Reading is an influential and big part of a child's life. Well, our friends at Common Sense Media have got you covered with the 50 books your kids should read by the time they are 12. These are definitely some of the greats.
From picture books to graphic novels, fantasy to family fun, these must-read books have the power to hook both boys and girls. Some are cultural touchstones that belong in every kid's library. Others open kids' minds to cultures beyond their own. And some are modern releases that have the timeless quality of classics — the kinds that get handed down to siblings and passed around classrooms. Whether you have a reluctant reader or budding bookworm, check out these surefire, kid-tested titles. (We've included a few rated best for 12 and up for the precocious readers out there!)
Want more? Check out the Essential Books Guide to build your kid's personal library.
Age 2+
The silliness appeals to preschoolers.
Age 2+
This charming bedtime book is magical for truck lovers.
Age 2+
The ultimate going-to-bed book.
Age 2+
Eric Carle brings humor to a caterpillar's development.
Age 2+
This classic all-ages masterpiece has a wild imagination.
Age 3+
The imagination reigns in the timeless classic about a drawing boy.
Age 3+
Beatrix Potter's first and one of her best.
Age 4+
A kids' classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.
Age 4+
These engaging stories spotlight charming, relatable characters.
Age 4+
The rhyming classic is a sure winner with kids.
Age 5+
Beloved, classic stories and poems in one volume.
Age 5+
The funny, silly pig story is great for early readers.
Age 7+
This Ramona tale helps young kids build empathy.
Age 6+
This classic morality tale is highly entertaining.
Age 6+
A sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
Age 6+
This is an excellent bridge from chapter books to novels.
Age 6+
An irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.
Age 7+
The gentle, much-loved classic delights all ages.
Age 8+
This strange, surreal tale is sure to creep kids out.
Age 8+
This is the magical start of the bestselling Harry Potter phenomenon.
Age 8+
The classic Narnia chronicle has Christian themes.
Age 8+
The brave mouse adventure is a modern classic and a great read-aloud.
Age 9+
A classic that both kids and adults love.
Age 9+
The beloved classic features a lovable, imaginative heroine.
Age 9+
A cliffhanging adventure wrapped in black humor.
Age 9+
Milder than Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this will be a sure hit with boys.
Age 9+
This honest, moving story explores friendship and loss.
Age 9+
This well-crafted tale looks at an orphan's search for home.
Age 9+
The laugh-out-loud funny series tucks lessons into its stories.
Age 9+
Brilliantly written, this inventive tale unfolds before The Lord of the Rings.
Age 9+
Modernized Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure.
Age 9+
This classic view of pioneer life is seen through a little girl's eyes.
Age 9+
Toddler antics bug a brother and amuse readers in the first Fudge book.
Age 9+
The classic sci-fi story still inspires and gets kids thinking.
Age 10+
Historical fiction is at its best in this book on '30s farmworkers.
Age 10+
In this touching story, a resourceful girl solves a family mystery.
Age 10+
Get inspired by the memoir of the teen Nobel Laureate who was shot by the Taliban.
Age 10+
The inspiring, educational immigrant story is told in free verse.
Age 10+
The wilderness-survival adventure grips and inspires.
Age 10+
The gripping story offers a great intro to China's Cultural Revolution.
Age 10+
The dramatic, complex tale has rich characters and emotional depth.
Age 11+
The inspiring wartime journal reveals the teen's inner life.
Age 11+
The moving, uplifting tale follows a disfigured boy with inner beauty.
Age 12+
A boy genius trains to crush an alien invasion in this sci-fi classic.
Age 12+
The spectacular fantasy classic is where Frodo's journey begins.
Age 12+
The exciting, provocative tale concerns a lethal reality show.
Age 12+
The stylish dystopian thriller is set in a not-so-future Los Angeles.
Age 12+
The powerful graphic novel captures the spirit of desegregation.
Age 12+
The story of an ostracized kid is a timeless fave among teens and preteens.
Age 12+
The stunning classic examines racism — and justice.