When Maddie Ziegler isn't dancing with Kristen Wiig at the Grammy Awards or starring in music videos, like the jaw-dropping one for Sia's hit "Chandelier," the breakout tween star can be found flipping through a new book. She tells Us Weekly exactly what's next on her 2015 summer reading list.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
“It’s pretty much like Clue,” the tween star of Sia’s “Chandelier” video raves of the clever murder mystery. “I only have 10 chapters left!”
Autumn Falls by Bella Thorne
“I’m a Bella Thorne fan and it’s kind of about her life,” she says of the teen’s loosely autobiographical novel.
Life in Motion by Misty Copeland
The sixth grader will tackle the ballerina’s memoir next. “I feel I could relate. Dancers have it actually really hard. They get injured easily.”
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
An award winner, “It’s about a kid whose face is kind of deformed and how he gets through life,” she says. “It’s really sad but really good.”
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
Also on her wish list: The YA novel, recommended by a pal, that follows a reality show family. “I can relate to that!” the Pittsburgh native jokes.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Dubious of assigned reading, Ziegler was reluctant to pick up the story of two boys with disabilities. “Now it’s my favorite book ever!”
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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The trilogy that inspired her favorite film series is a work in progress. “I read the first one, but I need the rest!”
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
A tutor deemed the tearjerker “a little too mature,” she says. “But now I’ve seen the movie, like, 800 times, so I really, really, want to read it.”
Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
Even though she’s moved on to more mature books, Ziegler is still a huge fan of the series. “I was really in love with that book… They’re really good when you’re like 8 years old.”
Whatever After by Sarah Mlynowski
“They’re a really easy read but I really enjoyed them,” she says about the fairy-tale adventure series. “It’s really cute.”
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Ziegler admits that she has some catching up to do. “I’ve seen the movie Divergent and I really want to read that book… I’m really bad about reading the books after the movies.”
