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Literary Fiction for Middle Grade Readers
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items As a mom of an 8 yo who loves reading, I’m always looking for stories that can keep his curiosity alive and help him discover the joy of longer books. This is my personal collection of literary fiction I’d love to share with him, from middle grade fa...
First published in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is a timeless story about friendship, kindness, and love. More than 70 years later, it’s still a beautiful book to share with young readers.
It follows Wilbur, a little pig who forms an unlikely friendship with Charlotte, a clever spider who tries to save him from a heartbreaking fate.
It follows Wilbur, a little pig who forms an unlikely friendship with Charlotte, a clever spider who tries to save him from a heartbreaking fate.
Charlotte's Web
First published in 1943, The Little Prince is a beautiful, timeless story about a little prince who travels from planet to planet and learns about friendship, love, and life along the way. I love how simple yet meaningful this book is. It’s a gentle ...
Le Petit Prince
First published in 1988, Matilda is such a wonderful book for young readers who love clever, curious characters. Matilda is a brilliant little girl who finds comfort in books while navigating a difficult family and a rather terrifying headmistress.
I love how this story celebrates a child’s love of reading, imagination, and the courage to stand up for yourself. A fun and empowering read for kids who are starting to discover the magic of novels.
I love how this story celebrates a child’s love of reading, imagination, and the courage to stand up for yourself. A fun and empowering read for kids who are starting to discover the magic of novels.
Matilda
First published in 2020, A Kind of Spark follows Addie, an autistic girl who discovers the forgotten history of women accused of witchcraft in her Scottish town. I love this book for its warmth and honesty. It’s a moving story about empathy, friendsh...
A Kind of Spark
The Boy at the Back of the Class is a heartwarming story about a young boy and his friends who welcome Ahmet, a Syrian refugee, into their classroom. As they learn about his story, they come up with a plan to help him find his family. I’d love for my...
The Boy at the Back of the Class
First published in 2012, Wonder follows Auggie, a boy with a facial difference, as he starts attending school for the first time.
This book teaches young readers about kindness, empathy, friendship, and looking beyond appearances. Told from different perspectives, it also helps them understand that everyone has their own story and struggles.
This book teaches young readers about kindness, empathy, friendship, and looking beyond appearances. Told from different perspectives, it also helps them understand that everyone has their own story and struggles.
Wonder
The House with Chicken Legs follows Marinka, a 12-year-old girl who lives in a magical house with chicken legs. Her grandmother expects her to follow the family tradition of becoming a guardian of the dead, but Marinka dreams of choosing her own path...
Reading this feels magical and a little unusual, but underneath all the magic is such a heartfelt story about growing up, finding your own voice, and learning about life and loss. It’s the kind of story I’d love my young reader to discover when he’s ...
Reading this feels magical and a little unusual, but underneath all the magic is such a heartfelt story about growing up, finding your own voice, and learning about life and loss. It’s the kind of story I’d love my young reader to discover when he’s ...
The House With Chicken Legs
First published in 2013, Rooftoppers follows Sophie, a girl who refuses to believe that her mother is dead. When she and Charles, her guardian, travel to Paris to search for her, Sophie discovers a secret world of children living on the rooftops.
I love how Sophie’s journey shows that family isn’t always defined by blood, and that courage sometimes means holding on to what you believe in, even when the world tells you otherwise. A lovely choice for young readers who enjoy stories with heart a...
I love how Sophie’s journey shows that family isn’t always defined by blood, and that courage sometimes means holding on to what you believe in, even when the world tells you otherwise. A lovely choice for young readers who enjoy stories with heart a...
Rooftoppers
Bridge to Terabithia follows Jess, a boy who becomes close friends with Leslie, a new girl in his class. Together, they create their own magical kingdom, Terabithia, where they can escape into their imagination and be whoever they want to be.
I love this story for the beautiful friendship at its heart. It’s imaginative, tender, and deeply moving, touching on friendship, courage, grief, and growing up.
I love this story for the beautiful friendship at its heart. It’s imaginative, tender, and deeply moving, touching on friendship, courage, grief, and growing up.
Bridge to Terabithia
The One and Only Ivan is inspired by the true story of Ivan, a gorilla who spends years living in captivity at a shopping mall. When Ruby, a baby elephant, arrives, Ivan makes a promise to protect her and help her find a better life. I love this book...
The One and Only Ivan
The Rainbow Troops is a moving story about ten schoolchildren on Belitung Island who find hope through friendship, education, and the dedication of their teachers.
I love how this novel shows children the value of perseverance and the power of education. It has some complex social themes, so I’d recommend sharing it with a young reader who is ready for a longer, more thoughtful story.
I love how this novel shows children the value of perseverance and the power of education. It has some complex social themes, so I’d recommend sharing it with a young reader who is ready for a longer, more thoughtful story.
The Rainbow Troops
A heartwarming story about Ally, a sixth-grader who struggles with dyslexia and tries to hide it. Through friendship, bullying, and a caring teacher, Ally learns to believe in herself and see her own strengths. A lovely read for 8-year-olds about emp...
Fish in a Tree
This is a moving story about Suzy, a girl who struggles to cope with the loss of her best friend. Fascinated by jellyfish, she searches for answers while learning to navigate grief, friendship, and the mysteries of the natural world.
I love how the story combines science with a heartfelt journey of healing. Because it deals with death and grief, I’d save this one for an emotionally ready reader, perhaps around age 10 and up.
I love how the story combines science with a heartfelt journey of healing. Because it deals with death and grief, I’d save this one for an emotionally ready reader, perhaps around age 10 and up.
The Thing about Jellyfish
A beautiful, magical adventure about Minli, a brave young girl who leaves home to find the Old Man of the Moon and change her family’s fortune. I love how the story blends Chinese folktales, adventure, and family love. Such a lovely read for curious ...
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Twenty-Four Eyes is a moving Japanese classic about a teacher and her twelve students whose lives unfold against the backdrop of war and social change. It offers a thoughtful look at childhood, kindness, and the lasting impact of conflict.
I’d recommend this book for older or more mature readers who are ready to explore the difficult realities of war and loss, ideally with a parent to talk through the story together.
I’d recommend this book for older or more mature readers who are ready to explore the difficult realities of war and loss, ideally with a parent to talk through the story together.
Twenty-Four Eyes
It follows Mary Lennox, a lonely girl who discovers a hidden garden that slowly transforms her life. As Mary makes new friends and brings the garden back to life, young readers can discover the healing power of nature, friendship, and kindness. A lov...
The Secret Garden
Oliver Twist is a classic novel I’d love to introduce to young readers who are ready for a story with a little more depth. It follows Oliver, an orphan who faces hardship and injustice while growing up in Victorian London. Through his journey, childr...
Oliver Twist
The Wind in the Willows is a charming classic I’d love to share with my 8 yo. It follows Mole, Rat, Badger, and the mischievous Mr. Toad through delightful adventures in the English countryside. With its gentle humor, memorable characters, and themes...
The Wind in the Willows
The Happy Prince and Other Tales is a beautiful collection of fairy tales by Oscar Wilde that I’d love to share with my 8 yo. Through magical stories of princes, animals, and unlikely heroes, children can explore themes of kindness, love, generosity,...
The Happy Prince and Other Tales