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

Navigating the tween years can be a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to self-esteem. That's why finding the right resources is key. Our list of self-esteem books for 12-year-olds is curated to help your young ones build confidence and resilience during these formative years. Keep reading to discover a variety of self-esteem books that can empower your 12-year-old to thrive.

Fun Self Esteem Books for 12-Year-Olds

• You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: This book empowers young readers to dream big, embrace failure, and know they can be awesome. It combines real-life stories with practical tips and activities to boost self-confidence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with inspiring stories and actionable advice that helps build resilience and a positive mindset.
  • Perfect for: Kids who need a boost in confidence and those interested in personal development.

• The Confidence Code for Girls by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: This book takes girls through the science and art of self-confidence, helping them convert anxiety into courage and self-doubt into self-worth.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses fun quizzes, illustrations, and stories to teach girls how to embrace their true selves and find their inner confidence.
  • Perfect for: Young girls looking to strengthen their self-esteem and confidence.

• Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: Molly Lou Melon is short, buck-toothed, and clumsy but her grandmother has taught her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes these lessons to heart.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated story that encourages kids to accept and celebrate their uniqueness.
  • Perfect for: Children who might feel different or out of place and need a reminder of their own worth.

• What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner, illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology
  • Synopsis: This interactive self-help book teaches kids how to lessen their worries and enjoy life more.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides practical strategies in a fun and accessible way to help manage anxiety.
  • Perfect for: Kids who often feel anxious or stressed and need practical tips to handle their worries.

• Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway for Teens by Susan Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: Adapted from the adult book, this version helps teens tackle their fears and achieve their potential with practical exercises and tips.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers straightforward advice and real-life examples to help teens face their fears and grow stronger.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking to overcome anxiety and build a courageous attitude toward life challenges.

Educational Self Esteem Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens by Lisa M. Schab
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This interactive workbook provides practical exercises and activities to help teens build self-confidence and maintain healthy self-esteem.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-awareness, emotional regulation, personal reflection
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers teens a hands-on approach to understanding and improving their self-esteem through engaging and thoughtful exercises.
  • Perfect for: Teens who enjoy interactive learning and those looking to improve their self-perception and confidence.

• Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem by Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, and Pamela Espeland
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides kids with tools to set goals, make decisions, and handle conflicts while building integrity and self-acceptance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Conflict resolution, decision-making, goal-setting
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a straightforward guide that empowers children to assert themselves and their rights in a positive way.
  • Perfect for: Children who need practical advice on handling everyday challenges and boosting their self-esteem.

• Being Me: A Kid's Guide to Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem by Wendy L. Moss
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers tips and advice on how to handle emotions, build relationships, and accept themselves.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, social skills, self-acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses common self-esteem issues with sensitivity and practical advice, helping kids feel more confident in their own skin.
  • Perfect for: Kids who struggle with self-doubt or social anxiety and are looking for ways to feel more secure and accepted.

• I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: Through lively rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book celebrates self-acceptance and self-love, regardless of external appearance or what others think.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-acceptance, creativity in expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and affirming read that encourages children to appreciate themselves as they are.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and those needing a cheerful reminder of their own worth.

• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: Originally aimed at adults, this book's principles about embracing imperfections and cultivating a compassionate mind can profoundly impact mature tweens.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-compassion, resilience, authenticity
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides deep insights into accepting one's imperfections and living with a greater sense of self-worth.
  • Perfect for: Older tweens and young teens who are ready for more mature concepts about self-identity and acceptance.

Challenging Self Esteem Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology
  • Synopsis: This book delves into the six practices that are essential for the cultivation of healthy self-esteem: living consciously, self-acceptance, self-responsibility, self-assertiveness, purposeful living, and integrity.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex psychological theories and requires introspection that is more advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving self-esteem through practical and philosophical insights.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in deepening their understanding of themselves and improving their self-esteem through structured practices.

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book explores the concept of "fixed" vs. "growth" mindsets, illustrating how our beliefs about our abilities affect our behavior and success.
  • Why this book is challenging: It challenges readers to change their fundamental beliefs about learning and intelligence, which can be a complex process at a young age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages resilience and persistence, showing how adopting a growth mindset can lead to greater achievement and increased self-esteem.
  • Perfect for: Tweens who are facing academic or personal challenges and can benefit from a shift in how they view their capabilities.

• Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology
  • Synopsis: This book focuses on how introverts can harness their quiet traits to find success in school, friendships, and family life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It provides a deep dive into personality psychology and societal biases, which requires readers to reflect on complex social dynamics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It validates and celebrates the strengths of introverted children, helping them to see their quiet nature as an asset rather than a drawback.
  • Perfect for: Introverted tweens who might struggle with self-esteem in a world that often values extroversion.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: Adapted from his father's famous book, this version for teens outlines seven habits that help teens improve their self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, and achieve their goals.
  • Why this book is challenging: It asks readers to engage in habits that involve planning, goal setting, and prioritizing, which are sophisticated executive functions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides actionable steps for personal development that can build self-esteem as teens see their own effectiveness increase.
  • Perfect for: Teens who are looking to take control of their life and decisions, enhancing their sense of self-worth in the process.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into self-esteem books, that's fantastic! These books can be a great way to explore and improve how you feel about yourself. But just reading them might not be enough. To really get the most out of these books, why not try some exercises that can help you develop good reading habits? Here are a few exercises tailored for 12-year-olds that can enhance your reading experience and help you grow.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much you want to read each day or week.
  • How it helps: Helps you stay focused and make reading a regular part of your life.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who are interested.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the book's messages.
  • Tips: Try to express what feelings and thoughts the book provokes in you.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Set up a specific spot at home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Minimizes distractions and makes reading a special part of your day.
  • Tips: Make sure it's comfortable and has good lighting.

• Use a Mind Map
  • What it is: Draw a mind map to explore different themes and ideas in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps organize thoughts and connect concepts, enhancing comprehension.
  • Tips: Use colors and pictures to make the mind map more engaging and easier to remember.

• Reflect in Writing
  • What it is: Write a short summary or reflection after each reading session.
  • How it helps: Improves memory of the content and helps you understand your feelings towards it.
  • Tips: Keep it brief and focus on what struck you most in the reading.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Read parts of the book aloud to yourself or others.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps process the information better.
  • Tips: Try to express the emotions of the text as you read.

These exercises aren't just about making you a better reader; they're about helping you get the most out of the self-esteem books you're exploring. By actively engaging with the books, you'll likely find more value in them, and they might just have a stronger impact on how you see yourself and the world around you. So, grab that book, pick a spot, and let's get reading!