We have a very special Rec League from Melissa:
I am hoping that the SBTB community can help me out for the holidays.
Every night at dinner our family discusses what books we are reading. My 10-year-old daughter has always loved to hear the plot lines of the most recent romance novel I am reading. Thanks to Netflix and Jenny Han, my daughter has found that there are age appropriate romance novels she can read, and she is thrilled! My question to you and the community is, what romance novels do you think I should gift her for the holidays?
We are a progressive family who swear like sailors and are very LGBTQ friendly. That being said, I’d still like to avoid anything with graphic sex scenes. Any help you can give would be most appreciated, the sooner the better too, as she is almost through the second book of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series!
Amanda: Well that’s adorable!
Some recs! Though my memory may be faulty since I read these a bit ago. And some of my recs are more of YA books with strong romantic elements than a full on romance. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy is adorable and there’s a Netflix adaptation coming soon!
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder ( A | BN | K | Scribd ) has a great heroine, though if memory serves, the ending is a bit cliffhangery in regards to the romance.
The books in the Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) have some really great romances.
RHG: Yeah, Poison Study is the first book of a series. A good series, and I recommend it, but a true series, not a romance pile of stand alone series
Amanda: I’m also bringing some outside help and asking my roommate. She’s amazing and exclusively reads YA. She also works for a publisher that specializes in kids and YA books.
Sarah: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Old one: Adios to My Old Life by Barbara Caridad Ferrer ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Amanda: When Dimple Met Rishi, which I believe Carrie reviewed on the site.
Sarah: Yes, good one!
Amanda: My roommate seconds When Dimple Met Rishi and Anna and the French Kiss! She also adds Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (made into the movie Love Simon) ( A | K | G | AB | Au | Scribd ). I asked about Cinder by Marissa Meyer ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au | Scribd ) and she says the romance isn’t the focus. It’s more political fairy tale adventure.
Nicola Yoon (which Elyse has read on the site) was another recommendation. She says there is off the page sex, but it’s definitely a warm, fuzzy romance.
Elyse: Nicola Yoon is great!
Also The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee.
Amanda: What about Passenger, Elyse? With the time travel?
Elyse: Yes!
Sarah: Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au )
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (kinda angsty, that one) ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au )
Oh! Major Crush by Jennifer Echols ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Amanda: The Ex Games? With the snowboarders? ( A | BN | K | G | AB )I think that is more YA than adult or am I wrong Sarah?
Sarah: I don’t remember!
I think it is Teen YA , but I don’t know if there is sex on page.
Oh – Love A La Mode comes out next week. That might work.
Amanda: And lastly, you’re welcome to peruse the YA titles we’ve reviewed on the site!
What books would you suggest for Melissa’s daughter? Let us know in the comments!
My 18 year old recommends the Tiger’s Curse series by Coleen Houck and the Iron Fey books by Julie Kagawa, although she believes she was probably 12-14 when she read them, so she can’t say for sure whether or not they are appropriate for a 10 year old. She also adds her voice to the many people suggesting the Selection books.
The Earth Sea Triology – its romantic, and fantasy – and just plain wonderful.
Because this post mentions her, I have a question for Sarah and SBTB podcasters: have you already interviewed Nicola Yoon? (I’m only on ep. 196, so I’m not sure.) Nicola was a guest on First Draft with Sarah Enni – a podcast that interviews YA authors – and Nicola talked about romance novels a lot! A LOT. I think she would make an awesome guest for SBTB.
Here’s the link! http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/f/8/b/f8bd2a066f804ed1/Nicola_Yoon.m4a?c_id=9764958&cs_id=9764958&destination_id=204834&expiration=1543100294&hwt=1c79fd682fe0b1f76d1e43d9338036d7
Yes to Selection series. I read that recently and thought it was pretty good. I think Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series was probably my gateway drug to romance as a preteen. The most romance heavy is the first one, Dragonflight. You might want to preread it though because I have a feeling that some of the scenes would read as very dated at this point. Her Harper Hall series also has a romance that threads through it, although not the central focus. That series is great though.
I know I’m a few days late to this, but anything by Gail Carson Levine. I know she’s not really YA (more like older middle grade), but I was totally head over heels for her books at ten, and they were hugely influential to me as a young feminist who could take control of her own life. I still reread Ella Enchanted regularly and own both the ebook and paper book. Definitely has a strong romance plot.
I’m a little late here but I had to comment. Fifth grade was right around when I started really loving to read.
I have to start by seconding recommendations for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (a true love of mine) and Ella Enchanted (a reread for me and both my sisters for years, perfect for a young romantic), both of which should be fine for age ten.
For closer to 12, Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries series (this was a hugely fun series for me and my older sister growing up) and Stephanie Perkins (a YA romantic staple as far as I’m concerned, but possibly high school heavy for age ten).
My list:
I know Stephanie Perkins has been a part of some romance short story anthologies which, being short, should be light on “physical activities” but heavy on cuteness, and thus fine for younger readers. The winter/holiday one I think is “What My True Love Gave to Me”
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley (very sweet, simple summer romance)
Coffehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (super clean, super cute)
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith has high school aged characters but they only just meet so there’s nothing more than kissing I believe.
If she likes dramatic “can’t live without you” type romance with a fantasy bent I recommend the Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick and the Shiver series by Maggie Stiefvater. I craved that kind of stuff around 11/12 and these were addictive for me.
If she’s a pride and prejudice fan, Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg is a fun short read.
The Everafter by Amy Huntley was a memorable one for me as well, about a girl who wakes up dead in the “everafter” and can revisit scenes in her life through lost objects, which she does to try to figure out how she died (including scenes with her high school boyfriend). I think it should have aged ok.
Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson is probably better for maybe 12-15 but such a good romance.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (book 1 of the Lunar Chronicals) is excellent! Swoon worthy romance, yet clean. Diverse relationship with an Asian hero. Cinderella retelling.
Going out on a limb, but maybe Victoria Holt? Very chaste and they have that gothic, campy appeal.
I just read Mammoth by Jill Baguchinsky, and really liked it! There’s no sex, but some f-words if you’re sensitive about language. Wonderful STEM-enthusiastic heroine who is plus sized, and has realistic struggles with confidence, but has really positive role models. There’s also some good stuff about consent (in regards to kissing). Love love LOVE the science focus. I thought it was great!
Are there any from the POV of a boy? I have a friend with a young teen boy and she was lamenting the lack of age-accessible books about relationships for him to read.
Sue, in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe both MCs are boys, so the book has a boy’s POV.
Hi there! I’m a middle school English teacher and have some recommendations for you.
First of all, you might want to cross check some of these titles against Common Sense Media, which does a really specific breakdown of elements in movies, tv shows, and books. Their rating system is quite comprehensive and generally trustworthy.
It’s always tricky because many YA romances are still going to have complicated elements that are going to be above a 10 year old’s understanding. I do recommend reading them first or using Goodreads or other review sites.
Cosign on the Sarah Dessen recommendation. Kids love those books.
I would also recommend Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee, in which the daughter of the town’s superheroes falls in love with the daughter of the town’s super villains. The girls are both in high school, but it’s very sweet. No on page sex, just flirting and kissing.
A book that is an actual MG (middle grade) book rather than YA is called Star Crossed by Barbara Dee. In this book, 12 year old Maddie is excited about the school play. They are putting on a production of Romeo and Juliet. Maddie is asked last minute to take on the role of Romeo, and realizes she might have romantic feelings towards her best friend who has been cast as Juliet. No sex or kissing. Just feelings. So sweet.
Finally, my middle school librarian recommends Well, that was Awkward by Rachel Vail. A lot of classic middle school angst as a girl suddenly feels FEELINGS for a boy and gets her friend to text him for her.