Whether your daughter is already in her tween years or will be soon, it’s a good idea to have some great books on hand. I went hunting for books about growing up and found several good reads for tween girls. Not only do these books give kids something to relate to, they can also give parents an inside look at what their girls\u00a0are experiencing. These books are all about growing up and the changes that come with it.<\/p>\n
no no 9780593301289 Growing Pangs<\/i> by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustrated by Molly Brooks <\/p>\n
Kids love graphic novels, and girls will especially enjoy this story about a girl named Katie who has OCD and anxiety. The summer before sixth grade, Katie worries about her changing relationship with her best friend, braces, and attending public school for the first time. Tweens will appreciate this relatable story about a young girl figuring out how she fits in.<\/p>\n
9780593125243 Stepping Stones<\/i> by Lucy Knisley <\/p>\n
This charming graphic novel combines blended families, sibling rivalries, and new beginnings. Jen and her mom move from the city to a farm to live with her mom\u2019s new boyfriend and his two daughters. It sounds idyllic, but life on the farm is much different for Jen, and she\u2019s unsure how she fits in with her new stepsisters. Tweens who enjoy realistic fiction or have a blended family will love this book.<\/p>\n
9781984893048 Fast Pitch<\/i> by Nic Stone <\/p>\n
Shenice Lockwood is the star and captain of an all-Black girls\u2019 softball team, and she has her heart set on playing in the regional championship. But when she learns an old family secret, Shenice\u2019s attention gets diverted, and her team struggles to keep up their winning streak. This poignant middle grade read is an excellent pick for sports-loving tweens.<\/p>\n
9780593351857 PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together<\/i> by Nathan Fairbairn, illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn <\/p>\n
Calling all animal lovers! This graphic novel is the perfect coming-of-age story for tween girls with an entrepreneurial spirit. Three best friends get together to start an after-school dog-walking business. It\u2019s a challenging job, and the girls disagree on almost everything until a crisis helps them remember why they started the business. Don\u2019t miss the sequel, PAWS: Mindy Makes Some Space<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780593379929 Operation Sisterhood<\/i> by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich <\/p>\n Sisterhood and summer combine in this heartwarming story about an only child adjusting to life in a big family. Bo feels overwhelmed by the cramped quarters and lack of privacy in the New York City brownstone where she and her mom move. Suddenly, Bo has three new stepsisters and several more adults in her life. As the summer progresses, Bo and her new sisters quickly form a strong bond.<\/p>\n 9781536212587 Merci Su\u00e1rez Changes Gears<\/i> by Meg Medina <\/p>\n Private school, mean girls, first crushes, and trouble at home make this a must-read for tweens who love realistic fiction. Even though growing up is tough, Merci faces each challenge with courage and heart. Kids will love this Newbery Medal-winning novel and its sequels: Merci Su\u00e1rez Can\u2019t Dance<\/i><\/a> and Merci Su\u00e1rez Plays It Cool<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780593563977 Iveliz Explains It All<\/i> by Andrea Beatriz Arango, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez <\/p>\n Seventh grade is a notoriously tricky year for tween girls, and more so for kids with mental health challenges. In this Newbery Honor Award-winning novel in verse, Iveliz plans to make seventh grade her best year ever. However, Iveliz struggles to move on from a tragedy, lashes out at others, and repeatedly gets suspended from school. She must learn to open up and trust the people she loves to heal from her feelings of anger and guilt. <\/p>\n 9781536211542 Beverly, Right Here<\/i> by Kate DiCamillo <\/p>\n From bestselling and two-time Newbery Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo comes a thoughtful coming-of-age novel about a girl who runs away from home. Beverly is independent, snide, and looking for unconditional love. This tough-talking girl with a gooey caramel center will steal your heart and have you cheering for her every step of the way. Also, check out the companion novels Raymie Nightingale<\/i><\/a> and Louisiana\u2019s Way Home<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780425290422 The First Rule of Punk<\/i> by Celia C. P\u00e9rez <\/p>\n Rock music, skateboarding, and a group of misfits make this book an irresistible read for tween girls. Mal\u00fa\u2019s run-ins with her school\u2019s administration confirm her suspicions that she doesn\u2019t fit in. When she recruits enough friends to form a punk band, she finally feels like she belongs somewhere. It\u2019s the perfect story for any girl who has ever felt like the odd one out.<\/p>\n 9780525429678 Roller Girl<\/i> by Victoria Jamieson <\/p>\n Best friends Astrid and Nicole do everything together until their hobbies pull them in opposite directions. While Nicole goes to dance camp, Astrid becomes obsessed with roller derby, where she deals with insecurities and new friendships. This heartwarming graphic novel is perfect for tweens who love stories about making friends and growing up.<\/p>\n 9780593126318 Turtle in Paradise<\/i> by Jennifer L. Holm and Savanna Ganucheau <\/p>\n Adapted from the novel with the same name, this gorgeous graphic novel is a feel-good story about a girl who moves in with her relatives in Florida. At first, she feels shy and awkward, but as time passes, she comes out of her shell and finds her place in the family. Humor and plenty of sunny vibes make this book a must-read for tweens.<\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2023.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not only do these 11 books give tween girls something to relate to, they also give parents an inside look at what their kids are experiencing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[71,72,94],"coauthors":[23],"class_list":["post-313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-chapter-books","tag-friendship","tag-growing-up","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\n