Looking for tween book recommendations to keep your child reading? Take a look at these four recommendations.
Reading is the single most important activity a child can do during the summer-related to learning. Encouraging your child to read during the summer doesn’t seem too difficult – until you end up with a tween who doesn’t like reading. I love reading, but my 12-year-old acts like it’s the most painful experience of her life – es drama.
I’ve found that she complains a little less about having to read during the summer when I get her graphic novels. And don’t worry – graphic novels are real books, reading them is real reading, and they help a child develop important skills just like reading a chapter book does.
Representation matters – even in the world of reading – so I try my best to find books for my daughter that have main characters that are Latino. Below are four of her favorite graphic novels, with at least one of the following: a Latino main character, a Latino author, or relatable themes and topics for the Latino community.
Book: Invisible: A Graphic Novel
Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez
My “Mom” Summary: This story was definitely inspired by The Breakfast Club – 5 different students are forced to do community service together. This group of middle schoolers think they’ll have nothing in common besides the fact that everyone else sees them as all the same – just 5 Latino kids that speak Spanish. The group encounters someone who needs their help, and they’re forced to make a tough decision – share their own personal secrets and help… or, remain invisible and hopefully survive middle school. This story is engaging, and is all about friendships and being seen for who you REALLY are.
My 12 year old’s review: “I really liked how the main characters were from different places – like I remember one was Puerto Rican, one was Dominican, and one was Mexican. A lot of times everyone thinks that all Latinos are the same – but this book shows that isn’t true. I also like how in the book some kids spoke more Spanish than others – because I only speak a little Spanish but I understand more – and I’m still Mexican”.
Book: Frizzy
Author: Claribel A. Ortega
My “Mom” Summary: Marlene’s mom, Paola, wants her daughter to focus on school and growing up. She also seems very concerned with Marlene going to the salon on a regular basis to look “presentable” and have “good hair”. Marlene, who loves books, doesn’t understand why her curls can’t also be considered to be “good hair”. This book tells the story of Marlene learning to appreciate and be proud of her curly hair – with the help of her cool Tía and her best friend.
My 12 year old’s review: “This book was about a girl who really struggles with liking and accepting her really curly hair. Her mom is a little judgemental and wants her to straighten her hair all the time. I loved at the end that her friend and her Aunt helped her learn to accept and appreciate her natural hair. I don’t have very curly hair, but I still really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it focused a lot on acceptance and loving yourself as you are”.
Book: Ghosts
Author: Raina Telgemeier
My “Mom” Summary: Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California – the cool, salty, sea air will help Catrina’s younger sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Once they move to their new home, a neighbor tells the sisters that there are ghosts the live in their new town. Catrina doesn’t want anything to do with the ghosts, but Maya really wants to meet one. Amazon shares that “as the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake — and her own.”
My 12 year old’s review: “I definitely related to Catrina in this book because I recently moved to a new city and had to leave all of my friends behind. I liked this book because it reminded me a lot of Día de los Muertos. I also learned about the breathing disease the little sister had”.
Book: Awkward (Berrybrook Middle School, 1)
Author: Svetlana Chmakova
My “Mom” Summary: Penelope–Peppi–Torres is starting at a new school and has a few rules she plans on following to help her survive. But unfortunately, Peppi ends up breaking her 2 main rules on the very first day of school. She has an incident in the hallway involving a boy that results in the mean kids calling her the “nerder girlfriend”. She ends up escaping to the art club and finding new friends there. She still feels badly about how she treated the boy in the hallway, but then things get really awkward when he’s a member of the art club’s rivals – the science club. The 2 clubs end up going to war and Peppi learns that breaking the rules is sometimes necessary in middle school.
My 12 year old’s review: “I felt like I could relate to this book because I’m in Middle School now too – like I had to deal with some friendship issues and mean girls last year in 6t grade. I also really liked the artwork in this graphic novel”.
Are there any graphic novels your middle schooler loves? My daughter and I are always looking for recommendations, especially ones that have a Latino connection!
