Top Ten Middle Grade Reads (2015-2016)
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Today, my spin on the topic is this: middle grade reads. As the parent of an enthusiastic middle grade reader, I’m always looking for books that will spark conversations, explore interesting ideas, or generate all those deep emotions as only a well-written book can. Here are the best of the middle grade books I’ve read in the last couple of years.
 | The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali BenjaminReview | Amazon | GoodreadsI loved the way the author used information about jellyfish in this story, but what was ultimately most powerful was Suzy’s voice. This story packed a big emotional punch, and I love that. |
 | The Year of the Book by Andrea ChengReview to come | Amazon | GoodreadsWhile I haven’t made it to posting this review yet, this is another must-read, in my humble blogger opinion. I completely identified with Anna’s struggle to connect with her friends and find peace in her identity. |
 | Grayling’s Song by Karen CushmanReview | Amazon | GoodreadsQuirky characters were the big win for me in this novel. I mean, seriously?! A shape-shifting mouse? So cute. And the team of unlikely allies reminded me of the team of odd part-dragon characters helping Seraphina in Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman. |
 | Escape from Sudan by Amanda DiCianniReview | Amazon | GoodreadsThis was another unexpected find. When the author, who’d been a missionary to this part of the world, approached me with Escape from Sudan, the subject of the story definitely interested me. Books like this one are great ways to start conversations about world events and to introduce those ideas in ways appropriate for middle readers. |
 | It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh DumasReview | Amazon | GoodreadsThis is another tale with a powerful punch. In the wake of the hostage crisis in Iran, an Iranian-American girl navigates a suddenly hostile California town. She’s smart, funny and immediately goes for the heartstrings. I want this book in classrooms everywhere. |
 | Just My Luck by Cammie McGovernReview | Amazon | GoodreadsToo often simple kindness gets overlooked in our fast-paced modern world. In this story, Benny wrestles with being kind to others in the midst of troubling family circumstances: his father suffered an accident and may never be the same. I loved Benny from page one. |
 | Towers Falling by Jewell Parker RhodesReview | Amazon | GoodreadsAs part of a school history project, Deja discovers the truth about what changed the New York skyline on September 11, 2001, and the connection it has to her family. While this one got a little preachy– a side effect of the classroom setting for many of the book’s scenes– I really appreciated the honest but not graphic look at another big moment in US history. |
 | Paper Wishes by Lois SepahbanReview to Come | Amazon | GoodreadsI’m cheating a bit, since my review for this book won’t be posted until the middle of July. But seriously. Another great, really relevant book. A young girl is forced to leave her island town with her family to live in a Japanese Internment camp. The details are all gentle– it’s very middle grade level stuff– but it absolutely captures the message about how traumatic and wrong that moment in American history was. |
 | When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony SnicketReview | Amazon | GoodreadsI love the blend of noir and humor in this wacky mystery. This was one series that had both my daughter and me watching for release dates and rushing to the bookstore to get the copy of the latest release. |
 | Between Shadows by Kathleen Cook WaldronReview | Amazon | GoodreadsI had the pleasure of meeting this author on vacation a few months before her book came out. My grandmother’s death was a hugely significant loss in my life, so when she described her novel about a boy and his family rediscovering one another after his grandfather’s death, I was instantly intrigued. I’m super excited that I got to read it! |
What are your favorite middle grade books?
You’ve read my list. Have you read any of them? What did you think? Which books top your favorites for middle grade literature? (Thing ages 8-12.) Leave a comment with your answer!
This is a great post! I used to be a middle school teacher, and would have loved this list. I’m now a high school librarian though, so don’t always pay as much attention to this level.
Check out my Top 10
Thanks, Lisa! That’s high praise indeed. 🙂 Checking out your post now.
I don’t really read Middle Grade but you’ve piqued my interest with Paper Wishes! I almost always love WWII fiction and want to read more! Plus one book I read this year, Nora and Kettle, talked about internment camps a little and made me interested in learning more.
I know what you mean. I have started reading more middle grade now that my daughter is that age, but didn’t read much up to that. I love WWII stories, too! 🙂 I definitely recommend Paper Wishes.
I haven’t read a middle-grade book in ages. I should really read a few sometimes though. The ones on your list sound really good, so I’ll keep those in mind. I did read some children’s books during my last read-a-thon. Maybe this time I’ll add in some middle school reading. Thanks for visiting my TTT! Happy reading!
I have so many Persian/Iranian friends – I think I need to make sure “It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel” is on my must-reads list! My TTT
Thanks Carrie – I highly recommend it! I want to read the author’s other novel, Funny in Farsi, too. Hope you enjoy!
I’m definitely going to have to check out some of these. I haven’t read many middle grade books lately, and I’m clearly missing out. Thanks for the recommendations!!
I hope you enjoy them! Thanks, Elen!
Great list! I tend to overlook MG books when I shouldn’t. I’m writing of these down. 🙂
Thanks, Sara. 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!
I love middle grade fiction (even though I’m definitely not in that age bracket anymore :)). These look like some really good picks – I may have to check a few out. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Nicole! 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.