Walking into a middle school classroom, it can sometimes be easy to spot the students who love books – the ones who are always in the middle of a new book, maybe with the next book in the series or the next book they want to read at hand in case they finish their current read in the chunks of time they get to read. It can be easy for these readers to find middle grade books to read.
However, not every student enters middle school as a book lover. They might be reluctant readers, seeing reading as a chore, or they could struggle with reading, thinking it’s something they’re not good at. These students might see reading as a task rather than an adventure.
For many students who grow to love reading, it’s usually a case of never having the right book at hand. Finding middle grade books to read that you can recommend to students can have many benefits. These books can spark imaginations, expand students’ horizons, and show them that reading isn’t a one-size-fits-all activity but a world they can explore at their own pace.
Creating a love of reading has so many benefits. You can read all about them in these blog posts: 10 Ways To Create a Culture of Reading and 10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading. When you help students grow their love of reading, you can help them explore different writing styles, genres, cultures, and more.
Here are 10 exciting middle grade books to read that fall within the fantasy, science fiction, and mystery categories. They are perfect to recommend to the readers in your classroom, whether they love these genres or want to branch out and try something new.
10 Exciting Middle Grade Books to Read
Fantasy
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Pong was born in prison and seeks the freedom he believes the city’s magical lights signify. When he escapes, he discovers that the world outside the prison walls is not what he thought it would be. The wealthy bask in the brightness, and the poor suffer in the darkness. Pong also has a prison tattoo that will always mark him as a fugitive, and Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, is determined to track him down.
Naomi and Elodee are twins who are growing apart. When their mom gets a new job, their family moves to Eventown. However, everything is not as it seems when Elodee realizes the sameness and limited choices in the “perfect” town.
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier
Nan is an exceptional chimney sweep who faces dangerous and gruelling work. After a life-threatening chimney fire, Nan meets the golem who saved her from the fire. They form an unlikely bond and navigate Victorian London together.
The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold
Gabrielle moves from Haiti to Brooklyn, only to realize that America is not what she imagined. She struggles to fit in and speak the language. She jumps at the chance when she meets a witch who can change everything and make her fit in – but at what cost?
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
Ben and his classmates make a pact to find where the paper lanterns of the Autumn Equinox Festival go. On their journey, the pact falls apart, leaving Ben with Nathaniel, a kid who doesn’t seem to fit in, and they are determined to finish the trek.
Science Fiction
Bloom (Bloom, #1) by Kenneth Oppel
In a surprising invasion, the rain comes, bringing seeds that sprout overnight into plants that take over everywhere, threatening everything on the island. Anaya, Petra, and Seth discover they are immune to the toxic plants and may hold the key to stopping the invasion.
Cleo Porter and the Body Electric by Jake Burt
Cleo and her parents live in isolation, protected from a devastating disease. But Cleo faces a dilemma when she receives a package meant for someone else, containing a life-saving substance. There is a rule never to leave your unit, and Cleo must make a decision that challenges the safety and solitude of their existence.
Mystery
Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (Charlie Thorne, #1) by Stuart Gibbs
Charlie is a young, brilliant genius and also a skilled thief. When a dangerous group called the Furies seeks an equation created by Albert Einstein that could have devastating consequences if misused, Charlie puts her life on the line as she is recruited by the CIA to locate it.
Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders
Coop’s life revolves around helping his mom at their café and bookstore, spending time with his grandpa, and enjoying the company of his friends. However, when a problem arises and his grandpa is blamed, Coop and his friends set out to uncover the secrets of their town so they can clear Gramps’s name before it’s too late.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
In this story, Candice finds a letter addressed to her grandmother in the attic. In the letter, Candice learns of Siobhan, a young woman who was involved in an injustice years ago. Candice and Brandon, the boy across the street, team up to uncover the clues in the letter before the end of summer.
Hopefully, you found some middle grade books to read for both you and your students on this list of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery reads. These stories will surely be a hit with students, whether they love the genres or want to branch out and read something new.
If you have any book recommendations for middle grade books to read or books for high school students or teachers, connect with me on social media.
Check out this blog post – Best Middle School Book Recommendations, for more great middle grade books to read. Also, check out some fantastic YA books in this blog post, High School Book Recommendations.
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.
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