50 Books All Kids Should Read By Age 12

by Mo Willems (2004)

Silliness that appeals to preschoolers.

by Sherri Duskey Rinker (2012)

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

by Margaret Wise Brown (2004)

The ultimate going-to-bed book.

by Eric Carle (2003)

Carle brings humor to caterpillar's development.

by Maurice Sendak (2001)

Classic all-ages masterpiece has a wild imagination.

by Crockett Johnson (2012)

Imagination reigns in timeless classic about drawing boy.

by Beatrix Potter (2003)

Beatrix Potter's first and one of her best.

by Dr. Seuss (2003)

A kids' classic that put Dr. Seuss on the map.

by Arnold Lobel (2003)

Engaging stories spotlight charming, relatable characters.

by Ludwig Bemelmans (2003)

Rhyming classic is a sure winner with kids.

by A. A. Milne (2007)

Beloved, classic stories and poems in one volume.

by Kate DiCamillo (2008)

Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.

by Beverly Cleary (2003)

Ramona tale helps young kids build empathy.

by Roald Dahl (2005)

Classic morality tale is highly entertaining.

by Anne Barrows (2007)

A sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

by E. B. White (2003)

Excellent bridge from chapter books to novels.

by Shel Silverstein (2012)

Irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.

by E. B. White (2007)

Gentle, much-loved classic delights all ages.

by Neil Gaiman (2004)

Strange, surreal tale sure to creep kids out.

by J. K. Rowling (2005)

Magical start of bestselling Potter phenomenon. 

by C. S. Lewis (2005)

Classic Narnia tale has exciting battles, Christian themes.

by Kate DiCamillo (2004)

Brave mouse adventure a modern classic; great read-aloud.

by Lewis Carroll (2003)

A classic that both adults and kids love.

by L. M. Montgomery (2011)

Beloved classic features lovable, imaginative heroine.

by Lemony Snickett (2007)

A cliff-hanging adventure wrapped in black humor.

by Lincoln Peirce (2010)

Milder than Wimpy Kid, and a sure hit with boys.

by Katherine Patterson (2006)

Honest, moving story of friendship and loss.

by Christopher Paul Curtis (2004)

Well-crafted tale of an orphan's search for home.

by Jeff Kinney (2007)

Laugh-out-loud-funny series start tucks lessons in stories.

by J. R. R. Tolkien (2011)

Brilliantly written, inventive pre-LOTR tale.

by Rick Riordan (2005)

Modernized Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure.

by Laura Engalls Wilder (2007)

Toddler antics bug brother, amuse readers in 1st Fudge book.

by Judy Blume (2011)

Toddler antics bug brother, amuse readers in 1st Fudge book.

by Madeline L'Engle (2003)

Classic sci-fi story still inspires and gets kids thinking.

by Pam Munoz Ryan (2011)

Historical fiction at its best in book on '30s farmworkers.

by Blue Balliett (2013)

Touching story of resourceful girl solving a family mystery.

By Malala Yousafzai, Patricia McCormick (2014)

Inspiring memoir of teen Nobel laureate shot by Taliban.

By Thanhha Lai (2011)

Inspiring, educational immigrant story told in free verse.

By Jean Craighead George (2012)

Gripping, inspiring wilderness-survival adventure.

by Ying Chang Compestine (2008)

Gripping story, great intro to China's Cultural Revolution.

by Sharon Creech (2010)

Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen's inner life.

by Anne Frank (2011)

Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen's inner life.

by R. J. Palacio (2012)

Moving, uplifting tale of disfigured boy with inner beauty.

by Orson Scott Card (2005)

Boy genius trains to crush alien invasion in sci-fi classic.

by Suzanne Collins (2008)

Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show.

by Marie Lu (2012)

Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles.

by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell (2013)

Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.

by S. E. Hinton (2003)

Story of ostracized kid a timeless fave of teens, preteens.

by Harper Lee (2004)

Stunning classic examines racism -- and justice.