10+ Best French Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect French books for 12-year-olds? Whether you’re aiming to boost their language skills or just looking for a captivating read that offers a taste of French culture, you've landed in the right place. Dive into our carefully curated selections and discover the ideal French books that will keep your young reader engaged. Keep reading to explore our various lists tailored specifically for 12-year-olds!

Fun French Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Le Petit Nicolas by René Goscinny, illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Slice of Life
  • Synopsis: This delightful series of stories revolves around a little boy named Nicolas and his everyday adventures with his friends and family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with humor and mischief, making it a fun and engaging read that will keep 12-year-olds entertained while enhancing their French reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendship and school life.

• Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting unique adults and learning about the complexities of life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines beautiful illustrations with deep philosophical questions, making it both a visual and intellectual treat that encourages reflection and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who like stories with layers of meaning and a touch of whimsy.

• Les vacances du Petit Nicolas by René Goscinny, illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this sequel to Le Petit Nicolas, Nicolas goes on vacation and encounters a series of hilarious and memorable experiences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a light-hearted, humorous read that captures the essence of childhood vacations, making it perfect for leisurely reading.
  • Perfect for: Children looking for a fun and easy read that will make them laugh.

• La sorcière de la rue Mouffetard, et autres contes de la rue Broca by Pierre Gripari, illustrated by Puig Rosado
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This collection of whimsical tales set in Paris features a mix of ordinary and magical occurrences, including the story of a witch living in the city.
  • Why we recommend this book: The stories blend the magical with the everyday in a way that sparks the imagination, making it a captivating read for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy tales with a modern twist and a dash of humor.

• L'omelette au sucre by Jean-Philippe Arrou-Vignod
  • Genre(s): Family, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book follows the hilarious adventures of a family with five brothers, focusing on their mischievous antics and sibling dynamics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a humorous look at family life and sibling relationships, which can be both relatable and entertaining for preteens.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have siblings or enjoy stories about family interactions and fun.

Educational French Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Le château de ma mère by Marcel Pagnol
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This autobiographical novel recounts the author's childhood experiences in the French countryside, focusing on his adventures and the time spent at his family's holiday cottage.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, historical context, vocabulary expansion, appreciation for nature
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the joys and challenges of childhood, offering readers a nostalgic view of rural France in the early 20th century.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in autobiographies and stories set in historical contexts.

• Zazie dans le métro by Raymond Queneau
  • Genre(s): Modernist, Comedy
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the adventures of a young girl named Zazie, who visits Paris with a primary goal to ride the metro, only to find herself caught in a series of comedic escapades.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Urban culture understanding, French slang, creative language use, humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful exploration of language and Parisian society, filled with quirky characters and witty dialogues.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fast-paced, humorous stories with a touch of absurdity.

• Sans famille by Hector Malot
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Drama
  • Synopsis: This novel tells the story of an orphan boy named Rémi, who is sold to a traveling musician and goes on a journey across France, experiencing various hardships and adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical perspective, emotional resilience, geographic knowledge of France
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a dramatic, yet uplifting tale of survival and self-discovery, rich with descriptions of 19th-century French society.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who like stories of overcoming adversity and exploring new places.

• Le roi Arthur by Morpurgo Michael
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mythology
  • Synopsis: This book reimagines the legendary tale of King Arthur, focusing on his rise to power, the knights of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mythological literacy, historical knowledge, moral themes
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a captivating introduction to the Arthurian legends, blending historical elements with mythical storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Readers fascinated by mythology and medieval history.

• Les Contes du Chat Perché by Marcel Aymé
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children’s Literature
  • Synopsis: This collection of stories revolves around two sisters and their interactions with talking animals on their family farm.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, moral lessons, animal behavior understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with enchanting tales that blend everyday life with magical elements, perfect for sparking a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in stories about animals and magical adventures.

Challenging French Books for 12-Year-Olds

• L'Enfant Océan by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the journey of Yann, the youngest of seven brothers, who runs away from home one night, leading his brothers on a mysterious and thrilling adventure across the country.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story's complex narrative structure and the depth of its themes, such as familial bonds and survival, provide a challenging read for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping tale that combines suspense with deep emotional insights, encouraging readers to think critically about the characters' motivations and choices.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy suspenseful stories with strong emotional themes.

• La Grammaire est une chanson douce by Erik Orsenna
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: This imaginative book tells the story of Jeanne and her brother Thomas, who find themselves shipwrecked on an island where words and grammar take on a physical form.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex grammatical concepts in a whimsical narrative that requires readers to engage both creatively and intellectually with the text.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique approach to learning French grammar through a narrative that makes linguistic concepts accessible and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Students who might find traditional grammar studies dry or challenging, and who enjoy creative storytelling.

• Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain-Fournier
  • Genre(s): Coming-of-Age, Mystery
  • Synopsis: When a charismatic but mysterious boy named Meaulnes arrives at a rural school, he soon disappears, leaving behind secrets that captivate the entire community, including the narrator, François.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its intricate plot and the themes of lost innocence and unattainable dreams are conveyed through sophisticated language and narrative techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic novel captures the transition from childhood to adulthood with poignant beauty and depth, providing a profound reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are drawn to reflective, nostalgic, and beautifully written stories.

• Momo by Michael Ende, translated by Gérard de Cortanze
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: Momo, a young girl with extraordinary listening abilities, battles against the Men in Grey who steal time, in this enchanting philosophical tale.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel explores complex themes such as time management and the effects of modern society on personal happiness, which are presented through a sophisticated narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages deep thinking about how we perceive and value time, wrapped in a captivating and imaginative story.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful readers interested in deep philosophical questions and fantastical adventures.

• Tobie Lolness by Timothée de Fombelle
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This series centers on Tobie, a tiny one-and-a-half millimeter tall boy, who must navigate a world filled with danger and intrigue, set in a vast oak tree.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate world-building and complex characters challenge readers to imagine and understand a completely different scale of life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an epic tale of survival and bravery that also tackles themes like environmentalism and tyranny.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love epic adventures with richly detailed settings and a moral depth.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the enchanting world of French books, here are some fun and effective exercises to help you, or any 12-year-old, develop great reading habits. These exercises are designed not only to enhance your reading skills but also to make your reading journey more enjoyable and enriching.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and creates a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes from the books you read.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day after your reading session.

• Discuss with Friends
  • What it is: Share and discuss the book's stories or themes with friends who are also reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Organize a weekly book club or discussion group.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a comfortable and quiet space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Improves focus and makes reading time special.
  • Tips: Include comfy seating, good lighting, and maybe some of your favorite decorations.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the events in the story as you read.
  • How it helps: Aids in better understanding and retention of the story structure.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the mapping engaging and easier to remember.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Read the book aloud to yourself or to a listener.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and fluency in French.
  • Tips: Try to mimic the accents if there are characters from different regions.

• Use a Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Keep a list of new or challenging words you come across while reading.
  • How it helps: Expands your vocabulary and understanding of the language.
  • Tips: Review this list regularly and try to use new words in your conversations or writing.

So there you have it! Try incorporating these exercises into your reading routine and watch as the pages of your French books come alive more vividly than ever before. Not only will these activities help enhance your reading skills, but they'll also make your literary journey more interactive and fun. Happy reading!