Middle Grade

Books for young minds navigating the bridge between childhood and adolescence, filled with everything from magical adventures and mythological quests to inspiring true stories and practical guides for growing up. These engaging reads speak directly to tweens and early teens, offering both enchanting escapes and real-world wisdom as they find their place in the world.

Middle Grade Book Summaries

Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. White • 1952

An unlikely spider vows to save a pig from slaughter by weaving words into her web.

4.21

2M+

🐷 Talking Farm Animals 🕷️ Spider Protagonist 🕸️ Unlikely Friends 🏆 Underdog Hero 💖 Selfless Friendship

Charlotte’s Web

An unlikely spider vows to save a pig from slaughter by weaving words into her web.

by E.B. White 1952 184 pages

4.21

2M+ ratings

🐷 Talking Farm Animals 🕷️ Spider Protagonist 🕸️ Unlikely Friends 🏆 Underdog Hero 💖 Selfless Friendship

Fever 1793

by Laurie Halse Anderson • 2000

1793 Philadelphia: a teen must survive the fever and rebuild her family's coffeehouse.

3.93

100k+

🦠 Epidemic Fiction 🫂 Found Family 🏥 Historical Survival 🌱 Crisis Coming Of Age 🏛️ 18th Century America

Fever 1793

1793 Philadelphia: a teen must survive the fever and rebuild her family's coffeehouse.

by Laurie Halse Anderson 2000 252 pages

3.93

100k+ ratings

🦠 Epidemic Fiction 🫂 Found Family 🏥 Historical Survival 🌱 Crisis Coming Of Age 🏛️ 18th Century America

Unplugged

by Gordon Korman • 2021

A spoiled tech heir, a forbidden lizard, a candy ring: summer camp just got criminal.

4.02

8k+

🏕️ Summer Camp 🦎 Secret Pet 💛 Found Family 🕵️ Kid Detective 🎭 Comic Caper

Unplugged

A spoiled tech heir, a forbidden lizard, a candy ring: summer camp just got criminal.

by Gordon Korman 2021 324 pages

4.02

8k+ ratings

🏕️ Summer Camp 🦎 Secret Pet 💛 Found Family 🕵️ Kid Detective 🎭 Comic Caper

Everything Sad Is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri • 2020

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

4.30

44k+

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

Everything Sad Is Untrue

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

by Daniel Nayeri 2020 368 pages

4.30

44k+ ratings

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

The Wednesday Wars

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2007

Wednesdays with Mrs. Baker: Shakespeare, eraser dust, and Holling's certainty she wants him gone.

4.12

47k+

📜 Shakespeare In School 🤝 Unlikely Mentorship 🌅 Bittersweet Coming Of Age 🏘️ 1960s Suburbia 📚 School Year Story

The Wednesday Wars

Wednesdays with Mrs. Baker: Shakespeare, eraser dust, and Holling's certainty she wants him gone.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2007 264 pages

4.12

47k+ ratings

📜 Shakespeare In School 🤝 Unlikely Mentorship 🌅 Bittersweet Coming Of Age 🏘️ 1960s Suburbia 📚 School Year Story

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

by Dan Gemeinhart • 2019

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

4.44

32k+

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

by Dan Gemeinhart 2019 352 pages

4.44

32k+ ratings

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

Spy Ski School

by Stuart Gibbs • 2016

A teen spy must charm a crime lord's daughter at a ski resort. His best friend arrives.

4.53

12k+

🏫 Spy School 🕵️‍♂️ Young Spy Team 🎭 Undercover Friendship 🤝 Unwitting Ally 😄 Lighthearted Spy

Spy Ski School

A teen spy must charm a crime lord's daughter at a ski resort. His best friend arrives.

by Stuart Gibbs 2016 368 pages

4.53

12k+ ratings

🏫 Spy School 🕵️‍♂️ Young Spy Team 🎭 Undercover Friendship 🤝 Unwitting Ally 😄 Lighthearted Spy

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins • 2003

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

4.04

100k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

Gregor the Overlander

An 11-year-old falls beneath New York. Prophecy pits him against giant rats to save his father.

by Suzanne Collins 2003 326 pages

4.04

100k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Underground World 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📜 Prophecy Quest 🦇 Human-Animal Bond

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo • 2000

New in town, missing her mother, Opal adopts a stray dog who leads her to community.

4.10

200k+

🐕 Dog Companion 🏡 Found Family 🏘️ Small-Town Community 👵 Eccentric Elders 📖 Storytelling

Because of Winn-Dixie

New in town, missing her mother, Opal adopts a stray dog who leads her to community.

by Kate DiCamillo 2000 182 pages

4.10

200k+ ratings

🐕 Dog Companion 🏡 Found Family 🏘️ Small-Town Community 👵 Eccentric Elders 📖 Storytelling

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo • 2001

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

3.84

33k+

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

The Tiger Rising

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

by Kate DiCamillo 2001 128 pages

3.84

33k+ ratings

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

The Chalice of the Gods

by Rick Riordan • 2023

College admission for Percy Jackson means retrieving Zeus's stolen chalice from the god of old age.

4.25

100k+

🏛️ Modern Greek Myths 😩 Reluctant Chosen One 💙 Heroic Trio 😏 First Person Snark 😈 Flawed Deities

The Chalice of the Gods

College admission for Percy Jackson means retrieving Zeus's stolen chalice from the god of old age.

by Rick Riordan 2023 288 pages

4.25

100k+ ratings

🏛️ Modern Greek Myths 😩 Reluctant Chosen One 💙 Heroic Trio 😏 First Person Snark 😈 Flawed Deities

Shoe Dog

by Phil Knight • 2017

A waffle iron, some rubber, and a parent's basement: the beginning of a billion-dollar gamble.

4.24

2k+

📖 Startup Memoirs 👟 Sports Business 🪡 Bootstrapping 🧬 Company Culture 🎲 Risk Taking

Shoe Dog

A waffle iron, some rubber, and a parent's basement: the beginning of a billion-dollar gamble.

by Phil Knight 2017 288 pages

4.24

2k+ ratings

📖 Startup Memoirs 👟 Sports Business 🪡 Bootstrapping 🧬 Company Culture 🎲 Risk Taking

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo • 1982

A farm horse is sold into World War I, and a boy enlists to find him.

4.16

59k+

🎖️ World War I Fiction 🐴 Animal Point Of View 👦 Boy And His Horse 🫶 Animal Loyalty 🤝 Kindness Amid War

War Horse

A farm horse is sold into World War I, and a boy enlists to find him.

by Michael Morpurgo 1982 165 pages

4.16

59k+ ratings

🎖️ World War I Fiction 🐴 Animal Point Of View 👦 Boy And His Horse 🫶 Animal Loyalty 🤝 Kindness Amid War

The Battle of the Labyrinth

by Rick Riordan • 2008

Annabeth leads three friends into the Labyrinth before a traitor marches an army into camp.

4.42

1.2M+

🏛️ Greek Myth Retelling ⚡ Modern Demigods 🔀 Living Labyrinth 💙 Found Family 📜 Prophecy-Driven Quest

The Battle of the Labyrinth

Annabeth leads three friends into the Labyrinth before a traitor marches an army into camp.

by Rick Riordan 2008 361 pages

4.42

1.2M+ ratings

🏛️ Greek Myth Retelling ⚡ Modern Demigods 🔀 Living Labyrinth 💙 Found Family 📜 Prophecy-Driven Quest

The River

by Gary Paulsen • 1991

A lightning strike leaves his partner comatose, and a teenage survivalist must raft a deadly river.

3.83

33k+

🌲 Wilderness Survival 🌊 River Survival 🏕️ Teen Survivalist 🇨🇦 Canadian North 🛶 Raft Journey

The River

A lightning strike leaves his partner comatose, and a teenage survivalist must raft a deadly river.

by Gary Paulsen 1991 132 pages

3.83

33k+ ratings

🌲 Wilderness Survival 🌊 River Survival 🏕️ Teen Survivalist 🇨🇦 Canadian North 🛶 Raft Journey

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne • 2006

A commandant's son befriends a boy behind barbed wire, too innocent to see the danger.

4.16

900k+

📖 Holocaust Fiction 👦 Child Narrator 🤝 Forbidden Friendship 🎭 Dramatic Irony 🏴 Nazi Germany

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

A commandant's son befriends a boy behind barbed wire, too innocent to see the danger.

by John Boyne 2006 224 pages

4.16

900k+ ratings

📖 Holocaust Fiction 👦 Child Narrator 🤝 Forbidden Friendship 🎭 Dramatic Irony 🏴 Nazi Germany

A Rover's Story

by Jasmine Warga • 2022

When a Mars rover starts to feel, his search for water becomes a search for belonging.

4.28

9k+

🌱 Robot Coming Of Age 🚀 Mission To Mars 🫂 Found Family 📝 Letters From Home 🌿 Gentle Sci-Fi

A Rover's Story

When a Mars rover starts to feel, his search for water becomes a search for belonging.

by Jasmine Warga 2022 320 pages

4.28

9k+ ratings

🌱 Robot Coming Of Age 🚀 Mission To Mars 🫂 Found Family 📝 Letters From Home 🌿 Gentle Sci-Fi

Hatchet

by Gary Paulsen • 1987

After the pilot dies, a 13-year-old crash-lands alone in the Canadian woods with only a hatchet.

3.80

400k+

🏕️ Wilderness Survival 🪓 Self-Reliance 🇨🇦 Canadian Wilderness ⛈️ Man Vs Nature 🌲 Solitary Survival

Hatchet

After the pilot dies, a 13-year-old crash-lands alone in the Canadian woods with only a hatchet.

by Gary Paulsen 1987 208 pages

3.80

400k+ ratings

🏕️ Wilderness Survival 🪓 Self-Reliance 🇨🇦 Canadian Wilderness ⛈️ Man Vs Nature 🌲 Solitary Survival

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

by Chris Grabenstein • 2013

An eccentric game-maker locks twelve kids in his library and dares them to escape.

4.12

62k+

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 📚 Library Adventure 🤝 Team Competition 🎩 Eccentric Benefactor ✨ Whimsical Adventure

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

An eccentric game-maker locks twelve kids in his library and dares them to escape.

by Chris Grabenstein 2013 304 pages

4.12

62k+ ratings

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 📚 Library Adventure 🤝 Team Competition 🎩 Eccentric Benefactor ✨ Whimsical Adventure

The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan • 2004

Rejected for knighthood, a boy joins the Rangers and faces a mission to stop monstrous assassins.

4.26

100k+

🏰 Low Magic Fantasy 🎯 Mentor Apprentice 🏹 Stealth Archery 🤝 Rivals To Friends 🖤 Found Family

The Ruins of Gorlan

Rejected for knighthood, a boy joins the Rangers and faces a mission to stop monstrous assassins.

by John Flanagan 2004 249 pages

4.26

100k+ ratings

🏰 Low Magic Fantasy 🎯 Mentor Apprentice 🏹 Stealth Archery 🤝 Rivals To Friends 🖤 Found Family

The Blue Umbrella

by Ruskin Bond • 1980

A Himalayan girl's blue umbrella enchants her village until a shopkeeper's longing turns to theft.

4.25

13k+

🏘️ Rural India 💎 Coveted Object 🏡 Small Village Life 👧 Child's Perspective 🕊️ Redemption Arc

The Blue Umbrella

A Himalayan girl's blue umbrella enchants her village until a shopkeeper's longing turns to theft.

by Ruskin Bond 1980 83 pages

4.25

13k+ ratings

🏘️ Rural India 💎 Coveted Object 🏡 Small Village Life 👧 Child's Perspective 🕊️ Redemption Arc

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan • 2006

Percy and his Cyclops half-brother brave monster seas to find the relic that saves their camp.

4.24

1.4M+

🏛️ Modern Mythology 📜 Greek Myths Retold 🏆 Quest For Artifact 🤝 Found Family 🔮 Prophecy Burden

The Sea of Monsters

Percy and his Cyclops half-brother brave monster seas to find the relic that saves their camp.

by Rick Riordan 2006 279 pages

4.24

1.4M+ ratings

🏛️ Modern Mythology 📜 Greek Myths Retold 🏆 Quest For Artifact 🤝 Found Family 🔮 Prophecy Burden

The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin • 1978

Sixteen tenants learn a dead man's will named them suspects. To inherit, they must find the killer.

3.99

200k+

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 🎭 Hidden Identities 🕵️ Child Detective 🔒 Closed Circle Mystery 👥 Eccentric Ensemble Cast

The Westing Game

Sixteen tenants learn a dead man's will named them suspects. To inherit, they must find the killer.

by Ellen Raskin 1978 182 pages

3.99

200k+ ratings

🧩 Puzzle Mystery 🎭 Hidden Identities 🕵️ Child Detective 🔒 Closed Circle Mystery 👥 Eccentric Ensemble Cast

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper • 2018

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

4.16

19k+

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Blended

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

by Sharon M. Draper 2018 308 pages

4.16

19k+ ratings

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020 176 pages

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

The School for Good and Evil

by Soman Chainani • 2013

Best friends Sophie and Agatha are snatched to a fairy-tale school and placed in opposite worlds.

3.98

100k+

🏰 Fairy Tale School ✨ Fairy Tale Subversion 💔 Friendship And Betrayal 🎭 Beauty And Ugliness 💋 True Love's Kiss

The School for Good and Evil

Best friends Sophie and Agatha are snatched to a fairy-tale school and placed in opposite worlds.

by Soman Chainani 2013 488 pages

3.98

100k+ ratings

🏰 Fairy Tale School ✨ Fairy Tale Subversion 💔 Friendship And Betrayal 🎭 Beauty And Ugliness 💋 True Love's Kiss

The Enchanted Wood

by Enid Blyton • 1939

Three siblings discover a giant magic tree whose top opens onto a new land every day.

4.25

31k+

🍵 Cozy Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔎 Sibling Adventurers 🌳 Woodland Magic 🎭 Eccentric Characters

The Enchanted Wood

Three siblings discover a giant magic tree whose top opens onto a new land every day.

by Enid Blyton 1939 213 pages

4.25

31k+ ratings

🍵 Cozy Fantasy 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔎 Sibling Adventurers 🌳 Woodland Magic 🎭 Eccentric Characters

The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan • 2010

An amnesiac demigod must free a captive goddess and unite rival demigod camps before giants rise.

4.29

900k+

🏛️ Greek And Roman Myths 🧠 Amnesia 🤝 Found Family 😂 Humorous Fantasy 🌐 Modern Mythology

The Lost Hero

An amnesiac demigod must free a captive goddess and unite rival demigod camps before giants rise.

by Rick Riordan 2010 576 pages

4.29

900k+ ratings

🏛️ Greek And Roman Myths 🧠 Amnesia 🤝 Found Family 😂 Humorous Fantasy 🌐 Modern Mythology

Howl’s Moving Castle

by Diana Wynne Jones • 1986

Cursed into a crone, Sophie bargains with a fire demon inside the wizard Howl's wandering castle.

4.28

400k+

🧚 Fairy Tale Subversion 💕 Enemies To Lovers 🏰 Found Family 🧙 Cursed By A Witch 🔥 Deal With A Demon

Howl’s Moving Castle

Cursed into a crone, Sophie bargains with a fire demon inside the wizard Howl's wandering castle.

by Diana Wynne Jones 1986 329 pages

4.28

400k+ ratings

🧚 Fairy Tale Subversion 💕 Enemies To Lovers 🏰 Found Family 🧙 Cursed By A Witch 🔥 Deal With A Demon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

by Kelly Barnhill • 2016

A witch feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, igniting a magic too wild to contain.

4.11

100k+

🧹 Benevolent Witch 🌙 Moon Magic 🐉 Tiny Dragon 🏘️ Isolated Village 👪 Found Family

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

A witch feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, igniting a magic too wild to contain.

by Kelly Barnhill 2016 388 pages

4.11

100k+ ratings

🧹 Benevolent Witch 🌙 Moon Magic 🐉 Tiny Dragon 🏘️ Isolated Village 👪 Found Family

The Recruit

by Robert Muchamore • 2004

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

4.23

40k+

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

The Recruit

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

by Robert Muchamore 2004 342 pages

4.23

40k+ ratings

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

The Code Breaker -- Young Readers Edition

by Walter Isaacson • 2022

Bacteria invented gene editing. One scientist who ignored every 'no' taught us to use it.

4.23

137

🧬 Gene Editing 🔬 Molecular Biology 👩‍🔬 Women In Science ⚖️ Bioethics 🏁 Scientific Rivalries

The Code Breaker -- Young Readers Edition

Bacteria invented gene editing. One scientist who ignored every 'no' taught us to use it.

by Walter Isaacson 2022 332 pages

4.23

137 ratings

🧬 Gene Editing 🔬 Molecular Biology 👩‍🔬 Women In Science ⚖️ Bioethics 🏁 Scientific Rivalries

Bailey's Story

by W. Bruce Cameron • 2013

A golden retriever shields a boy from a dangerous friend whose reckless choices lead to disaster.

4.31

5k+

🐕 Dog Narrator 👦 Boy And His Dog 🦸 Heroic Dog 🏠 Animal Rescue 🌻 Farm Summers

Bailey's Story

A golden retriever shields a boy from a dangerous friend whose reckless choices lead to disaster.

by W. Bruce Cameron 2013 208 pages

4.31

5k+ ratings

🐕 Dog Narrator 👦 Boy And His Dog 🦸 Heroic Dog 🏠 Animal Rescue 🌻 Farm Summers

Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Porter • 1913

An orphan teaches a Vermont town to find one reason for happiness in every misfortune.

4.02

92k+

🧒 Orphan Protagonist 🏠 Found Family 🍂 Small Town New England 🌻 Community Renewal ☕ Cozy Period Read

Pollyanna

An orphan teaches a Vermont town to find one reason for happiness in every misfortune.

by Eleanor H. Porter 1913 304 pages

4.02

92k+ ratings

🧒 Orphan Protagonist 🏠 Found Family 🍂 Small Town New England 🌻 Community Renewal ☕ Cozy Period Read

The Mark of Athena

by Rick Riordan • 2012

Seven demigods, one flying ship, and a statue that could stop a war before it begins.

4.47

600k+

🗡️ Demigod Quest ⛵ Flying Ship 🤝 Enemies To Allies 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Prophetic Burden

The Mark of Athena

Seven demigods, one flying ship, and a statue that could stop a war before it begins.

by Rick Riordan 2012 586 pages

4.47

600k+ ratings

🗡️ Demigod Quest ⛵ Flying Ship 🤝 Enemies To Allies 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Prophetic Burden

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry • 1989

When Nazis target Jews in Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie hides her Jewish friend to save her.

4.20

600k+

🕯️ Holocaust Resistance 🎭 Hidden Identity 👭 Wartime Friendship 🌱 Coming Of Age In War 🇩🇰 Danish Solidarity

Number the Stars

When Nazis target Jews in Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie hides her Jewish friend to save her.

by Lois Lowry 1989 137 pages

4.20

600k+ ratings

🕯️ Holocaust Resistance 🎭 Hidden Identity 👭 Wartime Friendship 🌱 Coming Of Age In War 🇩🇰 Danish Solidarity

The House of Hades

by Rick Riordan • 2013

Seven demigods race to seal a gateway to the dead while two fight through Tartarus itself.

4.57

400k+

🏛️ Modern Mythology 🖤 Underworld Journey ❤️ Found Family 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Self-Acceptance 🕊️ Heroic Sacrifice

The House of Hades

Seven demigods race to seal a gateway to the dead while two fight through Tartarus itself.

by Rick Riordan 2013 597 pages

4.57

400k+ ratings

🏛️ Modern Mythology 🖤 Underworld Journey ❤️ Found Family 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Self-Acceptance 🕊️ Heroic Sacrifice

The Dragonet Prophecy

by Tui T. Sutherland • 2012

Five young dragons raised to end a war escape their prison into a deadly queen's arena.

4.23

83k+

🐉 Dragon Adventure ✨ Chosen Ones 🦎 Animal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Arena Combat

The Dragonet Prophecy

Five young dragons raised to end a war escape their prison into a deadly queen's arena.

by Tui T. Sutherland 2012 336 pages

4.23

83k+ ratings

🐉 Dragon Adventure ✨ Chosen Ones 🦎 Animal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Arena Combat

The Mysterious Benedict Society

by Trenton Lee Stewart • 2007

Four extraordinary kids ace a strange test, then infiltrate an academy built on mind control.

4.20

100k+

🧩 Puzzle Box Mystery 🕵️ Spy School Adventure 🖤 Found Family 🧠 Gifted Children Team 🌀 Mind Control Plot

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Four extraordinary kids ace a strange test, then infiltrate an academy built on mind control.

by Trenton Lee Stewart 2007 497 pages

4.20

100k+ ratings

🧩 Puzzle Box Mystery 🕵️ Spy School Adventure 🖤 Found Family 🧠 Gifted Children Team 🌀 Mind Control Plot

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer • 2001

A twelve-year-old genius kidnaps a fairy and demands gold. Her people have hours to pay.

3.86

500k+

🏦 Heist Fantasy 🧠 Child Genius ⚔️ Antihero Protagonist 🌿 Fairy Underworld ⚡ Tech Meets Magic

Artemis Fowl

A twelve-year-old genius kidnaps a fairy and demands gold. Her people have hours to pay.

by Eoin Colfer 2001 396 pages

3.86

500k+ ratings

🏦 Heist Fantasy 🧠 Child Genius ⚔️ Antihero Protagonist 🌿 Fairy Underworld ⚡ Tech Meets Magic

The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond

by Max Brallier • 2018

Evie Snark steals Jack's bat to summon a cosmic general. The ritual began, winter won't stop.

4.43

4k+

🧟 Zombie Apocalypse 🖤 Found Family 😂 Comedic Horror 😏 Snarky Humor 🎄 Holiday Warmth

The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond

Evie Snark steals Jack's bat to summon a cosmic general. The ritual began, winter won't stop.

by Max Brallier 2018 272 pages

4.43

4k+ ratings

🧟 Zombie Apocalypse 🖤 Found Family 😂 Comedic Horror 😏 Snarky Humor 🎄 Holiday Warmth

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015 343 pages

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

Journey to the River Sea

by Eva Ibbotson • 2001

An orphan arrives in the Amazon to cold guardians and a jungle boy fleeing his past.

4.19

17k+

🌿 Amazon Adventure 🧒 Orphan Protagonist 🤝 Found Family 🎭 Identity Swap 🕰️ Edwardian Era

Journey to the River Sea

An orphan arrives in the Amazon to cold guardians and a jungle boy fleeing his past.

by Eva Ibbotson 2001 304 pages

4.19

17k+ ratings

🌿 Amazon Adventure 🧒 Orphan Protagonist 🤝 Found Family 🎭 Identity Swap 🕰️ Edwardian Era

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea • 2010

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

4.35

46k+

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Because of Mr. Terupt

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

by Rob Buyea 2010 269 pages

4.35

46k+ ratings

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Drama

by Raina Telgemeier • 2012

She can't sing, so she designs sets. Two brothers bring romantic chaos to the stage crew.

4.18

100k+

🎭 Theater Kids 💕 Love Triangle 🌈 Queer Crush 🆕 New Kid At School 🎪 Backstage Chaos

Drama

She can't sing, so she designs sets. Two brothers bring romantic chaos to the stage crew.

by Raina Telgemeier 2012 238 pages

4.18

100k+ ratings

🎭 Theater Kids 💕 Love Triangle 🌈 Queer Crush 🆕 New Kid At School 🎪 Backstage Chaos

Greenglass House

by Kate Milford • 2014

At Greenglass House, a boy's holiday becomes a puzzle when a ghost and map reveal secrets.

3.99

29k+

❄️ Wintry Mystery 👻 Ghostly Mystery 🔍 Kid Detective Duo 🎭 Secret Identities 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

Greenglass House

At Greenglass House, a boy's holiday becomes a puzzle when a ghost and map reveal secrets.

by Kate Milford 2014 384 pages

3.99

29k+ ratings

❄️ Wintry Mystery 👻 Ghostly Mystery 🔍 Kid Detective Duo 🎭 Secret Identities 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

by William Kamkwamba • 2009

A Malawian dropout, a library book on energy, and a windmill built from scrap metal.

4.24

11k+

🛠️ African Innovation 🌍 Appropriate Technology 📚 Self-Taught Science 💨 Wind Power ⚡ Diy Electricity

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

A Malawian dropout, a library book on energy, and a windmill built from scrap metal.

by William Kamkwamba 2009 304 pages

4.24

11k+ ratings

🛠️ African Innovation 🌍 Appropriate Technology 📚 Self-Taught Science 💨 Wind Power ⚡ Diy Electricity

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett • 1911

A sour orphan, a locked garden, a sickly cousin: three things a Yorkshire manor keeps hidden.

4.17

1.3M+

👧 Orphaned Protagonist 🪴 Hidden Garden 🌿 Nature Heals 🌧️ Yorkshire Moor 🤒 Sickly Child

The Secret Garden

A sour orphan, a locked garden, a sickly cousin: three things a Yorkshire manor keeps hidden.

by Frances Hodgson Burnett 1911 331 pages

4.17

1.3M+ ratings

👧 Orphaned Protagonist 🪴 Hidden Garden 🌿 Nature Heals 🌧️ Yorkshire Moor 🤒 Sickly Child

My Sweet Orange Tree

by José Mauro de Vasconcelos • 1968

A Brazilian boy talks to an orange tree until an old man teaches him what love is.

4.38

86k+

💰 Childhood Poverty 💔 Grief And Loss 🌌 Imagination As Refuge 👴 Father Figure 🇧🇷 Brazilian Childhood

My Sweet Orange Tree

A Brazilian boy talks to an orange tree until an old man teaches him what love is.

by José Mauro de Vasconcelos 1968 208 pages

4.38

86k+ ratings

💰 Childhood Poverty 💔 Grief And Loss 🌌 Imagination As Refuge 👴 Father Figure 🇧🇷 Brazilian Childhood

The Adventures of Captain Underpants

by Dav Pilkey • 1997

Two fourth graders hypnotize their principal into a superhero; a giant toilet is destroying school.

4.04

59k+

🚽 Potty Humor Adventures 👬 Boyhood Mischief Duo 🩲 Accidental Superhero 🏫 Elementary School Chaos 👦🏾 For Reluctant Readers

The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Two fourth graders hypnotize their principal into a superhero; a giant toilet is destroying school.

by Dav Pilkey 1997 125 pages

4.04

59k+ ratings

🚽 Potty Humor Adventures 👬 Boyhood Mischief Duo 🩲 Accidental Superhero 🏫 Elementary School Chaos 👦🏾 For Reluctant Readers

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