10+ Best Books for 11-Year-Old Girls w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect books for 11-year-old girls? Whether she's into thrilling adventures, heartfelt stories, or something entirely unique, finding the right book can spark a lifelong love of reading. Dive into our curated lists of books for 11-year-old girls that cater to all interests and inspire young readers. Keep reading to discover her next favorite book!

Fun Books for 11-Year-Old Girls

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  • Genre(s): Classic, Coming-of-age
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative girl who is accidentally sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly brother and sister who intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that emphasizes the importance of imagination, friendship, and finding one's place in the world.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love character-driven stories and exploring themes of belonging and identity.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The first book in the Harry Potter series introduces Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers he is a wizard on his 11th birthday. He attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, makes new friends, and uncovers a dark mystery tied to his past.
  • Why we recommend this book: It opens up a magical world full of excitement and adventure, making it a captivating read that encourages imagination and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical adventures and stories about friendship and courage.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a spoiled and ill-tempered girl, is sent to live with her uncle in England after her parents' death. She discovers a locked, neglected garden on the estate and, with the help of new friends, brings it back to life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of healing and friendship through the transformative power of nature and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about personal growth and the healing power of nature.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows a young girl named Luna, who is accidentally enmagicked as a baby. She is raised by a witch, a tiny dragon, and a swamp monster. As Luna's magic begins to emerge, she faces challenges that she must overcome to protect her family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written tale about love, magic, and the complexities of growing up.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate stories with strong female leads and rich, fantastical settings.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt. He embarks on a quest across the United States to find the bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an action-packed adventure that also educates about Greek mythology in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love thrilling adventures and learning about mythology.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a bright, young girl with terrible parents and an even worse school principal, Miss Trunchbull. Using her intelligence and telekinetic powers, Matilda devises clever ways to deal with her challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It champions the power of reading and the resilience of children in the face of adversity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy humorous stories with a touch of magic and justice.

Educational Books for 11-Year-Old Girls

• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: In 1899 Texas, 11-year-old Calpurnia Tate discovers her love for science and nature through explorations with her grandfather. As she navigates the challenges of being a young girl expected to sew and cook, Calpurnia strives to prove her scientific mettle in a society that expects different from her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, historical context, critical thinking, gender roles
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully combines historical context with a spirited protagonist's journey toward self-discovery and scientific exploration.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and history, and those who enjoy stories about breaking societal norms.

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: This novel follows August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who attends a mainstream elementary school for the first time. Through multiple perspectives, the story explores themes of kindness, friendship, and acceptance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, social awareness, perspective-taking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that encourages understanding and acceptance of differences.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a moving story that promotes empathy and inclusivity.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines mystery and adventure with brain-teasing puzzles and lovable characters, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love puzzles, mysteries, and stories about teamwork and adventure.

• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
  • Genre(s): Memoir, Poetry
  • Synopsis: Through poignant and powerful poetry, Jacqueline Woodson shares her childhood memories of growing up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her awakening to her literary gifts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, historical knowledge, poetic techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique narrative form that blends poetry and memoir, providing rich insights into historical and personal experiences.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate poetry and are interested in stories about personal growth and cultural history.

• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: September, a twelve-year-old girl from Omaha, is whisked away to Fairyland by a Green Wind. There, she embarks on an adventurous quest involving witches, dragons, and a fight against a wicked ruler.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, vocabulary, understanding of narrative structure
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsically written tale that captivates with its rich, inventive world and strong, adventurous female protagonist.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love imaginative adventures and strong female characters in fantastical settings.

Challenging Books for 11-Year-Old Girls

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Genre(s): Classic, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This beloved novel follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up in Civil War-era America, each determined to live life on her own terms.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes such as poverty, gender roles, and personal identity, woven through sophisticated language and period-specific cultural references.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides timeless lessons on resilience, ambition, and sisterhood, encouraging readers to think deeply about their own paths in life.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical settings and exploring themes of personal growth and family dynamics.

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe embark on a journey across dimensions to save their father from an evil force. Along the way, they confront challenges that test their understanding of love and good versus evil.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex scientific and philosophical ideas, such as tesseracts and the battle between light and darkness, in a narrative form.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stretches the imagination with its blend of science fiction and fantasy, and it teaches important values like courage and the power of love.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and fantasy, and those who appreciate stories that challenge their thinking.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Drama
  • Synopsis: Set in Nazi Germany, this novel tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich who survives by stealing books. Through the books she reads, Liesel shares her stolen items with her neighbors during bombing raids and with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with heavy themes like war, death, and the power of words through a unique narrative voice—the Grim Reaper.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a profound look at the horrors of war and the beauty that can be found in words and friendship, encouraging readers to appreciate literature's impact on resilience and human connection.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are interested in history and stories that explore the depth of human emotions and survival.

• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Claudia Kincaid, a precocious girl who feels unappreciated at home, runs away with her younger brother Jamie to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There they become involved in a mystery involving an angel statue that may be one of Michelangelo’s sculptures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features sophisticated themes of self-discovery and personal growth, wrapped in a complex plot with cultural and historical references.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an adventurous and intellectually stimulating story that encourages curiosity and appreciation for art and history.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love solving mysteries and exploring new and exciting settings.

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Lyra Belacqua, a young girl, embarks on a perilous journey through a world where humans have animal familiars and a mysterious substance called Dust offers profound insights into the universe.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes such as theology, philosophy, and science, demanding a higher level of comprehension and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a richly detailed universe with complex characters and moral questions that provoke thought about freedom and truth.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who enjoy deep, thought-provoking narratives and epic fantasy adventures.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 11-year-old girl develop some stellar reading habits, here are a few fun and effective exercises that can make reading a regular and enjoyable part of her daily routine. Let's dive in!

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Choose a specific number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps build a reading routine.
  • Tips: Start with a small, manageable goal and gradually increase it.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a cozy, comfortable space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special and enjoyable experience.
  • Tips: Let her personalize the space with her favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Form a book club where she and her friends read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Rotate who picks the book each month to keep it exciting and inclusive.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud together.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and listening skills.
  • Tips: Alternate who reads each page or chapter to keep it interactive.

• Use a Reading App
  • What it is: Utilize technology by using a reading app that tracks reading progress.
  • How it helps: Integrates reading with technology and can make tracking progress fun.
  • Tips: Choose apps that provide rewards or achievements to motivate her.

• Themed Reading Days
  • What it is: Dedicate a day to read books on a specific theme or topic.
  • How it helps: Expands knowledge on different subjects and genres.
  • Tips: Let her choose the theme to increase her engagement and excitement.

By incorporating these exercises into her daily routine, your 11-year-old will not only enhance her reading skills but also develop a lifelong love for books. Remember, the key is to keep the activities fun and engaging, and before you know it, she'll be reaching for a book on her own. Happy reading!