47 Books for Middle Schoolers Our Kids Adored

Vanessa M. said:  Middle school is the perfect age for kids to read Harry Potter on their own. Even if they have already seen the movies, they are no replacement for the action, adventure, magical details, and background stories in this iconic kids fantasy book series.

Vanessa M. said:  Raina Telgemeier has some very popular books for middle schoolers. Ghosts is a graphic novel that encapsulates the complex relationship between sisters, telling the girls' story in a way that is fun and relatable in spite of its serious plotline. When sisters Cat and Maya are forced to move because of Maya's chronic illness, they discover their new town has ghosts. One sister believes in ghosts and the other does not, until the ghosts begin to show themselves.

Alexandra F. said:  My 7th grader just read this Agatha Christie mystery classic for school and is OBSESSED. She absolutely loved the intriguing story about 10 strangers trapped together on an island who mysteriously begin to die, one by one. Who is the murderer?? Will anyone be left alive? She could barely keep herself from reading ahead. A great mystery book for kids who are a little older, up through adults!

Alexandra F. said:  A quartet of futuristic sci-fi adventures loosely based on classic fairytales including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White. We read this as part of a family book club with our 11-year old daughter and she and I were both totally hooked! Each of the four books follow the same story, told from the perspective of a different heroine. Well-developed and likable characters combine with a novel and exciting adventure story - with just a touch of familiarity - to make it a great book for tweens and up!

Alexandra F. said:  This is a very popular series of books for tweens, teens and adults alike. A teen protagonist wakes up in an elevator with no memory of his past, which opens to find him surrounded by other teen boys trapped in an endless maze of horrors. None of them have any memories from before arriving there, and they have no way to escape. This young adult suspense thriller was a favorite for both my son and daughter in middle school!

Alexandra F. said:  Our family enjoyed this series by Marissa Meyer so much that the release of the third book in the trilogy was a much-anticipated event at our house. Lots of adventure (and a touch of high school romance) in an interesting story about a world where many people have super powers, but are struggling to figure out what role these super heroes should play in society. The two main characters are teenagers who each have super powers, and fall on opposite sides of the prevailing viewpoints. But, secrets and betrayals abound, making for a fun and twisty plot!

Vanessa M. said:  10-year-old Ada Smith discovers her own freedom in spite of living in war-ravaged England. Born with a clubbed foot and kept inside her whole life by her mother, Ada jumps at the chance to escape her home life and the war by relocating to the countryside along with the rest of London's children. With complex characters and an uplifting story, this book appeals to tweens on many different levels!

Alexandra F. said:  This dystopian trilogy had everyone in our family absolutely hooked from the moment we each started it. They are good middle schooler books, but equally great reads for older teens and adults, too. Katniss Everdeen is a teenage girl living in one of 12 districts in what was once North America, under the rule of a Capitol that requires one boy and one girl from each district to participate in an annual "Hunger Games," where the children must fight to the death as punishment for a long-ago rebellion. An absolutely gripping story with wonderful characters you won't soon forget.

Vanessa M. said:  One of the most age appropriate and accessible Holocaust books for middle schoolers. Ten-year-old Annemarie and her Danish family must hide her Jewish best friend, Ellen, and her family. When Annemarie learns that her parents are part of the Danish Resistance, she must overcome her fear to help in an important way. The story is exciting, easy to read, and the lesson of having the courage to do what is right stays with the reader long after the last page is read.

Vanessa M. said:  Percy Jackson is the kind of protagonist kids love; he is funny and cool, and takes finding out that the entirety of Greek mythology is real all in good stride. The Lightning Thief and the rest of the series are some of the best books for middle schoolers. They're adventure books that excite even the most reluctant readers, and the hidden bonus is that teens will learn a lot about Greek mythology without even realizing it!

Vanessa M. said:  Auggie was born with a severe facial deformity that leaves him looking a lot different than the other kids, and Wonder chronicles his first experience attending school. Grab some tissues: this eye opening, heartwarming story is one of the must-read books for middle schoolers.

Alexandra F. said:  These are some of the best books for middle schoolers who loved Harry Potter! Sophie is a 12-year-old girl whose life is upended when she discovers she is an elf and has to leave home to join elven society. If that weren't hard enough (elves are practically immortal and have special abilities like telepathy), she also learns she is at the center of a scheme to destroy the elven world, and has to find a way to stop it. Our entire family always eagerly awaits the next book in the series!

Stanley Yelnats, wrongly accused of stealing, is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he befriends a ragtag group of boys who dig holes all day. But what are they looking for?

Vanessa M. said:  Stanley Yelnats, wrongly accused of stealing, is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he befriends a ragtag group of boys who dig holes all day. Stanley discovers how his camp experiences and his family history are intertwined in this fast-paced book.

Dawn Denning said:  My son recently started reading this series and he LOVES it...and so do I. Written by Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel from Glee), these are are good books for middle schoolers and older elementary school kids about the adventures of a set of twins that leave our world and travel into the world of fairytales. The fairytale worlds include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose and more! The stories are engaging, suspenseful and funny, so my son and I both look forward to reading time!

Billy, a poor kid from the Ozarks, saves up enough to buy himself two hunting dogs. Together this team becomes legendary for their hunting skills, forming a strong bond in the process. When the team encounters a sad accident, Billy is forced to face loss for the first time in his short life, but emerges from his despair stronger than before.

Vanessa M. said:  This is an outstanding, award winning novel that grants its readers permission to begin questioning their culture and values, an important step for middle schoolers. When 12-year-old Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memories for his utopian society, he glances behind the veil and discovers its fragility.

Gina I. said:  13-year-old Brian's plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness, leaving him alone with only the clothes on his back and a hatchet. He struggles to make shelter, find food and survive. This and the rest of the books in the Brian's Saga series are stories your middle schooler won't soon forget.

Juan L. said:  One of the best historical fiction books for middle schoolers, a young girl in World War II Germany tries to make the best of her bleak situation by cultivating a love of books and an optimistic outlook on life despite the destruction around her. Her family takes in a Jewish boy in hiding and their friendship becomes the stuff of legend.

Vanessa M. said:   This is a popular book for middle schoolers as it does an excellent job helping kids look past the wheelchair to see the real person. Readers get a look at the inner life of a young girl with cerebral palsy who struggles to overcome her obstacles with humor and determination.

Vanessa M. said:  When a troublemaker is accidentally placed in the gifted school, he encounters a number of laughable yet poignant experiences as he attempts to fit in with young geniuses. This is a great middle school book for reluctant readers, as it is easy and fun to read with a rewarding ending.

Juan L. said:  This young adult classic tells the story of Ponyboy and his fellow greasers in their hard-knock life outside of regular society. This book is perfect for middle schoolers and a great book for teens, too, as they enter into the broader world, with themes about principles, loyalty, and doing the right thing.

Marcia Alvarez Delgado said:  Any dog lover will love this book by W. Bruce Cameron. It's funny, sad, and you won't be able to put it down. It's about a dog that reincarnates after death and experiences life with different families.

Vanessa M. said:  Life is peaceful and sheltered for Cap and his grandmother, Rain, as the last remaining members of a secluded hippie commune. But when Rain ends up in the hospital, Cap is sent to live with a foster family and to attend school for the first time. This funny and touching middle school book.

Vanessa M. said:  Few children's novels can grip young readers by the first page, but The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle hooks readers right from the start. Set in 1832, thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle finds herself the only passenger on a long voyage by ship traveling with a cruel captain and a mutinous crew. As conflict arises, readers watch young Charlotte grow from timid to strong, independent, and courageous. Charlotte challenges what is expected of a girl in her time, and is a strong female heroine.

Erika Roh... said:  L.M. Montgomery's heartwarming and funny tale about a fiery little red-headed girl named Anne. She is an orphan and sent to live with a family, not knowing they were looking for a boy! With her charming and witty personality and escapades, she wins their hearts and she finds the home she has always wanted. With Anne's vivid imagination and personality, any child will find joy in reading this book.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My middle school boys love the Hazardous Tales series by Nathan Hale. The books are straight-up history told through a comic book like manner with fun and jokes along the way. They are learning about historical events in an entertaining manner and literally stay up late reading these books and not wanting to put them down. Some of the topics include the Underground Railroad, World War I and II, The Alamo, Cold War and more.

Vanessa M. said:  Soccer stars and benchwarmers alike will enjoy this one. The award-winning middle grade book follows 12-year-old Paul Fisher as he moves with his family from Texas to Florida. Paul has complicated relationships with his father, mother and brother, and hopes to step out of his brother's shadow by making a name for himself playing soccer. Written as Paul's personal journal entries, this is a good book for middle schoolers who will find his story exciting and relatable.

Vanessa M. said:  Written entirely in poetic verse, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander will delight basketball fans. Thirteen-year-old twins Josh and Jordan grew up playing basketball as their father is a former NBA player. Filled with lots of basketball action and emotionally moving as the twins struggle with their emerging identities, it is easy to see why this is an award-winning book for middle schoolers.

Vanessa M. said:  When Jonah and Chip begin receiving strange anonymous letters, they have no idea of the mind-blowing mystery they are about to uncover. If your tween has never read anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix before, they are in for a real treat! Haddix is a master of suspense and plot twists, and Found and the rest ofThe Missing series are good books for middle schoolers because they will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Michele Green said:  Three storylines keep you wanting to read more. Great messages understanding life.

Alexandra F. said:  This has been one of my teen's favorite book series since she picked it up in middle school. It is an exciting fantasy adventure story about a kingdom at the brink of civil war, and a plot to place an impersonator on the throne as a puppet prince. The main character is probably one of my daughter's favorite book characters of all time, and the unexpected plot twists have kept her hooked since first picking up the series.

Kelly R. said:  Through free verse poetry, Jacqueline Woodson shares memories and reflections on growing up African American in the 60s and 70s. It's a powerful book for middle schoolers to learn about black history through the eyes of a child.

Alexandra F. said:  Award-winning author Jason Reynolds hooks tweens with Ghost, an excellent book for middle schoolers about a talented student track athlete who has a chance of going to the Junior Olympics, but whose anger and complicated past present challenges along the way. The engaging writing style and humor draw readers in, and interesting and diverse characters make the four-book Track series a hit amongst the middle school crowd.

Melinda Morgan said:  The premise might seem a bit cheesy, but the author doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of what the kids go through in the war they’ve been drawn into. And now there’s a graphic novel adaptation being released based on the books.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  I Funny by James Patterson is a sweet and funny story starring middle school comedian Jamie Grimm, who just so happens to be in a wheelchair. Nothing stops Jamie including going after his dream of being the world's greatest comedian. This is a series followed by I Even Funnier and I Totally Funniest. Your middler-schooler will love them all!

Kelly R. said:  An inspiring graphic novel that tells the true story of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was involved in plots against Hitler's life. The striking tri-color illustrations really drew my middle schooler in (he finished it in a day). I'm impressed that he gained a better understanding of some pretty complex WWII history, including the moral conflict of many who resisted Hitler.

Kelly R. said:  My tween devoured comedian Trevor Noah's account of growing up half black/half white in South Africa at a time when it was illegal, and maintains that it's his favorite book. This is a version of the fantastic book for adults, adapted for kids. The same stories are told in both, just for a different audience, so I liked that we were able to talk about them together as he was reading.

Kelly R. said:  This story about eternal life was a quick 2 day read for my son in the summer after 6th grade, and he really enjoyed it.

Kelly R. said:  My 13-year-old son is into this young adult series about a teen with Tourette's syndrome who has mysterious electric powers.

Alexandra F. said:  The excellent characters are what make this dystopian adventure story stand out, and my teen (who generally dislikes romance stories) really liked both main characters, including their romantic story line. Set in a post-apocalyptic Paris in the midst of a new revolution, Rook is reminiscent ofThe Scarlet Pimpernel, and a suspenseful, imaginative, and really good book for middle schoolers and teens!

Alexandra F. said:  A funny and authentic coming-of-age story about a 15-year-old girl whose father is running for president. As the campaign leads to intense scrutiny of their Cuban American family, she learns a lot about her father and his politics that make her realize he may not be the hero she had always seen him as before.

Alexandra F. said:  The Rithmatist is one of my 11- and 13-year olds' favorite books. We all love Brandon Sanderson as an author, but this New York Times' best seller tops their list. It's an epic tale that masterfully combines fantasy and mystery (with a little bit of math thrown in for fun), as two teen protagonists investigate a series of kidnappings and upend the world as they know it in the process.

Kelly R. said:  This middle-grade heist novel was a quick and fun book for my middle schooler.

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Kelly R. said:  A truly funny, informative and amazingly well-researched nonfiction book featuring real science-based answers to ridiculous questions. My 8th grade son read it cover-to-cover in a couple days and still flips back to some of his favorites, like "How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live?"

Kelly R. said:  This is such a unique book...a recent favorite of my 7th grade boy! The story alternates between being told by words and by series of terrific illustrations. It's a fantasy book about elves and goblins, but also a witty satire on politics, cultural differences and how history is written.