It has been a great year for middle grade readers (typically covering ages 8-12), and we wanted to highlight some of our favorites before the end of the calendar year. These are just a sample of some personal favorites from the past months- there are many more excellent reads available in our children’s department, so drop in anytime!
The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements (4th & up)
FICTION CLEMENTS
In the long-awaited follow-up to the beloved classic Frindle, a new generation of kids discovers the power of words and imagination – and yes, even screens – to solve a mystery and change their world!
And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps (5th & up)
FICTION FIPPS
A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him.
The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber (5th & up)
FICTION GERBER
When the money for their school trip is stolen at their elite Boston School, Weatherby and Jack, each protecting secrets that could destroy their lives, are invited to solve this high-stakes mystery, which would guarantee their entrance into the oldest, most powerful society in the world.
Heroes by Alan Gratz (4th & up)
FICTION GRATZ
Aboard the battleship USS Utah with their Navy pilot fathers during WWII when the ship is attacked by the Japanese, Frank and Stanley find their friendship--and dreams--in jeopardy when Stanley is seen as the "enemy" because his mother is Japanese American.
Amil and the After by Veera Hiranandani (4th & up)
FICTION HIRANANDANI
In 1948, 12-year-old Amil, who is both Muslim and Hindu, struggles to find his place in Bombay, India, until his twin sister suggests he tell his story through drawings meant for their late mother as he tries to find hope and a sense of belonging in a chaotic world.
Faker by Gordon Korman (4th & up)
FICTION KORMAN
From the #1 bestselling author of RESTART, comes the story of a family of liars... and the son who wants to break the family tradition. Trey's starting to get tired of running, and lying, and never having a friend for longer than a few months. But how do you get your family to stop lying when your lives depend on it?
Olivetti by Allie Millington (4th & up)
FICTION MILLINGTON
A part of the Brindle family, Olivetti the typewriter, who has been recently replaced by a computer, breaks the only rule of his “kind” and types back to introverted 12-year-old Ernest when he believes he can help find Mrs. Brindle, who has mysteriously gone missing.
The Sherlock Society by James Ponti (4th & up)
FICTION PONTI
Twelve-year-old Alex Sherlock, his thirteen-year-old sister Zoe, and their friends Lina and Yadi decide to spend their summer in Miami investigating the many "cold cases" their grandfather accumulated during his years as a reporter--first up, Al Capone and a buried treasure.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell (5th & up)
FICTION RUNDELL
Christopher discovers the Archipelago, a world where mythological creatures were secreted away by magic long ago; but those creatures are now dying, and it is up to Christopher and Mal, a girl from the Archipelago, to save both of their worlds.
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee (4th & up)
FICTION YEE
Dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever, Olive discovers the “reforming arts” academy isn’t what it seems- and neither is she- as she joins an elite group of misfits who fight crime and need her help to stop the heist of the century.