Girls books age 12: The 50 Best Books for 11- and 12-Year-Olds

The Best Judy Blume Books By Age and Reading Level

For over 50 years, Judy Blume’s books have been a beacon for young readers, offering guidance through the endlessly confusing experience of growing up. Blume, considered by many to be the patron saint of YA narratives, has written more than 25 books for young readers since she made her debut with The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo in 1969. Over the course of her career, Blume’s trailblazing books have set new standards for what literature for kids and teens can look like. Her work has become beloved for its forthright honesty—and garnered plenty of controversy for its refusal to gloss over topics like sex and periods. A long-awaited film adaptation of her most famous novel, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.—which follows an 11-year-old girl as she navigates a move, a new school, and her changing sense of self—will premiere on April 28.

Blume may be best known for her books for and about girls on the brink of puberty, but she has long written for a diverse readership, giving people of all ages a chance to see themselves in her stories. For the youngest of readers, Blume has published picture books like The Pain and the Great One, which addresses the tensions of sibling rivalry with humor and heart. Her grade-school novels like Blubber and Iggie’s House give readers the chance to explore tough topics like bullying and racism. In her YA books, from Deenie to Tiger Eyes, Blume writes frankly about menstruation and masturbation while also tackling big experiences like the loss of a parent. And, in her handful of books for adults, Blume takes a straight look at the complexities of life and love.

From picture books to adult novels, here are the best Judy Blume books to read at every age.

Ages 5-8

The Pain and the Great One

In this playful picture book, Blume tackles the all-too-relatable issue of sibling rivalry with warmth and humor. Centering on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the “Great One,” a strong-willed 8-year-old sister and the “Pain,” her pesky 6-year-old little brother, the book is a clever story about the trying (and sometimes tender) relationship between siblings who are determined to find out which kid is more beloved by their parents.

Buy Now: The Pain and the Great One on Bookshop | Amazon

Read More: 10 Questions with Judy Blume

Ages 6-8

Freckle Juice

For Andrew, a second grader, there’s nothing more attractive than the prospect of having freckles, a seeming solution to never having to wash his face. Andrew’s desire for freckles is so great that he pays his sly classmate for a recipe for “freckle juice,” a nasty concoction of fruit juice and condiments. The potion does not give him freckles, but it does teach him an important lesson about being happy in the skin you’re in—a message that’s as valuable for adults as it is for kids.

Buy Now: Freckle Juice on Bookshop | Amazon

Ages 8-9

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Blume returns to the ever-relevant topic of sibling rivalry with the Hatcher brothers—9-year-old Peter and his precocious 3-year-old brother, Farley, who’s affectionately nicknamed “Fudge. ” Fudge’s irrepressible antics are by turns endearing and infuriating to good-hearted Peter, who feels that his brother’s outrageous mischief makes him, by comparison, a “fourth grade nothing.”

Buy Now: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing on Bookshop | Amazon

Read More: Are You There God? It’s Judy Blume’s New Novel for Adults

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

In this spin-off of the “Fudge” series, the Hatchers’ 10-year-old neighbor Sheila must summon all the courage she can when her father’s job takes her family away from the city for a summer. In the suburbs, Sheila’s sense of self is tested. She likes to think of herself as fearless, but soon she’s confronted with her own limitations, from cynophobia (fear of dogs) to aquaphobia (fear of water)—and Sheila has to figure out which version of herself she wants to be.

Buy Now: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great on Bookshop | Amazon

Ages 8-12

Iggie’s House

In Iggie’s House, Blume doesn’t shy away from having a tough conversation about race. The book centers on Winnie, a soon-to-be sixth grader who develops her own values and discernment after observing the racism that her next-door neighbors, a Black family, face after moving into her all-white neighborhood. Through addressing white flight and prejudice, Blume offers young readers an approachable way to begin discussing privilege and discrimination.

Buy Now: Iggie’s House on Bookshop | Amazon

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself

The spunky, imaginative protagonist of this novel is insatiably curious—and, Blume says, the closest of her characters to herself. In Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself, Sally, the youngest daughter of a rowdy, loving family, has endless questions about the world and the people around her as she navigates a temporary but seismic move from New Jersey to Florida after her brother gets sick. Blume offers an endearing story about a girl whose greatest adventures involve seeking out answers for herself.

Buy Now: Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself on Bookshop | Amazon

Ages 9-11

Blubber

Blume provides a clear-eyed take on the problem of bullying with Blubber, a cautionary tale told from the perspective of a would-be mean girl. Fifth-grader Jill joins in when the powerful and popular Wendy and her band of followers begin tormenting another student, Linda, about her weight. While Jill isn’t the instigator of Linda’s abuse, she becomes a willing participant, preferring to pile on the cruelty rather than to defy Wendy. But soon the tables turn. Jill discovers what it’s like to be on the other side of bullying, and learns hard but important lessons about friendship and respect.

Buy Now: Blubber on Bookshop | Amazon

Read More: The 100 Best YA Books of All Time

Ages 9-12

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

There may be no other text as roundly associated with puberty as Blume’s beloved Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The seminal book centers on 11-year-old Margaret, whose life is upended by her family’s move from New York City to suburban New Jersey right before she starts sixth grade. In suburbia, aided and abetted by her new friends, including the precocious Nancy, Margaret is consumed by uncertainties. She’s ambivalent about religion and anxious about getting her first period, her first bra, and her first crush. In writing Margaret, Blume created an infinitely relatable heroine for any girl on the brink of puberty, validating the confusion, hopes, and fears of generations of pre-teens.

Buy Now: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. on Bookshop | Amazon

Ages 12-17

Deenie

Growing up is rarely easy, and with Deenie, Blume explores coming-of-age with vulnerability, telling the tale of a young girl who discovers who she wants to be and what her future can look like after an unexpected medical diagnosis. For 13-year-old Deenie, the future is far from a priority, even though her overbearing mother is hyperfocused on ensuring that she becomes a model. Deenie’s far more interested in being a normal seventh grader and making the cheerleading squad. All of that changes, however, when she’s diagnosed with scoliosis and instructed to wear a body brace for the next four years. As Deenie adjusts to her new normal, she becomes increasingly aware of the world around her and how she might move through it as an adult.

Buy Now: Deenie on Bookshop | Amazon

Tiger Eyes

Blume addresses grief with a tender and nuanced touch in Tiger Eyes, a novel that centers on 15-year-old Davey as she reels from the shocking death of her father. Davey’s dad was shot in a holdup at his convenience store in New Jersey. After her grief-stricken mother moves the family to New Mexico to stay for a few months with relatives, Davey struggles to adjust to the new realities of her life, finding unexpected comfort and insight in new friendships.

Buy Now: Tiger Eyes on Bookshop | Amazon

Read More: Judy Blume on Why Trigger Warnings Maker Her ‘Blood Boil’

Ages 14-17

Forever…

Blume’s most controversial book, Forever…, is also one of her most realistic, depicting the heady, bittersweet feelings of first love. High school senior Katherine is preparing for college when she meets and begins dating her classmate Michael, and they swiftly fall for one another. Their whirlwind romance leads to Katherine having sex for the first time and getting on birth control—a plotline that led to Forever… becoming one of the most-banned books in the U.S. Blume’s frank representation of love and physical intimacy was groundbreaking, offering young-adult readers a clear example of empowered sexuality.

Buy Now: Forever on Bookshop | Amazon

Adults

Smart Women

Blume confronts the challenges of modern love with Smart Women, her second novel for adults, which centers on friends Margo and B.B., two divorcées looking for love after failed marriages. The friends find comfort in commiserating with each other about their bad dates and strange bedfellows, much to the chagrin of their respective teenage daughters. But, while both women are hopeful for fresh starts, things get complicated when Margo falls for B. B.’s ex-husband.

Buy Now: Smart Women on Bookshop | Amazon

Summer Sisters

Though Summer Sisters is chock full of romantic affairs and sexual escapades, the true love story of the novel is between the two main characters, best friends Caitlin and Vix. The two meet in a sixth-grade classroom and become “summer sisters” after a season spent together at Martha’s Vineyard, leading to an annual vacation tradition. Though they come from disparate backgrounds, they develop a deep and complex relationship that weathers life changes, love affairs, marriages, and children, until a shocking love triangle threatens to rock the foundation of their decades-long friendship.

Buy Now: Summer Sisters on Bookshop | Amazon

Write to Cady Lang at [email protected].

Girls without makeup and make-up. Books for teenage girls

“Streams murmur, beams blind, and the ice melts, and the heart melts. And even a stump on an April day dreams of becoming a birch tree again…” Every blade of grass, every twig reaches for the sun: nature wakes up for a new life! It is in spring, more than ever, that there are a lot of beautiful girls on the streets — everyone wants to be the very best, to attract attention. And it seems that in the spring something special, unique, memorable will happen to each of them! So what are they, girls? Proud and arrogant? Tender and vulnerable? Cheerful and brave? The answer is in our today’s selection. Girls remain themselves only in their thoughts. It is no coincidence that many of the presented books are diaries or personal notes. After all, we are talking about teenage girls.

Girls learn to feel faster than boys learn to think.
Voltaire

Moni Nielson «Semla and Gordon: Dad with Big Shoes» and «Semla and Gordon: Undercover Investigation». Semla is 12 years and 10 months old. She is an ordinary teenage girl. Her parents are divorced, and the girl has to accept the terms of the game, no matter how hard it is. .. It’s good that Semla has a real friend — Gordon. Together they always come up with something: either they go in search of parallel worlds, or they arrange French kissing competitions, or they look for Semla’s grandfather, who left his family 20 years ago. Nilson’s stories are connected by common characters, but you can read them separately. Semla keeps a diary in which she writes down all her thoughts, and, of course, these thoughts are extremely frank. Parents who choose these books for their children should pay attention to this. The optimal age for reading is 13-15 years old.

Maria Gripe «Shadow on a Stone Bench» and «And White Shadows in the Forest». The first two books of the famous tetralogy about shadows, invented by Maria Gripe. ABOUT! Teenagers get indescribable delight from these books! Everything that they love so much is here: riddles, secrets, a touch of mysticism and detective, awakening feelings! The books are connected only by common characters, it is not necessary to read in order, but it is desirable — for a more complete perception. Berta and Carolina immediately felt that they were not strangers to each other. But even they themselves could not imagine how everything would turn out in reality! Hardcover books. Beautiful black and white illustrations by Victoria Popova. The only negative is that almost a year passed between the publication of the first and second books. I wish there was a sequel sooner.

I constantly have a terrible urge to try to be as nice as she thinks I am.
Astrid Lindgren «Britt Marie pours out her soul»

Meg Rosoff How I Live Now. Another iconic book for teenagers from the White Crow publishing house. As soon as she appeared, she became a real sensation. The main character is a fifteen-year-old girl Daisy. Like all teenagers, she is eccentric and prickly, prone to panic attacks, and her nervous system is on edge. But suddenly a war breaks into Daisy’s life, turning everything upside down. The book is a diary entry of the main character, which makes this story even more poignant and authentic. Life, war, love, combined in the novel, shock the reader. It is no coincidence that after the release of the book, Meg Rosoff became the laureate of the international Astrid Lindgren Memorial Prize, awarded for achievements in the field of literature for children and adolescents. Based on the novel, a feature film of the same name was shot in 2016.

Kristina Gudonite «Diary of a bad girl». The heroine of this novel is also 15 years old. Kotrina is a smart and interesting girl, but in her teenage years she is very uncomfortable. She keeps a diary where she writes down her innermost thoughts. The world seems empty to Kotrina, she does not find a common language with her own mother. But everything changes when she fraudulently gets a job as a nurse. Suddenly, Kotrina realizes that she can change the life of another person.
The book was published by the publishing house «Scooter» (series «Oncoming traffic»). It is better to read it at the age of 14–15, since many “non-childish” problems are touched upon here. This is one of those stories that make you look at yourself from the outside and rethink a lot in your life. Among the shortcomings of the publication are the soft cover and the lack of illustrations.

Left: Diary of a Bad Girl. Right: «Delete this entry?». Publishing house «Scooter»

Larisa Romanovskaya «Delete this entry?». The heroine of the story, 14-year-old Vera, maintains her blog on the Internet, where she posts daily notes as part of the 100 Days of Happiness flash mob. Does Vera have such a happy life? Is everything going well for her? Or is it impossible to be happy at 14? Larisa Romanovskaya, as a connoisseur of adolescent psychology, provides answers to many difficult questions. It also gives parents the opportunity to get to know their “uncontrollable” children better. It is no coincidence that the story was in third place in the prestigious Kniguru-2016 competition. The book was also published in the Oncoming Movement series. And yes, there are no pictures again, a soft cover, but reading from this is no less interesting.

Daria Dotsuk «Voice». In the same series there is another serious and deep book. Teenage girl Sasha suffers from panic attacks after she witnessed a terrorist attack in the Moscow metro. She cannot go down to the subway, be in the crowd, and in general, she hardly leaves the house. To distract Sasha from life in the capital, her parents send her to her grandmother in Kaliningrad. And here the girl finds loved ones for the first time and «is reborn from the ashes.» This incredibly poignant, poignant book is a must read at 13 or 14. High-quality psychological prose for teenagers.

Els Beirten Run and Live. But the heroine of this story, the track and field athlete Nor, is 18! She is a purposeful and determined girl. Nor will remember and think about many things during the marathon (in fact, the book is the heroine’s internal monologue). The book tells about the 1970s, but it is very relevant and modern. Everything that worries teenagers today is here: the first love, difficult relationships with parents and friends, reassessment of values, loneliness and misunderstanding. .. And of course, the marathon that Nora runs and runs is her life… Marking on the book 16+, but there is nothing particularly forbidden in it, so it is quite possible to read at the age of 14–15.

Left: «Britt Marie pours her heart out.» Center: Little Women. Right: «Shadow on a stone bench»

Books of the series «Little Women» are a great option for lovers of classical literature. Each book in the Little Women series is a gift for a girl of any age, because such stories cannot but excite girlish hearts! Among the novelties are «Jane of Clear Hills» by Lucy Maud Montgomery (about the development of an 11-year-old girl and her overcoming many of her own complexes and fears) and «Janetta» by Rosa Mulholland (the heroine somewhat repeats the story of Jane Eyre). These books will never be out of date, and they will not stop reading — even today’s advanced teenagers. Indeed, in the books of the Little Women series, we are talking about eternal values ​​- honor, dignity and true love, which every girl dreams of.

Steve Stevenson «Agatha Mystery» A budget series that will delight any girl, regardless of age, is Agatha Mystery by the Azbuka publishing house. Thirteen-year-old Agatha combines the talents of a writer and a detective (a classic version!) And, together with her brother Larry, unravels incredible mysteries. Each new book is a different matter. Among the novelties of the series is «Dangerous Cruise». On board the King Arthur liner, the heroes encounter real spies. The books in this series are great leisure reading and an alternative to the serious teen books discussed above.

Is it easy to be a young girl? Always and anywhere in the world, wherever you live? Indeed it is difficult!
Astrid Lindgren Katy in America

Astrid Lindgren Katy in America, Katy in Italy and Katy in Paris. These books reveal the talent of a completely different Lindgren — not familiar to us. The trilogy about Katya is a serious teenage (and even adult!) reading. But how exciting! How much romance, love, miracles, humor is here! These are the books that are needed at the age of 14-16! Katya will have to test the strength of friendship and love. And also see the world and tell readers a lot of interesting things about your travels.
Each book of the trilogy from Makhaon publishing house has its own illustrator. Someone may not like this move, but, on the other hand, it becomes possible to see different countries “with different eyes”.

Astrid Lindgren «Britt Marie pours out her soul.» And finally, another diary. But how different it is from the ones we were talking about! This diary is kept by a happy girl who has a wonderful family and excellent relationships with her parents. Who loves her home and her friends. Which reflects on responsibility and the meaning of life. And, of course, falls in love, but how could it be without that?! This is the debut book of Astrid Lindgren, it started the literary career of the Swedish writer. The book is everyday, not a fairy tale, but it has Lindgren’s incredible love of life, and also faith in the best and great love for readers.
An ideal book for girls aged 12-15 to read. And may this feeling of happiness stay with them for a long time!

See also:
• «Do you like theater?»
• «Could you play the nocturne?»
• «Literary large families»
• «Without a cat, life is not the same!»

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen — «A book about the concept of friendship and how to fit into society for teenage girls.»

Greetings to all who looked into the review.

I remember at the age of 12-14 I was very fond of such books on psychology for girls, like: «Girl’s Secrets», «A Book Only for Girls». But I no longer have such ones, and when I saw the announcement from the Eksmo publishing house of the book “With Love for Myself”, I could not pass by.

My daughter is growing up and I am collecting a small library for her, so I would like to have similar books, suddenly she, like me, will be interested in it.

The plot of the book.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

This book is quite rich in various kinds of content.

Here we are told what girls thought about themselves while at school, who have already grown up, and look at themselves in the past.

There are also various kinds of tests, as I had in my childhood, from the category “Find out what kind of flower you are?”. There are situations given: a detailed analysis, mistakes, how one could avoid this and exercises with different games for oneself.

Place of purchase, price.

I took the book through Wildberries, the link to purchase is left here.

You can also buy it on the websites: book24, Labyrinth.

At the time of my purchase it cost 452 rubles. For now, the price has been maintained.

Design, edition.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

The publication is decorated in pink tones, in a girlish way, it is not surprising, the book is designed just for a female teenage audience.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

The book is thin in volume, but rich in meaning and clever thoughts.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

Medium thickness paper, white.

The font in the book is medium in size, reads well, the eyes do not get tired.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

The design of the book has a lot of decorative elements and highlighting of the text. Headings and subheadings, tests and various situations.

Visually, the book is perceived very pleasantly.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

Release date. Number of pages, reading time.

This book is also marked as a novelty on the websites, it was released recently, in 2022.

There are few pages in it, 162 printed. If you look at the electronic version, there are over 300 of them, since the text is transmitted as from a picture.

I read it in a couple of hours, with interest and delving into the advice that the author gives.

Writing style, author’s style.

I liked that the book alternates with specific examples from life, analysis of mistakes, various tasks, tests and advice, both from the author and from the heroes of the book.

Thanks to this technique, the book is read with interest, and can really win the attention of the child.

My opinion.

I liked that despite the fact that the book is interactive, the author advises to take sheets of paper or keep a special notebook and make notes there, and not to spoil the book, so it turns out not to be one-time use, but can be reforged further.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

The book begins with a preface, and after reading it, I thought that probably 12+, too little age limit, since half of the words from there would hardly be understood at that age.

But as it turned out, these words remained in the preface, the rest of the book is perfectly age-appropriate and will be understood from 12 years old.

With love for yourself. A book about how to learn to be friends and become happy. Lucy Hemmen

The advice in the book is really good, it will also talk about connections with bad companies and how to avoid it.

They explain that there is no need to change yourself for others, and friendship can always be found if you remain yourself.

And a lot of interesting and valuable tips, and besides this, an entertaining part that will also be of interest to girls.

The book will go to the age of 12-16 years, earlier it will not be very clear, and later it is more likely not interesting, but for its age it is excellent.

Pros:

• cute design;
• quality edition;
• handy font;
• will be interesting for girls from 12 to 16 years old;
• many interesting tasks;
• specific examples are given.

Disadvantages:

• not found.

Final conclusion.

I definitely recommend the book for purchase, for the appropriate age of course. From me the maximum rating, I did not find any shortcomings in it.