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Good books for 13 year olds (Girls and Boys)

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What are the best books for 13 year old girls and boys?

There is a huge range good books for 13 year olds catering for the avid to the reluctant reader. The first half of the article starts off with suggestions of the best books for 13 year old girls and the later half the best books for 13 year old boys. There also ideas of sports books, non fiction books, books that make great gifts, manga and cartoon books and lots more.

When buying books for 13 year olds I would keep an open mind as possible to what they might like. Many years ago as a 13 year old myself I was fairly good at English lessons and teachers encouraged me to read but I wasn't interested in the books they suggested. There were lots of fiction books recommended to me but I would have been much more drawn to factual books (autobiographies and true stories).

Therefore, I have suggested a huge range of books for this age group below.I am now a trained librarian who have worked with teenagers in the for four years so I know there is a huge variety in tastes. There are some books which are extremely popular with teenagers and other hidden gems. There are books which are aimed at 13 year old girls, others that are more popular with 13 year old boys and some that are good for everybody. Keep on reading to discover good books for 13 year olds.

Best Books for 13 Year Old Girls

Below are some top books for 13 year old girls. Many of them have romantic or friendship based themes. They have girls as the main characters which 13 year old girls should be able to identify with. My favorites are 13 Reasons Why and Uglies. If you like these suggestions of books you may also want to check out some more great books for girls aged 13 and over.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why

by: Jay Asher

Amazon Price: $6.13 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.

Books about Friendship and Relationships for 13 Year Old Girls

Many 13 year old girls like to read about friendship, boyfriends and relationships and other issues that affect them.

Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot are two great authors that cover this genre really well.

Check out some of their books below.
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Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars

Number the Stars

by: Lois Lowry

Amazon Price: $3.48 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated". Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

Uglies

Uglies (The Uglies)

Uglies (The Uglies)

by: Scott Westerfeld

Amazon Price: $4.74 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Tally's adventures begin in Uglies, where she learns the truth about what life as a Pretty really means. She rebels against the surgery that will make her a Pretty, but ultimately succumbs. In Pretties, Tally has forgotten all about her Ugly life, and when she's reminded, she has a hard time listening. And what little's left of the old Tally is further compromised in Specials, because Tally has been transformed into a fierce fighting machine. But when she's offered a chance to forever improve civilization, will she be able to overcome her brainwashing? The answer is evident years later in Extras, after the Pretty regime has ended. Boundless human creativity, new technologies, and old dangers have been unleashed upon the world. But fame and popularity can be just as dangerous as extreme beauty%u2026.

Best Books for 13 Year Old Boys

I have chosen some science fiction, fantasy and books with boys as the main characters in this list of top books for 13 year old boys. Certainly some girls may like these books too but they cover topics which seem to appeal more to the male reader. If you like the books below and would like more suggestions of books for boys aged 13 and over click here for more ideas.

Aretemis Fowl

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More Top Books for 13 Year Old Boys

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The Absolutely True Story of a Part time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by: Sherman Alexie

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

This book tells the story of Junior, an aspiring cartoonist who grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Junior was born with water on the brain and this has meant he know has some physical disablilities that have also led to him dealing with some harsh treatment from others on the reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hads, Junior decides to go to an all-white high school in the off-reservation town of Reardan. The book deals with issues such as racism, poverty, and the following of tradition

Graphic Novels and Manga

Graphic novels are books which are written and displayed in a comic style. Manga is very similar to graphic novels but mainly refers to comics and graphic novels published specifically inside Japan.

Both graphic novels and manga have now have a huge following with teenagers. Girls and boys both tend to like the but in my experience many books in this genre tend to appeal to boys. Boys who like reading comics may be encouraged to read more indepth stories by graduating to graphic novels. Having said this there are quite a lot of manga books aimed at girls. There are also many versions of classic tales and characters told through the medium of graphic novels. Below I have suggested a few popular books in this genre.
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The Lovely Bones

This is the story about a 14 year old girl who is raped and murdered but returns to narrate her story from heaven. She looks over her family and friends and watches a lonely detective find her killer. Susie is secure and happy in heaven but the books shows how Susie and her family's deal with their loss. Susie watches her sister move on knowing that she will not have the opportunity to grow up. It's not a grim story, it sometimes sad but the book is wrapped up neatly and some closure and happiness is found at the end.
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Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The USA has collapsed to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year 2 young representatives from each district are picked to take part in the televised Hunger Games. The games are brutal and each competitor has to literally eliminate their rivals.
This books is tense, compelling and dramatic. Highly recommended.
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The Twilight Saga

These are very popular books with young adults. Currently, these books have sold more than 70 million copies worldwide.

They tell the story of a teenage girl Isabella "Bella" Swan who moves to Forks, Washington and falls in love with an 104 year old vampire known as Edward Cullen. The books are being read by 13 year old boys and girls but are probably aimed more at teenage girls due to the romantic underlying theme of the book.
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Son of the mob

Son of the mob tells the story of Vince Luca, a 17 year old boy who's Dad is King of the Mob and the rest of the family are mobsters too. Vince doesn't want to be part of the mob but it impacts on his daily life considerably. He thinks he will never be able to escape the lifestyle until he meets Kendra, who's Dad is an FBI agent and his hot on the trail for his Dad.
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Shadow Divers

This is a fascinating read which tells the story of 2 deep sea divers who are used to the dangers of deep sea diving and navlgating underwater through touch alone due to zero visiblity. The divers find an unidentified U-boat embedded in the ocean floor off the coast of New Jersey and their story encompasses not only navigating through the darkest depths of the submarine but also researching the lives of the doomed German sailors whose bones they swim among.

If you're a teenager who likes non fiction you may be interested in this article about non fiction books for those aged 13 and over.
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Pendragon Series

13 year old girls and boys who like science fiction and fantasy will love the Pendragon series. The Pendragon books tell the story of 14 year old Bobby Pendragon. He's a good student, has a great family, good friends and was lucky enought to have kissed the most perfect girl. But there's something that Bobby never knew about himself, and is about to find out. He's destined to save the world. on an alternate dimension called Denduron. Meanwhile his friends are trying to find Bobby...
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Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

Cirque Du Freak tells the story of Darren and his friend Steve who go to the travelling freak show visiting their town with sights such as the snake-boy, the wolf-man, and Larten Crepsley and his giant spider, Madame Octa. They sneak in through broken windows to the theater and end up entangling themselves with vampires and spiders.
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Sports books

I really believe in reading books about topics you are passionate about and interested in. Many 13 year old books are expected to read classics and textbooks in order to pass exams which takes all the pleasure and fun out of reading. No wonder so many of us leave school without wanting to read another book.

If you love sport you should read lots of books about sport. If you love music read about music. This is what helps foster a love of reading. Many 13 year olds are interested in sports so I have highlighted a couple of books in this genre below. There's obviously lots of sports books that may appeal to 13 year olds. Who are their favorite sport stars, what sports do they love playing? Get onto Amazon and start exploring what's available and the reviews.
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Books as Gifts for 13 Year Olds

Perhaps you are looking for ideas of books to give as birthday or Christmas gifts to give as 13 year olds. Think about their interests and this may help. Here are some ideas:


  • Cookbooks - Obviously best for 13 year olds who would like to learn to cook or already love cooking.
  • Books about Sport - If they like to play sport, perhaps a book about the sport they love. Books with statistics, books about famous sportspeople and books to learn about techniques of their sport.
  • Classic books such as To Kill a Mockingbird are good for the serious reader
  • Boxed sets of books that they like.
  • Autobiographies of their favorite celebrity.
  • Factual books - there are lots of great factual books that teens will love. The Guiness Book of Records and Ripleys Believe it or Not are good choices.

    If you're looking for gifts for girls you may also appreciate this article on the best gifts for 13 year old girls which gives suggestion of books and other gift ideas too.
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Books to inspire and motivate 13 year olds

Sometimes, it's hard being 13 years olds but there are lots of good books to help deal with the trials and tribulations being 13 brings. Here are some good book choices to inspire, motivate and empathise with 13 year olds.
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Comments on the Best Books for 13 year olds

Please feel free to add any additional books that you think are great for 13 year old girls and boys or comment on any of the suggestions in the article. Thanks!

  • cameron-perez May 21, 2012 @ 1:30 am | delete
    Now I like Nancy Drew books, Those are SOOO Extremely good!
  • Lou1842 May 21, 2012 @ 10:24 am | delete
    Thanks for your suggestion! I'll add it to the list!
    Sorry you don't like any others. I've tried to add a wide selection to cater for lots of different tastes. Please feel free to put forward any more suggestions and I'll add them too.
  • cameron-perez May 21, 2012 @ 1:28 am | delete
    None of these look good at ALL! for 13 year olds anyway...
  • urmooooommmmmmmmmm Apr 12, 2012 @ 8:38 am | delete
    Um i am a 13 year old girl um.....i hate almost all of these books....so......13 is an amazing book though i think the books in the Hunger games series by Suzanne Collins r soooo amazing i read all of them like 4 times each also the Galagher girl series by Ally Carter um any thing romance <3 i hate freaking twilight though..... um... idk tht is mostly my prefrence but as a 13 year old i would listen to what another 13 year old says and not some ......person.....
  • Lou1842 May 21, 2012 @ 10:14 am | delete
    Thanks for your comments. I'm so glad you did like some suggestions. I love Hunger Games too and as you say 13 is an amazing book! If you like romance Sarah Dessen is good - also suggested - you should try it out! Also, like your suggestion of the Galagher girls - will add it to the list.

    Obviously, 13 year olds have extremely different tastes, so not every 13 year old is going to like everything suggested. This is why I've give a wide range of suggestions so there should be something to cater for lots of different people. I've worked in a library with lots of teens (from 13 to 16) which is where a lots of the suggestions come from.

    Happy reading!
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Lou1842

Hi my name is Louise and most of my articles are about toys for babies and children.

I spend most of my time with my lovely boys. I have a 8 month... more »

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