Here you will find some essential books pre-teens should read about growing up. Books that talk about puberty, love, sex and relationships. All the stuff that will start to interest your pre-teen more, as the sex hormones of puberty start to change the way they think about life.
Having books on this stuff for pre-teens means that they have a reliable source for information on topics that they may be too embarrassed to ask you about. And if you don’t provide it for them, they will just go and look for it themselves. Which often means turning to google where they find highly sexualised information that they may not be ready for.
Many parents worry that they will be sexualising their pre-teen by giving them this information about sex or that they are giving them permission to be sexual. This is far from the truth. If your pre-teen isn’t quite ready for that amount of information they will either not bother to read it (as it doesn’t interest them), or they will quickly forget about it (as it didn’t make sense because they didn’t understand it). You can read more in this article about some of the doubts that parents have about sex education. And you can read in this article about the advantages of empowering your pre-teen with this knowledge.
This list of essential books pre-teens should read includes books that talk about puberty, being online, love, sex and relationships. The list has been divided up into the different ages, just to make it easier for you.
You can find more books about different topics in the main list of Sex Education Books for Children.
And if you find this list a little overwhelming, you might want to look at the age-appropriate list of sex education books.
You’ll find more information about sex education in my Sex Education 101 page.
Books for preteens about sex education
Below you’ll find all the individual books about emotions and feelings. Just click the book that interests you to learn more.
NOTE: Before passing any book to your child or reading the book with your child, you should read it yourself first. I might think it is a great book for a certain age child or that the information is valuable, but you may disagree. You need to choose books that reflect your values and the messages you want your child to receive.
Books for 10 year olds
100+ Answers About Puberty by Interrelate
Puberty: Coming to a Body Near You by Kerri Isham
What’s happening to me? by Peter Mayle: Book Review
So That’s What’s Happening by Gina Dawson
Nonnie Talks About Puberty by Mary Jo Podgurski
Changing You: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality by Gail Saltz
Willies: A Users Guide (ZEP) by Helene Bruller
Tell me: What children really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions by Katharina von der Gathen
How Will I Grow by Mick Manning
When Boys and Girls Become Men and Women by Jorg Muller and Dagmar Geisler
You-ology. A puberty guide for every body
Puberty is Gross but Also really Awesome by Gina Loveless
You Know, Sex? Bodies, Gender, Puberty and Other Things by Cory Silverberg
What’s the Big Deal About Puberty
Growing Up. by Rachel Greener
Books for 11 year olds
100+ Answers About Puberty by Interrelate
Puberty and Growing Up by Anna Claybourne
Will Puberty last my Whole Life? by Julie Metzger & Robert Lehman
Puberty: Coming to a Body Near You by Kerri Isham
What’s happening to me? by Peter Mayle: Book Review
The Puberty Book by Kelsey Powell and Wendy Darvill
So That’s What’s Happening by Gina Dawson
Does This Happen to Everyone by Jan Von Holleben and Antje Helms
Nonnie Talks About Puberty by Mary Jo Podgurski
Changing You: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality by Gail Saltz
Willies: A Users Guide (ZEP) by Helene Bruller
Tell me: What children really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions by Katharina von der Gathen
How Will I Grow by Mick Manning
When Boys and Girls Become Men and Women by Jorg Muller and Dagmar Geisler
You-ology. A puberty guide for every body
Puberty is Gross but Also really Awesome by Gina Loveless
You Know, Sex? Bodies, Gender, Puberty and Other Things by Cory Silverberg
What’s the Big Deal About Puberty
Growing Up. by Rachel Greener
Books for 12 year olds
100+ Answers About Puberty by Interrelate
Puberty and Growing Up by Anna Claybourne
Will Puberty last my Whole Life? by Julie Metzger & Robert Lehman
Puberty: Coming to a Body Near You by Kerri Isham
What’s happening to me? by Peter Mayle: Book Review
The Puberty Book by Kelsey Powell and Wendy Darvill
Does This Happen to Everyone by Jan Von Holleben and Antje Helms
Nonnie Talks About Puberty by Mary Jo Podgurski
Changing You: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality by Gail Saltz
Willies: A Users Guide (ZEP) by Helene Bruller
Tell me: What children really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions by Katharina von der Gathen
When Boys and Girls Become Men and Women by Jorg Muller and Dagmar Geisler
You-ology. A puberty guide for every body
Puberty is Gross but Also really Awesome by Gina Loveless
You Know, Sex? Bodies, Gender, Puberty and Other Things by Cory Silverberg
What’s the Big Deal About Puberty
Growing Up. by Rachel Greener
These are some of the many books that pre-teens should read as they are growing up. As I find more, I will add them to this list. They are all really good books that you will find useful for starting the puberty conversation.
Happy reading!