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

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan • 2010

A museum explosion frees Egyptian gods. Two siblings must become magicians to stop the chaos god.

4.10

400k+

🏛️ Egyptian Mythology 🏙️ Modern Mythology 👫 Sibling Protagonists 📖 Dual Narration 🎓 Magical Training

The Red Pyramid

A museum explosion frees Egyptian gods. Two siblings must become magicians to stop the chaos god.

by Rick Riordan 2010 528 pages

4.10

400k+ ratings

🏛️ Egyptian Mythology 🏙️ Modern Mythology 👫 Sibling Protagonists 📖 Dual Narration 🎓 Magical Training

The Labors of Hercules Beal

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2023

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

4.48

7k+

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Labors of Hercules Beal

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2023 352 pages

4.48

7k+ ratings

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Lost Year

by Katherine Marsh • 2023

Pandemic lockdown forces a boy to investigate his great-grandmother's hidden past in Soviet Ukraine.

4.46

5k+

🇺🇦 Ukrainian Famine 🎭 Assumed Identity ⏳ Dual Timeline 🔍 Family Secrets 🦠 Covid Lockdown

The Lost Year

Pandemic lockdown forces a boy to investigate his great-grandmother's hidden past in Soviet Ukraine.

by Katherine Marsh 2023 368 pages

4.46

5k+ ratings

🇺🇦 Ukrainian Famine 🎭 Assumed Identity ⏳ Dual Timeline 🔍 Family Secrets 🦠 Covid Lockdown

The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan • 2011

An amnesiac demigod must free Death from a giant in Alaska to save a Roman camp.

4.40

600k+

🏛️ Modern Mythology 🧠 Amnesia 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🐺 Shapeshifting 🔥 Cursed Objects

The Son of Neptune

An amnesiac demigod must free Death from a giant in Alaska to save a Roman camp.

by Rick Riordan 2011 521 pages

4.40

600k+ ratings

🏛️ Modern Mythology 🧠 Amnesia 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🐺 Shapeshifting 🔥 Cursed Objects

The Bad Beginning

by Lemony Snicket • 1999

Three gifted orphans face a wicked guardian who stages a play to steal their inheritance.

4.03

500k+

🖤 Orphaned Siblings 🧠 Resourceful Orphans 👹 Wicked Guardian 💀 Macabre Humor 📖 Narrator Intrusion

The Bad Beginning

Three gifted orphans face a wicked guardian who stages a play to steal their inheritance.

by Lemony Snicket 1999 162 pages

4.03

500k+ ratings

🖤 Orphaned Siblings 🧠 Resourceful Orphans 👹 Wicked Guardian 💀 Macabre Humor 📖 Narrator Intrusion

Auggie & Me

by R.J. Palacio • 2015

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

4.27

41k+

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Auggie & Me

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

by R.J. Palacio 2015 303 pages

4.27

41k+ ratings

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

The Dreamer

by Pam Muñoz Ryan • 2010

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

3.98

7k+

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Dreamer

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

by Pam Muñoz Ryan 2010 384 pages

3.98

7k+ ratings

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

Small Spaces

by Katherine Arden • 2018

Her class trip vanishes into mist where scarecrows walk and a smiling man bargains for souls.

4.01

30k+

🧒 Middle Grade Horror ☕ Cozy Horror 📖 Haunted Diary 💔 Grieving Protagonist 🤝 Dangerous Bargains

Small Spaces

Her class trip vanishes into mist where scarecrows walk and a smiling man bargains for souls.

by Katherine Arden 2018 218 pages

4.01

30k+ ratings

🧒 Middle Grade Horror ☕ Cozy Horror 📖 Haunted Diary 💔 Grieving Protagonist 🤝 Dangerous Bargains

The Secret Seven

by Enid Blyton • 2006

A children's secret club investigates a midnight van and discovers a racehorse hidden in a cellar.

3.9

11k+

🕵️ Secret Club Mystery 🔍 Kid Detectives 🌙 Nighttime Adventures 🧠 Kids Outwit Adults 🧸 Wholesome Mystery

The Secret Seven

A children's secret club investigates a midnight van and discovers a racehorse hidden in a cellar.

by Enid Blyton 2006 144 pages

3.9

11k+ ratings

🕵️ Secret Club Mystery 🔍 Kid Detectives 🌙 Nighttime Adventures 🧠 Kids Outwit Adults 🧸 Wholesome Mystery

Fablehaven

by Brandon Mull • 2006

When siblings discover Grandpa's estate is a magical sanctuary, one broken rule frees a demon.

4.14

100k+

🏰 Magical Sanctuary 👫 Sibling Duo 🧚 Dangerous Fairies 🧙 Witch's Bargain 🌑 Dark Fairytale

Fablehaven

When siblings discover Grandpa's estate is a magical sanctuary, one broken rule frees a demon.

by Brandon Mull 2006 351 pages

4.14

100k+ ratings

🏰 Magical Sanctuary 👫 Sibling Duo 🧚 Dangerous Fairies 🧙 Witch's Bargain 🌑 Dark Fairytale

Dog Man Unleashed

by Dav Pilkey • 2016

A dog-headed cop faces a scheming cat whose robot fish plunges the city into chaos.

4.42

24k+

🦸 Superhero Comedy 🐕 Unlikely Hero 🐈 Dog Vs Cat Feud 📚 Early Graphic Novel 👦 Reluctant Reader Appeal

Dog Man Unleashed

A dog-headed cop faces a scheming cat whose robot fish plunges the city into chaos.

by Dav Pilkey 2016 224 pages

4.42

24k+ ratings

🦸 Superhero Comedy 🐕 Unlikely Hero 🐈 Dog Vs Cat Feud 📚 Early Graphic Novel 👦 Reluctant Reader Appeal

The Last Straw

by Jeff Kinney • 2009

Greg Heffley faces military school unless he can prove he's tough enough to stay.

4.14

100k+

📔 Diary Novel ✏️ Illustrated Middle Grade 😬 Cringe Comedy 🏡 Suburban America 📚 Reluctant Readers

The Last Straw

Greg Heffley faces military school unless he can prove he's tough enough to stay.

by Jeff Kinney 2009 218 pages

4.14

100k+ ratings

📔 Diary Novel ✏️ Illustrated Middle Grade 😬 Cringe Comedy 🏡 Suburban America 📚 Reluctant Readers

The Ice Monster

by David Walliams • 2018

To return a resurrected mammoth home, a Victorian orphan steals a warship and outruns a hunter.

4.20

8k+

🧒 Plucky Orphan Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🐘 Animal Rescue Quest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Victorian London 🎈 Madcap Schemes

The Ice Monster

To return a resurrected mammoth home, a Victorian orphan steals a warship and outruns a hunter.

by David Walliams 2018 496 pages

4.20

8k+ ratings

🧒 Plucky Orphan Heroine 🫂 Found Family 🐘 Animal Rescue Quest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Victorian London 🎈 Madcap Schemes

Fantastic Mr. Fox

by Roald Dahl • 1970

A fox’s secret raids anger three farmers, who dig a trap that buries his family underground.

4.08

100k+

🦊 Clever Animal Hero 🧠 Outsmarting Bullies 🕳️ Underground Hideout 🐓 Rural Farm Life 😈 Whimsical Dark Humor

Fantastic Mr. Fox

A fox’s secret raids anger three farmers, who dig a trap that buries his family underground.

by Roald Dahl 1970 96 pages

4.08

100k+ ratings

🦊 Clever Animal Hero 🧠 Outsmarting Bullies 🕳️ Underground Hideout 🐓 Rural Farm Life 😈 Whimsical Dark Humor

When the World Was Ours

by Liz Kessler • 2021

Three best friends in 1936 Vienna. A photograph on the Ferris wheel. Then the Nazis come.

4.51

6k+

😢 Holocaust Fiction 💔 War-Torn Friendship 🧠 Indoctrination ✈️ Escape And Exile 💭 Survivor Guilt

When the World Was Ours

Three best friends in 1936 Vienna. A photograph on the Ferris wheel. Then the Nazis come.

by Liz Kessler 2021 352 pages

4.51

6k+ ratings

😢 Holocaust Fiction 💔 War-Torn Friendship 🧠 Indoctrination ✈️ Escape And Exile 💭 Survivor Guilt

J.K. Rowling

by Marc Shapiro • 2000

A single mother, a café table, a sleeping baby: where the world's biggest book series began.

3.90

4k+

🖋️ Author Biographies 👧 Young Reader Biographies 💰 Rags To Riches ✍️ Writer's Journey 🏔️ Creative Perseverance

J.K. Rowling

A single mother, a café table, a sleeping baby: where the world's biggest book series began.

by Marc Shapiro 2000 287 pages

3.90

4k+ ratings

🖋️ Author Biographies 👧 Young Reader Biographies 💰 Rags To Riches ✍️ Writer's Journey 🏔️ Creative Perseverance

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

by Rick Riordan • 2017

Dead at sixteen, Magnus wakes in Valhalla: son of a god, with a wolf to bind.

4.52

4k+

🏙️ Modern Myth Quest 🌳 Norse Pantheon 🫂 Found Family 😬 Reluctant Hero 🧬 Godly Parentage

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Dead at sixteen, Magnus wakes in Valhalla: son of a god, with a wolf to bind.

by Rick Riordan 2017 1584 pages

4.52

4k+ ratings

🏙️ Modern Myth Quest 🌳 Norse Pantheon 🫂 Found Family 😬 Reluctant Hero 🧬 Godly Parentage

The Magician’s Nephew

by C.S. Lewis • 2005

Two children with magic rings flee a world-killing queen into darkness, where a lion sings creation.

4.06

600k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌍 Creation Myth ✝️ Biblical Allegory 🍎 Forbidden Fruit 🦁 Talking Animals

The Magician’s Nephew

Two children with magic rings flee a world-killing queen into darkness, where a lion sings creation.

by C.S. Lewis 2005 221 pages

4.06

600k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌍 Creation Myth ✝️ Biblical Allegory 🍎 Forbidden Fruit 🦁 Talking Animals

The Last Battle

by C.S. Lewis • 1956

A false Aslan rules dying Narnia. Its last king and two children fight as stars fall.

4.01

300k+

🕊️ Christian Allegory 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🦁 Talking Animals 🎭 False Prophet ✝️ Faith Tested

The Last Battle

A false Aslan rules dying Narnia. Its last king and two children fight as stars fall.

by C.S. Lewis 1956 288 pages

4.01

300k+ ratings

🕊️ Christian Allegory 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🦁 Talking Animals 🎭 False Prophet ✝️ Faith Tested

Chasing Vermeer

by Blue Balliett • 2004

A stolen Vermeer, a coded letter, and two kids who see patterns where adults see coincidence.

3.72

31k+

🎨 Art History Mystery 🕵️ Child Sleuths 🧩 Puzzle Mystery 👀 Keen Observation 🍎 Unconventional Teacher

Chasing Vermeer

A stolen Vermeer, a coded letter, and two kids who see patterns where adults see coincidence.

by Blue Balliett 2004 254 pages

3.72

31k+ ratings

🎨 Art History Mystery 🕵️ Child Sleuths 🧩 Puzzle Mystery 👀 Keen Observation 🍎 Unconventional Teacher

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum • 1900

A Kansas girl walks a golden road, seeking the wizard who can send her home.

4.00

500k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🗺️ Quest Fantasy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🦁 Self-Doubt Heroes 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

A Kansas girl walks a golden road, seeking the wizard who can send her home.

by L. Frank Baum 1900 154 pages

4.00

500k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🗺️ Quest Fantasy 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🦁 Self-Doubt Heroes 🎪 Whimsical Adventure

The BFG

by Roald Dahl • 1982

A girl snatched by a giant learns he's a dream-giver, but his man-eating neighbors aren't.

4.23

500k+

🏠 Orphan Protagonist 🦸 Gentle Giant 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🌑 Dark Whimsy

The BFG

A girl snatched by a giant learns he's a dream-giver, but his man-eating neighbors aren't.

by Roald Dahl 1982 199 pages

4.23

500k+ ratings

🏠 Orphan Protagonist 🦸 Gentle Giant 🫂 Found Family 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🌑 Dark Whimsy

The Night Gardener

by Jonathan Auxier • 2014

Two orphans take work at a crumbling manor where a wish-granting tree extracts a terrible price.

4.05

22k+

👻 Middle Grade Horror 🏚️ Gothic Fantasy 🪵 Cursed Wishes 🐺 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Cursed Estate

The Night Gardener

Two orphans take work at a crumbling manor where a wish-granting tree extracts a terrible price.

by Jonathan Auxier 2014 350 pages

4.05

22k+ ratings

👻 Middle Grade Horror 🏚️ Gothic Fantasy 🪵 Cursed Wishes 🐺 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Cursed Estate

Forge

by Laurie Halse Anderson • 2010

Escaping slavery, a boy enlists in the Continental Army only to face Valley Forge's brutal winter.

4.16

17k+

🎖️ Revolutionary War ⛓️‍💥 Escape From Slavery ⚔️ Brothers In Arms 🥾 Gritty Survival ❄️ Harsh Winter

Forge

Escaping slavery, a boy enlists in the Continental Army only to face Valley Forge's brutal winter.

by Laurie Halse Anderson 2010 297 pages

4.16

17k+ ratings

🎖️ Revolutionary War ⛓️‍💥 Escape From Slavery ⚔️ Brothers In Arms 🥾 Gritty Survival ❄️ Harsh Winter

Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech • 1994

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

4.00

100k+

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Walk Two Moons

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

by Sharon Creech 1994 280 pages

4.00

100k+ ratings

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Night of the Living Dummy

by R.L. Stine • 1993

Kris's dummy speaks on its own, destroys her reputation, and threatens to hurt everyone she loves.

3.85

34k+

🧒 Children's Horror 🧸 Evil Doll 👯‍♀️ Sibling Rivalry 😰 Mistaken Blame 🔀 Twist Ending

Night of the Living Dummy

Kris's dummy speaks on its own, destroys her reputation, and threatens to hurt everyone she loves.

by R.L. Stine 1993 160 pages

3.85

34k+ ratings

🧒 Children's Horror 🧸 Evil Doll 👯‍♀️ Sibling Rivalry 😰 Mistaken Blame 🔀 Twist Ending

Making Bombs for Hitler

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch • 2012

A Ukrainian girl builds bombs for the Nazis while searching for the sister torn from her.

4.33

13k+

🏭 Forced Labor Camp 🧒 Child Survivor 🤝 Found Family 🕯️ Quiet Resistance 🧳 Postwar Displacement

Making Bombs for Hitler

A Ukrainian girl builds bombs for the Nazis while searching for the sister torn from her.

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch 2012 240 pages

4.33

13k+ ratings

🏭 Forced Labor Camp 🧒 Child Survivor 🤝 Found Family 🕯️ Quiet Resistance 🧳 Postwar Displacement

Wrath of the Triple Goddess

by Rick Riordan • 2024

Percy Jackson's college future hinges on pet-sitting a hellhound in a haunted mansion at Halloween.

4.12

62k+

🏛️ Modern Mythology 👻 Haunted House Story 🎃 Halloween Adventure 🧙 Cursed Transformations 🫂 Found Family

Wrath of the Triple Goddess

Percy Jackson's college future hinges on pet-sitting a hellhound in a haunted mansion at Halloween.

by Rick Riordan 2024 343 pages

4.12

62k+ ratings

🏛️ Modern Mythology 👻 Haunted House Story 🎃 Halloween Adventure 🧙 Cursed Transformations 🫂 Found Family

Dog Days

by Jeff Kinney • 2009

Greg Heffley just wants an air-conditioned summer of video games, but his mom has outdoor plans.

4.17

100k+

📖 Diary Format ☀️ Summer Vacation 👦👦 Sibling Rivalry 👨👦 Father-Son Tension 💘 Awkward Crush

Dog Days

Greg Heffley just wants an air-conditioned summer of video games, but his mom has outdoor plans.

by Jeff Kinney 2009 218 pages

4.17

100k+ ratings

📖 Diary Format ☀️ Summer Vacation 👦👦 Sibling Rivalry 👨👦 Father-Son Tension 💘 Awkward Crush

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead • 2009

In 1979, twelve-year-old Miranda finds notes predicting her best friend will die unless she acts.

4.08

100k+

🕰️ Middle-Grade Time Travel 🔁 Time Loop ✉️ Mysterious Letters 💔 Broken Friendship ❤️‍🩹 Self-Sacrifice

When You Reach Me

In 1979, twelve-year-old Miranda finds notes predicting her best friend will die unless she acts.

by Rebecca Stead 2009 199 pages

4.08

100k+ ratings

🕰️ Middle-Grade Time Travel 🔁 Time Loop ✉️ Mysterious Letters 💔 Broken Friendship ❤️‍🩹 Self-Sacrifice

The Thief Lord

by Cornelia Funke • 2000

Two runaway brothers join Venice's child thieves and discover a magical secret on a hidden island.

3.99

100k+

🫂 Found Family 🏃 Runaway Children 👥 Band Of Misfits 💰 Heist Adventure 🛶 Venice

The Thief Lord

Two runaway brothers join Venice's child thieves and discover a magical secret on a hidden island.

by Cornelia Funke 2000 350 pages

3.99

100k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🏃 Runaway Children 👥 Band Of Misfits 💰 Heist Adventure 🛶 Venice

No Fixed Address

by Susin Nielsen • 2018

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

4.22

5k+

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

No Fixed Address

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

by Susin Nielsen 2018 288 pages

4.22

5k+ ratings

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

No Brainer

by Jeff Kinney • 2023

His school might close, so Greg Heffley runs for president on pizza promises and zero plans.

4.27

13k+

🏫 Middle School Comedy 🗳️ School Election 🤪 Bumbling Protagonist 🎭 Lighthearted Satire 🌀 Comic Chaos

No Brainer

His school might close, so Greg Heffley runs for president on pizza promises and zero plans.

by Jeff Kinney 2023 224 pages

4.27

13k+ ratings

🏫 Middle School Comedy 🗳️ School Election 🤪 Bumbling Protagonist 🎭 Lighthearted Satire 🌀 Comic Chaos

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

by Rick Riordan • 2014

A snarky demigod retells the Greek myths, from the first chaos to the Olympians' rule.

4.42

99k+

🏛️ Greek Mythology 😂 Humorous Retelling 📚 Middle Grade Mythology 😏 Snarky Narrator 😈 Gods Behaving Badly

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

A snarky demigod retells the Greek myths, from the first chaos to the Olympians' rule.

by Rick Riordan 2014 417 pages

4.42

99k+ ratings

🏛️ Greek Mythology 😂 Humorous Retelling 📚 Middle Grade Mythology 😏 Snarky Narrator 😈 Gods Behaving Badly

Kira-Kira

by Cynthia Kadohata • 2004

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

3.98

28k+

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

Kira-Kira

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

by Cynthia Kadohata 2004 291 pages

3.98

28k+ ratings

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

Dinosaurs Before Dark

by Mary Pope Osborne • 1992

Swept to the dinosaur age by a magic tree house, siblings need a wish to get home.

4.00

48k+

🌀 Portal Fantasy ⏳ Time Travel 👫 Sibling Adventure ✨ Wish Magic 🦕 Prehistoric Creatures

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Swept to the dinosaur age by a magic tree house, siblings need a wish to get home.

by Mary Pope Osborne 1992 68 pages

4.00

48k+ ratings

🌀 Portal Fantasy ⏳ Time Travel 👫 Sibling Adventure ✨ Wish Magic 🦕 Prehistoric Creatures

The Witches

by Roald Dahl • 1997

Behind a ballroom screen, a boy hears witches plotting to turn every child into mice.

4.18

400k+

🐁 Animal Transformation 🎭 Disguised Monsters 😈 Darkly Humorous 🐭 Mouse Protagonist 👵 Grandmother Bond

The Witches

Behind a ballroom screen, a boy hears witches plotting to turn every child into mice.

by Roald Dahl 1997 208 pages

4.18

400k+ ratings

🐁 Animal Transformation 🎭 Disguised Monsters 😈 Darkly Humorous 🐭 Mouse Protagonist 👵 Grandmother Bond

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016 410 pages

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

The Dark Prophecy

by Rick Riordan • 2017

A mortal Apollo must seize a dark Oracle's prophecy before an undead emperor executes his friends.

4.10

100k+

🏛️ Mortal Gods 🌆 Modern Mythology 🏠 Found Family 🐉 Mythical Creatures 🔮 Prophetic Quest

The Dark Prophecy

A mortal Apollo must seize a dark Oracle's prophecy before an undead emperor executes his friends.

by Rick Riordan 2017 432 pages

4.10

100k+ ratings

🏛️ Mortal Gods 🌆 Modern Mythology 🏠 Found Family 🐉 Mythical Creatures 🔮 Prophetic Quest

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

by Erica Armstrong Dunbar • 2019

In 1796, Ona Judge walked out of George Washington's house and onto a ship. She never returned.

3.97

1k+

🏛️ Early American Republic ⛓️ American Slavery 🪶 Enslaved Women 🏃🏿‍♀️ Fugitive Slave Stories 🏘️ Free Black Communities

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

In 1796, Ona Judge walked out of George Washington's house and onto a ship. She never returned.

by Erica Armstrong Dunbar 2019 273 pages

3.97

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Early American Republic ⛓️ American Slavery 🪶 Enslaved Women 🏃🏿‍♀️ Fugitive Slave Stories 🏘️ Free Black Communities

Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy • 2007

A twelve-year-old inherits a skeleton detective and a secret war over an ancient relic.

4.18

73k+

🔍 Occult Detective 🗝️ Secret Magical World 🗿 Ancient Artifact Quest 💬 Witty Banter 🖤 Dark Humor

Skulduggery Pleasant

A twelve-year-old inherits a skeleton detective and a secret war over an ancient relic.

by Derek Landy 2007 392 pages

4.18

73k+ ratings

🔍 Occult Detective 🗝️ Secret Magical World 🗿 Ancient Artifact Quest 💬 Witty Banter 🖤 Dark Humor

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018 416 pages

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Pippi Longstocking

by Astrid Lindgren • 1945

Alone at nine with impossible strength, a monkey, and a horse, Pippi Longstocking answers to nobody.

4.15

200k+

🏠 Eccentric Orphan 💪 Superhuman Strength 😄 Whimsical Humor 🌻 Gentle Rebellion 🐒 Animal Companion

Pippi Longstocking

Alone at nine with impossible strength, a monkey, and a horse, Pippi Longstocking answers to nobody.

by Astrid Lindgren 1945 160 pages

4.15

200k+ ratings

🏠 Eccentric Orphan 💪 Superhuman Strength 😄 Whimsical Humor 🌻 Gentle Rebellion 🐒 Animal Companion

The Golden Compass

by Philip Pullman • 1995

To rescue her friend from child-snatchers, a girl with a truth-telling compass journeys north.

4.03

1.6M+

🌀 Parallel Worlds 👧 Orphan Hero 🤝 Found Family ❄️ Arctic Fantasy 🦊 Soul-Bonded Animal

The Golden Compass

To rescue her friend from child-snatchers, a girl with a truth-telling compass journeys north.

by Philip Pullman 1995 399 pages

4.03

1.6M+ ratings

🌀 Parallel Worlds 👧 Orphan Hero 🤝 Found Family ❄️ Arctic Fantasy 🦊 Soul-Bonded Animal

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes

by Rick Riordan • 2015

Percy Jackson retells the original Greek hero myths with snark, tragedy, and divine family drama.

4.41

54k+

🏛️ Greek Myth Retellings 🗣️ Snarky Narrator 💔 Tragic Heroes ⚡ Divine Meddling 🏺 Ancient Greece

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes

Percy Jackson retells the original Greek hero myths with snark, tragedy, and divine family drama.

by Rick Riordan 2015 404 pages

4.41

54k+ ratings

🏛️ Greek Myth Retellings 🗣️ Snarky Narrator 💔 Tragic Heroes ⚡ Divine Meddling 🏺 Ancient Greece

The Red Pencil

by Andrea Davis Pinkney • 2014

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

3.9

7k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

The Red Pencil

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2014 336 pages

3.9

7k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

Way of the Warrior Kid

by Jocko Willink • 2017

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

4.51

5k+

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

Way of the Warrior Kid

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

by Jocko Willink 2017 192 pages

4.51

5k+ ratings

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

Legacy

by Shannon Messenger • 2019

To rescue him from a dark ritual, a young elf leads her team into enemy territory.

4.43

43k+

🔮 Hidden Elf World 💛 Found Family 🔍 Hidden Parentage ⚡ Chosen One 🛡️ Team Of Misfits

Legacy

To rescue him from a dark ritual, a young elf leads her team into enemy territory.

by Shannon Messenger 2019 797 pages

4.43

43k+ ratings

🔮 Hidden Elf World 💛 Found Family 🔍 Hidden Parentage ⚡ Chosen One 🛡️ Team Of Misfits

Rise of the Wolf

by Curtis Jobling • 2011

A werewolf boy hunted for his mother's murder is the lost heir of the throne the usurper king stole.

4.21

5k+

👑 Hidden Heir 🫂 Found Family 🐺 Reluctant Hero 🏰 Shifter Houses 🌑 Dark Coming-Of-Age

Rise of the Wolf

A werewolf boy hunted for his mother's murder is the lost heir of the throne the usurper king stole.

by Curtis Jobling 2011 432 pages

4.21

5k+ ratings

👑 Hidden Heir 🫂 Found Family 🐺 Reluctant Hero 🏰 Shifter Houses 🌑 Dark Coming-Of-Age

The Blood of Olympus

by Rick Riordan • 2014

Seven demigods must stop an awakening earth goddess, but their plan demands a fatal sacrifice.

4.43

300k+

🌆 Modern Mythology ❤️ Found Family ⚡ Demigod Quest 😢 Heroic Sacrifice 👥 Ensemble Cast

The Blood of Olympus

Seven demigods must stop an awakening earth goddess, but their plan demands a fatal sacrifice.

by Rick Riordan 2014 516 pages

4.43

300k+ ratings

🌆 Modern Mythology ❤️ Found Family ⚡ Demigod Quest 😢 Heroic Sacrifice 👥 Ensemble Cast

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