Middle schoolers love a book that keeps them engaged! The following book recommendations are age-appropriate books for 5th to 8th grade. The grade level for reading these middle-grade novels may vary based on student interest and ability. However, they are all great books for teens and pre-teens.
Below are the perfect book picks for making any middle schooler’s eyes well up…
1. A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive
A true story about the survival of a young boy who was treated unimaginably by his abusive mother. With no help from his siblings or father, David relied on his teachers for help.
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2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
During the Holocaust, a young boy, whose father is in the military, moves to the countryside. He is lonely and makes a friend with a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence of a concentration camp. While the boys are both innocent, there are consequences to their loving friendship.
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3. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
A piece of historical fiction, this book tells the story of the Danish Resistance during World War II, through the eyes of Annemarie. Her family is part of the resistance and takes in her best friend to save her.
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4. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
A work of autobiographical fiction, this book teaches about determination and friendship. Billy saves up to buy two hunting dogs that work as a team to become the best in the Ozarks, until strategy strikes. Billy’s dogs, especially Old Dan, teach him the meaning of loyalty.
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5. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
A middle school romance book that teaches about love and loss. Stella and Will (and Poe) all have cystic fibrosis and can’t get near one another they may get ill, which can lead to death. The story is one of teenage rebellion, friendship, love, and living life to the fullest.
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6. Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
After losing her sister, Rumi is filled with questions. She feels lost because she believes her sister is the only one who understands her. A teenager read about the importance of forgiveness and what unconditional love can conquer.
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7. The Last to Let Go by Amber Smith
Brooke Winters is forced to grow up early when her mother kills her abusive father. The book goes through typical teen issues of friendship, love, and school, but with a character that has not been through a typical experience.
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8. My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
War can divide families. The story tells of a family during the Revolutionary War where the father supports the Redcoats and the older brother, the Patriots. The youngest brother Tim needs to decide where he stands.
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9. Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee
A memoir of Sunju, a young boy who is forced to live on the streets of North Korea. Together with other young people, they put together a gang and do whatever is necessary for survival.
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10. A Land of Permanent Goodbye by Atia Abawi
This book focuses on the conflict in Syria and the refugee crisis by telling the tale of Tareq and his family. After their home is being bombed, they must flee to safety by going on a dangerous journey filled with obstacles.
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11. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
A dystopian novel about love and death. The characters, Rufus and Mateo, are warned by Death Cast that they have 24 hours to live. They must battle their inner selves to try and live their last day fully.
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12. Dear Edward By Ann Napolitano
In this coming-of-age story, Edward loses everything when he is the only survivor of a plane crash. Throughout the novel, he must figure out how to be happy and continue to live life when you have nothing.
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13. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This book is a tough read, but it touches on the importance of words and rumors having consequences, which is important in middle school. Hannah Baker takes her own life and the reasons why are told through a dual narrative of Hannah and Clay.
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14. Marley and Me by John Gorgan
A story of unconditional love that shows us you don’t need to be perfect to be loved. Marley, a dog that refuses to be tamed, but is full of love and loyalty, drives his family insane. They love him deeply, but unfortunately for us, dogs don’t age the same as humans.
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15. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Susie watches from above as her family grieves her loss. It touches on themes around grief and coping, injustice, and healing – as her family goes through different processes of losing a family member.
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16. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The book is a coming-of-age story about friendship and love. The tear-jerker follows two cancer patients, Hazel and Augustus, who teach us about living life to the fullest.
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17. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
This book is best for older middle schoolers as the subject matter tackles values in society. The book tells about 11-year-old Anna, who sues her parents for bodily autonomy, after years of helping to keep her sister with cancer alive.
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18. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Her sister ran away and Caitlin is the one there left to deal with it. Feeling like she can never live up to her parents’ expectations and not sure how to cope, she turns to Rogerson. Let’s just say that he is not a good boyfriend and as a young girl, who is hopeless, Caitlin lives in Dreamland.
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19. Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds
The book is one of friendship, grief, loss, and forgiveness. Jamal and Q were best friends until Q died from drowning. Jamal tried to save him, but couldn’t. A new technology that will bring an animated version of Q back to life for a short time, but he can’t know about it. How will Jamal figure out a way to say goodbye?
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20. Just Breathe by Cammie McGovern
Another book about friendship and love, when two teens – one with a chronic illness and the other with depression – find each other. They come together in their struggles and learn from one another with the support they both need.
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21. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
A science fiction book about an intellectually disabled man Charlie, and a mouse, Algernon. Algernon had been tested on by doctors and raised his IQ; Charlie was now offered the opportunity for the same, which he takes. Go through the flashbacks and realities of Charlie as he grows smarter…and remembers…it’s sure to make you cry.
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22. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
A great story of friendship that ends in tragedy. Follow Ponyboy and his friends in another coming-of-age story that follows the turmoil between the “socs” and the “greasers”. Stay Golden.
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23. This Is My America by Kim Johnson
The novel tackles a lot of big issues like social justice, trauma, and racism. Tracy is the main character who is dealing with a lot as a teen. Follow her through the highs and lows as she tries to make her way through an unjust system to help her family.
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24. Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
In this novel, Carver loses his 3 best friends after they get in an accident while replying to his text. Now he is being shut out by many people and one of his friends’ father wanted him prosecuted for his actions. A story of friendship, loss, grief, and forgiveness.
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25. Three Things I Know Are True by Betty Culley
Jonah accidentally shoots himself with his friend, Clay, father’s gun. Liv, Jonah’s sister is trying to keep things together as the community divides and her brother fights for his life.
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26. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Lily’s mother died when she was very young and she now lives with an abusive father, who blames Lily for her death. Wanting to know more about her mother, she runs off with her housekeeper, Rosaleen, on a journey to learn more.
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27. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Salamanca’s mother left them and moved West. She goes with her grandparents on a road trip to find her. Along the way, she learns about others and their struggles and has to confront her own – the death of her mother.
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28. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
A coming-to-age novel, set in 20th century Korea, Tree-ear is a poor orphan who finds light in pottery. After breaking a piece of work by a popular potter, he sets on a journey to prove himself.
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29. Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark
A story about belonging, December thinks she is a bird and will grow wings from the scar on her back. This makes sense since she has been through several foster homes. That is until she begins living with a foster parent, Eleanor. Could she have found a place to call home?
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30. Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
A book with a theme of loneliness. Nova is a limited verbal person with autism who has a close relationship with her sister, Bridget. They have both been through the foster care system, living in good…and bad homes. But they were always together…then Bridget dies. How will Nova cope?
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31. Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
Cat helps to take care of her special needs brother Chicken when their father passes away. They go to spend a summer with grandparents they’ve never met and Cat learns an important lesson.
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32. Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
A book about being different (and being bullied for it). Two siblings, Lenny and Davey use “Burrell’s Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia” as a way to escape the pain of Davey’s disease.
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33. The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
Set in India, this book follows homeless children and chosen families. It is a truly heartbreaking story of survival and while fiction, touches on the injustices of the caste system and how it affects children.
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34. Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
“Counting By 7s” is an emotional roller coaster about the life of Willow, a gifted child who was adopted. She already feels different than others around her, but then her parents die and she has no one to care for her. Some great friends she met through her journey, fight to help her.
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35. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Melody has cerebral palsy and while she can’t speak or walk, is exceptionally smart. However, because of her disability, she can’t express herself…or what she knows, which is A LOT because she has a photographic memory. With the help of technology, can she show everyone her true self?
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36. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A book about a gorilla, Ivan, and other animals living in captivity. Ivan tries to remember his sad past and also figures out a way to escape from this bad place.
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37. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
A truly tough book to get through as it follows a child with Asperger’s, Caitlin, who struggles socially and emotionally, but has an amazing brother, Devon supporting her. Until she doesn’t…Devon is killed in a school shooting and Caitlin must find closure.
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38. See You At Harry’s by Jo Knowles
Fern’s family runs a restaurant, Harry’s. They are a typical imperfect family with normal everyday life problems. But then a tragedy occurs and Fern doesn’t know if they can all survive it.
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39. A Monster Call by Patrick Ness
Conor’s mother is sick with cancer and ever since she started treatment he has been visited by a monster. A story of dealing with your demons, grief, and loss, Conor goes through some things that even adults would struggle with.
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40. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Karana is left behind on the island after a tragic event. However, she has a will to survive and manages to do so…alone. A story of redemption, she learns how to survive and love the world she lives in.
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41. Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
A story of three best friends and the struggles of junior high and high school. All three are very different, but the book touches on issues of love, friendship, and trust.
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42. One For The Murphy’s by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A story about a foster child who is open up to love and kindness from her new family. But then her mother later wants her back after she is finally happy and feels like she’s understood and belongs.
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43. Now Is The Time for Running by Michael Williams
Two brothers from Zimbabwe were just normal children..until soldiers show up and they must flee. Living as refugees, life is hard. However, brotherly love and football will help them overcome incredible odds.
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44. Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
A semi-biographical novel, it tells about the start of the Cultural Revolution in China. Ling learns English and has dreams of visiting the West, but things begin to change in China. Her parents are doctors and educated so they are considered elite…until they were outcasts.
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45. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
This story has a series that begins with this book. It tells of a class of 7 students who are either delinquents or outcasts at Snow Hill School. They are put in Mr. Terupt’s class, where they learn more than they could imagine, but then Mr. Terupt has an accident…can they make it without him?
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46. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
A story of working through one’s own self-loathing and empathy. Jessica is a track star who loses a leg in an accident. She believes life is over and she will never run again and wallows in self-pity. That is until she meets Rosa, who has Cerebral Palsy.
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47. Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg
Milo lost his mother to brain cancer and nothing is the same. Written with humor, you follow the character through him and his family’s struggle of dealing with loss. Milo is determined to keep the beautiful memory of his mother alive.
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48. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
Willy and his grandfather own a farm, but when his granddad grows ill, they might lose everything. Willy and his dog enter a dogsled race and almost win, but then something bad happens to his dog who worked so hard.
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49. A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
A coming -to-age story about a girl, Mia, who lives with synesthesia – as mixing up of the senses – where she sees shapes and colors. She struggles with being different but has her friends and her special cat, Mango to help her. But Mango starts getting more sluggish and fatigued.
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50. Watership Down by Richard Adams
A tale told through the lens of rabbits trying to find a safe home. There is much darkness and sorrow throughout their adventures of trying to fight evil (like the humans who trap them), but in the end, they find a home.
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51. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
A book about trauma, abuse, and repentance. Marty sees Judd, a drunk who abuses his dog Shiloh, and hides the dog away. He lies to his parents, which causes conflict, but in the end, learns of the harsh abuse of Judd as a child and is allowed to keep Shiloh.
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52. The Poet Slave of Cuba by Margarita Engle
A book of poetry, it tells the biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, a young slave boy. His life is filled with loneliness. He has never been educated and is at the will of his awful mistress. Yet, he seems to somehow find hope.
Learn More: Good Reads
53. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The story of the Tuck family, who drank from a magic spring that gave them eternal life. Winnie meets this family and must decide if she wants the same for herself, or to grow old.
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54. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
Laurel’s teachers give them the assignment to write a letter to a dead person. She continues her writing, and as she does, it reveals her recent past – her sister’s suicide, her splintered family, and her own trauma and healing.
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55. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
A sad animal story about unlikely friends. A pregnant cat gets abandoned and follows the howl of a hound dog, Ranger, who lives with an awful drunk and is chained up. However, he finds a new purpose in helping to protect his new family underneath.
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56. The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
This book is about a girl growing up during India’s independence from the British. Through diary entries, she tells about the divide between the Hindu and Muslim populations. The bigger problem, she is half and half – her father is Hindu, and her mother is Muslim.
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57. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Franny, Suzy’s best friend, died while she was swimming. Suzy, not believing it was possible for her best friend to drown because she was a good swimmer, is convinced it is a jellyfish that did it. Suzy is clearly unable to process the death of her friend.
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58. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
A tale about the love a little girl gives to her china rabbit and his ego..until he is lost at sea. Edward must find his way back, and as he does, he learns how to give love to others.
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59. The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
Arthur, the main character, throws a brick at a Junk Man and must pay his due. Rather than getting to juvenile hall, at the request of the Junk Man, he is to do community service collecting trash for him. Arthur is not at all pleased but will learn more than he knows in this story of grief, redemption, and friendship.
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60. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily XR Pan
A tragic story of a girl whose mother died of suicide. To cope with this tragic loss, she is convinced she turned into a bird. She goes on and lives with her grandparents in Taiwan and learns a lot about her family’s history, love, and guilt.
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