I read and share so many excellent contemporary books for tweens, but I still hear from parents who want their kids to read the classics. But most tweens are not ready for Dickens or George Orwell! So, what are some good classic books for tweens?
Although the word "tween" is a new-fangled one, kids ages 8-12 can certainly appreciate a classic book. And what defines a "classic" book, anyway? I've decided, for purposes of this tween book list, that all books must be older that me (!). That is completely arbitrary, and since I've called books from the 1990s "classics", I make no claims for consistency. But there you have it.
Do some tweens resist classic books because they perceive them as boring? Well these classic books for tweens are everything but boring! I included some titles your children will most certainly recognize, but also a few which may even be new to parents! I also made sure to include a lot of humor, but you will find realism and even science fiction, as well. If your 8-12 year old doesn't want to pick up a classic book on his or her own, why not try reading one of these aloud?
For tweens who read voraciously be sure to check out all of my middle grade book lists and especially the books on my book list series, classics through the 20th century. (Note: all titles and covers are affiliate links.)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
I still remember my 5th grade teacher reading The Westing Game to the class. I was completely riveted and it continues to be one of my favorite children's books of all time. Mr. Westing, an eccentric millionaire, writes his will as a game. The named beneficiaries must discover who murdered him in order to inherit his fortune. "Players" are separated into teams with clues. This unusual mystery has a host of curious characters and surprising plot twists.
Has your tween already read The Westing Game? I recommend her 1971 mystery, The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel), or these books like The Westing Game.
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (1967)
A group of friends hang out near an old curio shop and engage in some imaginary world building. Mysterious and suspenseful, it will be especially loved by kids who like all things Egyptian.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming (1964)
Do not judge a book by its movie! This humorous tale by the author of James Bond is great fun. The crazy Pott family purchases a car that can fly as well at catch criminals. Perhaps not as deep and meaningful as some of the other books on this list, but tweens don't need every book they read to change their views on life!
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. (1943)
I remember reading this book for the first time when I was in 3rd grade, which may be a little young. I think tweens are at a good age to start thinking about the wider philosophical ideas presented in this classic book about a prince who finds himself on a strange new planet.
The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston (1954)
Tolly goes to live with his grandparents in their ancient but magical English manor house. He meets a few new playmates to keep him company. He discovers, however, they are not quite of this world. There are six Green Knowe books. Read them all.
The Betsy-Tacy Books by Maud Hart Lovelace (1940)
Not just a classic book for twee girls! These tales of three friends in early 20th century Minnesota will appeal to kids who love history. If you find your kids are constantly reading fantasy books (nothing wrong with that!) add a little variety with these books. Tweens often want to read books about teens and they can read all the way through Betsy's teen years without parents having to worry that their kids are reading YA material that is not quite appropriate yet.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor(1976)
This is the story of a family deeply affected by racism. It's not a pretty story, and it's about the shameful way people can treat each other. I remember reading it and feeling as though, as a child growing up in a sheltered environment, that my eyes had been opened, but that there was possibility for positive change. Isn't that what we want for our kids?
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf by Catherine Storr (1955)
I 100% LOVE this 1955 classic. We've read it aloud multiple times, and my son still read it on his own! As you might guess from the title, Polly readily outwits a not-so-shrewd wolf who would like nothing better than to eat her for dinner. Storr's storytelling ability is just as clever and witty as her heroine.
Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1966)
This is a long time favorite book of mine, and is one that many families pass by. Don't be so foolish! If you are not familiar with Chelm, Singer's book of short stories is the best introduction. In Jewish folklore, Chelm came into being when an angel, tasked with distributing a sack of fools around the world, tripped and spilled all in one place! Chelm is a village of fools and the seven Elders are the most foolish of all. There are seven stories in all, each with a little lesson to be gleaned, but read them for the light-hearted humor and a few giggles.
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1984)
Through letters and diary entries addressed to his favorite author, Leigh Botts works through his feelings about his parents’ divorce, making friends at a new school and the mysterious lunch thief. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is that Cleary realistically conveys the complex and urgent voice of an 11-year-old boy. Epistolary novels for children are rare and this one is eminently readable.
Gone-Away Lake (series) by Elizabeth Enright (1957)
Does anything say "summer" more than time at a lake? Siblings, Portia and Foster head out to stay with their cousins at their lake side home. When they arrive, they discover a mysterious ghost town and meet its two remaining inhabitants who teach them the town's secrets. This is a wonderful story of children enjoying a "free-range" summer.
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet series) by Madeline L'Engle (1962)
This classic series hardly needs an introduction. The mix of fantasy, science fiction and mystery is a perfect combo for tweens. Meg Murry's father has gone missing so she, her brother Charles Wallace, and a friend, Calvin O'Keefe, go on an incredible journey through space and time in hopes of rescuing him. Ages 8 and up.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1958)
16 year old Kit leaves her home in Barbados, only to find herself smack in the middle of Puritan New England and a life that is very different from her own. Kit later becomes a target of the villagers' fear and is accused, along with her friend, of being a witch. This book is perhaps best for older tweens, and is a great way to start a conversation about tolerance, social pressures and compassion.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (1962)
I remember loving this book as a child, and as an adult I love the alliterative title. It takes an ultra talented author like Joan Aiken to turn what could easily be a predictable, gothic plot into an exciting, suspenseful tale. Two cousins persevere against all odds when they are thrown under the protection of rather sinister guardian with the Dickensian name of Mrs. Slighcarp.
More books for tweens:
Alex Baugh (@RandomlyReading) says
I would definitely include the Anne of Green Gables series, my favorite at that age. although some of the classics you list are also favorites of mine and my Kiddo when she was young.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, I definitely should have put Anne on the list
R Goff says
imagine my delight in finding (as an adult shopping in Costco) that there are actually five books in the Wrinkle in Time series! This is one of my favorite series as a child, so I immediately bought all five and have read them again and again. I love your book lists; they always have some favorites and delightful new discoveries!
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's news to me, I thought there were only 3!
Erica MomandKiddo says
5! I thought there were only 3!
kateywrites says
I can't believe I've never read the Betsy-Tacy series! I will be finding them pronto and reading together with my 9 year old - who has just finished On the Banks of Plum Creek and declared the first chapter of These Happy Golden Years to be "dreadful." Thank you once again !
Erica MomandKiddo says
If she likes Laura, she'll love Betsy!
katieh says
Children of Green Knowe! I try to read that every christmas! I can't wait to read it to my children (though i think i need to wait a few more years, since it's a bit much for a newly 4 and 6 year old.) The bbc did a great tv adaptation of it when I was a child.
it's lovely to see it turn up on a reading list. 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
I think because it's a British book, not as many people in the States are familiar with the series. I hope to change that!
Emma says
Tom's Midnight Garden
Goodnight Mr Tom
The Railway Children,
5 Children and It
Stig of the Dump
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestions! Two of these I'm not familiar with. Several of the others are on our classics by the decade lists. Great choices.
Rebecca says
Ooh! Yes! Wolves of Willoughby Chase for sure! Anything by Joan Aiken actually. Go Saddle the Sea is another good one.
Emma says
Charlotte Sometimes
A Little Princess
Erica MomandKiddo says
Love those two! And I'm so happy that someone else know Charlotte Sometimes!! 🙂
Emma says
The Borrowers
Emma says
CS was my favourite book along with Tom's Midnight a Garden back in the 70s.
Emma says
Carrie's War,The Machine Gunners and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit are great wartime favourites over here.
The Phoenix and the Carpet was made into a fab BBC series in the 70s but is nowhere to be found anymore.The book is a good read too.If you go on Children's Books on Mumsnet you'll find loads of classics recommendations I've prob forgotten.
Anna@The Measured Mom says
Wait! You forgot Sweet Valley Twins! (Just kidding, hee hee.) I love The Hundred Dresses, Homer Price, and recently discovered and devoured the entire Betsy Tacy series. I wasn't able to get into The Secret Garden. Maybe I should give it another go.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Ha ha ha! Well, SV are classics... and I did LOVE them when I was that age. .....
Sally says
I totally agree with those above who suggested the Anne of Green Gables series. I also recall fondly the Boxcar children. Maybe someone out there can help me remember the name of the book/author re: a story in Europe, probably Eastern Europe, post WWII. It might have taken place in Poland. A collection of people, some related, came to live together in an old farmhouse. That's about all I remember, and it's driving me nuts that I cannot find the name of the book, or its author.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Hmmm. That doesn't ring a bell. It's so frustrating when you can't remember the name of a book.
Nancy Sparrow says
We are reading a two book series that sounds like what you are describing - The Ark and its sequel, Rowan Farm - by Margot Benary-Isbert..about a family in post WW2 Germany that comes to live on a farm with other people who have been displaced by war, etc. Very heartwarming. The author has been compared to Louisa May Alcott, but I think she's better!
Katey Howes says
Great selections. I'd add Island of the Blue Dolphins, From the Mixed Up Files of Ms. Basil E Frankweiler, The Westing Game, and the Narnia series!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Love those books, too!
Melissa says
Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome.
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Saturdays and the rest of the Melendy quartet by Elizabeth Enright
Gone Away Lake by the same
The Moffats
Erica MomandKiddo says
All great choices.
Lindsay says
Would you recommend reading Children of Green Knowe to fourth grade students? I'm currently searching for read aloud books. Amazon reviews suggest this book is a bit spooky. What do you think?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Since it's a classroom and you aren't sure about all the kids' sensibilities, it might be better to choose something else. My son is a fourth grader and his teachers are reading Bridge to Terebithia and he says the kids love it.
Erica says
I see a lot of books on your list are similar to what I have here: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/like-classic-book-love-diverse-book/
Rachel says
The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler!
Erica says
Yes, absolutely.
Sandra Snyder says
One of my all time books for this age is Rabbit Hill. A very long time ago there was a tv special on this book. I believe that it was narrated by the same actor that narrates the original Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer. I have searched and searched for a video of this show but have never been able to find it for my grandchildren.
Charles McHenry says
I may be showing my British, but might I suggest The Wind in the Willows and Kipling’s KIM.
Bookworm says
I have definitely read some of these and loved them! I would add the Inkjeart series-one of my personal faves. It’s also my teachers favorite.
Bookworm says
Inkheart*
#ReadBooks,WriteBooks says
*Hoot, Carl Hiaasen
*Masterminds series, Gordon Korman (Masterminds, Criminal Destiny, Payback)
*All Nancy Drew Girl Detective books, Carolyn Keene
*The mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stuart
*The Wingfeather Saga series, Andrew Peterson (On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, North! Or be Eaten, The Monstorous Hollows, The Warden and the Wolf King)
* The Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket
*The City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
Catherine McCray says
Thunder hear me cry would be on your must read list. What else?
Erica says
I definitely have Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry on several other lists, it's a great book!