My good friend and her husband's New Year's resolution is to read 35 children's books by the year's end. One reason is they have 5 children and are running out of books they know will be enjoyable for their Middle Grade readers, but they also didn't read a lot as kids and want to explore children's books for their own enjoyment.
I love this idea! I've been happily reading Middle Grade fiction, books written for 8 to 12 year olds, ever since I realized this was the area I wanted to write within. I started writing my own Middle Grade novel 3 years ago. This genre is full of wonder, imagination, and (usually) an innocence long lost in young adult fiction.
I wondered if there are other parents, like my friend, who would appreciate a run down on new and classic books in this category. I have put together a list, not exhaustive, but the best of the 50 or so books I've read this year. I can't vouch that all the books will meet every parent's criteria, but they do all contain a hopeful message and are well-written. I have also given a pitifully brief summation of the plot/theme that I beg your forgiveness for and pray the authors of these books never see.
So here you go friends, my top recommended middle grade books!
18 Middle Grade Books You (And Your Kids) Will Love
1. From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konisburg. Newbery Award.
A couple of kids run away to live in a museum.
2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Newbery Award.
A story told from the point of view of a Gorilla living in a run down tourist attraction.
3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. Newbery Award.
A beautifully written story about friendship, imagination, and fighting giants.
4. Ramona Quimby, age 8 by Beverly Cleary.
What can I say? If you haven't met Ramona before you're in for a treat.
5. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Newbery Award.
A homeless boy who runs and manages to bring a town together. It does show some violent attitudes of racist people.
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Newbery Award.
Meg must save her physicist father and go on a journey through time and space.
7. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Newbery Honor.
A girl struggles with undiagnosed dyslexia then blossoms after getting help.
8. Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban.
A girl moves with her family to a Japanese internment camp. The story is told in a beautifully simple style.
9. Penelope Gilbert and the Children of Azure by Emily A. Steward.
This book was written by an author friend of mine! The tagline from her book trailer says, "Where magic meets machine, and pirates rule the sky." It is available through several sellers, just do a Google search, and also as an audio book.
10. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen.
A boy races to save rare owls from obliteration at a building site before it is too late. A fun, quirky book.
11. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson. Newbery Award.
I read this a few years ago, but I remember it was a good story about living gently with our animal friends, and had rabbits.
12. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.
A lot of natural science in this story of a girl and her Grandpa.
13. Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper.
A special needs girl who can't talk, or walk, but is cognitively healthy as she embarks on the challenges of school, friends, and an Academic competition.
14. Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead.
A boy and his quirky home-schooling neighbors set out to spy on a mysterious man in their apartment building.
15. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Newbery Award.
A tale that goes places you would never expect.
16. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. Newbery Award.
A depression-era story of a vagabond girl who ends up giving more to a town then they exp
17. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Newbery Award.
Denmark (I believe?!) in WWII, a girl and her family join in the risky venture of saving their neighbors.
18. Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs.
A lighthearted, fun mystery. A boy who lives with his zoologist parents at a zoo/amusement park must solve the suspected murder of the meanest hippo who ever lived.
Happy Reading!
What middle grade books do you love? Let me know below and I will check them out!