Even though middle grade books are targeted by 8-12 year olds, they can be enjoyed by anyone. Middle grade books have a sort of lightheartedness to them that most adult books don’t have. I’m in college and I still very much like to read middle grade books.
If you are an adult and you haven’t read a middle grade since you were a preteen, I highly recommend giving them a try. You might just find yourself being sucked into the story by a world of magic.
Whether you are looking to start reading middle grades again, looking for a new book for your kid, or just love middle grades, here is my list of 7 middle grade reads that I highly recommend you read.
1. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities is the first book in a series about a girl named Sophie Foster. As a 12 year old senior in high school, Sophie has a hard time fitting in and feeling like she belongs. Not to mention her telepathic abilities that nobody knows about really doesn’t help. Sophie is at a school field trip when she meets a mysterious boy who just happens to have the same ability. He tells her that the world as she knows it is not what she’s thinking and introduces her to the magical world of the lost cities.
Keeper of the Lost Cities is one of my all time favorite middle grade series. I was hooked from the first few pages. I’m currently waiting not so patiently for book 10 to come out. If you are looking for an easy read to escape reality for a few hours then this series is for you. I can’t get enough of Sophie and her friends and their adventures in the lost cities. Do not let the fact that this is a 10+ book series scare you. If you love this series as much as I do then you are probably going to be wishing it was 20 books.
2. The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
The Unwanteds is about a 13 year old boy named Alex who finds out that he is a part of the small group of kids that are deemed unwanted. This group of kids are sent to the death farm where they are to be eliminated. When they go to the death farm to meet their deaths, they instead find a new world that awaits them with lots of magic and the freedom to be themselves.
I first read The Unwanteds in middle school and absolutely loved the series. If you need a book to get you out of a reading slump, then this is it. It’s been many years now and I am still very much in love with this series. The characters are amazing and the magic system is super fun. Bonus: if you love The Unwanteds, read the second series about different characters in in the same world called The Unwanteds Quests. P.S. if you are a twin or love stories about twins then you will love these series as the main characters in both series are twins.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a very popular middle grade series but still very much worth mentioning. It follows a boy named Percy who finds out that the stories about the Greek gods and goddesses might not be a myth after all. He discovers that he is a demigod and is sent to a camp to learn how to fight and gain the skills that a demigod needs to stay alive in their dangerous lives.
I was definitely late to reading this series but when I finally did read it I loved it. I’m someone who really likes Greek mythology so this was a super fun read. I think one of the best parts is the author’s humor. Rick Riordan has a way of making a book funny but also serious when needed. If you love Percy Jackson and the Olympians as much as I do be sure to check out all of the other books by Rick Riordan and definitely watch the new show coming out in December.
4. The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
The Iron Trial is another one of my favorites about a boy named Callum who is trying his very best to fail the entrance exam to magic school. That sounds weird, right? If I were taking an entrance exam to a magic school I would be doing everything possible to pass that test. Spoiler alert: Call passes the test and ends up going to magic school. We get to see his journey learning magic and watch as he discovers the truth about his past and who he really is.
This is the first book in a 5 book series. These books are super short and could easily be read in a day. I remember reading this series super fast because I just couldn’t get enough of it. I totally binged the whole second book in one sitting. That’s how good it is. If you normally read Young Adult fantasy and are looking to get into middle grade, then this could be a good series to start with as Cassandra Clare and Holly Black are both popular young adult authors.
5. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow is an 10 year old who is cursed and fated to die on her 11th birthday. Because of this curse everyone in the town blames all the bad things that happen on her. That’s why it’s very unexpected when someone actually pays attention to her and offers her a life away from this miserable one. In order to live in this new life, Morrigan has to go through a series of trials to get into a secret society. This society just happens to include magic and lots of fun. Read this book to find out if Morrigan succeeds in her trials.
Nevermoor has so much magic in it that its fills my whole heart. I would give anything to live in this world and be apart of this secret society. The characters in this book are also amazing. If you like this first book make sure to continue with the rest of the series and follow Morrigan on her journey. This series is not yet completed. We are currently waiting for book 4 to come out.
6. The land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
The Wishing Spell is about a pair of twins named Alex and Conner who accidentally find out that a cherished book has magic that sends them into the story. They find themselves coming face-to-face with story characters they grew up reading about. They have to battle their way around goblins and wolves to find their way home.
I loved all of the fairytales and magic in this series so much. I actually really want to reread this series soon. It’s been too long since I’ve been in this world. If you love fairies and princesses then you should check out this series, but don’t be fooled by the rainbows, every fairytale has a darkness within.
7. Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus by Kate O’Hearn
This is another mythology based off the Roman myths. It follows Emily who lives in Manhattan. One night there is a storm and she hears something big land on her roof in the city. After investigating she realizes that it’s the real life Pegasus that just landed on her roof. Emily realizes that the Roman mythologies might not be myths at all. The book is about discovering this new hidden world and discovering who exactly Emily is.
If you are looking for a fast paced book with adventure then this is the book for you. This book includes a bit of found family which I love. I loved finding out all of the crazy discoveries about Emily and of course loved the mythology. Pegasus, the actual character and the series, is just magnificent. You might find yourself wishing you could take a trip on Pegasus’ back to Olympus.
Let me know if you plan on reading any of these books and what your thoughts are on them if you have ready any. I’m sure you noticed a pattern with these books. They all contain magic and fun new worlds. If you want to hear about some different genres or more magical recommendations, then be sure to check back!