47 Books for Middle Schoolers Our Kids Adored

In this superhero fantasy trilogy, Melissa Meyers introduces us to a society struggling to stay afloat years after an uprising by villains with extraordinary powers. A group of superheroes has stepped up as protectors and leaders after defeating these villains, but not everyone is happy about how little power those without super abilities have in this new world.

Alexandra F. said:  Our family enjoyed this series by Marissa Meyer so much that the release of the third book in the trilogy was a much-anticipated event at our house. Lots of adventure (and a touch of high school romance) in an interesting story about a world where many people have super powers, but are struggling to figure out what role these super heroes should play in society. The two main characters are teenagers who each have super powers, and fall on opposite sides of the prevailing viewpoints. But, secrets and betrayals abound, making for a fun and twisty plot!

When Jonah and Chip begin receiving strange anonymous letters, they have no idea of the mind-blowing mystery they are about to uncover.

Vanessa M. said:  If your tween has never read anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix before, they are in for a real treat! Haddix is a master of suspense and plot twists, and Found and the rest of The Missing series are good books for middle schoolers because they will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Kelly R said:  My middle school boy is very much into sneakers all of a sudden, and this memoir by Phil Knight (founder of Nike) was right up his alley.

This award winner by Lois Lowry is a great book for middle schoolers, and brings the terror of the Holocaust in a way that is age appropriate and accessible for young readers.

Dawn Denning said:  My son recently started reading this series and he LOVES it...and so do I. Written by Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel from Glee), these are are good books for middle schoolers and older elementary school kids about the adventures of a set of twins that leave our world and travel into the world of fairytales. The fairytale worlds include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose and more! The stories are engaging, suspenseful and funny, so my son and I both look forward to reading time!

Gina I. said:  13-year-old Brian's plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness, leaving him alone with only the clothes on his back and a hatchet. He struggles to make shelter, find food and survive. This and the rest of the books in the Brian's Saga series are stories your kid won't soon forget.

Juan L. said:  One of the best historical fiction books for middle schoolers, a young girl in World War II Germany tries to make the best of her bleak situation by cultivating a love of books and an optimistic outlook on life despite the destruction around her. Her family takes in a Jewish boy in hiding and their friendship becomes the stuff of legend.

Vanessa M. said:  10-year-old Ada Smith discovers her own freedom in spite of living in war-ravaged England. Born with a clubbed foot and kept inside her whole life by her mother, Ada jumps at the chance to escape her home life and the war by relocating to the countryside along with the rest of London's children. With complex characters and an uplifting story, this book appeals to tweens on many different levels!

Vanessa M. said:  When a troublemaker is accidentally placed in the gifted school, he encounters a number of laughable yet poignant experiences as he attempts to fit in with young geniuses. This is a great middle school book for reluctant readers, as it is easy and fun to read with a rewarding ending.

Juan L. said:  This young adult classic tells the story of Ponyboy and his fellow greasers in their hard-knock life outside of regular society. This book is perfect for middle schoolers and a great book for teens, too, as they enter into the broader world, with themes about principles, loyalty, and doing the right thing.

When sisters Cat and Maya are forced to move because of Maya's chronic illness, they discover their new town has ghosts. One sister believes in ghosts and the other does not, until the ghosts begin to show themselves.

Beth Wood said:  This graphic novel for kids has been read and re-read numerous times by my fifth grader.

A quartet of futuristic sci-fi adventures loosely based on classic fairytales including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White.

Alexandra F. said:  We read this as part of a family book club with our 11-year old daughter and she and I were both totally hooked! Each of the four books follow the same story, told from the perspective of a different heroine. Well-developed and likable characters combine with a novel and exciting adventure story - with just a touch of familiarity - to make it a great book for middle school and up! I will note that both my husband and then 9 or 10 year-old son read this, and while they both did like it, neither was nearly as captivated by it as my 11-year-old daughter and I.

A teen protagonist wakes up in an elevator with no memory of his past, which opens to find him surrounded by other teen boys trapped in an endless maze of horrors.

Alexandra F. said:  This young adult suspense thriller was a favorite for both my son and daughter in middle school!

Anne of Green Gables is a heartwarming story about a spirited orphan girl named Anne Shirley who finds a loving home on Prince Edward Island. It's a classic children's book for its charming characters, vivid descriptions of nature, and timeless themes of belonging, self-discovery, and the power of imagination.

Alexandra F. said:  I've adored this book since I was a child, and it was a real turning point in our relationship when I was finally able to share it with my then 9-year-old daughter. I was surprised by how well the book held up to my extremely high expectations when I reread it as an adult. Anne is just such a wonderful character, brimming with life and positivity, curiosity and openness. Though it's appropriate for any age, the more old-fashioned language and setting makes it an especially great book for middle schoolers, and perhaps strong younger readers.

Marcia Alvarez Delgado said:  Any dog lover will love this book by W. Bruce Cameron. It's funny, sad, and you won't be able to put it down. It's about a dog that reincarnates after death and experiences life with different families.