Hello!
My daughter (13) loves to read. Her “Books I Want to Read” list is now empty, and she needs suggestions. I’ve told her about Reddit in the past, and she asked if I could reach out to a community and get some new book recommendations. A few notes…
Her reading level is a few years above her actual age.
We screen books ahead of time (using websites, for books we haven’t read) and have conversations with her about potential inappropriate content. We rarely say no to a book, but also prepare her for difficult topics.
She likes dystopian fiction, realistic fiction, crime, mystery, and action. She doesn’t like sci-fi, fantasy, or non-fiction.
She likes a good series she can stick with for a few weeks.
She normally reads 90 minutes to 3 hours a day.
She normally sticks with YA books, and doesn’t mind going up or down in age for a good book. Normally reads books geared toward 12-16 year olds.
She can get bored of longer books, so maybe under a 500 page limit.
Books and Series she’s recently read and enjoyed:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
One of Us Is Lying
Stolen Children
Hunger Games
The Naturals
Scythe
The Giver
Caroline B. Coney books
Books she didn’t enjoy:
Eragon
The Maze Runner
She’s seen most of the popular books in the library and at school. Some older, or more obscure books would be great!
Thanks for any help you can give us!
by TallBathroom9165
7 Comments
Thieves Gambit/Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Tokyo Ever After/Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean
Jessica Goodman
Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
Alone and Away by Megan E. Freeman
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Deer Run Home by Ann Clare LeZotte
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson
The Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley (I think the series is written as adult fiction, but the series has an 11 year old girl as the main character and they are told from her perspective so I don’t know why a 13 wouldn’t also enjoy them)
I liked Lois Duncan and Caroline B Cooney at that age. The references may be a bit dated now but the stories were good. Also Sharon Creech. Sarah Dessen may be a bit too mature for her but she’s worth a mention as well.
solid taste—here’s a mix of lesser-known, sharp, and just plain addicting picks that’ll hit her vibe:
– **The Killing Sea** by Richard Lewis
survival, mystery, real-world grit
fast-paced and emotional without being too dark
– **I Am the Cheese** by Robert Cormier
paranoia, secrets, and a twisty structure
older book, still hits hard for mystery/dystopia fans
– **Girl, Stolen** by April Henry
quick, suspenseful read
blind protagonist, kidnapped in her own car—tense without being graphic
– **How I Live Now** by Meg Rosoff
light dystopian angle, strong narrator, short chapters
hits that “realistic fiction + survival” crossover
– **The Westing Game** by Ellen Raskin
classic mystery, quirky characters, tight plot
more fun than violent but still a solid brain workout
– **Not If I Save You First** by Ally Carter
spy-action + wilderness survival
short, funny, fast—good for keeping momentum
– **This Is Not a Test** by Courtney Summers
yes it’s technically zombies, but it’s really about trauma and survival
more grounded than fantasy
Has she read any of Tamora Pierce’s books? They are fantasy, but they have strong female characters that align well with historical fiction just with some magic (lady knights, spies, law enforcement) and show them dealing with real issues like puberty/first relationships/leadership roles/thriving in male-dominated spaces. I often reread them as an adult and they hold up very well.
I personally recommend “The Storm Runner” by J.C Cervantes. It’s a good middle grade about 300-400 pages. If she is a fan of Percy Jackson then it manages to hit similar “beats” while being distinct. “Daughter of the Moon Goddess” is also fantastic and is a fantasy taking inspiration from Chinese myths and legends. Again it is part of a duology and while I didn’t enjoy the second one as much she should give it a go if she enjoys the first one. Hope this helps!