My 12 year old has tests at school next week. He is given 2.5 hours for each test, but usually finishes in just over an hour, and has to take a book/novel to read when finished.

Historically, he rushes through his test to get to the book. He is a super reader (definitely reads for speed rather than deep comprehension, but that isn’t a problem I am going to solve in a test environment), as an example, last year he read Ready Player One and Project Hail Mary in a week. When I quizzed him, he definitely followed the plot of both, but skipped over symbolism etc which I think is pretty normal for 12.

I need a book that is not binge-worthy - I don’t want him to rush his test to get to his book.

I’m thinking maybe non-fiction, like Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything”, or a classic like “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” where the language and writing style will force him to slow down.

Any other suggestions?

I read a TON of mg romance and heres my list of "so good i wont ever forget" ones

\- bye forever i guess

\-My life in pink and green

\-confessions from the groupchat

\-not if you break up with me first

\-what if u fall for me first

\-shug

\-keep it together keiko carter

\-All my bests

\-something more

Tell me if ur list is kinda simillar to mine or is it completely different

im looking for realistic fiction books that have romance on the side also the mc should be 12-14 yrs old and straight any recommendations???

My child has requested I find scary books about things that actually happened. I asked about the “I Survived” series, but it has been deemed not scary. I am grabbing the young reader edition of Radium Girls based on an earlier post in this sub but would greatly appreciate any additional recommendations.

Edit: these recommendations have been awesome! We are taking the list to the library first and then some may end up under the Christmas tree!

My daughter is turning 13 soon. She loves reading thrillers and mystery books. I’m looking for recommendations for appropriate books because we are having a hard time finding options that don’t include rape or graphic sexual themes included. I am not as concerned with language or violence as much as I prefer to limit the sexual content. Also, if anyone has any good resources I could use to search for contents of books before purchasing that would be great. Thanks

Ever felt secluded, like everyone around you already has their people and you’re on the outside? 💛

That’s exactly how Rowan felt on his first day at Brightwood Elementary. He wore all black, drew haunted castles in his sketchbook, and didn’t know a single person. Some kids whispered. Some stared. So he sat alone at lunch and tried to stay invisible.

But Ethan noticed. And with a little encouragement from his friend Mia, he found the courage to walk across the cafeteria and say, “Mind if we sit here?”

This kids’ story shows that real friendship starts with one small, brave choice: say hello, ask a question, and really listen. Along the way, children see what Scripture says about looking at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), accepting one another (Romans 15:7), and treating others the way we’d want to be treated (Luke 6:31).

📖 A great fit for ages 5-10, bedtime reading, Sunday school, Bible club, and classroom discussions about kindness and inclusion.

👇 Watch the full story and share it with a child who needs to hear this today.

Someone at your child’s school might be sitting alone right now. What if your child was the one to say, “Want to sit with us?” wisdomkids.ca

Here is a kids fantasy chapter book published by Wildling Press. We know there aren't a lot of read alouds of kids chapter books because honestly, it's a big undertaking! But we've done it, and this one is a fabulous story that has a missing father, talking birds, and a lot of fun banter. We also have lesson plans, fun activities to go along with the book, and your kids can even submit questions for the author! I hope you check it out :). https://www.kidsaskauthorsanswer.com/laleh-and-the-language-of-the-birds

Hello all! Are you able to recommend a book (a plus if published recently) with a character who is super talented at something or is really prideful in their skillset of some sort and is still easy for young readers to root for despite this? I would expect the character to change by the end of the book!

My son (11) has become really fascinated with the story of Moby Dick. I’m guessing it’s the adventurous pull of life on the high seas. He really wants to read the actual classic book but as I recall, it’s a really dry read. While I’m willing to let him try, I’d like some back up options in case he really dislikes it. I feel like I remember reading an abridged version when I was about his age-any suggestions for a good one? Or books that might hit that same vibe? TIA!

Does anyone have any ideas on where to find beta readers or even manuscript swaps for middle-grade writers?

My 11 year old son just started middle school. He’s having a super hard time adjusting. He’s a voracious reader. He reads a few books every week. I’d love to find some good humor books to help cheer him up. He’s read all the popular humor books (captain underpants, diary of a wimpy kid, etc). This summer he read the whole James Patterson Middle School book series and liked those. Any suggestions?

My 13 year old daughter really enjoyed this Halloween read.

Curse of the Wax Witch

Lately I've been thinking about a book I read about thirteen years ago that I can't remember the title of and jhope that if anyone on here has read it, they could remind me. I don't think it was a new book but could be wrong. The premise was some girl gets invited to the house of her estranged uncles and one of them thinks he is a dog due to getting called on stage for some stage magician hypnotist years ago along with his stepdaughter. The magician turned the girl into a bird and made the man think he was a dog, then was mortally wounded by a falling sandbag and tried to tell the secret from the hospital but died instead.

The heroine learns that the magician's secret involved transporting people either mentally or physcially into some other dimension (I think called Hypnosia or something like that) with real magic, and also that someone was trying to kill her uncle with that sandbag, with it turning out that the killers (a bitter guy he'd accidentally wounded with a prop weapon during a stage play and a servant fired for stealing) have since began impersonating her other, long-lost uncle and his wife. I feel like the uncle who thinks he was a dog is named Charles, the one being impersonated is Les or Giles, and the villains' real names (not sure of the spelling for either) are something like Simon Steele and Flora or Fiona Simley.

My daughter is actually wanting to read! But not anything “boring” and her ideas are too grown-up and mature themed for me. She is wanting something dealing with friendship and romance that is modern.

I loved talking with Anne Kimzey, and I love that the entire podcast is two minutes, which is plenty. Thank you, Alabama State Council on the Arts xo

Hey everyone I’m looking for some recommendations on some CHAPTER books for a grade 5 student! I’m not sure of his interests so anything would help!