Books about philosophy for pre-teens?

December 11, 2022 2:12 PM

I know a very bright 11-year-old girl who is obsessed with The Good Place, loves history, and asks lots of big questions. The book “Sophie’s World” was what launched me into caring about philosophy as a kid, and I’m wondering if that is still the go-to book to get someone like her as a gift, or if there is a more current book that will engage her in a similar way?
posted by BuddhaInABucket to Education (8 answers total)

Best answer: I wonder if she would like How To Be Perfect- written by Michael Schur, the creator of the Good Place. I have not read it yet, unfortunately, but he is very smart and funny and the reviews are pretty solid.
posted by charmedimsure at 2:24 PM on December 11, 2022 [5 favorites]

I have read it and it's delightful and quite readable, very much in the voice of the show. I think a bright 11-year-old would enjoy it
posted by restless_nomad at 3:21 PM on December 11, 2022 [5 favorites]

Philosophy for beginners
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 4:34 PM on December 11, 2022

I think the Apology should be accessible to a bright 11-year-old! Quick read.
posted by 8603 at 5:01 PM on December 11, 2022

Action Philosophers is a really good overview of major philosophers, if she'd like something in a comic book format. I use sections of it when I teach Intro to Philosophy.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:59 PM on December 11, 2022

A fairly accessible book is Simon Blackburn, Think: A compelling introduction to philosophy (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1999). Maybe something to read after a book such as Sophie's World.

In graphic format, Steven Nadler and Ben Nadler, Heretics! The Wondrous (and Dangerous) Beginnings of Modern Philosophy (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2017) is a good introduction to philosophy from Bruno and Galileo to Leibniz, Locke, and Newton.
posted by brianogilvie at 10:49 AM on December 12, 2022

There was a bunch of books like Superman and Philosophy, Black Panther and Philosophy, and titles like that if your child is interested in pop culture and philosophy, but philosophy tends to get a bit deep.

Here's a whole list of them from the same publisher: https://andphilosophy.com/
posted by kschang at 3:38 PM on December 12, 2022

Best answer: Is 'Sophie's World' still the go-to book for a young person interested in philosophy?

Yes. I can't think of a better one offhand.
posted by ovvl at 2:03 PM on December 15, 2022