Middle Grade Books About Summer Vacation

Oh, the sweet memories of summer vacation. Lazy days on the beach. Canoe rides on the lake. Summer theatre. Summer friends. Ice cream cones. Long rides in the car. Endless miles of bike riding. Puzzles and games. Sunshine. Rain. Books. Family. Nothing can quite compare to the freedom that comes with summer. Immerse yourself in…

Middle Grade Soccer Stories

Professional soccer has been slow to catch on in the U.S., but it's finally attracting an impressive following, especially with women. It's been a mainstream youth sport for the last couple of decades, so naturally kids look for it in the books they read. Though not as prevalent as basketball, football, or baseball, there are…

Books About Summer Camp

Is summer camp all it's cracked up to be? Depends on who you ask. These books will give you a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of camp. Crazy camp directors. Cabin raids. Dances. Friends. Enemies. Goats. And a whole lot of problem solving. If you can't go to camp this summer, at least you…

Middle Grade Mythology

Ever since Percy Jackson hit the shelves, kids haven't slowed in their quest for more stories about the ancient gods. Thankfully, Rick Riordan continues to deliver. He has five series under his belt, and he just keeps going. He's now put his stamp of approval on books that expand beyond Greek and Roman mythology. Turns…

Middle Grade Books About Acquired Diseases

Throughout history infectious diseases have caused widespread epidemics, killing millions at a time. Until doctors began to understand what caused disease there was no stopping them. Once they figured it out, along with an understanding of how they spread, they could get down to the business of eradicating disease. The detective work it took to…

Books About Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Kids like to see themselves in books, but they also crave understanding of those who are not like them. Diversity of every type is a common theme in children's literature. This list focuses on kids with behaviors on the autism spectrum. It could be the main character or a sibling of the main character with…

Civil War Historical Fiction

Certain topics in historical fiction have struggled over the years. The Civil War tops that list. Many books once considered classics and award winners have not stood the test of time with today's youth. They want drama, details, and an emotional connection. On the other hand, they want simplicity. Finally, after reading, or attempting to…

Middle Grade Baseball Stories

Opening Day. The National Anthem. Throwing out the first pitch. Peanuts and Cracker Jacks. These books capture the spirit of the American pastime. From dedicated sports authors Mike Lupica, Tim Green, and John Feinstein to those branching out into new territory, every book on this list is a winner. Mascot by Antony John Noah is…

Civil War Nonfiction

It's hard to imagine a war fought in backyards. The Civil War was that war. From Bull Run to Appomattox Courthouse, and all the the battles in between, it was a war that should have been over in a month. Family members fought on both sides. 620,000 men died, a staggering number. Battles. Spies. Slaves.…

Middle Grade Survival Nonfiction

Let's face it. Survival stories are high drama, high adventure, high entertainment. Everyone, including kids, loves a good survival story. No one knows this better than Tod Olson. He has taken survival nonfiction to the next level. His Lost series is second to none for easy narration packed with details. He currently has four books…

Middle Grade Civil Rights Nonfiction

Even as the United States condemned Hitler and the Holocaust, political leaders in the south held fast to the idea that black people were inferior to white people. Policemen, the KKK, and most white people in the south ignored U.S. integration laws and continued to demoralize black people, sometimes beating them or killing them without…

Middle Grade Sports Nonfiction

It isn't hard to figure out why we hold sports in such high regard. We love winners, but especially when they beat the odds. For many athletes, sports are the key to a better life, but getting there isn't easy. It takes hard work and rare talent. The respect, fame, and financial wealth they achieve…

MG Books That Bridge the Generation Gap

Oh, the wisdom of grandparents. And the idiosyncrasies. And the forgetfulness. We have so much to learn before they pass to the great beyond. This list of books captures the magic that bonds the old and the young. The things they say. The things you'll learn. Don't let these books go unread. Louisiana’s Way Home…

Middle Grade Holocaust Nonfiction

No moment in history is more horrific than the Holocaust of World War II. Everyone, including young people, are drawn to the stories of real people who experienced disaster and tragedy. The survivors. The heroes. The monsters. When the Titanic sunk, women and children were saved first. During the Holocaust, they were killed first. Some…

Middle Grade Revolutionary War Stories

  Good Revolutionary War stories are hard to find. In all honesty, many of them are downright boring. This wasn't an easy list to create. I tried to cover many different aspects of the war. These are my top picks for books that are the most likely to keep young people's attention. If you like…

World War II Nonfiction

World War II, especially Hitler and the annihilation of the Jews, is a topic that sells itself. We will never stop being shocked by what Hitler did. Some of those books are on this list. But that is only a piece of the World War II story. There was the war with Japan that came…

Revolutionary War Nonfiction

Most of us learned our history from dry, boring textbooks, and pretty much can't remember any of it. One of the most well respected children's nonfiction authors, Steve Sheinkin, admits to being one of those boring textbook writers. He's made amends, and two of his books appear on this list. Who knew American history could…

Middle Grade Road Trip Stories

It's time to hit the road with these excellent stories of adventure on four wheels. The best of the best are Kate DiCamillo's Louisiana's Way Home and Dan Gemeinhart's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Both are Newbery worthy. If you're looking for a dose of humor with your adventure then check out Dan Gutman's…

Middle Grade Books About Dragons

Few iconic creatures stir up thoughts of fantasy worlds as well as dragons. Its hard to pick a favorite from this list. Fans of Erin Hunter's animal series should feel right at home with the Wings of Fire series. Reluctant readers who need a good dose of absurd humor can't go wrong with How to…

Best MG Books of 2018

These are my picks for the BEST books of 2018. A must for every middle grade library. If only there were more awards to go around. Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Historical) When Mia's father loses his restaurant job, they move to Anaheim, CA to manage a motel. At first it seems like a dream…