MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall. HarperCollins, 1985. ISBN 978-0064402057. Ages 9-12.

When Caleb and Anna’s father puts an ad in the paper for a wife (his first wife died when Caleb was born), the children are beside themselves with anticipation and fear. But when Sarah arrives from Maine to their plain prairie life, Caleb and Anna begin to wonder if she is too good to be true, and whether her longing for the sea will take her from them forever. Written for younger tweens, this short book can easily be read and understood by reluctant readers and those just starting to read chapter books. However, some children may need guidance with the concept of the death of a parent, as well as the historical implications of the time period with regard to advertising for a new wife.

Nix, Garth. Sabriel. HarperCollins, 1995. ISBN 0060273224. Ages 12-14.

Sabriel, daughter of the necromancer Abhorsen, must journey into the mysterious and magical Old Kingdom to rescue her father from the Land of the Dead. In this first book of the trilogy, readers are introduced to Sabriel and the Old Kingdom as she fights to save her father. Tweens will identify with her need to discover who she truly is and be drawn in to her quest to fight evil and find the only man who can truly give her those answers and show her what she is to become.

Levithan, David. Boy Meets Boy. Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. ISBN 0375832998. Ages 12-14.

In "this" school, the gay kids and the straight kids all get along just fine, the quarterback is a cross-dresser, and the cheerleaders ride Harleys--yet the road to true love is still a strange and winding path, as Paul discovers when he meets the boy of his dreams. While the idealistic peace between gay and straight students at Paul's high school is just short of utopian, the relationships and problems of the teenagers there are very real and believable. The story is a true study of love and relationships in an environment without hostility, and all older tweens will enjoy the variety offered in this simple tale.

Tass, Nadia. (Director). (2004). Samantha: An American Girl Holiday [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Ages 9-12.

Following Samantha Parkington through the seasons of her life in Victorian New York, her prim and proper lifestyle becomes one adventure after another when she meets servant girl Nellie O’Malley and they become instant friends. Readers of the American Girl series will not be disappointed by this blending of Samantha’s six stories into one complete movie. The acting and cinematography are better than expected, and the unlikely bond between Samantha and Nellie is one that conveys a beautiful message to viewers that sometimes it is our differences that bring us together. Samantha’s good deeds do not go unnoticed, demonstrating the importance of selflessness and charity.

Burton, Tim. (Director). (2005). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures. Ages 9-14.

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic story by the same name, this movie tells the story of a young boy named Charlie Bucket, a kind caring boy who has very little but who has a very big heart. When he and four obnoxious and spoiled children find golden tickets in their Wonka chocolate bars and win a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, it is a dream come true. But the eccentric Wonka is unsympathetic when one by one, the children break the rules and lose out on the grand prize, leaving Charlie to take over the chocolate factory. And Charlie is able to give Wonka something back in return—a real family and reconciliation with his father.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory contains some violence and verbal insults from both Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas at the expense of the misbehaving and spoiled children and their parents. The film uses classic Burton style, pairing dismal blacks and grays with bright, colorful scenery, making his vision a perfect pairing with Dahl’s eccentric story. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Wonka is first-class and stays true to the version of Wonka found in the text. While the film is entertaining, it does teach lessons about being humble and giving, not greedy and self-centered. The film is a wonderful companion to the book, and could be shown in both the age-appropriate classroom or in a library.

Tripp, Valerie. Meet Kit, an American Girl. American Girl Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1584850168. Ages 9-12.

Living during the Great Depression hasn’t truly affected Kit, until her father is forced to shut down his car sales business and the family resorts to taking in boarders to help pay the bills. While Kit is upset at first at how unfair the circumstances are, she soon realizes that changes can also be good. Kit is an adventurous young girl, full of life and excitement. Since the content and historical implications of the story are simplified, younger tweens will be able to fully comprehend the significance of living during a time such as the Great Depression. The American Girl series, geared more towards girls, is also a wonderful blend of both fiction and non-fiction, history in particular.

Howe, Deborah, and Howe, James. Bunnicula. Atheneum, 1979. ISBN 978-0689307003. Ages 9-12.

Something is definitely different about that new bunny the Monroe’s brought home, according to Harold the dog and Chester the cat. He sleeps all day and escapes from his cage at night. He has pointy fangs and black fur that looks like a cape. He even hates garlic! But when all the vegetables start turning white, their juices completely sucked out, it’s up to Harold and Chester to determine once and for all if their furry friend is really a … vampire?! And when the Monroe’s won’t listen, Chester takes matters into his own hands, forcing Harold to come to the rescue of a cute little misunderstood bunny.

Pfeffer, Susan Beth. Life As We Knew It. Harcourt, Inc., 2006. ISBN 0152058265. Ages 12-14.

Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. This is a harrowing account of a catastrophic event through the eyes of a teenager. Throughout the story the reader sees glimpses of Miranda trying to be a normal teenager despite having to watch her world crumble around her. Older tween readers will find the idea of an asteroid doing such damage both fascinating and sobering. They will also relate to Miranda's questions of whether a God exists, feelings of responsibility for her family, and dealing with the repercussions of her parents' divorce.

White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1952. ISBN 978-0060845940. Ages 9-12.

When Fern discovers that her father is going to kill the runt pig in a litter, she vows to nurse him herself. Naming him Wilbur, she forms a strong bond with the pig as he moves to live on her uncle’s farm. But Wilbur soon finds out that he is meant to be slaughtered later in the year. So with the help of his newfound friend Charlotte, a spider living in a web above his pen, they become determined to make him not just any ordinary pig. This beautiful story tells of the unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider, and how through much determination and sacrifice, anything can be accomplished. Reluctant readers will definitely want to pick this one up, as this story is a wonderful bridge from transitional fiction into chapter books with its simple story and use of sporadic and detailed illustrations. This is a must read for any child who is an animal lover.

Brashares, Ann. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Delacorte Press, 2001. ISBN 0385730586. Ages 12-14.

During their first summer apart, four teenage girls, best friends since earliest childhood, stay in touch through a shared pair of secondhand jeans that magically adapts to each of their figures and affects their attitudes to their different summer experiences. The book follows different storylines of four friends and their journeys of self-discovery. While each of the four friends is unique and deals with their own unique situations, tween readers will identify with aspects of each of their stories as they experience circumstances that especially speak to tween girls, including death, illness, sex, relationships, divorce, and friendship.

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House in the Big Woods. HarperCollins, 1932. ISBN 978-0060581800. Ages 9-12.

The first book in the chronicles of the Ingalls family, Little House in the Big Woods tells of the family’s first home in a log cabin in the wild woods of Wisconsin. In a simple life surrounded by nature and not another house or town for miles, Laura and her family must rely on nature, their faith, and each other in order to survive and thrive. Younger tweens will delight in this timeless series as the reader is drawn into the simple life of the Ingalls family. Though the length and few illustrations throughout can be intimidating for reluctant readers and those new to chapter books, taken in steps the story can be enjoyed in small parts, especially the stories that Pa tells the girls about growing up and other adventures.

Lindgren, Astrid. Pippi Longstocking. Puffin Books, 1950. ISBN 978-0142402498. Ages 9-12.

When Pippi Longstocking returns from sea to live on her own at Villa Villekula, it is much to the delight of Tommy and Annike, who are taken to Pippi immediately. For while she may refuse to act and behave like a normal child, that is what makes her special. The three embark on many adventures, including avoiding policemen, going to school, climbing trees, and saving the day. There are very few characters that can live up to Pippi’s legacy, for she is certainly one of a kind. Though the book leans slightly in favor of girls, the gender neutral plots and wild adventures are sure to appeal to both boys and girls.

Van Draanen, Wendelin. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief. Knopf, 1998. ISBN 978-0679888390. Ages 10-13.

Sammy loves to watch people from her grandmother’s window with her binoculars, especially those at the “seedy” Heavenly Hotel across the street. But an innocent bit of spying turns dangerous when Sammy witnesses a burglary. And to make matters worse, when he sees her watching him—she waves! Now not only does she have to deal with her mother abandoning her and her first day of junior high, but also a criminal who will stop at nothing to keep her quiet. Too bad everyone keeps thinking she’s making it all up. Why won’t anyone believe her? And who is the hotel thief?

Houston, Jeanne Wakatsuki, and Houston, James D. Farewell to Manzanar. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973. ISBN 0913374040. Ages 9-14.

The true story of one spirited Japanese American family's attempt to survive the indignities of forced detention, and of a native-born American child who discovered what it was like to grow up behind barbed wire in the United States. This true story offers a real look at Japanese Internment during World War II, but does so through a child's eyes, simplifying the experience in some ways. The content can be more appropriate for older tweens at times, dealing with issues like death and alcoholism. Tweens will identify with Jeanne's struggle to be herself when her family tells her it’s one thing and society tells her it’s another.