Splendid Readalouds | Age 9-12

Books for older children are more sophisticated, with more complicated plots. Most will start interesting conversations with your child if you read them together.  The age groups given are approximate, and many of these stories cross age groups. You are the best judge of what your child will like, and is ready for. The location codes listed are for the Plainfield Public Library.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase*, J FIC Aik, Joan Aiken
Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia are left in the care of a cruel governess when Bonnie's parents go on a sea voyage. Besieged by wolves without and the terrible Miss Slighcarp within, how are they to reclaim Willoughby Chase?
Ananse the Spider, J398.2 App, Peggy Appiah
The adventures of Anansi, the traditional trickster character from African folklore.
Tuck Everlasting, J FIC Bab, Natalie Babbit
The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing any older.
On My Honor, J FIC Bar, Marion D. Bauer
When his best friend drowns while they are both swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near, Joel is devastated and terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the terrible consequences of their disobedience.
House with a Clock in Its Walls, J FIC Bel, John Bellairs**
A boy goes to live with his magician uncle in a mansion that has a clock hidden in the walls which is ticking off the minutes until doomsday.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, J FIC Blu, Judy Blume**
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever increasing problem.
Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain, J FIC Bur, Robert Burch
Tough times in rural Georgia during the Depression take a lively turn when spirited Ida Early arrives to keep house for the Suttons.
The Secret Garden, J FIC Bur, Frances Burnett
Lonely Mary Lennox finds adventure and friendship among the secrets of the old deserted garden on the Yorkshire moors.
Incredible Journey, J FIC Bur, Sheila Burnford
Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love.
Enormous Egg, J FIC But, Oliver Butterworth
It's a very large egg, because it has a baby dinosaur in it.
Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, J FIC Cam, Eleanor Cameron
A mystery man inspires two boys to build a space ship which takes them to the planet of Basidium to help the Mushroom people.
The Chocolate Touch, J FIC Cat, Patrick Catling
A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate.
Frindle, J FIC Cle, Andrew Clements
When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.
The Goats, J FIC Col, Brock Cole
Stripped and marooned on a small island by their fellow campers, a boy and a girl form an uneasy bond that grows into a deep friendship when they decide to run away and disappear without a trace.
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher* , J FIC Cov Bruce, Coville
Small for his age but artistically talented, twelve-year-old Jeremy Thatcher unknowingly buys a dragon's egg.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, J FIC Dah, Roald Dahl
Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.
Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker, J FIC DeF, Cynthia DeFelice
After his family dies of consumption in 1849, twelve-year-old Lucas becomes a doctor's apprentice.
Finches' Fabulous Furnace, J FIC Dru, Roger W. Drury
When the Finch family moves into the only available house in Ashfield, they find it has a very strange heating system.
The 21 Balloons, J FIC DuB, William Pene DuBois
When Professor William Waterman Sherman sets off on an around the world balloon trip with only one balloon, but is found in the wrong ocean , soon after, with twenty one balloons the whole world is wondering!!
Harriet the Spy*, J FIC Fit, Louise Fitzhugh
The story about eleven-year-old Harriet, who is a spy, plans to be a writer, and keeps a secret notebook filled with thoughts and notes on her schoolmates and people she observes on her after-school "spy route". However, when her classmates find and read her notebook, their anger and retaliation and Harriet's unexpected responses explode in a hilarious and often touching way.
My Side of the Mountain, J FIC Geo, Jean C. George
Unhappy in his family’s crowded New York City apartment, Sam Gribley runs away to the solitude—and danger—of the mountains, where he finds a side of himself he never knew.
The Guy Who Was Five Minutes Late, E FIC Gos, Bill Gossman
A baby, born five minutes late, grows up being five minutes behind for everything until he meets his own true love and discovers he's right on time after all.
House of Dies Drear, J FIC Ham, Virginia Hamilton
A black family of five moves into an enormous house once used as a hiding place for runaway slaves. Mysterious sounds and events as well as the discovery of secret passageways make the family believe they are in grave danger.
Aldo Applesauce, J FIC Hur, Joanna Hurwitz**
When he and his family move to the suburbs, Aldo has difficulty finding new friends.
The Jack Tales, J398.2 Jac, Richard Jackson
A collection of folk tales from the southern Appalachians that center on a single character, the irrepressible Jack.
Accidents May Happen: 50 Inventions Discovered by Mistake, J124 Jon, Charlotte Jones
45 fascinating stories behind familiar things that were invented by accident, including ice cream sodas, Wheaties, microwave ovens, and yo-yos.
Just So Stories, J FIC Kip, Rudyard Kipling
Twelve stories about animals, insects, and other subjects, including "How the Aphabet Was Made," "How the Camel Got His Hump," and "The Elephant's Child."
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, J FIC Kon, E. L. Konigsburg
Having run away with her younger brother to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, twelve-year-old Claudia strives to keep things in order in their new home and to become a changed person and a heroine to herself.
A Wrinkle in Time, J FIC L'En, Madeline L'Engle**
Meg Murray and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.
Anastasia Krupnik*, J FIC Low, Lois Lowry
Anastasia's 10th year has some good things like falling in love and really getting to know her grandmother and some bad things like finding out about an impending baby brother.
Number the Stars, J FIC Low, Lois Lowry
In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis.
Sarah, Plain and Tall*, J FIC MacL, Patricia. MacLachlan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.
Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days, J FIC Man, Stephen Manes
Milo, tired of problems with his sister, parents, and classmates, finds a book in the library which promises to make him perfect in just three days.
Hanna's Cold Winter, E FIC Mar, Trish Marx
A child tells how her family and other people in Budapest help save the famous hippopotamuses in their city's zoo from starving one difficult winter during World War II. Based on a true story.
Pushcart War, J FIC Mer, Jean Merrill*
A kind of war breaks out when the drivers of ever-larger trucks decide to force the old-fashioned pushcarts off the road
Shiloh*, J FIC Nay, Phyllis R. Naylor
When he finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, Marty tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs.
Island of the Blue Dolphins, J FIC O'De, Scott O'Dell
Left alone on a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Indian girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self-reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life.
American Tall Tales, J 398.22 Osb, Mary P. Osborne
A collection of tall tales about such American folk heroes as Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Paul Bunyan.
Mick Harte Was Here, J FIC Par, Barbara Park
Thirteen-year-old Phoebe recalls her younger brother Mick and his death in a bicycle accident
Bridge to Terabithia, J FIC Pat, Katherine Patterson
The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.
Jip: His Story, J FIC Pat, Katherine Patterson
While living on a Vermont poor farm during 1855 and 1856, Jip learns his identity and that of his mother and comes to understand how he arrived at this place!
The Littles, J FIC Pet, John Peterson *
Hatchet, J FIC Pau, Gary Paulsen
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Westing Game, J FIC Ras, Ellen Raskin 
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.
Indian in the Cupboard*, J FIC Rei, Lynn Reid-Banks
On his 9th birthday, Omri receives a cupboard that magically brings his 3 inch toy Indian Little Bear to life. They bond, embarking on an amazing adventure, until Omri's friend Patrick brings a 6-shooting cowboy to life and the secret is in danger of being revealed.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone*, J FIC Row, J. K. Rowling
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School*,  J FIC Sac, Louis Sachar 
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
Rootabaga Stories, J FIC San, Carl Sandberg 
Forty-nine whimsical and humorous stories that introduce such characters as the Potato Face Blind Man, Henry Hagglyhoagly, The Green Rat, The Blue Wind Boy, and many others.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark*, J398.4 Sch, Alvin Schwartz
More traditional and modern-day stories of ghosts, witches, vampires, "jump" stories, and scary songs
Cricket in Times Square, J FIC Sel, George Selden
The comic, sometimes tragic side of life in the city is brought into vivid relief as Chester Cricket and his friends struggle to bring success to their human friends' nearly bankrupt newsstand.
Einstein Anderson, Science Sleuth*, J FIC Sim, Seymour Simon
Sixth-grade sleuth Adam "Einstein" Anderson uses his scientific knowledge to solve a variety of puzzles.
Below the Root* , J FIC Sny, Zilpha K. Snyder
Chosen to become one of a group of civil and religious leaders ruling the land of Green-Sky, thirteen-year-old Raamo's experiences make him question their teachings and lead him to uncover age-old deceptions.
Black and Blue Magic, J FIC Sny, Zilpha K. Snyder
Harry Houdini Marco has no idea what will happen when an old friend of his father gives him a mysterious gift that grows wings.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond, J FIC Spe, Elizabeth George Speare
Orphan Kit Tyler knows her new home in the bleak, cold Connecticut Colony will never be like the shimmering Caribbean islands she left behind. When she makes friends with an old Quaker woman she meets in the meadow, the association leads to an accusation of witchcraft against Kit.
Maniac Magee, J FIC Spi, Jerry Spinelli
After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which awe his contemporaries.
The Cay, J FIC Tay, Theodore Taylor
When the freighter on which they are traveling is torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II, a twelve-year-old white boy, blinded by a blow on the head, and an old Negro are stranded on a small desert island in the Caribbean where the boy acquires a new kind of vision, courage, and love from his old companion.
Mary Poppins*, J FIC Tra, P.L. Travers
Two English children's new nanny arrives on the East Wind, slides up the bannister, carries an empty carpet bag with all kinds of things in it, and introduces Jane and Michael to some delightful people and experiences.
Weekly Reader: 60 Years of News 1928-1988, J071.3 Wee –
This year-by-year selection of news and features, illustrations, and skills games from the children's news weekly is sure to jog childhood memories. Some might remember a 1934 story on child labor: ``Do any of your school friends work in mills after school?'' it asks. In 1953, color television was news read more...
Charlotte's Web J FIC Whi E. B. White**
Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.