for. Younger readers could find the story’s level of danger to be too much, but it is only briefly present. It could be beneficial to read this book jointly. The illustrations are attractive as well.


To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This product was recommended by Erin Zadoorian from Bubpop

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel that will teach tweens about racism, sexism, and other important issues. This book is perfect for tweens who are looking for an educational and thought-provoking story.


The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

This product was recommended by Henffrey Muthama from LedAsk

This book is a great book for kids who like to read on the edge of their seat. It’s appropriately written to capture children’s imagination and keep them interested in reading. The book is filled with adventure, humor and suspense. It’s a great story that the whole family can enjoy! The book is appropriate for children 6 and up.


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