Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025!
    • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco featured in Booklist
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
    • I’m Signing Books at ALA 2025 in Philly!
Menu
Best Books for Middle School Kids

57 Book Recommendations for Middle School Kids from Actual Middle School Students

Posted on September 24, 2011May 29, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Once your child can read Harry Potter, the entire universe of books opens up, but what is age-appropriate?  I have handed my oldest chapter books that were Newbery Award winners, on the thin side, and with decent size type only to find them a tad too old for her based on content.

I have a tendency to steer what I call “Grapes of Wrath” realism to middle school; I think these books are fine for 4th or 5th grade as a classroom assignment because the teacher provides context, but reading for pleasure should be … a pleasure.

The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck

Another reason why some of these books are on this list is that, like historical novels, it will be a much richer experience to read them while learning about that period of time in history class.  But, as always, it’s just a personal call.  I have used the Boston Public Library’s book list as a guide.

My original list was quite sparse simply because I’m backlogged with chapter books for grades 3-5.  In a testimony to the power of texting, my Mother’s Helper Extraordinaire (and straight-A student) texted her straight-A student Friends for help compiling this list.  She said that she was shocked to get the list completed in 10 minutes.

Please add your favorite middle school chapter books and chapter book series! Thank you!!

57 Favorite Books for Middle School from Middle School Kids

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Keeper by Kathi Appelt

Keeper by Kathi Appelt

Beyond Lucky by Sarah Aronson

A great coming-of-age boy story wrapped around soccer, heroes with feet of clay, and what it means to be a friend.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

This Newbery Award-winning author was born over two hundred years ago, yet her novel, set in Medieval England, is an enduring tale of a son of a knight who becomes a hero despite being crippled and discovers that there is more than one way to serve the king.  Her book makes medieval times come alive.  I consider this as historical fiction. [ages 11 and up]

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Deception Point by Dan Brown

Deception Point by Dan Brown

The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales

The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

The Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi

A mom friend met the author at an event at the Boston Public Library and really enjoyed meeting her and hearing about her background.  She bought this book for her son, a 4th grader.  He didn’t finish the book; it’s better for slightly older ages.   I consider this as historical fiction. [ages 11 and up]

The Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

My 6th grader is on her third reading of this “challenged” dystopian trilogy.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

If you haven’t read this yet, it’s too good to be missed!

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

A Million Miles from Boston by Karen Day

Karen is coming to my 6th grader’s book club today! I really feel that she’s the quintessential coming-of-age middle school girl storyteller. The book club meets about this particular book which is SO PERFECT for a going-into-6th grade as it addresses all the anxieties about change and friendship that I suspect all kids go through, certainly mine did. Add in a possible new stepmother, and confusing friendships with both older kids and the opposite sex, and you capture the angst of a middle grader.

A Million Miles from Boston by Karen Day

No Cream Puffs by Karen Day

No Cream Puffs by Karen Day

Tall Tales by Karen Day

Tall Tales by Karen Day

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O’Roark Dowell

This is one of the best YA (Young Adult) books I’ve read that skews also to Middle Grade. A coming-of-age story hits all the same notes for middle school and is PG-clean. Janie, a high school freshman, grapples with fitting in but in an upbeat lighthearted way while being herself. What brings additional weight to this story is that a local Civil Rights story is wrapped into Janie’s story which imparts a message that one person can make a difference.

No Small Thing by Natale Ghent

No Small Thing by Natale Ghent

Piper by Natalie Ghent

Piper by Natalie Ghent

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

The Misfits by James Howe

The Misfits by James Howe

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

I am a big fan of Cynthia Kadohata so I gave this book to my daughter to read when she was 8-years-old.  Another friend of her’s also read this at the same age.  It wasn’t that long, the print wasn’t mouse-sized, and it won a Newbery Medal.  Right? Wrong!  In retrospect, I should have read the book first.  It’s a story about a Japanese family forced to relocate during WWII, a particularly sensitive subject for me because my mom was forced to relocate during the war.  It has a Grapes of Wrath realism that would be better served for a middle schooler, and it would be a richer experience coupled with learning WWII-era  U.S. history. I consider this as historical fiction. [ages 11 and up]

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

I did read this book also, and I thought it was a cute love story from the author of the Shopaholic Series.  I personally wouldn’t have guessed that a middle-schooler would like this because I think of this as Chick Lit.  But, to my earlier point, there is not a line between young adult and adult fiction, truly.  This is an enjoyable read on the beach.  I probably would not hand this book to my 8th grader but if she found it on her own I wouldn’t stop her.  MHE’s friends also recommended Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella.  I have to say I bought this book to read on a long plane ride and gave up.  It’s not as interesting a story so I’m giving a fair warning.

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Savvy and Scumble by Ingrid Law

Scumble by Ingrid Law

The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg

This might be Konigsburg’s finest work, which is saying a lot given her two Newbery Medals!  This tightly woven story tells the story of four members of Mrs. Oliniski’s 6th grade Academic Bowl team and their unlikely state middle school championship but also weaves together a short story about each of the students reminding us that there are only two degrees of separation between kindness and love.

The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott

The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Beowulf: A New Telling by Robert Nye

She notes, “Not as bad as original but pretty graphic.”

Beowulf: A New Telling by Robert Nye

Maximum Ride series by James Patterson

My oldest raced through this series and is expecting me to preorder the next one which I believe is the final one.

Maximum Ride Manga

Maximum Ride Manga

Witch & Wizard series by James Patterson

My oldest enjoyed this series too, which she also raced through while waiting for more Maximum Ride.

Witch and Wizard Manga

Witch and Wizard Manga

Not sure if Demons and Druids is a new series but I just saw this one…

Demons and Druids

Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

The Percy Jackson series  by Rick Riordan

This is “Harry Potter meets Greek Mythology” and it’s a fantastic read!  It’s such a page-turner that I stayed up to 2 a.m. to finish it!  This is a MUST-READ before the movie comes out!

Percy Jackson is an ADD, dyslexic 6th grade hero who has trouble staying in school because, as it turns out, he’s no ordinary human but a half-blood related to one of the big three in Greek Mythology.  He must find and return Zeus’ lost lightning bolt to prevent WWIII.  This series makes Greek Mythology come alive so I’ve included a Greek Mythology book as well.  The level of difficulty is slightly easier than Book 1 of Harry Potter; this book is 375 pages long, normal-sized type.  [ages 8 and up]

The new series is as eagerly embraced as the first Percy Jackson. The Son of Neptune is coming out soon and can be pre-ordered (which is what my 6th grader insisted that I do).

Son of Neptune Percy Jackson

The Kane Chronicles series is not as popular as Percy Jackson and I think it’s simply because Ancient Egypt is as familiar and kids find it confusing and difficult to keep track of. My 6th grader also liked it but she likes Ancient Egyptian gods in general. This is probably the key to a good match with your child.

Holes by Louis Sachar

The Boston Public Library places this book under Middle School, but it’s also worked successfully as a book club book for boys in 3rd grade.

Mudville by Kurtis Scarletta

This is a great baseball tale that boys AND girls loved. It reads as realistic fiction but has a magical realism twist which makes the book especially fun to read. The epic rivalry between towns, Native American curses, dysfunctional families, and baseball — this book has it all!

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

Will Tuppence, a tightly wound freshman in high school, learns about love and letting go after a family tragedy. [ages 11 and up]

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewert

My oldest loved this book about exceptionally gifted children brought together and trained to help stop an evil twin brother from taking over the world, yet there is also a sweetness and innocence to this series that makes it appropriate for ages 9 and up.

The Land by Mildred D. Taylor

The Land by Mildred D. Taylor

Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Dragon’s Gate by Laurence Yep

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The moms in my book club swooned over this book.  They were reading it for their mother/daughter book club and highly recommended this book.  We almost picked it for our adult book club.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

 

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

p.s. Related posts:

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 5th and 6th Grade

My Son’s 6th Grade Recommended Book List

Diversity Picture Books for 6th Grade

Diversity Picture Books for 7th Grade

Diversity Picture Books for 8th Grade

Best Books for Middle School

Best Middle School Books for Summer Reading

Best Books for Tweens from Our Wonderful Middle School Librarian

Best Multicultural YA Books

These are the Young Adult books from the 2015 Notable Books for a Global Society.

Best Multicultural YA Books for Teens

I’m new to YA so I was excited to discover this great list.

Top 10: YA Books

90 6th Grade Students Name Their Favorite Book

Action Adventure for 13-Year-Old Boy

5 Books to Get Your Young Gamer Reading

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  • Starred review from School Library Journal
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

8 thoughts on “57 Book Recommendations for Middle School Kids from Actual Middle School Students”

  1. LuAnn says:
    September 24, 2011 at 7:12 am

    Found your post through Twitter. Thanks for this i-n-v-a-l-u-a-b-l-e post for a homeschooling family with two young teens!

    Reply
  2. Pragmatic Mom says:
    September 30, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    From my LinkedIn Group Moms Extraordinaire:

    Mia, this is awesome! I can’t wait to share them with my 12-year-old daughter!

    Posted by Joy

    Reply
  3. HoneyFern School says:
    August 2, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Other suggestions from my middle school kids:

    Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

    Mother-Daughter bookclub series

    Ender’s Game (series)

    The other Giver books: Gathering Blue and (title escapes me)

    There are others, but that will keep everybody busy for awhile!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 5, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Hi HoneyFern School,
      Thank you so much for sharing such great middle school book recommendations!!!

      Reply
  4. Jim Westcott says:
    January 7, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    So many awesome middle grade reads, so little time! Great list!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 8, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      Hi Jim,
      I love that they have books they recommend in such a wide range! Something for everyone and also for a wide range of ages too!

      Reply
  5. Nancy Kunhardt Lodge says:
    February 17, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    Hi Mia, I’ve had some great news. The Crystal a Navigator, ages9-12, is being considered for the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award. It is already in school libraries in MD, DC, and MA snd is a Momschoice award winner and five star Reader’s Favorite. The best reviews are from the kids. Learning about art is fun. Reading about a girl who got embarrassed in school and then didn’t give up gave me confidence. This is what an author dreams of hearing. Thanks nancy

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      February 28, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Congratulations Nancy!!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • My Daughter’s Start Up SWARM wins $100k from VentureCat! June 20, 2025
  • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025! June 18, 2025
  • Cover Reveal for Fight for the Right to Read June 16, 2025
  • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025! June 13, 2025
  • Sumo Joe turns 6 Years Old and 6 book GIVEAWAY! June 11, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT