Books for Middle Readers
Fans of Kiki's Delivery Service or anything by Miyazaki will snatch this one up based on the cover alone. Coming-of-age story about an enchanting little witch.
Recommended by Kristine
This is a fun, magical story about sisters, curses, and adventure. A fast paced read with strong female characters and some fancy plot twists. Readers will be swept along in the adventure.
Recommended by Kristine
Very sweet and un-scary story about a boy and his monster under the bed.
Recommended by Kristine
Fablehaven meets How to Train Your Dragon in this action-packed fantasy about a young boy and girl who become reluctant allies when caring for a baby dragon—the first in brand-new duology!
Twelve-year-old Bryn has always dreamed of becoming a Seeker, just like her dad.
“As enchanting as it is wise, the true magic of this secret garden story is in its unflinching, heart-wrenching exploration of grief, belonging, and inner strength.
Like The One and Only Ivan, this book is perfect for early middle grade readers. It tells the story of Ivan’s faithful friend Bob who is finding it difficult to adjust as a “pet” dog. Add a tornado and a long lost sister, and you have the perfect story to attract readers looking for an exciting story full of heart. Applegate’s short sparse text will give beginning chapter readers confidence.
Recommended by Kristine
I am biased towards anything medieval... but I really enjoyed this. The writing is solid, the characters and their mysterious quest intriguing, and the setting vivid. Great for readers of historical and adventure fiction. Fans of The Inquisitors Tale should definitely check it out.
Recommended by Kristine
A great book that sheds light on a important piece of history. This is a story of two very different girls whose lives are uprooted after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl and how they find the resilience to survive. The subject matter isn’t easy - if your kids are anxious about environmental issues, abusive relationships or religious prejudice, you might want skip it. Worth reading WITH your kids though and using it to open some honest dialog. For fans of The War That Saved My Life and the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl”.
Recommended by Kristine
I liked this book. It starts off strong with Rhodes' poetic prose telling the story of a biracial prep school boy who is wrongly accused of delinquent behavior. Fast-paced and sparse, this is a good starting point for middle grade readers looking for discussions on a serious subject matter. I wish it were longer and slower. The characters, the details on the sport of fencing, as well as the legal and social commentary on racism, are worthy of many more pages.
Recommended by Kristine
A unique and unflinching coming-of-age story. King looses his older brother to a tragic accident and has a hard time letting him go. It is only after he comes to a friend's aide and confronts some hard truths about prejudices of all types that he is finally able to be honest with himself and his family.
Recommended by Kristine