Middle Grade

Alexander, Kwame & Jerry Craft. J vs. K. illus. by Jerry Craft. Little, Brown.
Gr 2-5–An absolute must-purchase powerhouse of a hybrid illustrated novel packed with humor, storycrafting lessons, and a great rivals-to-teammates tale.

Arango, Andrea Beatriz. It’s All or Nothing, Vale. Random.
Gr 5 Up–Hand to tweens and teens, especially those overwhelmed by unexpected physical challenges.

Blankman, Anne. The Enemy’s Daughter. Viking.
Gr 4-7–This thrilling tale of escape and intrigue is a riveting and welcome addition to the middle grade historical fiction market.

Bowling, Dusti. The Beat I Drum. Union Square Kids.
Gr 3-7–This novel is truly a door to empathy, understanding, and self-reflection.

Callans, Jess. Ollie in Between. Feiwel & Friends.
Gr 6 Up–A vital read that celebrates the power of true authenticity, this is a must-buy for middle school collections.

Calonita, Jen. Isle of Ever. Sourcebooks.
Gr 5-7–This thrilling adventure mystery will capture the spirit of play in every reader, making it a perfect addition to any library’s middle grade collection.

Craigie, Gregor. Saving Wolfgang. Orca.
Gr 4-7–This would make a fantastic read-aloud for classrooms and a great pick for book club discussions. A necessary purchase for upper elementary and middle school collections.

Cuevas, Adrianna. What Fell from the Sky. Farrar.
Gr 3-7–Historical realism blends with thrilling sci-fi to deliver a story that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It’s a timely and excellent choice for readers in a world that continues to struggle with both war and identity.

Currie, Lindsay. It’s Watching. Delacorte.
Gr 3-7–To remember is to honor the past, and Currie’s Gothic problem-solving horror combines the best of local history with community action.

Dunlap, Sydney. Racing the Clouds. Jolly Fish Pr.
Gr 4-7–A heartfelt contemporary novel for fans of Jennifer L. Holm’s Sunny Side Upand Gennifer Choldenko’s The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman .

Faruqi, Saadia. The Strongest Heart. HarperCollins/Quill Tree.
Gr 5 Up–Recommended for its realistic depictions of mental illness, family struggles, and emotional growth.

Foster, Kate. The Unlikely Heroes Club. Candlewick.
Gr 4-7–This well-designed, empowering tale invites middle grade readers into the perspective of one autistic youth and will appeal to individuals, classrooms, and book clubs alike.

Gidwitz, Adam. Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II. Dutton.
Gr 3-7–The whipsmart combination of intrigue and adventure along with thought–provoking reflection makes for a nail-biting, laugh-out loud, stop-and-think read. A must-have duology for all libraries.

Grant, Vicki. Death by Whoopee Cushion. Tundra.
Gr 5 Up–An excellent purchase for upper elementary and middle schools for its short, humorous take on murder mysteries.

Huang, Gloria L. Kaya of the Ocean. Holiday House.
Gr 5 Up–This compelling novel will leave readers hoping for a future sequel. Hand to readers of the Rick Riordan Presents novels, and tell them this is even better.

Jackson, Tiffany D. Blood in the Water. Scholastic.
Gr 4-7–A masterful middle grade mystery that challenges, entertains, and lingers long after the final page.

Lin, Grace. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon. Little, Brown.
Gr 4-7–This fantastical tale of stone spirits, dragons, and humans is an enchanting must-have for any school library.

Lukoff, Kyle. A World Worth Saving. Dial.
Gr 6 Up–This is a timely title for middle school students as well as parents, teachers, and librarians who are looking for powerful mirrors or windows into trans experiences.

Mandanna, Sangu. Vanya and the Wild Hunt. Roaring Brook.
Gr 3-7–This compelling blend of folklore and adventure is a beautiful, inclusive work that’s also a terrific story; highly recommended for middle grade collections.

Marianayagam, Maria. No Purchase Necessary. HarperCollins.
Gr 5 Up–A wonderful middle school story about family, friendship, and determining the right path.

Mull, Brandon. The Gorgon’s Fury. Shadow Mountain.
Gr 5 Up–For fans of fantasy, adventure, and mythology, this is a must-read. Recommended for most library collections.

Mullarky, Alex. The Edge of the Silver Sea. Floris/Kelpies.
Gr 5 Up–Beautifully written and accompanied by a glossary and a map of the island, this is a book to be shared again and again.

Nayeri, Daniel. The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story. Levine Querido.
Gr 3-7–A powerful novel about an often-forgotten region and era that highlights the power of education through shared communication to create bonds.

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Radiant. Dutton.
Gr 4-7–This gentle yet thought-provoking historical novel in verse is perfect for anyone who has wished to be somewhere or someone else.

Paulino, Jasminne. The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez. Putnam.
Gr 5 Up–This luminous, heartfelt debut reminds readers the sky is never the limit and will inspire any middle school student who reads it.

Prendergast, Gabrielle. The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt. Orca.
Gr 3-6–A must-purchase for exploration of advocacy for kiddos with sensitive souls, and a great choice for group reading.

Pyron, Bobbie. Octopus Moon. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Gr 3-7–Pearl’s struggles will resonate with readers who grapple with feelings of not being enough; an important purchase for all library shelves.

Reddeppa, Padma Prasad. Flying in Colors. Lee & Low/Tu Bks.
Gr 4-8–This beautifully crafted, culturally rich story celebrates diversity and will resonate with middle grade readers.

Rhodes, Jewell Parker. Will’s Race for Home. Little, Brown .
Gr 6 Up–A poignant and honest look at the trials of racism that defined the historic land rush; a must-buy for all libraries.

Rodriguez, Oz & Claribel A. Ortega. The Girl and the Robot. Disney-Hyperion.
Gr 3-7–A timely coming-of-age tale that crafts important connections to current social and political issues while engaging readers.

Ryan, Pam Muñoz. El Niño. illus. by Joe Cepeda. Scholastic.
Gr 3-7–More than a novel, this is a journey into the heart of a boy searching for answers and a lost piece of himself and a story that will linger with readers.

Smith, Linda Joan. The Peach Thief. Candlewick.
Gr 4-8–Hand to fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War That Saved My Life and Kate Albus’s A Place to Hang the Moon. A first purchase for all libraries.

Stemple, Heidi E.Y. The Poetry of Car Mechanics. Astra/Wordsong.
Gr 5 Up–A must-purchase title for any library serving teens, though still relevant for younger readers. Hand to fans of tender explorations of young masculinity like Kenneth M. Cadow’s Gather, Shifa Saltagi Safadi’s Kareem Between, or Alicia D. Williams’s Mid-Air.

Stewart, Martin. Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape. Bk. 1.
––––. Bridget Vanderpuff and the Ghost Train. Bk. 2.
ea: vol. illus. by David Habben. Penguin Workshop.
Gr 3-7–A fanciful and charming read-alike for fans of Roald Dahl’s Matilda.

Sumner, Jamie. Please Pay Attention. S. & S./Atheneum.
Gr 5-8–This heartfelt exploration of trauma, recovery, and the search for light in the darkest of times will resonate with middle school readers, offering a meaningful reflection on personal and societal healing.

Thurman, Brittany J. Opal Watson: Private Eye. HarperCollins/Storytide.
Gr 5 Up–Ideal for readers who enjoy a slow-burning puzzle with rich character development and a strong sense of place, this is a must-buy for middle grade collections.

Toalson, R.L. The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel. S. & S./Aladdin.
Gr 5 Up–A resonant tale of a tween struggling to adapt to change; a must-buy for all middle grade collections.

Venkatraman, Padma. Safe Harbor. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Gr 5 Up–This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate lyrical storytelling with emotional depth.

Watson, Renée. All the Blues in the Sky. Bloomsbury.
Gr 5 Up–A heartrending story of grief and resilience with a surprising depth despite a brief page count. A recommended first purchase for all collections serving teens and tweens.

Wood, Maryrose. Bad Badger. illus. by Giulia Ghigini. Union Square Kids.
Gr 3-6–A depiction of love and friendship at its best and truest, complete with insecurities, thorniness, and looking within.

HiLo

Bradford, Chris, Gillian Cross, Alan Gibbons, Brian Patten & Chris Priestly. Everyone Can Be a Reader. Union Square Kids.
Gr 4-7–Featuring some of the highest-quality illustrations in middle grade fiction, these titles are worthy purchases for any school or public library.