Winter is coming and that means more time will be spent indoors. One of the best indoor pastimes is to read a book! Whether your child attends public or private school, reading outside the classroom is always a plus. That is why we have created a list of 25 books designed for fifth through seventh graders. Are you looking for a poignant story or a puzzling mystery? All genres can be found below!
1. Be More Chill
This graphic novel by David Levithan is filled with enchanting characters. Jeremy, the main character, is head over heels for the beautiful neighbor girl, Christine. Flip through this graphic novel with a poignant storyline to see what kind of trouble Jeremy finds himself in after ingesting a mini supercomputer.
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2. Rewritten
This magical realism book series starts with Unwritten. Read to reveal how the enchanting characters in this book escape from Queen Cassandra, a predatory creature. Will Gracie be able to retrieve the Vademecum from the Queen to save her immediate and extended family?
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3. Brigadier
Mesmerizing stories are hard to find, especially ones that are true! This true story about a horse named Brigadier is a beautiful yet poignant story for your entire human family. Brigadier is trained to work for the Toronto Police Department and lives to serve Graham until the day he dies.
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4. Puzzled
This middle-grade novel by P.J. Nichols is great for public or private schools. Peter is incredibly gifted at solving puzzles. He and his friends must work together to solve the hardest one yet in hopes to save the world. Some might call it a “puzzling mystery”, but it’s really an adventure story.
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5. Operation Sisterhood
How would you react if your daily life was turned upside down? That is what happens to Bo when her mom decides to move in with her boyfriend in New York City. Bo, the new beautiful neighbor girl, feels very out of place in this moving story written by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.
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6. Two Naomis
Another powerful book was written by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. In this middle-grade novel, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith want nothing to do with each other. They keep their distance until their parents start dating and decide the two need to become friends for the sake of their newfound family.
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7. History: The Past as You’ve Never Seen it Before
Does your child need a break from books about a puzzling mystery or a beautiful neighbor girl? Take them out of the world of fiction and into a true story with this encyclopedia. This history reference book will captivate your 6th grader with CGI imagery that will make them feel as if they were with Harry Potter!
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8. How to Sell a Rock
We all know that rocks are not cool creatures, so why would anyone want to buy them? Here’s a true entrepreneurial reference book for every kid in middle school! Learn how to convince buyers that rocks are special due to their eternal life and other important properties.
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9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
This is the first one in this excellent mystery book series by Willow Night. Get spooked as cool creatures live out their eternal life on Sycamore Street. Three kids check out the haunted house together and one of them goes missing. Will they be able to find Josh before it’s too late?
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10. The Tillerman Cycle
If your 11-year-old is an advanced reader, this is could become their new favorite book. This middle-grade novel by Cynthia Voigt is a deeply touching story about siblings who have been abandoned in Connecticut. Follow these kids as they try to find their aunt’s house.
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11. Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter
Here it is! The one and only adventure story about 10-year-old Isabel Feeney! Help Isabel solve the puzzling mystery of the murder scene she encounters. Will this lonely girl be able to make it as a new reporter in the 1920s?
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12. The Magnificent Book of Dangerous Animals
Have your kids snuggle up with a fun book about predatory creatures that is filled with interesting facts. Learn about the interwoven and extended family living in the diverse animal kingdom.
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13. Prehistoric Predators
These cool creatures are given eternal life through this book. See what prehistoric whales were like before they took on Blue 55’s look. Imagine that some family curse brought prehistoric animals back to life and they were living among us. Read this to see what the world would be like!
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14. 125 Animals That Changed the World
Read this for mesmerizing stories about cool creatures on our planet. These animals may not be Blue 55, but they are just as cool! Have your family sit down to read short tales based on real events. See how many animals have shaped history.
15. Number the Stars
It may seem that stars have eternal life, but they too have numbered days. See how the stars impact the memorable characters in this Nazi-era historical fiction written by Lois Lowry. Will Annemarie be able to successfully shield Ellen from the danger she faces?
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16. The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody
This middle-grade novel is one of those truly mesmerizing stories about a boy named Oliver. He loves a good historical mystery and learning about the Civil War. He and Ella are paired to work on a Civil War project for the class which ends up revealing things Oliver was not expecting.
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17. The Boys Body Book
Get this reference book by Kelli Dunham for your pre-puberty teen. This powerful book is designed to help guide them through challenging times that they may not be comfortable talking about. Find answers to questions like “Is my reaction to that beautiful neighbor girl normal?”.
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18. The Family Under the Bridge
As December approaches, you may be looking for a Christmas tale to read. Armand, one of the many memorable characters in this book by Natalie Savage Carlson, teaches us that we can create an extended family anywhere and with anyone.
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19. President of the Whole Sixth Grade
Read this fast read by Sherri Winston to discover the daily life of memorable characters living through sixth grade. Will Brianna be able to successfully raise the money necessary for her classmates to visit Washington, D.C.? Find out what planning in middle school is really like.
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20. How To Survive The 6th Grade
In this quick read by J.R. Clark, Ashley and other memorable characters challenge societal norms. Why doesn’t everyone sit together at lunch? How will Ashley get along with a cousin she despises? See if Ashley can be the catalyst for change.
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21. The 6th Grade Nickname Game
Here is a silly read by Gordon Korman. Two middle school kids, Wiley and Jeff, are best friends who have a knack for nicknaming others. While they walk the halls as legends, feelings are hurt. They may not be trying to be predatory creatures, but their name-calling is about to backfire.
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22. Gratitude is My Superpower
Extended family will recognize how wonderful your child is to be around after they have read this powerful book by Alicia Ortego. Betsy, a lonely girl who carries a magical stone, is only grateful for her life when she has the stone. Learn what happens when the magic is gone.
23. My Homework Ate My Dog
Harry Potter fans will love this book full of enchanting characters by Derek Taylor Kent. Rudy is excited to move to Danville where everything is perfect. Suddenly things are out of whack when his homework eats his dog and he sets out to rescue him.
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24. Never Stop Dreaming
Enchanting characters make up this powerful book written by Ellen Mills. The book is comprised of many stories about boys who made their dreams come true. Have your son read this to get inspired about goal-setting and dream-following.
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25. The Stars Beneath Our Feet
Whether your child is in public or private school, they will love this book by David Barclay Moore. Full of memorable characters, Lolly is mourning the death of his brother when he is gifted a bag of Legos. As Lolly builds a city of Legos, he is able to temporarily leave his current situation.
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