Gift List: Books for Tweens

1. Middle School is Worse Through Meatloaf: A Story Told Through Stuff ($10.18)
Through instant messages, letters from Mom, bank statements, to-do lists, report cards, and more, we learn the story of 7th grade Ginny as she navigates life’s ups and downs. Ginny struggles with some serious family issues, but the book is an overall delightful read.

2. Cool Stuff Exploded ($16.49)
More deconstructed than actually blown up, Cool Stuff features fabulous pictures and clearly-written text that help demonstrate how several high-tech items work. Included among the many gadgets and gears: a Seahawk helicopter, racecar, piano, and a wind turbine. Chapter introductions shed light on the items’ significance to our world.

3. In Your Face 3D: The Best 3-D Book Ever ($13.57)
Spectacular photos from seemingly every sport under the sun (football, rock-climbing, BMX, etc.) in stunning 3-D. The included glasses can also be used on Sports Illustrated For Kids’ Web site.

4. Paper Fashions Fancy ($14.93)
For the aspiring Project Runway champ, your budding fashion designer can use the stencils included with the book to design their winter collection–then bring their art to life with the decorated paper, beads, and sequins. There are even tiny little hangers for preserving each masterpiece. (Not included: Tiny little Next Top Model.)

5. Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts ($13.59)
Following in the footsteps of previous “ologies” (Pirateology, Dragonology), Monsterology takes readers deep into the fantasy world of griffons, sea serpents, unicorns, and more. Written as a journal of the fictional Dr. Ernest Drake, the book is filled with sketches, maps, observations, and the ology-trademark secret treasure-filled flaps. Readers will find gems, “unicorn mane,” and even textured patches of “monster skin.”

Check out our complete list of Gift Lists here.