Sometimes, being 12 is just too much. They need to disappear into another world. A world where the biggest problem is a dragon, not a pop quiz.
Children's books by AF Steadman
Harry Potter is the obvious choice—obvious for a reason. It’s like a cozy blanket that also teaches you about loyalty and standing up to evil. Start with Philosopher’s Stone. If they don’t get hooked by the midnight feast in the Great Hall, are they even human?
But maybe they’ve already read that. Try Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend. It’s like Harry Potter, but with more snark and a hotel that changes rooms on a whim. The main character, Morrigan Crow, is cursed to die on her eleventh birthday—until she’s whisked away to a magical competition. It’s addictive.
For the Kid Who Loves a Good Mystery
You know the type. They always find the missing remote control. They ask "why" until you want to scream. Feed that brain with a puzzle.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is an oldie but a goodie. It’s about a bunch of strangers who are put in a building to solve a millionaire’s murder. The clues are tricky, the characters are weird, and the ending is a twist that will make them gasp. Trust me, I read it at 12 and still think about it.
Another sneaky fun one: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Two siblings run away to live in a museum and solve a statue mystery. It’s short, clever, and makes you want to sleep under a dinosaur skeleton.
