Middle-grade books are targeted at kids aged 8 to 12 years old. The main characters are usually in middle school, or close to it, and experience conflict on a more kid-friendly level. There’s no violence or extreme adult content like in some young adult books, so children are safe to read about kids their age going on extraordinary adventures and overcoming obstacles.
There are currently 5 middle-grade books on the New York Times Best Seller list that are catching the attention of young readers. They include historical fiction, a graphic novel, and even a cookbook! There’s something for everyone on this latest must-read list for middle-grade readers.
#5: The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum
https://gty.im/1365584540
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee and illustrated by Dan Santat is a graphic novel about a girl named Olive Zang who has just been enrolled in a new boarding school, but it’s not a regular boarding school. Under the guise of reforming kids, she and her new friends learn how to fight crime.
Olive and her new team have to stop a thief from pulling off a huge heist or the school that she’s grown to love is in danger of closing. It’s a combination of mystery, adventure, and comedy that readers are calling fun and fast-paced. The Misfits can’t be missed!
#4: Wonder
Wonder by R.J. Palacio was released in 2012 and it’s so popular that it’s been on the NY Times Best Seller list for 443 weeks. Palacio tells the story of August Pullman, a fifth grader with a facial abnormality. He tries to adjust to his new school but becomes the victim of a bully and struggles to make friends. August, his sister Olivia, and her boyfriend’s point of view are all explored.
In this middle-grade novel, important themes such as bullying, acceptance, and self-confidence are tackled. Readers think it’s inspirational, uplifting, and thought-provoking. No wonder it’s been a best seller for 8 years.
#3: Heroes
Alan Gratz dazzles middle-grade readers with this historical fiction take on Pearl Harbor. Stanley and Frank are best friends living on the Pearl Harbor Naval base in Hawaii and loving their lives when Japan attacks on December 7th, 1941. The two boys face new challenges as they’re dragged into the war and Japanese American Stanley experiences discrimination for the first time.
It’s a thrilling, action-packed story that grabs readers from the very first page and is appropriate for younger audiences. Heroes has been on the NY Times Best Seller list for an impressive 15 weeks.
#2: The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
Chefs on America’s Test Kitchen have been sharing recipes for 24 seasons. The test kitchen has apps, podcasts, streaming content, and a website full of recipes, equipment, and helpful cooking tips! On YouTube, young chefs can watch other kids making delicious food and now they have their very own cookbook. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs is full of easy-to-follow recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
Chefs say that the recipes are precise, detailed, and the pages are colorful. Perfect for little home chefs!
#1 Of Our Middle-Grade Must Reads: Refugee
Alan Gratz does it again. Refugee is about 3 kids in 3 different eras in history escaping their dangerous circumstances. Mahmoud lives in Syria in 2015 and has to leave his home for Europe when war breaks out. Josef lives in Germany in the 1930s and he must flee on a boat to Cuba because his family is Jewish. Isabel lives in Cuba in 1994 and her family must escape Castro’s oppressive regime.
Refugee isn’t just being read by middle-graders, but by adults too. They praise the significance of the main idea in today’s world and Gratz’s compelling writing. A definite must-read!
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