Middle grade novels have a special way of blending imaginative adventures with the complicated—and sometimes wonderfully messy—experience of growing up. From magical schools and monster-filled dimensions to soccer fields, mountain trails and mysterious inns, these stories offer plenty for young readers and adults alike to love. Whether you’re searching for an enchanting fantasy, an emotional contemporary story or an unforgettable new series, these are the middle grade novels we can’t stop thinking about.
The Blue Witch by Alane Adams
Nine-year-old Abigail Tarkana dreams of becoming the greatest witch in history, but there is one major problem: her magic still hasn’t arrived. With her place at the Tarkana Witch Academy in jeopardy, Abigail must contend with difficult classes, bullying classmates and dangerous creatures while uncovering the truth about her mysterious abilities. Inspired by Norse mythology, this magical adventure celebrates courage, friendship and finding strength in what makes you different.
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The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
Jack and Quint are trapped in the Monster Dimension while Rezzoch the Ancient prepares to reach Earth and destroy civilization. To stop her, the boys must race across the dimension and secure an audience with one of its most mysterious creatures. The tenth installment in the bestselling series delivers the monsters, humor, action and high-stakes friendship that have made The Last Kids on Earth a favorite among young readers.
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The Revenge of Magic by James Riley
Thirteen years after magical books were discovered beside the bones of ancient creatures, only children born after “Discovery Day” can wield their dangerous power. When a massive creature attacks Washington, D.C., and takes his father, Fort Fitzgerald is recruited into a secret government-run school where children are trained in magic. Determined to uncover the truth, Fort soon discovers that the school is hiding dangerous secrets—and that another devastating attack may be approaching.
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Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina
For more than a century, young sea ghost Graciela has lived at the bottom of the ocean, creating sea glass and helping newly awakened spirits adjust to the afterlife. On land, twelve-year-old Jorge works in his family’s forge and struggles to understand the strange forces threatening his community. When their worlds collide, Graciela and Jorge must work together to protect the sea’s spirits from a dangerous power in this luminous story about grief, friendship and creating light in the darkest places.
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The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner
After seventh-grader Finn Connelly is caught vandalizing a local woman’s headstone, her daughter offers him an unusual way to make amends: climb all forty-six of the Adirondacks’ high peaks. Finn reluctantly begins documenting the challenge through poetry, but every mountain forces him to confront the grief and anger he has tried to avoid. Told in verse, this powerful journey follows one boy as he discovers that healing does not mean climbing alone.
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It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Vale was once one of the strongest fencers at her school, but a devastating accident has left her body—and her confidence—changed. Determined to return to the sport as if nothing happened, she pushes herself to reclaim the success that once defined her. In this poignant novel in verse, Vale must learn that her achievements are only one part of who she is and that moving forward may not mean returning to the person she was before.
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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze is a football phenomenon whose small Mississippi town has already decided what his future should look like. The predominantly white community celebrates his seemingly superhuman athletic talent while overlooking the person underneath it. After witnessing a life-changing injustice, Henson begins questioning the expectations placed upon him and fighting to be recognized as more than the abilities others can use for their own benefit.
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The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
Separated by twelve centuries, two children embark on dangerous journeys to protect the people they love. In 731 China, Han Yu searches for the medicine and money that could save his family, while in 1931 New York City, Luli Lee fights to protect her family’s Chinatown business during the Great Depression. Connected by a mysterious piece of silk, their intertwined stories combine history, adventure and a touch of magic in a sweeping exploration of family and resilience.
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The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly
Lila plans to spend the summer winning back the friends who abandoned her, but the death of her estranged grandfather sends her family to his eerie Victorian inn in Ohio. There, Lila discovers that Grandpa Clem was murdered—and that his inn is a resting place for ghosts traveling to the afterlife. With evil spirits trying to enter the human world, Lila and her friends must uncover the killer before the boundary between the living and the dead collapses. Interactive elements allow readers to encounter ghosts and gather clues alongside the characters.
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The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez
Valeria “Magic” Salomón is the star player on the best boys’ soccer team in the state, and she has the talent and determination to build her entire future around the sport. But after getting her first period during an important game, Valeria is blamed for the team’s loss and pushed away by the teammates she once trusted. Forced to reconsider what soccer means to her, Valeria must rediscover her confidence and learn that playing “like a girl” can be a source of strength.
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Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
Ten-year-old Magnolia Wu is spending another quiet summer in her parents’ New York City laundromat when she befriends the energetic new girl in the neighborhood. Together, they decide to investigate the collection of abandoned socks that Magnolia’s family has gathered over the years and return each one to its rightful owner. Their unusual detective work leads them through the city and reveals the surprising stories hidden within their community.
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The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
As the year 2000 approaches, twelve-year-old Michael Rosario cannot stop worrying about everything that could go wrong—especially the mysterious Y2K crisis. Then he meets Ridge, a teenager who claims to have traveled back in time from 2199 and may possess the answers Michael desperately wants. As Michael and his babysitter, Gibby, help Ridge return home, Michael begins learning that knowing the future is not nearly as important as finding hope, friendship and family in the present.
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The Wump by Tony DiTerlizzi
Timothy is a gentle, bug-loving kid who has never believed in fighting back, even while facing bullies at home and at school. But when a shadowy monster appears and begins feeding on his darkest thoughts, Timothy finds himself increasingly consumed by anger and the desire for revenge. With eerie illustrations throughout, this supernatural coming-of-age story asks how much of himself Timothy is willing to surrender before he becomes the very thing he fears.
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