For kids ages 9-12, take in the best middle school books and late elementary reads of the year.
From A Fish in a Tree to Crenshaw to Roller Girl, this year was an amazing one for new middle school books!
Find the best middle school books of 2015 at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
Best Middle School Books
My kiddo, who has struggled with dyslexia, has become a voracious reader!
We are seriously sining our teeth into this level of reading… but now that he’s reading on his own, I don’t always get to read these stories to him.
But why not spend some time with your kiddo reading these aloud.
It’s a terrific way to share the love of reading and spend quality time with your kiddo.
Best Books of 2015 for Middle Schoolers
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer
One day, Magnus Chase is tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous.
Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.
The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday.
To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die…
Crenshaw
In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.
Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.
Circus Mirandus
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015.
Fans of Big Fish, Peter Pan, and Roald Dahl will fall in love with Circus Mirandus, which celebrates the power of seeing magic in the world.
The Marvels
From the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck comes a breathtaking new voyage.
In this magnificent reimagining of the form he originated, two stand-alone stories — the first in nearly 400 pages of continuous pictures, the second in prose — create a beguiling narrative puzzle.
The War that Saved My Life
Newbery Honor Book * Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School) * Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Books of 2015 * New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity.
Roller Girl
Newbery Honor Award Winner.
In this graphic novel debut, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverance, and girl power!
The Thing About Jellyfish
2015 National Book Award finalist!
This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller.
The achingly heartfelt journey in the book explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe… and the potential for love and hope right next door.
Fish in a Tree
The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives readers an emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in.
Echo
2016 Newbery Honor Book.
Richly imagined and masterfully crafted, Echo pushes the boundaries of genre, form, and storytelling innovation to create a wholly original novel that will resound in your heart long after the last note has been struck.
Book Scavenger
For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it’s the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles).
Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself, and might contain the only copy of his mysterious new game.
Racing against time, Emily and James rush from clue to clue, desperate to figure out the secret at the heart of Griswold’s new game ― before those who attacked Griswold come after them too.
Goodbye Stranger
A NYT Editors’ Choice * NYT Notable Children’s Books of 2015
This brilliant, New York Times bestselling novel from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship.
The Island of Dr. Libris
New from the author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and coauthor of the I Funny series with [easyazon_link identifier=”0316488224″ locale=”US” tag=”generationikid-20″]James Patterson[/easyazon_link]!
Celebrate the power of imagination with this action-packed New York Times bestseller that shows that sometimes the real story starts after you close the book!
The Nest
This is a story about the power of family, the possibilities of friendship, the ways we depend upon one another and the ways we let one another down.
In this tender, entertaining, and deftly written debut, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney brings a remarkable cast of characters to life to illuminate what money does to relationships, what happens to our ambitions over the course of time, and the fraught yet unbreakable ties we share with those we love.
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer
Fans of Katherine Applegate and Erin Entrada Kelly will love this quirky story of a determined girl, and some extraordinary chickens.
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate
Callie Vee, Travis, Granddaddy, and the whole Tate clan are back in this charming follow-up to Newbery Honor-winner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head
Edgar Award nominee for Best Juvenile Mystery.
This sensational new series — a 2016 Edgar nominee for Best Juvenile book and New York Times bestseller — combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich knowledge of the notorious relics collector H. C. Chester.
Lost in the Sun
From the author of A Tangle of Knots and Absolutely Almost, a touching story about a boy who won’t let one tragic accident define him.
Lisa Graff’s books have been named to 30 state award lists, and A Tangle of Knots was long-listed for the National Book Award.
Firefly Hollow
Firefly Hollow is nothing short of enchanting, reminding us all that the very best friend is the one who encourages you to achieve your dreams.
Full-color tip-in illustrations and dozens of black-and-white drawings provide added glow.
Nightbird
In her first novel for middle-grade readers, best-selling author Alice Hoffman tells a bewitching story of love and friendship that is truly magical.
Baba Yaga’s Assistant
Russian folklore icon Baba Yaga mentors a lonely teen in a wry graphic novel that balances gleefully between the modern and the timeless.
Like these middle school books? Get more Inspiring Reading Lists and Middle School Books Reading Lists on Mommy Evolution!
THese are SO WONDERFUL – my lands, I would have LOOOOVED these as a middle schooler…
I love reading them aloud with my oldest boy… he’s not reading them on his own but we get to have time at night to just be together. It’s the perfect excuse!
The Nest is for SURE not appropriate for ages 9-12..just the first few pages will tell you that, yikes.
The Nest is definitely not for youth. All the other ones look great, we’ve read some and enjoyed them. But I would not let a 9-12 year old read The Nest.
Thank you for compiling this list. If the Nest is recommended, now I’m questioning the rest of them. I stopped reading the Nest on page 2. Have you read the Nest?
I would recommend you get past page 2 of The Nest… really quite a good book!
I am a middle school teacher and love finding good book recommendations. I even jotted a couple down from this list …but then I got to The Nest, which caused me hesitation and made me consider the credibility of the entire list. I have read The Nest. It was simply okay, didn’t love it, lent it to my friend to read but most certainly wouldn’t recommend for children. It contains a high level of sexuality (drugs, alcohol, car accident, fraud) and really doesn’t have a single sympathetic character. It’s pretty much a book about being discontent, desperate, and self-serving. The majority of the characters are adults who make bad choices. I strongly do not recommend for children 9-12. I do, however, highly recommend removing it from this list at least to maintain the credibility of the rest of the list (because many are truly good books) but especially so that no one purchases it thinking it would make a great read aloud or lit circle option! Yikes.