Posted by If you want to discover free online books for 12-year-olds, then continue reading. Reading is an essential skill for 12-year-olds, and the internet provides a vast resource for free online books that can capture their imaginations.
To make it easier for parents, teachers, and young readers, we have compiled a list of 20 free online books that are perfect for 12-year-olds. These books span a variety of genres and some have received notable recognition, including literary awards and critical acclaim.
This article will explore these books and provide valuable insight and recommendations. In this article, we will highlight 20 free online books for 12-year-olds.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Reading for 12-Year-Olds
Reading is important for 12-year-olds, as it can improve their literacy skills, foster creativity and imagination, and escape during challenging times.
It can also help them explore new worlds, gain knowledge, and develop empathy. Parents, educators, and young readers should encourage and prioritize reading.
It can improve literacy skills, foster creativity and imagination, develop empathy and emotional intelligence, and provide comfort and escape during challenging times.
List Top 20 Free Online Books for 12-Year-Olds
Here is a list of the top 20 free online books for 12 years olds:
- The Lightning Thief
- The Hobbit
- Eragon
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
- Number the Stars
- The Breadwinner
- The Westing Game
- The Mysterious Benedict Society
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- Wonder
- The Giver
- Holes
- The Secret Garden
- The Crossover
- The Outsiders
- A Wrinkle in Time
- The Phantom Tollbooth
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- The Call of the Wild.
Top 20 Free Online Books for 12-Year-Olds
1. The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief is the first book in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series. It follows the story of Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is a demigod and is accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt. He embarks on a quest to find the lightning bolt and clear his name. The book has been praised for its fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and clever use of mythology.
- Published: 2005
- Author: Rick Riordan
- Genres: Greek mythology, Novel, Young adult fiction, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, High fantasy
- Awards: Hampshire Book Award
2. The Hobbit
The Hobbit is set in Middle-earth and follows Bilbo Baggins, the titular hobbit, on a quest to reclaim the dwarf’s home and treasure from Smaug. It is told as an episodic adventure with themes of conflict, heroism, and human development. Tolkien’s own experiences during World War I and their interest in mythology and fairy tales are often noted as influences. The book has been adapted for the theatre, cinema, radio, board games, and video games, and it has never been out of print.
- Published: 1937
- Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Genres: Novel, Fantasy Fiction, High fantasy, Children’s literature, Epic
3. Eragon
It follows the story of Eragon, a farm boy who finds a dragon egg and hatches Saphira from it. King Galbatorix sends servants to acquire it, forcing Eragon and Saphira to flee with Brom, an old member of the Dragon Riders.
- Published: 2002
- Author: Christopher Paolini
- Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Young adult fiction, Science Fiction, High Fantasy.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling. It follows the story of Harry Potter, a young orphan boy who discovers that he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book is praised for its imaginative world-building, engaging characters, and intricate plot.
- Published: 1997
- Author: J. K. Rowling
- Genres: Novel, Children’s literature, Fantasy Fiction, High fantasy
5. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a powerful novel by Mildred D. Taylor that explores the experiences of African Americans in the Southern United States during the 1930s. It follows the story of the Logan family, who own their own land and face discrimination and violence.
- Published: 1976
- Author: Mildred D. Taylor
- Genres: Novel, Historical Fiction
- Awards: John Newbery Medal
6. Number the Stars
“Number the Stars” is a moving and inspiring historical fiction novel by Lois Lowry, set in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II. It tells the story of Annemarie Johansen, a young girl who is in danger of being arrested and sent to a concentration camp.
- Published: 1989
- Author: Lois Lowry
- Genres: Novel, Historical Fiction, Children’s literature
- Awards: Newbery Medal: 1990
7. The Breadwinner
The Breadwinner is a novel by Deborah Ellis that tells the story of a young girl named Parvana living in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. It highlights the harsh realities of life for many people and provides insight into the struggles that women and girls face under Taliban rule. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the complexities of life in Afghanistan and the struggles faced by women and girls in many parts of the world.
- Published: 2000
- Author: Deborah Ellis
- Genres: Novel, Fiction, Children’s literature
8. The Westing Game
The Westing Game is a novel by Ellen Raskin that tells the story of Samuel W. Westing, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in paper products. After Sam Westing dies, his will is structured like a puzzle, with 16 heirs challenged to find the solution. The pair that solves the mystery will inherit Westing’s entire $200 million fortune and control of his company.
- Published: 1978
- Author: Ellen Raskin
- Genres: Novel, Mystery, Young adult fiction, Children’s literature, Humor
- Awards: John Newbery Medal
9. The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a novel by Trenton Lee Stewart that follows the adventures of four gifted children recruited by a mysterious benefactor to save the world from a dangerous threat. It is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure, puzzles, and a good mystery.
- Published: 2007
- Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
- Genres: Novel, Children’s literature, Science fiction, Adventure fiction
10. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a novel by E.L. Konigsburg that tells the story of two siblings, Claudia and Jamie, who ran away from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
- Published: 1967
- Author: E. L. Konigsburg
11. Wonder
Wonder tells a story of a boy, August Pullman who is a 10-year-old with a genetic condition, (Treacher Collins syndrome), who has been homeschooled for years.
He has been enrolled in Beecher Prep, a private school, for the start of fifth grade. On his first day of school, he is treated unkindly by some of his mates at school
- Published: 2012
- Author: R. J. Palacio
- Genres: Novel, Fiction, Children’s literature
12. The Giver
The Giver tells a story of a 12-year-old boy, Jonas, who is assigned his life’s work by the Elders at the annual Ceremony of Twelve. The Chief Elder initially passes over Jonas’s turn and explains that he has been selected as the next Receiver of Memory, a position of high status and responsibility.
The rules Jonas receives further separate him from his classmates, allowing him to lie and withhold his feelings from his family.
- Published: 1993
- Author: Lois Lowry
- Genres: Novel, Science fiction, Young adult fiction, Children’s literature, Dystopian Fiction, more
- Awards: Newbery Medal
13. Holes
Hole is a novel by Louis Sachar, that tells us a story of a boy, Stanley who is a 14-year-old boy with bad luck, but he is not easily depressed. He has a bad habit of blaming his great-great-grandfather when in trouble, but eventually gains strength and stands up for himself and his friends.
- Published: 1998
- Author: Louis Sachar
- Genres: Novel, Young adult fiction, Children’s literature, Mystery, Satire, Adventure fiction
14. The Secret Garden
The secret garden is a novel by Frances Burnett that tells a story of a neglected 10-year-old girl Mary Lennox born in British India to wealthy British parents. After a cholera epidemic kills her parents, she is discovered by British soldiers and sent to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven.
- Published: 1911
- Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Genre: Children’s novel
15. The Crossover
The Crossover is a novel by Kwame Alexander that tells the story of twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, who are both talented basketball players with dreams of making it big. This book is for anyone who appreciates poetry, inspirational stories, and sports.
- Published: 2014
- Author: Kwame Alexander
- Genre: Novel
- Awards: John Newbery Medal
16. The Outsiders
The Outsiders is a novel by S.E. Hinton that tells the story of two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, and Ponyboy’s struggles to navigate the harsh realities of life in their divided world. It has been adapted into a successful film and has inspired other works of literature and art.
- Published: 1967
- Author: S. E. Hinton
- Genres: Novel, Young adult fiction, Drama, Bildungsroman
17. A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a novel by Madeleine L’Englethat that tells a story of Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which are supernatural beings who teleport Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O’Keefe through the universe by means of a tesseract.
They first visit Uriel, a world inhabited by centaur-like beings fighting against the Black Thing, and Orion’s Belt to visit the Happy Medium. Mrs Whatsit is revealed to be a former star who exploded in an act of self-sacrifice to fight the darkness.
- Published: 1962
- Author: Madeleine L’Engle
- Genres: Novel, Science fiction, Young adult fiction, Children’s literature, Fantasy Fiction.
18. The Phantom Tollbooth
The Phantom Tollbooth is a novel by Norton Juster that tell a story of a bored boy, Milo who finds a mysterious package containing a tollbooth and a map of the Kingdom of Wisdom.
He decides to go to Dictionopolis and drives through the tollbooth in his electric toy car. He asks a Whether Man for directions in Expectations and ends up lost in the Doldrums.
- Published: 1961
- Author: Norton Juster
- Genres: Novel, Children’s literature, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Adventure fiction
19. The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a novel by C.S. Lewis that tells us the adventures of four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, as they discover a magical world called Narnia.
It has been adapted into films, TV shows, and stage productions, and has inspired other works of fantasy and children’s literature.
- Published: 1950
- Author: C. S. Lewis
- Genre: High fantasy; Children’s literature
20. The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild is a novel written by Jack London that tells the story of Shepherd mix, being pampered by Judge Miller and his family.
The Canadian government’s François and Perrault purchase him after being sold to them, and they take him to Alaska to receive sled dog training for the Klondike region of Canada.
- Published: 1903
- Author: Jack London
- Genres: Novel, Adventure fiction
FAQs on Free Online Books for 12-Year-Olds
Are these books available for free legally?
Yes, all of the books on the list are available and can be downloaded for free legally from a variety of online sources.
Are these books only available in English?
Yes, all the books on the list are available in English, however, some may be available in other languages.
Can these books be read on any device?
Yes, all the books on the list are available in digital form.
Are these books suitable for both boys and girls?
Yes, the books on the list are suitable for both boys and girls.
Can these books be recommended for classroom use?
Yes, a good number of the books on the list are frequently used in classrooms and make great resources for teachers and other educators.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, access to books is essential for intellectual and emotional growth, and the 20 free online books listed in this article provide a great resource for 12-year-olds to expand their literary skills, and foster creativity.
Reading is a lifelong habit that can help children develop empathy and critical thinking skills.
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