Best Middle Grade Books of the Century So Far

Set after the Second Sudanese War, this biographically inspired novel foregrounds the experiences of children during the war and its aftermath. Salva Dut was a real person from the Dinka Tribe. Park brings his story to life through war-torn Sudan, refugee camps in Ethiopia, travel to America, and an eventual return to Sudan. Years later, Park introduces Nya, a fictional young girl in the Nuer Tribe. Nya and the villagers collaborate to build a well, so Nya can stop walking to get water and go to school instead. The book's success supported Salva Dut’s charity, Water for South Sudan, bringing wells and clean water to more people like Nya.

Coming out as trans upends A's life, and it includes his parents dragging him to a weekly Save Our Sons and Daughters meeting. Here, he's surrounded by adults deadnaming their children and belittling their identities. While A reasons it's better than being sent away for treatment, when one of A's fellow groupmates goes missing, he discovers that SOSAD may be run by an actual demon that thrives off the pain of kids just like him. The real-world impact of transphobia meets Jewish mythology in this moving, empathetic adventure. It's a story that asks middle graders to consider who gets to be seen–and who gets erased because of prejudiced adults.

Middle grade nonfiction has come a long way from the books I read as a '90s kid. All Thirteen is an intense nonfiction chronicling the Thai cave rescue of 12 young soccer players and their coach in 2018. Soontornvat deeply respects middle grade readers. There’s no talking down or oversimplifying the nonfiction. Instead, Soontornvat entwines an edge-of-your-seat narrative with deep dives into Thai culture, spelunking, engineering, interviews, and more, all illustrated with full-color photographs. It’s a real nail-biter that has understandably won many awards and, more importantly, become a favorite of many middle grade readers.

Amal is a young Pakistani girl who dreams of becoming a teacher one day. But instead of being allowed to focus on school, she's made to stay home and watch her siblings as the eldest daughter. Still, she finds a way to hold on to her dreams, learning as she can. One day, though, she has an accident involving the landlord's son, and now she must work in the landlord's household to pay what her family owes. The estate she now lives at is grand and luxurious, but hides the resident family's dark secrets—secrets that Amal realizes are up to her to uncover for the greater good.

Middle grade nonfiction has taken off this century, introducing readers to an array of topics, as well as historical moments and figures. Among the standout authors is Candace Fleming. Amelia Lost tells the story of Amelia Earhart through two timelines: one that traces her personal life and one that traces the search for her after her disappearance. The story is compelling, as is the package itself, exemplifying what makes nonfiction for young readers so exciting–maps, photos, illustrations, and sidebars that add even more humanity and depth to the text itself.

Before Smile by Raina Telgemeier or Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, the Amulet series was proving how powerful middle grade graphic novels could be. The series began in 2008 and went on to sell 7 million copies and be translated into 21 languages. It follows two siblings who search for their missing mother across fantastical worlds. While middle grade fantasy graphic novels are common now, that's thanks to Kibuishi paving the way. When I ran the children's department at a bookstore, we could hardly keep up with the demand for these fantasy-adventure comics, and I'm glad that the industry has finally paid attention and published more like them.

This middle grade anthology was published in a partnership between We Need Diverse Books and Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books created by Cynthia Leitich Smith. It collects 17 short stories and poems from Indigenous authors, including Rebecca Roanhorse, David A. Robertson, and Monique Gray Smith. The interconnected stories take place at the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, bringing together Indigenous people from Nations across the continent. This groundbreaking collection earned a ton of starred reviews when it came out in 2021, including from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist.

I remember this series being everywhere when I was in the target demographic for it, and long after, too. It's got such a delicious mix of wits, technology, and Irish mythology. Artemis Fowl, a 12-year-old criminal genius, kidnaps a fairy named Holly Short in the hopes of holding her ransom to restore his family's wealth. Thing is, the fairies of today are tech-savvy and dangerous, and kidnapping Holly means unleashing a war of wits between humans and magical creatures.

Kate DiCamillo is one of the most important middle grade writers of this century, and it all started with Because of Winn-Dixie. It's the story of 10-year-old Opal, the dog she adopted after a grocery store encounter (Winn-Dixie), and the community she’s trying to build. It’s a compelling story, but I think it sticks with so many of us because DiCamillo is the kind of author who trusts the kids reading her books. She trusts them with heavy themes and complex relationships — she trusts them as readers. It’s a trust that some of them are experiencing for the first time, and it can help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of stories.

This middle grade memoir uses poetry to tell the story of Jacqueline Woodson’s childhood. The prolific author grew up in the 1960s and 70s, moving between South Carolina and New York City. The poems are accessible to young readers. They balance highly relatable childhood experiences with a historical specificity of what it meant to be a Black girl during this era. The book won many awards, including the National Book Award and the Newbery Honor. It's also become an instant classroom favorite for middle school teachers and has inspired more middle grade memoirs and novels in verse.

Like Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid reached so many reluctant readers and met them where they are. It was never didactic or condescending, which young readers pick up on. Is Greg a particularly likable character? No, but the series is self-aware of that. The humor mirrors its readers' own hopes, fears, and annoyances. Plus, it has heavily influenced middle grade in the years since 2007. While it may not have invented the "cartoon diary" format, it certainly popularized it.

From the author of the bestselling Captain Underpants series comes another graphic novel series full of just as much action and just as many jokes. Dogman starts off zany: Officer Knight and Greg the dog have to undergo surgery to survive, which places Greg's head on Knight's body. After that, it's straight hijinks as the newly minted Dogman catches crooks and fights crime. I saw firsthand the power this series has with discouraged readers when I was working in libraries and tutoring kids with ADHD. Pilkey's books are great fun by themselves, but they're also priceless for how they've fostered new reading habits.

This graphic novel about a theater-loving tween girl who joins her school play and becomes embroiled in, well, drama is an easy sell to a wide range of readers. Callie is torn between two cute brothers, a tight set budget that doesn't allow for much wiggle room, and other issues relatable to anyone who has ever been in a theater production. The images are captivating, and the story moves at a pace that keeps the reader's interest until the very end.

El Deafo is the funny and bittersweet story of a young girl with a hearing impairment who discovers that her hearing aid gives her superpowers. It’s the mostly-true story based on the life of author CeCe Bell, who lost much of her hearing to meningitis when she was four. Facing the challenge of a new school, Cece figures out how to pivot a liability into a bonus. Her giant hearing aid, once a source of anxiety, gives her the unexpected ability to eavesdrop on her teachers. It’s a fun and important book for all children to read.

Had this book and series been around in the '90s, my elementary school librarian would have thanked the publishing gods for giving her something new to my Sherlock, mystery, and girl detective-obsessed little self. Centering Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister, Enola, it satisfies the itch for Sherlockian deduction and whodunitry with a witty, capable young female protagonist. The entire 10-book series is a delightful entry in the girl detective canon that starts as middle grade and transitions to young adult. It's been adapted by Netflix in three original films (so far), and I hope it continues to find new audiences.

Set in 1930, this book follows Esperanza Ortega, who lives with her parents on the family ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico. On her 13th birthday, her father is murdered. When her mother refuses to marry Esperanza’s uncle in order to stay at the ranch, he burns it down in retaliation. Now they must flee to the United States during the Great Depression and forge a new life there. But Esperanza is struggling with both the cultural shock and the low-paying agricultural work she needs to take up. It's a story about loss, hope, resilience, and more, set during a pivotal historical moment.

Readers meet Zoe when her father gets in touch with her from jail, where he's serving time for a violent crime. But the more letters they exchange, the more Zoe starts to wonder if he's innocent after all. In the middle of all this is her love for baking, which proves to her family that she deserves to audition for the Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge. The book comes alive as we watch a 12-year-old balance uncovering a huge mystery with her love for baking. It's a reminder of how expansive life is, how multiple different things can hold our attention at the same time, and how to hold life's gaze through them all.

Award-winning, highly acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade series starter, Front Desk, is one of those perfect books for child and adult readers alike. Set in the ‘90s, it follows Mia Tang as she lives with her parents at the Calivista Motel. Mia works the front desk, and her parents clean rooms. Because 10-year-old Mia is action-driven, optimistic, brave, and determined, this novel, filled with real-life problems like racism and poverty, is ultimately a delightful read with a heroine you’ll look forward to following throughout the series. Bonus: a graphic novel adaptation will be released in October.

If you want award-winning middle grade books centered on nuanced Black characters, Jason Reynolds is That Guy. His coming-of-age tales contend with grief and trauma, just as they show joy and love. Here, the "Ghost" in question is Castle Crenshaw, who really wants to play basketball, but whose natural talent for running gets discovered instead. He's convinced to join an elite track team to hone his gift, but there are feelings surrounding a childhood trauma that he hasn't fully dealt with—and they might just outrun him.

Straddling the line between middle grade and young adult nonfiction is this title from a forerunner in nonfiction for young readers. The book explores how Adolf Hitler created the Hitler Youth and recruited over 3.5 million young people to his fascist regime. When the book was published in 2005, it was likely difficult to imagine how one person could earn such loyalty from young people; now, in 2026, it serves as a stark warning of what could happen in America if young people aren't given the education and tools to learn from the past. Hitler Youth includes interviews with survivors, adding more potency and enduring value to the book.

Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series received the Philosophy Now Award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity (a truly epic award), and the first book was shortlisted for the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. The series is so funny and heartfelt, and it has had a significant pop-culture impact this century through animated movies, TV series, and a live-action film. David Tennant does an incredible job narrating the audiobooks, too. The series follows the misadventures of the young viking Hiccup and his hilariously disobedient dragon Toothless. The quests are epic, the villains are fierce, and the friendships are even fiercer.

Kacen Callender came out of the gate in 2018 with Hurricane Child, and they really put their foot in this book. Caroline, a 12-year-old born during a hurricane, already has trouble getting along with her peers, and then her mother disappears and a new girl shows up. Eventually, Caroline has a crush, and another hurricane is on its way. There’s a spirit that won’t leave her alone. This book won both the Stonewall and the Lambda Literary Award, and it continues to stand out when it comes to writing that is beautiful and age-appropriate.

Inkheart has all the ingredients of a story that feels tailor-made for middle grade readers. A young heroine with a loving relationship with her father, a deep love of reading, and a magical world where stories don’t just transport you but come alive. Cornelia Funke weaves an adventure that speaks directly to book lovers, capturing both the joy of getting lost in a story and the bittersweet moment when childhood wonder begins to give way to courage and responsibility.

Written in short free-verse poems, this novel uses evocative imagery to explore the young protagonist’s experiences. Near the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Hà Kim, her brothers, and their mother immigrate from Saigon to Alabama on a ship. Her father is missing and presumed dead. She deals with racist classmates, misses her dad, and adjusts to a new culture. Details like Hà’s love of fresh papayas show how much she misses Vietnam. The title suggests that Hà holds on to her identity despite the major changes in her life. This novel offers the perspective of a child refugee during the Vietnam War, inspired by the author’s own childhood.

Friendship is magic.

That's the core of this great comic, focusing on a group of girls at "Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types," the most amazing summer camp ever. It's not just about camping and learning, but about the magical creatures, people, and monsters that surround the camp. At the end of every adventure, it's always friendship that truly saves the day, whether defeating an ancient evil, befriending were-people, or an epic and magical roller derby for the ages.

A Newbery Honor book, this sweet debut middle grade novel includes lively illustrations exuding summer: a cooler packed with ice cream and Popsicles, friends sitting in an oscillating fan’s breeze, and clear skies. Freshly 10, Magnolia’s days unfold in her family’s New York City laundromat until she meets Iris, who calls Santa Cruz home. The two investigate every forgotten sock pinned to the bulletin board in Bing Qi Ling Bubbles. This cozy mystery about loneliness, curiosity, kindness, and community added a second bestseller to Miller’s name.

Since Melissa was published over a decade ago, it has been one of the most banned middle grade books in the USA for its portrayal of a transgender girl— and it’s probably one of the first traditionally published books to have this kind of representation. It has been challenged time and again, despite a slate of starred reviews and awards. But to this day, Melissa’s story is a testament to the importance of representation in literature and to how it can teach people about tolerance, compassion, and hope to counteract negativity and ignorance.

Med Medina's backlist includes several titles I'd love to go back in time to gift to my younger self, and this 2019 Newbery Medal winner is at the top of that list. Merci is a sixth-grade Latine scholarship kid who feels out of place at a swanky private school, dealing with all the usual pressures of middle school, plus issues at home with family. This story, full of heart and humor, features multigenerational family structures that feel so familiar, ones I rarely saw depicted in kid lit growing up. I felt seen and heard riding along with Merci, and I will happily follow her into the rest of the books in this series.

Jerry Craft's multi-award-winning graphic novel about fitting in as a Black kid in an affluent, predominantly white school is the kind of book we're talking about when we talk about the importance of children's literature that helps kids see themselves on the page. Deftly telling a story relatable to so many young, BIPOC readers, New Kid, uses heart, humor, and first-hand experience to illustrate a nuanced struggle. It's no wonder it won the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature.

There really hasn’t been much disability representation in middle grade until the last 15 years, and chronic illness representation continues to be practically nonexistent. I was 10 years old when I began experiencing symptoms of a chronic illness similar to that of the protagonist in this middle grade horror, Violet Hart. It would’ve been life-changing to have had a book like this in my life, to see myself reflected in a story that’s also wildly entertaining. Ursu is the queen of retellings, and while many kids likely haven’t read “The Yellow Wallpaper,” which this is loosely based on, they will enjoy the growing creepiness and friend drama.

This multiple award-winning book manages to combine things that don't appear often in other middle grade books: abandonment, Black girlhood, and the Black Panther Party. It's 1968 when three sisters—Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern—travel from Brooklyn to California to reconnect with the mother who abandoned them seven years ago. Once they get there, the trips to Disneyland they were hoping for turn out to be Black Panther day camps, and the sisters end up learning more than they ever expected about their family, themselves, and the country's history. While there are heavy themes in One Crazy Summer, make no mistake—it's got just as much humor.

I thought Justine Ireland did her big one with her Dread Nation duology, then her middle grade mystery debut became an instant favorite. In 1922, a lynch mob kills Ophie's father and burns down their family home. Ophie and her mother leave Georgia for Pittsburgh, where they both find work at a white family's opulent manor. What her mother doesn't know is that Ophie sees ghosts, and the ones at the manor aren't all friendly. The story addresses our nation's legacy of racism within an accessible framework for young audiences, woven into a compelling paranormal mystery with a protagonist who is kind, compassionate, determined, and brave.

I read this book well over a decade ago and still think about it. Out of My Mind takes us into the mind of Melody, a girl with severe cerebral palsy. She uses an electric wheelchair, can’t speak aloud, and requires help with most physical activities. But her voice is so clever and compelling, and the frustration she deals with regularly—with school, with her family, with life in general—is so strikingly conveyed, it’s almost impossible not to read this straight through. Now that it’s been made into a movie, it’s got a whole new generation of readers.

When Star-Crossed came out in 2017, it was still very rare to see a middle grade novel with an LGBTQ+ main character. The cover shows two girls dancing together and smiling at each other—almost 10 years later, I can still count on one hand the number of middle grade books with a queer couple on the cover. But what made this book a trailblazer is that it's one of the first middle grade novels with a bi main character. Bisexuality is the most common identity under the LGBTQ umbrella, but it's still underrepresented in queer lit, especially in kidlit. It's also just an adorable story about falling for a girl while doing the school play together!

Kwame Alexander is a household name in the world of Kid Lit and no one can deny the popularity and impact of his Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award–winning middle grade read, The Crossover. The 2014 novel-in-verse that kicked off an influential, bestselling series introduced a generation of young readers to poetry and empowered the use of verse in middle grade books. The best middle grade books ignite a love for reading in its audience, and The Crossover continues to do just that.

Corinne is a fearless, skeptical young girl who isn't inclined to believe the stories of creatures named Jumbies living on the island. But when her father, whom she adores, is bewitched, Corinne ends up facing the very creatures she didn't think were real. What makes this a unique middle grade read is the incorporation of Caribbean folklore, based loosely on a Haitian folktale called "The Magic Orange Tree." That, along with an immersive setting, fast-paced action, and age-appropriate scares, makes this an excellent middle grade read, especially around Halloween.

Before a comet destroys all life on Earth, Petra and her family are chosen to travel to a distant planet. The white supremacist Collective that runs the spaceship wants people to forget about history and diversity. Petra becomes the only person whose memories haven’t been erased. This makes her the last cuentista, or storyteller. Storytelling connects Petra to her family, especially her grandmother, as well as to her Mexican heritage and culture. This novel uses ideas about space travel, eugenics, and apocalypse that are often found in adult sci-fi in a way that’s accessible to kids. Its warning about fascism is more relevant than ever.

On a school trip to the Met, Percy Jackson is attacked by his teacher, who is secretly a Fury. Percy is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he learns that the Greek gods are very real and that he himself is the son of Poseidon. Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen, and to clear his father’s name, Percy must take a journey to confront monsters. Percy’s struggles with learning disabilities make him a powerful hero in an action-packed, funny series that kids and adults alike can enjoy. This series is a gateway to reading for more than a generation of book lovers.

While many may think of Because of Winn-Dixie as DiCamillo's best work, I want to make a case for a china rabbit. Edward Tulane's journey is astounding in its emotional intensity and tenderness. My eight-year-old daughter was enraptured by this book, having read it both with her second-grade class and with me side-by-side before bedtime. Edward experiences loss–gut-wrenching loss–while always keeping a small flame of hope alive. During a time when hate seems insurmountable, Edward Tulane teaches a relentless tenacity for goodness. For that, I think this story will remain a classic for much longer than a century.

Gifted kids, a secret society, puzzles, and a covert mission to take down an evil entity: what else can you ask for? With a quirky cast of characters, high stakes, and riddles you'll delight in trying to solve, this is a perfect book and series for readers who like mystery and adventure. There's a lot I could try to sell you on here: the twists I didn't see coming, the complexity of the prodigies and their adult companions, the lessons on ethics and morality, the humor that's both silly and not watered down. But I really just want you to know that these books are so much fun. They're chonky, but so worth the price of admission.

The Parker Inheritance is a middle grade novel that expertly does a lot. It’s packed with themes of history, family, and friendship, and issues of bullying, sexuality, and racism—all wrapped in an engaging puzzle mystery. After her parents’ divorce, 12-year-old Candice Miller moves with her mom to her deceased grandma’s house in South Carolina. That’s where she finds a letter inviting her to solve a mystery that her grandmother was unable to complete. I've spent years recommending this to all readers, thanks to having more nuance than many adult novels–plus, for audiophiles, it's exceptionally performed by Cherise Boothe.

As far as I have been able to find, the 2024 graphic novel The Ribbon Skirt is the first middle grade book to star a Two-Spirit main character, and it's by Two-Spirit Anishinaabe cartoonist Cameron Mukwa. It follows Anang, a Two-Spirit, nonbinary kid who wants to make a ribbon skirt, which is typically worn by girls at powwows. With the help of their family, human and animal friends, and the lake itself, they put together the skirt and the confidence to wear it. (Also check out the Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée and KC Oster, a middle grade graphic novel retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a nonbinary Anishinaabe main character!)

Charlie's always felt like the last one anyone in her family thinks of, so when she discovers a fish that offers to grant her a wish in exchange for its freedom, she thinks she's now found a way to reconnect with her family. Unfortunately for her, there's a bigger challenge going on with her older sister, Abby, who is navigating opioid misuse. Messner's book garnered controversy upon publication for its real-world, contemporary exploration of drug misuse; that sensitive, timely, and age-appropriate portrayal of a family in peril is precisely why this book earns a place on this list.

I recently got my first tattoo, and it was of a tea dragon. Does give you a hint to how much I love this middle grade graphic novel series? The queernorm, inclusive, cozy fantasy setting makes it the most comforting read, and it's one I wish I had as a kid. It's a beautifully illustrated story about community, kindness, and living gently. (Also, my weakness: cute fantasy creatures.) Greta is apprenticing as a blacksmith when she finds a tea dragon—a small dragon that produces magical tea leaves. She learns about how to take care of him from the local tea dragon experts. While there, she befriends their ward, a shy girl with missing memories.

This ridiculously charming story is the start of a seven-book series following five siblings in their Harlem brownstone. It’s impossible not to fall in love with these kids. Each has such a distinctive voice, and amid all the chaos a large family (plus several pets) brings, there’s a strong sense of love and community. In each book, the Vanderbeekers face a series of problems, from the possibility of losing their home to helping an unhoused neighbor. The siblings band together — not without squabbling — on their many adventures. The books are cozy modern-day classics, and, as a side note, the audiobooks are phenomenal!

Already on our list of the best of the century in historical fiction, Schmidt's Newbery Award Honor book set during the Vietnam War more than earns its spot here, too. Holling Hoodhood is convinced his seventh-grade teacher hates his guts. She's assigned to him to read Shakespeare on his own, a task that makes him question why she has it out for him. At home, things are rough, as Holling's father ignores the needs of everyone around him. But it's through his time with Shakespeare that Holling finds confidence and an understanding of how complicated it is to be a person. Schmidt leaves readers laughing one moment and crying the next.

One author whose star continues to rise in middle grade is Erin Entrada Kelly, and for good reason. Her books capture the voices, the earnestness, the joys, and the struggles of being a tween. We Dream of Space is set in 1986, during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. It weaves together the multiple points of view of three siblings, each experiencing seventh grade in very different ways, exploring family dynamics, friendship, and loss in a poignant, rich way. It's a special teacher and the power of science, as well as numerous manifestations of grief, that help each character find themselves over the course of this fateful year.

It's difficult to describe the events in this modern classic without giving anything away, and the beautiful unwinding of the reveals in the story is part of what makes it so magical. So without any spoilers: this Newbery Medal winner is an intricate, heart-squeezing novel about a young girl named Miranda, who has a falling out with her best friend. Soon after, notes start arriving with a mysterious message about saving someone and telling Miranda she must write back. But who needs to be saved? And who has left the notes? The answers will break your heart in this gift of a novel, a profound look at friendship, childhood, and loss.

This compelling middle grade novel by Grace Lin won both the Newbery Honor and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature. It offers a classic hero’s journey tale intertwined with Chinese mythology, with beautiful illustrations interspersed throughout. In the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, Minli’s family struggles to survive. Determined to save her family and change their fortune, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way, she’ll make a sweet dragon friend and learn the true meaning of happiness. This is one of those stories that stayed with me, especially its heartfelt reflections on life. 

Twelve-year-old Seven Salazar is a Witchling whose worst nightmare comes true when she isn't placed into a house coven at the annual sorting ceremony. When the ritual to seal her and two other leftovers into their coven of Spares fails too, their only shot at redemption is something called "the impossible task." The story blends fast-paced adventure with themes of identity, empathy, othering, and acceptance, and is a still too-rare example of Latine witches in middle grade. It's a lovely friendship-focused start to an ongoing series, a gem that will hopefully herald more magical Latine stories for kids.