I think that when a book series is different and successful such that it creates its own mini genre that this is only a good thing. Just like Harry Potter which broke publishing notions that kids won’t read very, very thick books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series also got kids wildly excited to read. And though the lead character is a boy, girls were also reading this series in droves. I also think that the graphics helped to legitimize graphic novels from comic book status to it-counts-for-your-reading-log status. In any case, if your child needs more Diary of a Wimpy Kid but has read all the books, here are more options including some that skew younger and older.
Category: Reading Lists: Middle Grade
Middle grade chapter books for kids ages 9 through 14 and including 3rd grade books, 4th grade books, 5th grade books, 6th grade books, and 7th grade books.
Update on Boys Book Club: What Worked and Didn’t Work
I update on my little boy book club using The Unbreakable Code advanced picture book. The boys went on a code breaking scavenger hunt.
Top 10: Best Books for Middle School by my 6th Grade Daughter
My oldest daughter finally gives me her favorite books of 2011. She’s a 6th grader and 12-years-old but I think her book suggestions skew plus or minus by two years.
Percy Jackson Fan? Try Noah Zarc
If You Like Percy Jackson, try Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble by D. Robert Pease. It’s a Time Travel Action Adventure Series (and the Physics of Time Travel). Then, go backwards in time along the same story line but with A Wrinkle In Time’s Sandy and Dennys in Many Waters.
Real Pippi Longstocking Meets Caddie Woodlawn
Promise the Night covers Beryl’s childhood with inserts that document her aviation achievement. In real life, Beryl writes a memoir, West with the Night, that becomes a literary sensation, and goes on to Hollywood to consult on aviation for films. Ultimately, she ends up back in Nairobi, successfully training horses. She dies at the ages of 83.
15 Chapter Books for 2nd Grade through 8th Grade
Please welcome Tanya who writes a fantastic children’s literature book blog called Books4YourKids. I am always struck by her great taste in books and now, after reading her list, I am itching to get my hands on Vanished. This is the third time it’s hit my radar. Thank you Tanya for a really great list of books! We will be enjoying it all year!
50+ Best Books for Middle Schoolers: From Our Wonderful Middle School Librarian!
My oldest daughter is lucky in that she has the best Middle School librarian who really cares about finding books that make kids excited to read. He posted this list on our school eNewsletter which is how I found it. I think that by Middle School, students pretty have a good sense of the types of books that they like to read so his list, by genre, is particularly helpful. His list includes: Adventure/Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Humorous, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Horror/Supernatural, Science Fiction, Biographies/Non-Fiction, and Poetry. There is something for any tween or teen on his list!







