Recommending book titles to tweens is a challenge for teachers, librarians and parents. Each child is unique and labels like Middle Grade, Middle School, Teen and Young Adult can be confusing to everyone. Many kids who are reading above their grade level are not ready for books with violent or more mature content. While some parents embrace their children reading whatever they choose and guiding them through any questions that may arise, others parents may want some help making those choices.
An excellent resource to help parents and kids navigate books, movies, and video games together is Common Sense Media.
Because media profoundly affects our kids’ social, emotional, and physical development, Common Sense Media rates media based on both age appropriateness and, for digital media, learning potential. We rely on developmental criteria from some of the nation’s leading authorities to determine what content is appropriate for which ages. And research on how kids learn from media and technology informs our learning ratings. Our goal is to give you trustworthy information so that you can decide what works for your family. We know every family and every kid is different — but all families need information to make great media choices. -from the Common Sense Media website
We are also happy to recommend some titles of our favorite books for tweens
- As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
- Smile by Raina Telgemeier
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Written 5/8/20 by Diane
