23 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2025
I’m wildly late getting this post together, but there are some amazing middle grade books coming winter 2025 that I desperately want to talk about, so here we are. Better late than never, I guess!
This is a pretty eclectic list, ranging from horror to fantasy to historical to contemporary to memoir. There are novels in verse and some more experimental formats. Pretty much something for everyone.
These are the books I’m most looking forward to, so there are bound to be some other highly anticipated books that I don’t have on my radar. Please leave a comment and let me know if you’re looking forward to some upcoming releases from January to March that aren’t on my list.
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23 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Winter 2025
Mixed Up by Kami Garcia and Brittney Williams
What you need to know: Kami Garcia knocks it out of the park with this sweet, encouraging story about friendship and learning with dyslexia. The illustrations are bright, friendly, and emotive. It’s brilliant.
Published January 21, 2025 | My Review
Doomsday Vault (Everwhen: School of Time Travel (and Other Odd Sciences) #1) by Thomas Wheeler
What you need to know: Inventive students from different time periods attend a special school where they face the threats of a missing dean, a time paradox, and a secret space society.
Published January 28, 2025 | My Review to Come
All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
What you need to know: Renée Watson is one of those authors whose name alone gets a book added to my reading list. In this novel in verse, Sage wrestles with guilt and unresolved grief over the sudden death of her best friend. Moving, heartfelt, and absolutely beautiful.
Published February 4, 2025 | My Review
Away by Megan E. Freeman
What you need to know: In this companion novel to Away, a group of kids investigates the mysterious threat responsible for large-scale evacuations. Can they unravel the conspiracy and expose the truth? Told from multiple points of view with verse, newspaper clippings, movie scripts, production diary entries, and letters.
Published February 11, 2025 | My Review
The Labyrinth of Souls by Leslie Vedder
What you need to know: A girl with a rare gift to see Nightmare creatures discovers that the monsters have begun to seep into the Waking World. She and her friends must find a way to stop them. I loved Leslie Vedder’s young adult trilogy, so I’m excited to see what she brings to this haunting middle grade series opener.
Published February 11, 2025 | My Review to Come
Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase by John Patrick Green
What you need to know: Investigators and Agents of S.U.I.T. are quite popular around my house just now, so I know we’ll be reading this one as soon as possible. This time, Zeb the sheep joins the cast of agents tracking down the ghost of the General Inspectre to conclude his unfinished business.
Published February 18, 2025 | My Review to Come
Max in the Land of Lies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz
What you need to know: Max returns to Berlin as a British spy to infiltrate the center of Nazi propaganda and find his parents. I heard so much about the first book in this series that I have to read this one.
Published February 25, 2025 | My Review to Come
Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy
What you need to know: Three cousins time travel to 1862 and race to deliver a sword to the general for the Battle of Puebla (which became the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo). Along the way, they learn how Latine communities have shaped US history. I love the inclusive look at history here and the spin on time travel adventure!
Published February 25, 2025 | My Review
Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time (Pablo and Splash #2) by Sheena Dempsey
What you need to know: Pablo and Splash return with more zany adventures. This time they must rescue Professor O’Brain from the Ice Age. This graphic novel series is a ton of fun with a little bit of science and history threaded throughout.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review
Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler
What you need to know: A boy from 2023 facing a school bully writes a letter for a school assignment and throws it in his closet, only to be surprised when a girl from 1987 writes back. Looks cute, poignant, and full of heart.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
Bree Boyd is a Legend by Leah Johnson
What you need to know: In the follow-up to her middle grade debut, Johnson tells the story of Ellie’s best friend, Bree, whose orderly life is turned upside down when a lightning strike grants her the ability to move things with her mind. This looks like it will be hilarious and heartwarming.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
The Trouble with Sunshine by Yamile Saied Méndez
What you need to know: A girl reeling from the unexpected loss of her mother finds solace in caring for a skittish horse. Méndez is a brilliant writer who deftly writes about complex emotions. I’m betting this one will be a winner.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen
What you need to know: When a boy and girl witness an avalanche on Mt. Everest, they set out looking for survivors, but sickness, bad weather, and a possible Nazi spy put their mission at risk. I keep missing out on the amazing books by this author– this year, I’m going to read one!
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill
What you need to know: I loved The Moth Keeper and have been trying since then to catch up on other books by K. O’Neill. This one, about a driven ranger with an injured horse and a laid-back shepherd, explores unlikely friendship and the possibility of something more.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review
We Need to Talk About Divorce by Kate Scharff and Annika Le Large
What you need to know: As a divorced parent, I’ve read a lot of books for kids about divorce. It’s such a complex experience for parents and kids alike. I’m always glad to see more resources available for kids especially, and especially ones that talk about blended families. I’m looking forward to this one.
Published March 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna
What you need to know: I can’t say it better than the cover copy: Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures. — Who could resist that?
Published March 11, 2025 | My Review to Come
Whale Eyes by James Robinson
What you need to know: An illustrated memoir told through anecdotes and interactive visuals. Helps readers confront discomfort with disability. I’m excited for this one. It sounds incredibly different, timely, and necessary.
Published March 18, 2025 | My Review to Come
Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker by Heidi Heilig
What you need to know: The great great (great?) granddaughter of a famous explorer must return relics he collected to break the curse on her family. I love the inclusive spin on the Indiana Jones-type story.
Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come
The Girl and the Robot by Oz Rodriguez and Claribel A. Ortega
What you need to know: A girl who can fix electronics prepares to enter a contest, hoping for the prize money to bring her Papi home. Then a robot crashlands from space, broken, alone, and in need of Mimi’s help, even if it risks everything she’s worked for. Ortega is another author whose books are irresistible great.
Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come
The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz
What you need to know: The cover copy says this is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and the series Greenwild, which is one of my favorites. I love the cover and the story’s themes about friendship.
Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come
My Mummy vs. Your Ghost by Paul Tobin
What you need to know: Hayden and Gabe bring a mummy to the battlefield for another fight, this time against new coaches and a ghost. This series is packed with creepy crawly fun. Definitely something to read purely for fun.
Published March 25, 2025 | My Review to Come
What middle grade books coming winter 2025 are you most looking forward to reading?
Are you looking forward to any of the middle grade books on my list? Have you had a chance to read any of them yet? What else needs to be on my reading list this season? Leave a comment and let me know!
