My Top Ten Middle Grade Favorites
- Emily Charlotte
- Jul 10, 2021
- 3 min read
Like lots of you out there, Middle Grade books hold a special place in my heart. Their themes are beautiful - often about friendship, family, growing up, or a combination of all three. Middle Grade (unlike YA - but that's a whole other topic) books are almost always clean, and it is a huge blessing to be able to pick up a book knowing that (usually) a multitude of curse words or explicit scenes won't bombard me.
Below, I've collected my personal top ten favorite Middle Grade reads. They are the ones that make me smile everytime I think of them, the ones that have stuck with me long after I read them, and ones I hope you will enjoy just as much I did. Interested in one of these books? Clicking the title will take you right to it's Goodreads page, where you can learn more about it.
Enjoy!
Doug is the very definition of a cactus covered marshmallow, filling the book with lines that will make you crack up. I adored the way Schmidt wove the bird paintings into the story line, the character growth, and the exploration of Doug's (not so great) family. Also, any writers out there who can relate to Mrs. Windermere?
Martin's portrayal of Doris as a mother to Ellie is one that has stuck with me, one that I think back to whenever writing a mother character in a book. It's a dynamic that makes you think, something I truly appreciate. And did I mention the title? So simple, yet so profound!
Trailer parks? A unique voice? A little sister named Berkeley? A gorgeous cover that captures the feel of the book perfectly? What’s not to like?! Ellis does well in sucking you into Olivia’s hopes and dreams, as well as the quirky band of characters you find in the trailer park and around.
I clearly remember sitting at our kitchen table, eating breakfast, being struck with a flood of emotions at one particular Scene™, then having a single tear well up before trailing down my face as I read NEST. Want an atmospheric book set in the 1970s featuring a gorgeous cover, dancing, birds, and a truckload of emotions? Looks like you’ve found your match.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve checked this sweetheart out of the library. Full of relatability, hard questions, and an MC that you will be rooting for, this book does not disappoint. Out of the loads of books I’ve read, Marley's character development and growth in this book always stands out. And don't get me started about this cover!'
There are a lot of books about foster kids out there, and I’ve read a large portion of them, but this book shines like no other. Carly is feisty, fierce, and will have you aching to pull her into a hug by the book’s end. The "One for the Murphys" line makes me flail everytime. A beautiful title for a beautiful book.
This book makes me smile every time I've read it - both at the humor (Dell and Quang-Ha’s relationship, anyone?) and the way Willow’s eccentricness impacted and helped those around her, even in her in her own grief and struggles. Also, her love for gardening made the experience even better.
This book had my twin and I in full fledged laughter as we followed Orion and his quirky family on the bizarre (when I say bizarre - I mean bizarre!) journey to find Papa Kwirk's will. I loved seeing Fletcher and Orion’s perspectives on Papa Kwirk change as they uncovered more clues. Prepare to laugh and snort the whole way through!
This is a short book, but boy does it pack a punch. There is something about Dicamillo's use of language and delivery of characters that make this book feel so delicate and fading, yet heavy, raw, and timeless. I'm just saying - that medal is there for a reason!
A Gary D. Schmidt book to start us and a Gary D. Schmidt book to close! I loved all the Shakespeare, Holling’s voice, his classmates, and the dynamics between Holling and his family. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and root endlessly for the characters, look no further.
Now it's your turn!
Have you read or heard of any of the books on this list? If so, do you have any favorites? Did any of these look interesting to you? While you're at it - tell me some of your favorite MG reads! I'm always looking for new reccomendations :)
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