Best Book Series for Tweens

Last updated: May 20, 2026

One of the easiest ways to get kids hooked on reading is to get them into a great book series. All it takes is a captivating Book 1, and they're off and running. Fantasy, mystery, science fiction, school stories -- whatever! Some are trilogies, others are multi-volume sagas that will keep tween readers hungry to find out what happens after the last cliffhanger. Here's a selection of our all-time favorite kids' book series, with reviews of either the first installment or the whole series. For even more ideas, check out our lists Best Book Series for Early Readers and 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12.

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Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew Series Poster Image

BOOK

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew Series

age 7+

Younger Nancy Drew solves cases in beginning mystery series.

Carolyn Keene For Beginning Readers (2016)

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Precious Ramotswe Series Poster Image

BOOK

Precious Ramotswe Series

age 7+

Kind, brave 9-year-old solves fun mysteries in Botswana.

Alexander McCall Smith Mystery (2012)

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Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Series Poster Image

BOOK

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Series

age 7+

A mouse and robot fight evildoers in fun graphic novels.

Dav Pilkey Graphic Novel (2014)

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The Bad Guys Series Poster Image

BOOK

The Bad Guys Series

age 7+

Snappy dialogue and irreverent humor in fun graphic novels.

Aaron Blabey Graphic Novel (2016)

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The Boxcar Children Series Poster Image

BOOK

The Boxcar Children Series

age 7+

Engaging classic mystery series great for beginning readers.

Gertrude Chandler Warner Mystery (1942)

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The Cardboard Kingdom, Book 1 book cover: Seven kids cheer from a cardboard-constructed castle tower

BOOK

The Cardboard Kingdom, Book 1

age 7+

Fun adventures encourage imagination, free play, inclusion.

Chad Sell Graphic Novel (2018)

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The Zack Files Series Poster Image

BOOK

The Zack Files Series

age 7+

Silly stories of 10-year-old Zack's improbable adventures.

Dan Greenburg For Beginning Readers (2016)

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Amina's Voice, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Amina's Voice, Book 1

age 8+

Beautiful tale of Pakistani American middle-schooler.

Hena Khan Contemporary Fiction (2017)

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AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet Poster Image

BOOK

AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet

age 8+

Animal superheroes battle creepy plants in zany sci-fi tale.

Jon Scieszka Graphic Novel (2019)

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Beetle Boy, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Beetle Boy, Book 1

age 8+

Fun, engaging mystery about a boy and his helpful beetles.

M.G. Leonard Mystery (2017)

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Cape: The League of Secret Heroes, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Cape: The League of Secret Heroes, Book 1

age 8+

Tween superheroes battle Nazis, prejudice in exciting story.

Kate Hannigan Fantasy (2019)

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The Hat of Great Importance book cover: Light blue cover with two green lizards, one with a pink hat; both under title with arrow pointing to hat

BOOK

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody: The Hat of Great Importance, Book 2

age 8+

Brave animals explore friendship and stereotypes at school.

Patrick Ness Humor (2025)

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Dragonborn book cover: Alex stands in front of a large, red, smirking dragon, a fierce expression on her face

BOOK

Dragonborn

age 8+

Wild, twisty, heartfelt shapeshifting dragon series start.

Struan Murray Fantasy (2025)

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Dragonbreath Series Poster Image

BOOK

Dragonbreath Series

age 8+

Great banter and adventures for a young dragon and friends.

Ursula Vernon Adventure (2012)

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Dragons in a Bag, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Dragons in a Bag, Book 1

age 8+

Exciting tale of New York kid's journey to magical world.

Zetta Elliott Fantasy (2018)

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Emily Windsnap Series Poster Image

BOOK

Emily Windsnap Series

age 8+

Mermaid-human girl finds friends, family in fun adventures.

Liz Kessler Friendship (2012)

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Endling #1: The Last Poster Image

BOOK

Endling #1: The Last

age 8+

Fast-paced animal fantasy tackles theme of extinction.

Katherine Applegate Fantasy (2018)

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Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess: The Enola Holmes Mysteries, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess: The Enola Holmes Mysteries, Book 1

age 8+

Teen girl detective is a fun twist on famous family name.

Nancy Springer Mystery (2007)

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Greeking Out book cover: Greek gods and monsters ready for battle

BOOK

Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths: Greeking Out, Book 1

age 8+

Olympian adventures given a welcome modern twist.

Kenny Curtis Fantasy (2023)

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Book 1

age 8+

Fun mystery about kids locked in library by wacky genius.

Chris Grabenstein Mystery (2013)

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