Middle Grades

Shaun Tan's Hometown is a graphic novel featuring an alien-raised girl who must decide where she truly belongs. Recommended for Grades 3-9.

Hometown | Middle Grade Spotlight

Absent by Rex Ogle is a middle grade book about school absenteeism, told from the perspectives of three middle school boys. The mixed-media format is excellent for reluctant readers. Recommended for Grades 5-8.

Absent | Middle Grade Spotlight

Mexikid Dreams by Pedro Martin is the stand-alone companion to Mexikid (2023). Recommended for Grades 5-8.

Mexikid: Dreams | Middle Grade Spotlight

No Place on Earth by Andrea Beatriz Arango is recommended for Grades 4-8. This realistic fiction novel is about Puerto Rican boy who navigates anxiety, friendship, and dreams in Yellowstone National Park.

No Place on Earth | Middle Grade Spotlight

Raise the Bar by Fernanda Frick H is a middle grade graphic novel about a tween female powerlifter chasing Olympic Gold. Recommended for Grades 3-8.

Raise the Bar | Middle Grade Spotlight

Invisible by Eloy Moreno is a middle grade novel about bullying, being invisible, and abuse. It earned starred professional reviews from SLJ, BCCB, and Kirkus. Recommended for Grades 4-8.

Invisible by Eloy Moreno | Middle Grade Spotlight

Exposures by Lily Williams is a realistic fiction book for Grades 3-7. OCD, resilience, and building empathy are major themes.

Exposures | Middle Grade Spotlight

Shook by Julian Randall is a middle grade sports fiction novel in verse for Grades 4-8. Great for reluctant readers! Image includes the cover of Shook on a light blue background.

Shook by Julian Randall | Middle Grade Spotlight

Raven Rising by Christine Hartman Derr is a middle grade book recommended for Grades 3-7. It includes kitchen magic, an Indigenous protagonist, and is a cozy autumn read. This image includes the book cover.

Raven, Rising by Christine Hartman Derr | Middle Grade Spotlight

Sleepless is a middle grade novel by Gordon Korman. It poses the question, If you could choose to never need sleep again, would you?

Sleepless by Gordon Korman: Middle Grade Spotlight

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi.

Some of Us Are Brave: A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Thirst by Varsha Bajaj.

Thirst : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis.

Smaller Sister : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of And Then Boom by Lisa Fipps.

And Then, Boom! : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Puzzled by Pan Cooke.

Puzzled : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Not the Worst Friend in the World by Anne Rellihan.

Not the Worst Friend in the World : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel.

Sleepless in Dubai : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Mexikid by Pedro Martin.

Mexikid : A Librarian’s Perspective

Eerie Tales from the School of Screams : A Librarian’s Perspective

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows.

My Lady Jane : A Librarian’s Perspective

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith.

Bea Wolf : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Garvey's Choice: The Graphic Novel by Nikki Grimes.

Garvey’s Choice (The Graphic Novel) : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata.

Nayra and the Djinn : A Librarian’s Perspective Review

This is a Librarian's Perspective Review of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus : A Librarian’s Perspective Review