These middle grade books are a great starting place to add to your child’s summer reading list or any time. Adults will love these books too!
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If you’re looking for a list of books that are perfect for your child’s summer reading list, I’ve rounded up close to 100 (including sequels) that my own family has enjoyed. They’re perfect for making your own summer reading challenge!
Middle grade covers 4th through 8th grades, roughly ages 8 to 13. Of course, books don’t have an age limit in either direction, so this list is a great place to look for books for older or younger kids too.
Many of these would make a great family read-aloud story for younger kids. And even if they’re considered easier reads for older kids, it doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy them. Not every book needs to challenge their reading level.
Middle Grade books to put on your reading list
Because it was too difficult to choose a favorite order, these books are in alphabetical order by title.
1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This is the classic story of a young girl named Alice, who follows a rabbit into a hole and falls into a magical land of nonsense.
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2. Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
This is the first book in a series of 8. Artemis is a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who captures a fairy as part of a heist scheme, which begins an adventure he didn’t expect.
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3. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
This is the first in a 13-book series. The Baudelaire children have just lost their parents, only to be adopted by a villain after their family fortune. This book begins a long series of disasters, told from a quirky point of view.
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4. A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
This book stands alone fine but has 3 sequels. Three misfit children must go on a perilous quest to fight in the battle of good versus evil and find their true strength.
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5. Because of Winn Dixie
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A 10-year-old girl brings home a stray dog she meets at the grocery store. It changes her life, teaches her to understand loss, and helps her find her place in the world.
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6. Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
This classic Newberry winner is the story of a boy who meets a girl who challenges his expectations. The 2 become friends and create an imaginary wonderland in the woods until a tragedy occurs that changes them forever.
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7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
In this familiar story, Charlie and his family live in poverty until one day, he wins a contest to visit the chocolate factory. There he must learn about kindness, honesty, and bravery for a chance to change his life.
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8. Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
This classic children’s story is about a runt pig named Wilbur who learns about love from a little girl and friendship from a spider named Charlotte.
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9. Dear Mr. Henshaw
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
A boy dealing with divorce and moving to a new town finds a unique friendship when his 6th-grade class is given a letter-writing assignment and he contacts his favorite author.
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10. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
This is an 18-book series (and counting). When Greg starts middle school and experiences the pain of growing up, he starts a diary to record his story.
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11. Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch
Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe
A young witch named Eva must pass a coming-of-age test, learn to fly a broom and help a town, to avoid losing her magic forever. Perfect for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service.
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12. Frindle
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Nick is considered a troublemaker, but he just likes to be creative. When a lesson on language inspires him to rename a pen to frindle the idea spreads beyond his control.
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13. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Claudia runs away from home because she feels underappreciated and her brother joins her for the adventure. They hide in the art museum, where they become involved in a mystery.
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14. Guardians of Ga’hool: The Capture
Guardians of Ga’hool: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
This is the first in a series of 16 books. This mythological fantasy revolves around a young owl who is kidnapped and taken to a school filled with other owlets who are brainwashed and trained for battle.
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15. Harriet the Spy
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
11-year-old Harriet writes everything about her neighbors, friends, and classmates in a notebook – good and awful. When she loses the notebook and someone else finds it, she learns about how words have the power to hurt or heal.
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17. Hatchet
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian, a 13-year-old boy dealing with his parents’ divorce, is in a plane crash and must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness.
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17. Holes
Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley has inherited his family’s curse and is sent to a boys’ detention camp, where they spend all day digging holes. He discovers a number of secrets that go beyond character building and must uncover the truth.
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18. Inkheart
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
This is the first in a 3-book series. When Meggie’s dad reads a story out loud, the character magically comes to life and she must become part of the story, which will change her life.
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19. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
When Shirley Temple Wong moves from China to the US in the 1940s, baseball becomes the connection with her classmates that helps her feel like she belongs.
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20. Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
This book is historical fiction, based on the story of a young girl who lives alone on a Pacific island for 18 years.
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21. Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher
Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
A boy finds a mysterious magic shop and purchases a marble, which turns out to be a dragon egg.
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22. Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo
Leven Thumps by Obert Skye
This is a series of 5 books. Lev lives an unhappy life in a mobile home park (not unlike Harry Potter). He discovers that he has an amazing ability and must use it to save a secret realm.
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23. Matilda
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The title character Matilda is a tiny genius and has to use her superpowers to defend herself and her favorite teacher against the cruel adults in her life.
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24. Middle School
Middle School by James Patterson
This is a 6-book series. A boy begins middle school planning to break all the rules but faces everything from bullies and crushes to learning about who he wants to be.
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25. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
This Newberry winner from 1938 is about a man who dreams of traveling to the South Pole and is surprised to receive a penguin. When one becomes 12, he must take a chance and live his dream.
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26. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This is book 1 in a 5-book series and Riordan has written multiple serials about different mythology. Percy is a troubled kid, but when he discovers that he’s the son of Poseidon he must go on an adventure, face the Greek gods, and find out who has stolen Zeus’s lightning bolt.
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27. Redwall
Redwall by Brian Jacques
There are a total of 20 books in this series, as well as several spinoffs. Redwall Abbey is filled with peaceful mice, but suddenly they must defend themselves against an army of rats. An unlikely hero and a cast of animal characters must band together, go on adventures, and learn the true meaning of bravery.
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28. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
This book has several sequels and prequels. Cassie lives in Mississippi during the Great Depression, where she and her family must fight for dignity and independence in the face of racism.
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29. Stuart Little
Stuart Little by EB White
Tiny mouse Stuart has big dreams and must leave his human parents to go on an adventure and find a missing friend.
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30. The Book Thief
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
In 1939 Nazi Germany, foster child Liesel steals books and learns to read. She meets an assortment of characters and faces poverty, war, and friendship with spirit.
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31. The Curse of Eelgrass Bog
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling
Kess has an unusual life, living in a museum, and hunting for fossils with her best friend, who happens to be a demon. When a new girl at school enlists her help to solve a mystery, they’ll have to enter Eelgrass Bog, which is known to be full of demons, witches, and who knows what else.
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32. The Hobbit
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
This kid-friendlier prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy follows a young hobbit named Bilbo. He is content with his quiet life but is caught up in an adventure when a wizard and several dwarves hire him as a thief to steal a dragon’s treasure.
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33. The Phantom Tollbooth
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
A boy who complains about boredom is swept up into an adventure when a mysterious tollbooth appears and he enters into a world of puns, jokes, and excitement.
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34. The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
In the early 1900s, a young girl who has lost her parents and is sent to live with her uncle discovers a locked garden. There she learns the value of friendship, kindness, and compassion.
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35. The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Toni DiTerlizzi
There are 5 books in this series. After finding a field guide to fairies hidden in the attic, a group of children discover a magical and dangerous parallel world.
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36. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
This charming story is about a mouse who defies the odds, a rat who wants to be good, and a servant who dreams of being a princess. Each experiences loss and cruelty, but learns that friendship and bravery are strengths.
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37. The Thief Lord
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Two orphan boys on the streets of Venice join a group of lost children, only to be swept up in a theft that will introduce them to something magical.
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38. The Westing Game
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A group of 16 strangers are invited to the reading of an eccentric millionaire’s will. Each must compete to win the fortune, clue-style.
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39. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mabalia
This is the first in a new series. Tristan has just lost his best friend and is sent to live with family in Alabama. There he joins Black American folk heroes and African gods in an adventure to save the world.
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40. Wonder
Wonder by RJ Palacio
August, born with a condition that affects the bone structure of his face, has never attended public school until the 5th grade. There he learns about bullies and friendship, kindness and struggles, alongside his family.
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I’ve linked to the various editions for each of these, but they are all available in ebook, paperback, and hardback. Many are also available as audiobooks, which are perfect for a family road trip or a reluctant reader.
Many of these middle grade books have sequels too. You might find your favorite new series of middle grade books.
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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