Out of all the middle grade books I've read, these are by far the ones I've liked the most. They are not in any particular order, but "Wonder" would most definitely still be #1 if this list were ranked. Reading Middle Grade books is definitely a refreshing experience for me given that I spend a lot time having to read journal articles and textbooks in college. Middle Grade books remind me to be a kid at heart and that I have the capacity to make my life as simple as I want it to be even when life gets progressively more complicated.
FYI, my definition of "middle grade" is books for kids around the ages of 10 - 14 years old.
1. Wonder by J.R Palacios
Always choose kindness. I loved this book! It's arguably one of the best books I've ever read.
2. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
This graphic novel was funny but it also shows how any disruption to normalcy seems like the end of the world when we were kids. What's super cool about this book is that the author went to the same high school as me! There's even some scenes of my high school in the book that brought back fond memories of my time at Lowell High School.
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Great book! It was interesting to be inside the head of someone who has autism, and of someone who is so great with numbers as well.
4. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
Bomb.
5. Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
Bomb :)
6. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis
I really enjoyed this book. It's very well written and the movie was actually really good as well.
7. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
This book was heartfelt and definitely gets you thinking more about animal rights.
8. A Series of Unfortunate Events Series by Lemony Snicket
I read these books when I was like in 5th grade. They were honestly kind of depressing but with each book I always hoped that the Baudelaire children would get their happy ending. I also really liked all three of the main characters. Their smartness and cunningness motivated me to be a good student and a learner.
9. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
I liked Carter better than Sadie. Nonetheless, they still made a pretty great team.
10. The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan
I really liked this series! Like a lot! My favorite character was Leo and it's great to have such a brave and funny Latino character. This series presented such an amazing journey and reaffirmed the fact that good will always prevail over evil.
11. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
I really liked the concept of all the tests these kids had to go take in order to find the actual A-team that would essentially be saving the world. At some point it got a little confusing to me in terms who and what was evil. I still enjoyed this book and the message it gives about friendship and that one can be smart and clever in many different ways.
12. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series by Rick Riordan
The third book just came out this past October 2017 and I cannot wait to read it! The first book was good but I felt like Riordan kicked it up a knotch with the second one. I love all the characters and how diverse they are from each other.
14. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L Kenigsburg
I honestly do not remember what this book was about anymore. All I know is that when I read it a long time ago, I really really liked it. I remember something about a fountain and pennies and these two kids who were on their own. I'll definitely be rereading this book sometime in my life.
15. The Giver by Lois Lowry
I still think about this book sometimes. That ending though!
16. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
I just read this book Summer 2017 and even though I am 21 years old, I still found this book very enjoyable and I like how this book gives important life lessons.
17. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kiney
I have a nine year old brother, so I definitely have read these books. They are actually quite funny and I like how the main character describes his life and experiences in school.
18. Hatchet by Gary Pauline
This book was very detailed and this kid is truly very smart. I would have not though of doing the genius things he did in order to survive.
19. The Field Guide (Spiderwick Chronicles #1) by Holly Black
Loved the plot of this book and the storyline. I am a twin myself so maybe I liked this book primarily for that reason. The movie was also pretty good too.
20. The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery
Don't let this cute book cover fool you. I found this book to be actually quite complex. I was rereading every sentence to find the messages hidden there. That ending though!
21. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I read this book in one day but it was such a beautiful read. I love how the author describes the main character, Stargirl. I think I would have been her friend IRL even if she was too cheery and quirky. Great read. Don't be afraid to be weird. Weird is the new normal. Stay weird.
22. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
At some point in my life I have wanted to be a spy.
22. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
Vey interesting read. We get to learn more about the wizarding world in the United States. I like Newt's personality and patience with animals.
23. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany
This book was bitter-sweet for me because everyone is so grown up.
24. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
I remember my 5th grade teacher reading us this book in class. I don't remember much of what it was about but I know that I liked it.
25. The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan
This book is funny. Apollo is one of my preferred Greek gods so I was thrilled when Rick Riordan made this series about Apollo. In this story, Apollo is ejected by Zeus to Earth in human form. So now Apollo is a pimply teenager which is precisely why I said this book is funny.
26. The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Lee Curtis
Again, I don't remember the specifics of the book. I just remember the feeling.
27. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The book is a little sad because so many people are dying. I don't usually read historical fiction but I liked this book because it's in the point of view of a young person.
28. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
One of the best books I've ever read! I loved this character because she's funny and brave. I just really liked this book! I'll definitely be reading it again sometime in my life.
29. Into the Wild (Warriors #1) by Erin Hunter
I was really into these books when I was young. This book was part of a series and although I didn't finish the series, the books that I did read had me hooked. There was a lot of action and I would forget that this book was about clans of cats. I don't even like cats in real life, but I very much enjoyed this book. Also, I spilled grape juice over this book when I was a young girl, which I had borrowed from the library. My mom had to pay for it and I felt pretty bad about that. It was a pretty traumatizing experience. Maybe that's why I didn't finish the series.
30. Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
This is a well-written book. It reads very clearly and with an important message of tolerance and of not judging others.
31. Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
I don't know why but I really liked this book. I liked the small town feel it had. This book has a mystery, it involves a smart kid, a ghost, and baked goods. Sounds like a pretty good combo to me.
32. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
One of the best books I've ever read (and one of the best stories I've ever heard too)! It was so imaginative and just so amazing. I loved the prose of it, the characters, and the family situation going on there that added another layer to this story. This is one of the very few books I've read more than once. I only ever read a book once and move on because I got a lot of books to get through in this lifetime! So definitely a good read.
