The Best Books to Read for 12-16-Year Old Students

It has never been a truer statement than what Ernest Hemingway said about books, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”. Books teach us a lot. From life skills, general knowledge and exposure to other cultures, languages, religions and perspectives to fostering empathy, nurturing critical thinking and acquiring foundational knowledge, there are a lot of things we learn from books. While anyone can benefit from reading books, they are particularly useful for school students as they are still in their early developmental stages. Reading skills are critical for the formative years of kids, and hence, they should be encouraged to read more. In this blog, we’ll discuss why reading books is vital for students and recommend some of the best books to read for 12-16-year-old children.

Why Should Kids Read Books?

It’s often said that books have the ability to transport us to a different world, and this claim is completely true. Whether it is a fictional or non-fictional account, books can take us to royal palaces, magical kingdoms, dystopian settings, war-torn cities and even the primitive world. However, with the advent of the digital age, kids are slowly becoming detached from books. With smartphones, the internet and smart TVs, kids are not bothered in the slightest about reading books. As a parent, you must encourage your kids to read for many reasons:

  • Firstly, reading helps in improving one’s vocabulary. Kids become familiar with different words, phrases, and writing skills, which can be incorporated while writing answers in school.
  • As mentioned above, reading skills also help in improving writing. As they learn about sentence structure and correct grammar, and punctuation, there will be a lot of improvement and finesse in answers. 
  • Reading books increases memory retention and concentration levels. With regular reading, kids can also unlock visual memorisation skills.
  • Fictional books, in particular, can boost creativity and imaginative thinking. These qualities are necessary to have a successful future.
  • Last but not least, books offer a lot of information. Children can learn comprehensively about various topics including history, technology, science, culture, life skills, and much more.

In the section below, we have listed the best books to read for students.

List of Best Books to Read

There are thousands of books across different languages that have shaped great minds. If you also want your kids to expand their worldview and learn, then you can check out the books we have listed below.

Malgudi Days

Written by R.K. Narayan, Malgudi Days is a collection of short stories that detail the everyday life of people living in the fictional town of Malgudi in South India. It perfectly integrates different emotions and human experiences, helping children to tap into their emotional side and learn the skill to put themselves in the shoes of those around them.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Published in 1960 and written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is a must-read coming-of-age story of a young girl and her father. It covers sensitive themes of racism, prejudice, and the fight for justice.

Gitanjali

Written by the pride of India and a Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali is a collection of poems published in 1913. It explores the themes of spirituality, love, and devotion.

The Diary of a Young Girl

Written by a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl is a memoir. It is a series of entries written by Anne when she was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Soon, she was arrested and subsequently died at the concentration camp.

Godaan

Considered one of the greatest works in Hindi literature, Godaan is written by the legendary writer Premchand. It explores the themes of poverty, exploitation and socio-economic inequality.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you and your kids find some of the best books to read. Young children and teenagers can benefit a lot by developing reading habits from an early age. As a parent, you have the responsibility to steer young ones to read books so they become familiar with different cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Thanks to the internet, you can either easily purchase or read books online for free. As the top school in Lucknow, the K.R. Mangalam World School motivates students to read more. Whether it’s comics, magazines, storybooks, novels or newspapers, we believe in the benefits of developing reading habits. So, enhance your children’s future with KRMWS and apply today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is reading books important for students?

Reading is very important for everyone, but especially for students. This is because reading helps with academic performance, boosts cognitive development, improves critical thinking, enhances vocabulary and more.

What are some best books to read for students?

To expand their knowledge and cognitive skills, students can check out a number of the best books to read including ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, ‘The God of Small Things’ by Arundhati Roy, ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank, ‘Malgudi Days’ by R.K. Narayan, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger, ‘The Bhagavad Gita’, ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and more.

Should students take notes while reading?

Yes, children must take notes while reading books as this habit can help with memory retention, increase concentration and focus levels, boost comprehension and keep information organised.

Which is the best school in Lucknow?

Even though there are plenty of CBSE schools in Lucknow, most residents prefer K.R. Mangalam World School for high-quality education, personalised learning and excellent academic record.

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