Middle Grade Book Recommendations

The Bookwanderers by Anna James
Genre: Fantasy

Tilly discovers that she has the ability to walk inside books when she brings two of her favorite characters into her grandparents’ book shop!

Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy
Genre: Adventure

Twins Maudie and Arthur go on an adventure to defend their family name – and to escape a bad situation. This book has an intriguing villain, wolves that talk telepathically, and disability representation! 

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
Genre: Fantasy

Best friends Lucely, who can see ghosts, and Syd, whose grandmother is a witch, go on a supernatural adventure to save their town from an evil spirit. This book includes Latinx and Black representation!

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
Genre: Fantasy

Marinka lives in a house with chicken legs with her grandmother, who is a Yaga, a witch who guides the dead to the afterlife. Marinka wants a normal life, but when she tries to have a normal life she faces dire consequences!

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic/Magical Realism

King is dealing with a lot. His brother passed away recently and King believes that he must have turned into a dragonfly. He is also dealing with the fact that his former friend has run away, and why this friend isn’t his friend anymore.

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic

For a long time, Alberta was the only Black girl her age in town. But then Edie moves in! Alberta and her new friend Edie find a box of old journals in Edie’s attic. They unravel a mystery about the past and the journals’ owner.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic

Melody has cerebral palsy so she has a tough time communicating with everyone in her life, including her family. But when the opportunity for a device that helps her communicate comes along, she will get the chance to prove to everyone just how much she has to say!

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Genre: Fantasy

Morrigan, a cursed child, is whisked away to the magical, whimsical city of Nevermoor, where she has to compete in a series of trials so that she can stay there!

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison
Genre: Fantasy

Three sisters work together to save the girls in their family from a deadly curse. This book includes seaside/island towns, shady characters doing shady things, and unique magic!

Some Places More than Others by Renee Watson
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic

Amara convinces her family to let he visit her family in Harlem. She learns a lot about her family’s history as well as landmarks important to Black history.

Darcy Lepore
Library Director