When Boogs friend Aaron reappears as a VAMPIRE, Boog and her friends search for the vampire maker to turn their friend back to human. This eventually leads to reading and hope. Eventually, her violent dad is convinced to join the strike which transforms their family, gives the girls hope, and helps Lulas mom get health care. There,she discovers a magical book, a sinister couple, a family mystery, and a new friend who loves puzzles as much as she does. 2022 Dennis Lehane Books All rights reserved. Despite the shock of their new situation, June finds kindness from many of the people at the shelter. Fortunately, a persistent classmate Violet Rey (also his crush) helps Charlie follow the clues to find out what happened to his parents and discover what it has to do with La Mano Peluda and the prophesied Morphling who is meant to save the world. Your kids will enjoy reading a new adventure inNorse and Old English mythology. The boat isnt meant for a channel crossing but the two kids are determined to make it workbut it wont be easy. School becomes pretty challenging because his eye is goopy, he has to wear a hat, and his hair starts falling out in clumps among other things made funny with his cartoon drawings. She learns this from a girl dressed in a swimsuit, wig, mask, and high tops who arrives at her middle school and changes everything. bullying so he writes supervillain Master Plan who is also a gentleman of size, asking for help. As she travels with her grandparents across the United States in search of her missing mother, Salamanca Tree Hiddle makes sense of her life by telling stories. Understandably, Red is mistrustful and prickly at first with everyone but the Grooves gigantic tortoise. Ignoring doesnt stop the behaviors, neither does telling an adult, telling her friends, or wearing baggier clothing. They're now about to lose their apartment. When Adelas stepdad wants to adopt her, Adela secretly uncovers who her biological dad is and finds out hes from a famous luchador family. Books with Characters of Color. In Roller Girl, Astrid works hard to become a better roller derby skater, make peace with the end of her best friend's friendship, and start a new one. Zed and Brock dont want to be chosen for the Adventurers Guild. The boys come up with a plan to enroll Ahmed in Maxs school. You wont be able to put down this winsome story with a heroine 6th grade readers will love in a story that illuminates social justice with themes of family, friendship, and love. Well-written and easy to understand. Nora and her dads climb into a Sonoran Desert canyon for the first time in the year since Noras mom died. Even worse, she cant communicate with anyone because no one else speaks sign, and Mary doesnt have access to a pencil and paper. As they continue south, they experience death, kidnapping, starvation, killings, and winters brutal cold with the Red Army marching right behind them. The writing, the story, the characters, and the themes all pack a big punch adding up to a compelling novel that will make you think deeply and leave you changed. 00. Its about the governor Wallace. C.S. The Crossoverby Kwame AlexanderREALISTICBecause this is written in verse, this is a fast read but packs a big punch. The Language of Spellsby Garret Weyr, illustrated by Katie HarnettFANTASYBeautiful storytelling! When Lulas mom gets sick from pesticides, they can only get her medical care if they join the worker strikes started by Phillipino migrant workers. We Are Wolvesby Katrina NanestadHISTORICAL FICTIONThis story follows a little girl and her family in East Prussia after Hitler loses the war and the Russians take over, pillaging as they go. Her only hope is to regain the memories about her past. The socks give Xavier an opportunity to be a leader in a way he never expected. In this exciting adventure with diversity, slavers kidnap most of the orphans in NYCs Colored Orphan Asylum but the small group of kids escapes to join with the Vigilance Committee to fight back and rescue their kidnapped friends. Its also the story of the babys magical, bereaved mother, a wicked witch who feedsoff sorrow, a woodcarver who wants justice, and most of all, an amazing girl named Luna. She travels with a group of thieves and their friendship and adventures open her eyes to who is actually honorable and heroic. In a way that is both beautiful and unique, this story cleverly deals with big issues in an interesting and unique way. When asked to help a sick gryffin,shes shocked to discover her fathers secret job as a mythical creature vet. One of the best books for 6th graders. Across the Desertby Dusti BowlingREALISTIC / DRUG ADDICTIONJolene is a brave girl who has been secretly dealing with her mothers opioid addiction and makes a daring (and foolheartedly) trek to the desert to rescue her only friend. Cole manages to hide but follows the kidnappers to another world a world of five kingdoms, slavery, and magic. A Duet for Homeby Karina Yan GlaserREALISTIC /HOMELESSNESSA powerful, hopeful story with complex, three-dimensional characters about grief, family, community, and homelessness. Add to Basket. Theyll also fight the monsters who continue to attack Kelcie. When her track coach makes Patty work with her teammates in a relay, shes forced to rely on them. Check out these mystery books to read instead of Nancy Drew. Or were they? Its Christmas Eve and Alis friend Gabe is missing, his FBI agent dad is falsely accused of murdering an old man, and someone broke into their house while they were at church and stole his dads service weapon. To avoid the overcrowded refugee centers, Ahmed hides in the basement of the house where Max lives with his family. When an old enemy of the kingdomsends out dangerous beasts to attack Willsmaster, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. From the Desk of Zoe Washingtonby Janae MarksREALISTIC(series)On her 12th birthday, Zoe discovers a letter from her incarcerated biological father named Marcus. But the rules are wildly different and the inhabitants eat people fortheir magic. But after a video of her pitching goes viral and a good talk with her brother, her brother helps Gemma achieve her baseball dreams, too. Wish. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Brightly for Penguin Random House, USA Today Health, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. 11 offers from $14.95 #33. When the kids notice thehomeless mom and her child livingin a van, they try to help with leftover food. Brothers Keeperby Julie LeeHISTORICAL FICTIONBased on her grandmothers escape from North Korea, this historical fiction story isa powerful read that captures the fearful culture of North Korea, the marginalization of females, and the bond between siblings. Classy Crooks Clubby Alison CherryMYSTERYAJs parents are leaving on a research trip so she must stay with her very strict grandmother Jo who doesnt approve of AJs soccer and skateboarding, and other non-ladylike pursuits. Basically, 6th graders (11-year-olds) are the perfect age reader for middle grade books because middle grade books are written for 9 to 12-year-olds. Excellent. Will the kids work together or will it be every child for himself? Riley, her dad, her cousin, and her aunt are sailing in the Bermuda Triangle when theyre attacked by a leviathan. Furthermoreby Tahereh MafiFANTASY (series)Magic and colorare closely linked in her world. Fortunately, a persistent classmate Violet Rey (also his crush) helps Charlie follow the clues to find out what happened to his parents and discover what it has to do with La Mano Peluda and the prophesied Morphling who is meant to save the world. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHby Robert C. OBrienSCI-FI/ ADVENTURE (series)This is a must-read, excellent Newbery-winning book aboutamazing lab rats with intelligencewho escape from the lab and form their own community. I had to split up the list of books for 11-year-olds because it was getting too long. The next time your 11-year-old wants to read something, this should give you a lot of good ideas. When kids have packed schedules, reading doesnt happen. Which is why reading coming-of-age books becomes very relevant at this age. Living with her is a totally different experience than his previous home because with his mother, hes welcomed and not judged. Because its always helpful to match a childs interests with the books that they read, Ive included topics of note next to the genre tag (mental health, zombies, coming of age), and Ive bolded the sentence that summarizes the book. The Serpents Secret(Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1)by Sayantani DasguptaINDIAN MYTHOLOGY (series)This story pulls you in from the first page. When hes discovered by Max, the boys develop a friendship; Max keeps Ahmed hidden from everyone. Thats the good news and where I can help. whose adopted parents are killed in a car crash, leaving her so confused without her parents support and explanations about the world Willow observes. Finally, a friend pushes Sarah to get helpand, help is just what Sarah needs to understand the truth about her body, what health truly is, and how her moms disordered eating has affected her. But Ophelia doesnt believe in that kind of thing. Theres violence everywhere; nowhere is safe, not even the trains. She makes one friend, and that helps her feel more comfortable. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our tool based upon the data collected(at the time of writing, more than 4,000 books and 3,000 authors). Omar gets a scholarship to attend a prestigious Pakistani boarding school. The two survive a pirate attack, escape in the wild, and a new life in England. Dactyl Hill Squadby Daniel Jose OlderHISTORICAL FICTION (+ FANTASY) (series)Take a thrilling ride through Civil War history with DINOSAURS! CHOICE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING for reading booksin other words, letting kids pick their own books helps motivate more reading. Muffledby Jennifer GennariREALISTICAmelia is extremely sensitive to noise. When Minni is forced to leave school to work as a maid, she sees the water (and other) iniquity first-hand and discovers that the familys dad is the water mafia boss. But in a horrible turn of events, his best friends stepfather, the new District Attorney, forces Perry to leave the prison. A Wrinkle in Timeby Madeline LEngleSCI-FI (series)Ive read this book so many times, I cant count many times withmy classes as a read aloud and every time its just as fantastic. Both he and his friend are conflicted, especially when the teachers lose their jobs and are prosecuted. It will start the conversation about who defines beauty and how we can do better individually and as a society. 1 offer from $10.99 #34. When Nell is forced to join the Last Chance Club or be expelled from school, shes surprised when the students get lessons in magic! 12-year-old Xavier hates speaking because of his stutter, hed much prefer to play video games and hang out in his room at home. When one of her customers is accused of murder, Isabel decides to investigate and prove the womans innocence. After that, after that, and so on. Another racer, a boy with a blind dog, shows her that his blind dog Zesty is a powerful leader. This book is about friendship and growing up in a very sweet way. These tween readers want books that are mirrors to their own lives and doors and windows into the lives of others. She meets the famous woman reporter, Maude Collier, and two new friends who all are important to solving the case. Its a must-read, especially for boys. Mesmerizing and exciting! Walk Two Moonsby Sharon CreechREALISTIC / NEWBERY AWARDThis is an award winning classic of loss, death, love, and grief. These suspenseful, thrilling stories for young adults will grab your teens' attention until the final pages. Her family used to be Monster Protectors until one killed her dad. Theodore Boone The Scandalby John GrishamADVENTURE (series)Theodore, a helpful kid known for his burgeoning lawyering skills, learns his friend wrote an anonymous letter to turn in the cheating teachers. Mary joins Ada to study with Adas tutor and the duo form a detective agency. This is abeautiful coming-of-age story that tackles racism, bullying, friendship, belonging, family, culture, and self-confidence. And if they do escape, what will they next? 12 year old Manuel wants to move from Mexico to the United States because he wants to be closer to his older brother. This is one of those cant put it down books that will keep you up all night reading and I loved it. Middle Grade Mystery Adventure Action for Girls Ages 8-15 Children. When her abusive dad forces Anas sickly younger brother to mine, Ana drops out of school and goes to the mine in his place. As they do, it helps Frankie accept herself and forgive Colette and her sister. Song for a Whaleby Lynne KellyREALISTIC / DEAFIris is a lonely Deaf girl who feels alone at her school and in her immediate family. All the Impossible Thingsby Lindsay LackeyREALISTIC / FOSTER CARETender, eye-opening, and heartfelt this is the story of a foster kid named Red and her journey of abandonment, growing up, empowerment, and finding a family. But,Kens ship is torpedoed and sunk only days into the journey. Each book review includes a genre tag, so look for the genre terms mystery, fantasy, realistic (also called contemporary), historical fiction, funny, and science fiction to help you find a good book in a genre that your children or students want to read. i would also suggest the book My Year in the Middle. We hear from an American teenage soldier who was born in Germany, a French Algerian girl whose mom is a recently captured spy, a Canadian paratrooper who lands in the wrong spot, and an American black medic. Mysteryby James PontiMYSTERYCaptivating from the first page, 12-year-old Florian Bates uses his brilliant, observing brain to implementT.O.A.S.T. Shes alone and the owner of her dads veterinary practice, even though shes only a sophomore in high school. Hosted by Katrin Bennhold. Okay for Nowby Gary D. SchmidtREALISTICOne of the BEST books ever, its so well-crafted with deep emotional resonance. Youll love every second of this entertaining,Indian mythology adventure. adventure series. The words stay for about two weeks, and the negative words make you want to scratch your skin. The challenges of the race and her new friendship help McKenna realize that just like Zesty, her differences can make her better. In the past, Angel has taken care of her brother, but now she must, too. Find the top 100 most popular Amazon books. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I LOVE your booklists! The Bridge Homeby Padma VenkatramanREALISTICSet in India, Viji and her little sister Rukku run away from an abusive father and sick mother. This is acoming-of-age, gripping story about a boy who is just trying to figure out life like most boys at age 12. A Seed in the Sunby Aida SalazarHISTORICAL FICTIONA tender and poignant middle-gradenovel in verseshowing an important time in history, the power of collective voices against injustices, and a girl finding her strength. The book is written as letters and emails between Vivy and her favorite baseball player, VJ Capello. Please read this with your kids its important. She befriends the weekly tenants and uses her English skills to write letters advocating for other people in tough spots. And her parents, one who is white and one who is black, dont get along. The First Rule of Punkby Celia C. PerezREALISTIC / COMING OF AGEAn excellent, page-turning coming-of-age story, this is about a girl who is half-Mexican on her moms side and half-punk rock on her dads side, both of which are cultures prominently featured in the story and her life. Even though Oliver and Alicestart their quest at odds, the many challenges jointhemina solidfriendship. How can she convince her mom to change her mind when her mom wont listen and Vivy gets overwhelmed with communication easily? Her best friend, Soojin, befriends another girl as well aswants tochange her name to be more American. Ali Crossby James PattersonMYSTERY ADVENTUREIf you want an enthralling adventure & mystery that you cant put down, read this one next. Vega, a stranger, and her little brother travel together toward recognizable landscapes and hopefully, food. Middle grade books are novels that back in the old days (when I first started teaching) were called chapter books. We highly recommend this graphic novel. Making matters worse, its her dads new boss who kidnaps her dad and wants her little brother, too. score: 382 , and 4 people voted. Mia helps out by working at the front desk. by Joseph Marshall III, illustrated byJames Mark Yellowhawk. Hes offered shelter and food in exchange for his stories; stories about the heroic Podkin One-Ear. For easier books, try books for 5th graders or books for 4th graders. Tunnelsseries by Roderick Gordon and Brian WilliamsDYSTOPIAN ADVENTURE (series)In pursuit of his missingfather,Will findsa crazy,cult-like subterranean group (The Colony) controlled by frightening leaderswho will stop at nothing to maintain control and order in their colony below the surface of the earth. Last Mapmakerby Christina SoontornvatFANTASYIn a Thai-inspired world where caste determines your future, Sais new job as a mapmakers assistant is far beyond her station, which is why she cant wait to join the Mapmaker on a sailing quest to find a new continent and maybe, find herself a new home. I have always been hesitant to choose my age level books but these are perfect! A Long Walk to Waterby Linda Sue ParkREALISTIC BIOGRAPHY / HISTORYSudans reality, past and present, collide in this beautifully written true story. Val gets her two siblings to help her on one last mission to save the magical creature egg that a boy is live streaming so that no one gets hurt or learns about magical creatures. Despite his efforts, his grades arent enough and he gets kicked out. Its difficult for both the woman and children to trust each other but slowly the trust grows. Maya goes to the hospital after going on a ghost tour with a neighbor boy. If you cant pick out books at your library, use the library website to put books on hold to pick up later. If you (or the eight- to ten-year-olds in your life) like Nancy Drew, Theodore Boone, or the Hardy Boys, then you'll love Shannon L. Brown's fun, fast-paced books for kids. Surprisingly, Lucy does find friends and more than that, too. When their family becomes homeless after her dad dies, June helps her little sister and non-speaking mom get settled at Huey House. Even though she gets her dream to work in the faire as a squire, she also just wants to be like the other girls at her school, too. Set in a futuristic Ethiopian empire, this exciting adventure grabs your interest and keeps it through wild twists and turns thatfeature heroic main characters! Ultimately,Pippa decides not to be ashamed of her working-class family, her culture, or her friends. The books memorable characters and interesting plot make the historical setting very memorable. My Life in Pink & Green (Pink & Green, #1), The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1), Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1), The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus, #3), Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2), Little House on the Prairie (Little House, #3), The Magician's Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia, #6), The Wide-Awake Princess (Wide-Awake Princess, #1), A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1), The Frog Princess (The Tales of the Frog Princess, #1), The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, #1), Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair (Twice Upon a Time, #1), Amelia's Notebook (Amelia's Notebooks, #1), Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg (Disney Fairies, #1), Sincerely: Sincerely, Sophie, Sincerely, Katie, By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House, #5), On the Banks of Plum Creek (Little House, #4), The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon, #1), Fairies and the Quest for Never Land (Disney Fairies, #3), Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining (The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes, #1), The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia, #1-7), Kidnap in the Caribbean (Laura Marlin Mysteries, #2), Princess of the Midnight Ball (The Princesses of Westfalin Trilogy, #1), Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand (Disney Fairies, #2), The Night Flyers (American Girl History Mysteries, #3), Wild Thing (Winnie the Horse Gentler, #1), The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm, #2), Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello's Library, #1), The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1), Secrets at Camp Nokomis: A Rebecca Mystery, Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris (Mira's Diary, #1), Watcher in the Piney Woods (American Girl History Mysteries, #9), Traitor in Williamsburg: A Felicity Mystery, The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm, #1), Dead Man's Cove (Laura Marlin Mysteries, #1), Kentucky Thriller (Laura Marlin Mysteries, #3), Once Upon a Time in the North (His Dark Materials, #0.5), A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, #1), Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914, Princess of Glass (The Princesses of Westfalin Trilogy, #2), Princess of the Silver Woods (The Princesses of Westfalin Trilogy, #3), The Goodreads Guide to Summer's Biggest Books. And if they do escape, what will they next? Sky leaves the underground city to find her missing dad. Her mom and her therapists gentle care gets June the medication and guidance she needs, and she learns that many people care and accept her. Young readers at this age love books that relate to their lives, books about growing up, identity, belonging, friendships, or bullying. Plus, she is having school and friendship troubles. Sara joins a team of other kids, trains quickly, and is immediately sent undercover to break open a big case in Paris. When another sweep tries to burn Nan alive, a charcoal golem, formerly a piece of charcoal left to her by Sweep, emerges to save her. (Maybe!? She already has lots of practice writing her daily notes about her parents horrid creations. Ultimately, Shoshana learns (with a little help from her sister Libke) to be proud of being Jewish, even when others dont accept her. A Perfect Mistakeby Melanie ConklinMYSTERY/ADHDThis is a great read for anyone who likes mystery, adventure, and well-developed, interesting characters. Also, you might want to check outthe best gifts for 11 year old girlsandthe best gifts 11 year old boys! Awkwardby Svetlana ChmakovaREALISTIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL (series)My daughter found this book SO RELATABLE just like she struggles with confidence and speaking up, so does the main character, Peppi. But being Jewish isnt always accepted, even in this new country. They soon learn the sinister truth of the rule-centric community and are determined to escape. Their stories are compelling; you wont be able to put this down, nor take peace and clean water for granted again. flag. Beautifully written. Her story is painful, sprinkled with hope, and all too real. Interesting, action-packed, and filled with cool tech! Matt doesnt think he can survive 3 more years ofmiddle schoolbullying so he writes supervillain Master Plan who is also a gentleman of size, asking for help. After Hanas mother dies, her father moves the two of them to a small midwestern town. During the trip, the Mapmaker reveals his past hubris of mapping and claiming already-inhabited lands, which their war-hungry country would then use and destroy. It's because there are a lot of negative words out there now that her best friend has broken up with her, which is why. Thank you for telling me, it makes my day! Anjalis parents join the freedom movement against the British government. This is a breathtaking journey of loss, acceptance, hope, and friendship retelling of The Snow Queen. To Catch a Cheatby Varian JohnsonMYSTERY (series)Someone is trying to frame Jackson for a prank he didnt even commit and theyre doing a great job of it! Together, the two travel to find Kabirs grandparents, find kindness, and second chances. Add to this hurtful race issues like when she and her stepbrother are pulled over because hes Black. Sixth graders (and I) love this series with its addicting, edge-of-your-seat writing. Teens Lucy, Anthony, and George badly need money for their ghost agency, so they take an inadvisable, perilous job that may just be their last. This is a powerful story about kindness, racism, differences, and marginalized individuals including non-native-English speakers and homeless folks. She secretly writes back and asks if hes guilty. Kiranmala discovers on her 12th birthday that shes a princess from another realm and her parents are trapped in a black hole type place. Eventually,Sara begins to realize she wants to change her inner dialogue and accept herself. When their fates collide, the excitement at each others existence is short-lived because the Atlantian Eraser guards capture Lewiss dadand then Lewis and Hanna. A lovely story about growing up and learning to live with auditory sensitivities. Tumbleby Celia C. PrezREALISTICThis heartfelt story is about heritage, identity, andMexican wrestling. The Vanquishersby Kalynn BayronPARANORMALAn exciting paranormal vampire-slaying middle grade adventure! No Fixed Addressby Susin NielsenREALISTIC / POVERTYFelix doesnt want to tell anyone that hes been living in a van for months and months. While he and his friend search, he finds a way to improve life for all the kids living there. Once in the wild forest, Hansel transforms into a ravenous, hunter-beast, and Gretel continues on her own. The story is about trust, relationships, boundaries, addiction, survival, and family. A haunted pirate ship occupied by Captain Angus Grimm and his skeleton crew is the only thing standing in their way. $4.23 $ 4. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: Melody is not like most people. Youll read about their swollen feet, dehydration, and starvation as well as the stories and songs that helped keep the kids distracted and somewhat hopeful. Among other diagnoses, Sara is bipolar. All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cookby Leslie ConnorREALISTICA heartbreaking, hopeful coming-of-age story. That is, until he gets injured and cant play. The Adventurers Guildby Zach Loran Clark and Nick EliopulosFANTASYGet ready for your new favoritemiddle grade fantasyadventure series. He presents 16 Haiku set to and inspired by the artwork of Odilon Redon. BOXED SET HERE. She feels like nowhere is home, shes always visiting. AI Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. Sometimes it's good to have a father in the detective business. And in an incredible character arc, not only does Gemma comes into her own, she finally admits the truth that her mom is never coming back. A wonderful, nail-biting adventure and a great book to read for 6th graders. Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatlby Julie Kagawa. But as he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), he begins to embrace his new life.