Check out these fantastic middle grade books recommendations. I asked the Instagram teacher community for classroom library recommendations and they came back with this amazing list. I can’t wait to add these to my Grade 7 and 8 classroom library.
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10 Fantastic Middle Grade Books
Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson (Science Fiction/Fantasy)
A series about the adventures of Maximum “Max” Ride and friends after they escape from the lab where they were experimented on.
Circus du Freak Series by Darren Shan (Fantasy Fiction)
Two friends attend a banned freak show and get themselves involved in a way they didn’t plan.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (Fantasy Fiction)
An orphan discovers he is from a magician family and is sent to school to learn magic.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Realistic Fiction)
Told by the point of view of Ivan, a captive gorilla, it is the story of his life on display in a shopping mall.
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (Realistic Fiction)
A story about a friendship between a large, troubled boy and a physically challenged boy who is very smart.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Realistic Fiction)
A thirteen-year-old boy’s plane crashes and he is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothes and a hatchet. The story follows him as he must find a way to survive.
Prisoner b-3087 by Alan Gratz (Historical Fiction)
The story of a Jewish boy during Nazis rule. He is forced from one concentration camp to another and must try to survive.
Refugee by Alan Gratz (Historical Fiction)
A story about 3 different children Isabel, Josef and Mahmoud who flee terrible situations in search of refuge with their families.
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (Historical/Realistic Fiction)
Ponyboy is a member of the “Greasers”, a gang from the “wrong” side of the town and who are in constant conflict with the “Socs” the rich gang from the “right” side of town.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (Biography)
The story of Malala, a fifteen-year-old girl who fought for her right to an education and was shot by the Taliban for it.
12 Genre Book Reports Assignment
Love teaching with genres?
Help your students dive deeper into their reading with these 12 different genre-focused book report assignments. Each assignment enables students to showcase their creativity while meeting curriculum standards. This assignment covers both fiction and non-fiction books. The assignment structure rotates every three months helping students achieve proficiency, while still providing student choice. Assignments can be used in any order. A sample teaching schedule is provided.
Included Genres
- Realistic Fiction
- Mystery Fiction
- Graphic Novel
- Science Fiction
- Biography & Memoirs
- Historical Fiction
- Classical Fiction (pre-1970)
- Fantasy Fiction
- Non-Fiction
- Traditional Literature vs. Fractured Fairy Tales
- Sports Fiction
- Free Verse Fiction
Assignment Types:
- Written Response – critical thinking and written reflection assignment.
- Creative Choice Board – students are provided with 3 options and must select which creative option they want to produce.
- Oral Presentation – a book talk format assignment.
- Student-Created Lesson based on a non-fiction book
- Traditional Literature vs. Fractured Fairy Tales Comparison Assignment
Find the 12 Genres Book Reports resource on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
Help Your Students Love Reading with Lit Launch
Are you ready to share your passion for reading and inspire your students?
Lit Launch: Middle School Reading Professional Development is for teachers looking to create meaningful reading engagement in their classrooms.
In just three hours, this online workshop equips teachers with strategies to connect with their middle school readers, ideas for classroom management challenges and shares high-impact lesson ideas.
Workshop Includes:
- 3 Hours of Professional Development Videos
- 145 Page Workbook
- 10 Reading Resources
- Professional Development Certificate
- Supporting Resource Links
- Reading Interest Inventory
In this self-paced workshop, teachers will get actionable ideas and lessons they can implement in their classrooms.
Learn more about Lit Launch on Teachers Pay Teachers USD or Shopify CAD.
Check Out These Other Grade 6 Resources
Check Out These Other Grade 7 Resources
Check Out These Other Grade 8 Resources
For more great middle grade books, check out this blog post – Best Middle School Book Recommendations. Also, check out some fantastic YA books in this blog post – High School Book Recommendations.
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