Top 10 books for tweens

This hilarious book is perfect for kids aged 9 to 12. It tells the story of the hardships of moving to a new school and trying to cope with every day challenges. It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. It will appeal to both reluctant and advanced readers.

Kids aged 8 and up will just love this hugely popular tale of everybodies favourite anti-hero! 'Artemis Fowl's father is a European crime lord and at the beginning of the book, he disappears with the family's fortune, leaving his mother in a state of shock. Artemis then finds himself on an adventure with his bodyguard Butler where he discovers fairies really do exist and in order to capture one must decode their book. Boys and girls will equally love this rollercoaster ride of a book.

This is a classic that every child should read. It centers on a young English orphan boy who lives with his horrid aunts until he enters a gigantic,magical peach, and has a wild and surreal cross-world adventure where he befriends the magical insects who dwell inside the peach.

Darren Shan is a hugely successful Irish children's author who writes wonderful tales filled with adventure, magic and vampires! Readers aged 9-13 (and older) will devour these books. Cirque Du Freak tells the tale of how two best friends lives change forever when they acquire tickets to a strange freak show and bump into a deadly vampire!

J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel is a classic. The Hobbit is a great read-aloud for parents to share with children aged 8 and older. The Hobbit tells the tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins who loves the comforts of home but who soon finds himself on a dangerous quest filled with danger and excitement.

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling

This is the first in the infamous Harry Potter series and follows a young Harry's journey from muggle London to wizarding castle Hogwarts as he makes close friends and tries to put a stop to the return of the evil Lord Voldemort who killed Harry's parents as a baby. This is a book that defies age and children and adults alike will find themselves enthralled.

Lots of little girls go through a phase of wanting to be a ballerina and there are so many books dedicated to the subject but this is one of the best! Published in 1936 "Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild "tells the story of Pauline, Petrova and Posey Fossil, three orphans who are adopted by Great Uncle Matthew and raised by his great-niece Sylvia. Great Uncle Matthew disappears on an adventure and the family are left struggling to stay afloat. The children are sent to an academy to train in acting and dancing. Pauline discovers that she is a talented actress, Posey is singled out as a ballerina and poor Petrova hates it. This classic book is one to be cherished.

Princess Emeralda isn't a typical princess. She doesn't posess a delicate laugh, she's clumsy and she really dislikes Prince Jorge, the man her mother hopes she will marry. One day, she is convinced to try kissing a frog but somehow the spell goes awry and she ends up a frog! This takes her on a wonderful journey as he tries to get back to her old human self!

I was Jane Austens best friend by Cora Harrison

I was Jane Austen's best friend is a delightful read from author Cora Harrison. When Jenny, a shy girl goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing about dresses and balls and romance while Jane is so knowledgeable. So, when Jenny falls in love with the dashing Captain Thomas Williams, Jane is on hand to help her. This is a really wonderful way to teach younger readers about the magic of Jane Austen.

Are you there, God? Its me Margaret by Judy Blume

This classic book by Judy Blume is perfect for girls aged 9-12. Margaret isn't having the best time, she has moved away from home and is starting a new school. She has to make new friends and she is pretty sure that she just isn't normal. She is also pretty certain everyone else knows who they are. The worst part is she is a late developer and knows that all her friends are going to need a bra first! She doesn't know who to talk to, so she talks to God instead. This is a real classic and every young girl should read it.