Middle-Grade Book Series and Companion Titles to Keep Kids Reading

Ben Ripley’s life does a 180 when he gets an invitation to work for the CIA, only to find out that it was a case of mistaken identity because someone on the inside has a secret ploy against the agency. With a new crush roping him into an undercover mission to unravel the plot, Ben discovers that he’s actually not half-bad at being a spy. This isn’t my favorite spy series, but kids love it and can’t stop reading. Grades 5+

Weatherby is a new kid at the Boston School on a sailing scholarship and is immediately thrust into a world she knows nothing about. Old school phone booths, scrambled phone service at school, friends with kids who go to the country club.. and a boy who seems to hate her guts. It is told from two perspectives, Weatherby’s and Jack Hunt’s, a rich kid at the school who is also on the sailing team. When Jack, Weatherby, and their friends Pres, Iris, and Harper are contacted by what they think is the school’s famed secret society, they get sucked into a mission, only to unravel a deep secret about the Hunt family that involves Weatherby. The Liars Society is an intriguing, fast-paced, and tightly-plotted middle-grade mystery for younger middle-school readers who are hungry for some thrilling, suspenseful mysteries but aren’t old enough for traditional YA. Grades 6+

Evan and Jessie Treski are siblings 14 months apart. Evan has great people skills, while Jessie seems to be on the spectrum and struggles with understanding social cues. However, she’s very book-smart. She knows math and is business savvy. Every summer, the siblings do a lemonade stand — a highlight for Jessie. This year, though, after finding out that Jessie is skipping a grade into the fourth grade with him, Evan seems to be mad at her. He’s even teaming up with another classmate to sell lemonade and leaving Jessie out. Before the kids know it, they’re in an all-out war to see who makes the most profit. I loved all the business tips in this book, and I know some people dislike books with sibling drama, but this one explores some important emotional themes, and Evan and Jessie eventually find their way to each other again. Grades 4+

When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he’s determined to be there! But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library—it’s getting out. Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route! This is a fun fast-paced mystery series for book lovers and it’s great on audio too. Grades 5+

Ryan Hart and her family are moving to a new (old) house because her dad lost his post office job and his new job doesn’t pay as much. Ryan is unhappy about the change for many reasons. She liked their old house, and even though she has her own room in this new house, this house is a smaller bungalow, which means there will be no stairs to play on. She also fears that it will be too small to entertain guests, because Ryan loves to create new recipes — and cook them!Still, there are small joys. She doesn’t have to change schools and is still close enough to one of her best friends. With the new house, and selling one of their cars, her parents can better deal with their financial struggles. Throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is.Renee Watson’s Ways to Make Sunshine is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist. Grades 3+

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. Grades 4+

Fourth grader Mya Tibbs is excited for Spirit Week! She has made plans to partner with her best friend Naomi Jackson. Mya’s life seems pretty good with her brother Nugget, his best friend affectionately known as Fish, and her other friends, identical twins Starr and Skye. The one scary part is Mean Connie Tate, who everyone knows is the biggest fourth-grade bully. So, you can imagine Mya’s terror when she’s partnered with Connie and Connie refuses to trade partners. The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown is a sweet, realistic story of friendship, family, and forgiveness. Grades 3+

12-year-old Florian hones his excellent observational skills using a technique he calls the TOAST, (Theory of All Small Things), which helps him in social situations and other life areas. But after teaching it to a new genius friend, they end up solving an art mystery, which puts them on the FBI’s radar — but also in the line of fire of a notorious crime syndicate. I love Ponti’s City Spies series, and while this one isn’t as good, it’s a fantastic escapist read with lots of intellectual mystery-solving/detective work.

Meet Stella, a Mexican-American girl who loves animals. When she gets a new classmate, Stella wants to welcome and befriend him, but she accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English! This is a great young middle grade book that is perfect for beginning readers and a middle grade audience! I really love Stella and her lovable Mexican family, and I’ve kept up with this series over the years. The sprinkling of Spanish words throughout the book makes for an authentic reading experience. This book would also be perfect for a read-aloud. Grades 3+

Priscilla “Cilla” Lee-Jenkins is on a tight deadline. Her baby sister is about to be born, and Cilla needs to become a bestselling author before her family forgets all about her. So she writes about what she knows best―herself! This is a cute, illustrated young middle grade book for fans of Dory Fantasmagory and Ramona Quimby. Grades 3+

This book all about a girl who gets sent to a private boarding school, only to discover that it’s a cover for a girls spy school is surprisingly funny, action-packed, and full of heart. I recommend the audiobook, which is beautifully done. Grades 5+

Meet 13-year-old twins Hope and Gordon. They’ve just discovered that their dad was Brandon Winterton (of the wealthy dictionary magnate family). Unfortunately, Hope can’t stand rich people, especially since the twins and their mom barely make ends meet and live in a motel. But their fortune is about to change. When Gordon enters the family into the Winterton Bee, they’re thrust into the midst of the family’s secrets, with a deadly enemy and a scavenger hunt set up by the family’s dead matriarch. This is a fast-paced mystery with plenty to gnaw on between the twin relationship, family drama, character development, and flashbacks that help readers learn more about the Winterton family. This one does touch a bit on addiction, and there’s a scene where the kids’ lives are in danger, but all ends well! Grades 6+

Everyone knows that Briana Justice wants to be a famous baker, but when she finds out that her role model and alumnus of her school was president of the fifth grade, Briana is convinced that that’s the path for her too. Unfortunately, a devious new student also has her eyes on the presidential office. Will Briana be tempted to play dirty just to win or will she do the right thing? I love this series and the high drama and mystery of Briana’s road to presidency (or not?). It’s perfect for kids who love dramatic frenemy stories with substance. Grades 4+

I truly loved this graphic novel about three friends who start a dog-walking business. It feels true to kids (feels like something I would’ve LOVED as a child who adored The Babysitters’ Club), and I enjoyed seeing the ethnic diversity and the parental involvement in this story. If you have kids who love animals or have an entrepreneurial streak, this is the book for them. It’s also delightfully short, and this is a series I totally plan to keep up with since every book is from a different girl’s perspective. Grades 4+

This fun SHORT series opener (yay for short MG) is immediately reminiscent of friendship group books like The Babysitters Club. Gigi and her two friends, Zeina and Caroline, decide to start a tutoring club in the library to help them save up some cash for an art summer camp. Gigi’s parents think being an artist is not a promising career option and would rather she focus on math and the sciences, so she neglects to tell them about the club and her plan. The girls add wannabe goth Emma to their team, and business begins. They must navigate business planning, crushes, tricky clients, and worried parents to keep their business (and their friendship) afloat. The vibes were so sweet in this one, and kids who love entrepreneurial stories, books by Debbi Michiko Florence, and friendship-based realistic fiction will love it. Grades 5+

Chance is a three-legged dog at the Dogtown shelter, where able-bodied and robot dogs compete for attention. Things start to change when a new robot dog, Metal Head, comes to the pound. First off, he’s determined to run away (return home). So he hatches a plan with Chance and her mouse best friend to help an older dog get adopted in exchange for helping him escape. But things do not go to plan, and Chance, her mouse friend, and Metal Head spend a night on the streets on an emotional adventure. As someone who isn’t into animal books, I’m shocked by how much I liked this one. It’s charming, beautifully plotted, and full of suspense, heartwarming characters, and plenty of heart. It also has sweet illustrations and concise chapters. Grades 4+

This book is about two best friends, Grace and Lola, who begin a project to study love. Their research (if you can call it that) opens their eyes to how fickle romantic love can be (especially among infatuated teens), the negative effects of stereotypes (a goth has more to her personality than the way she dresses, an assumed “bimbo” is more than just a pretty face). But it also forces them to examine their own friendship and how well they show up for each other. It covers many (maybe too many) themes, from parental separation to sexual harassment, but I think what it does best is extol the value of female friendships through the ups and downs of life. Grades 6+

Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the real game starts, known as the fifth quarter, where the not-so-good kids play and the points don’t count. That doesn’t matter to Lori though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out of place in her daily life. This is a fast-paced basketball series about perseverance, friendship, and love for the sport. Grades 5+

This London-set thriller about a boy who’s roped into joining a group of spies after his uncle (and guardian’s) death is suspenseful and especially fun on audio. Grades 6+

For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it’s the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself, and might contain the only copy of his mysterious new game. Grades 5+

So Done follows two friends, Metai and Jamila living in a low-income Housing Project. Although inseparable from childhood, things change when Jamila returns from a summer in the suburbs. Both girls have secrets, and Mila appears to be different after her time in the suburbs, throwing herself into dance auditions for their new afterschool program. I LOVED this book. Metai and Mila’s voices are so distinct throughout the story that I could see them easily in my mind’s eye. I also enjoyed how big a role the entire Pirates Cove neighborhood plays in this book. The dynamic between the girls and their friends is so reminiscent of that turbulent age between middle school and high school. More importantly, this book tackles the struggles experienced even in adult friendships, the importance of stepping up to pursue your goals, and the need to speak up even when you’re afraid. 

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter is Debbi Michiko Florence’s middle-grade debut. Keiko is thrilled that her two BFFs, Jenna and Audrey, are reuniting with her after their first ever summer apart. But when Jenna returns from Texas, she doesn’t seem to fit back in seamlessly anymore — probably because they stopped texting each other after a while. It doesn’t help that Audrey seems boy-crazy and has never really gotten on too well with Jenna anyway. As Jenna and Audrey’s friendship deteriorates over the fall, Keiko feels torn between both girls. She also rekindles some old friendships that threaten her relationship with Audrey. As a result, confrontation-averse, peace-making, Keiko is forced to decide whether or not she will stand up for herself in her friendship with Audrey. On top of everything else, Keiko’s family seems to be changing: her mom is working later and later and seems to be avoiding coming home — and her little sister seems to be keeping a secret. Will Keiko keep it all together? Keep It Together, Keiko Carter is a strong middle-grade debut, perfect for anyone who enjoys middle-grade books about friendships.

A funny story about a girl genius and her struggles with finding and keeping friends. Also features themes of family, grief, and navigating the awkward prepubescent ages. A+ narration elevated a “good-enough” story to 4 stars. Would recommend still!

A Song Called Home is YA author Sara Zarr’s middle grade debut. It follows Lou as her mom remarries a man named Steve. Lou and her sister Casey have to move from the city to the suburbs to live with Steve, leaving behind their old schools and Lou’s best friend Beth Tsai. Forming this new family is hard on Lou and Casey for different reasons. Lou feels like she’s leaving their alcoholic father behind and Casey worries that Steve is being too nice and the “real Steve” will show up soon. On the day before their move (which is also Lou’s birthday) Lou finds a guitar right outside their old apartment addressed to her. Convinced it’s from her dad, she starts learning to play guitar to maintain that bond with him. As they all navigate the blending of their families, Lou learns about herself and what family truly means.A Song Called Home is a realistic, heartrending depiction of the process of blending a family while dealing with the trauma of having an alcoholic parent.

Nina is used to feeling like the odd one out, both at school and in her large family. But while trying to fit in at summer camp, she discovers something even more peculiar: two majestic birds have built a nest in the marsh behind an abandoned infirmary. They appear to be whooping cranes, but that’s impossible—Nina is an amateur bird-watcher, and all her resources tell her that those rare birds haven’t nested in Texas for over a hundred years. When Nina reports the sighting to wildlife officials, more questions arise. Experts track all the endangered birds, but they can’t identify the female bird that Nina found. Who is she, and where did she come from? With the help of some fellow campers, Nina sets out to discover who the mystery bird really is. As she gets closer to the truth, will she find a flock of her own?

This is a heartbreaking middle grade book about a girl’s experience during the partition of India. Nisha is caught between her Hindu-Indian and Muslim-Indian sides. She’s also dealing with the loss of her mother. So when her country starts to split in two, her search for identity becomes even more meaningful. There’s a reason why this one is a Newbery Honor book.

.In Raymie Nightingale, set in the 1970’s (as all three books are) we meet three very different girls. Raymie Clarke, Louisiana Elefante, and Beverly Tapinski meet at their baton twirling lessons. All three girls — mostly the first two — hope to enter and win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. Beverly hopes to sabotage the contest. Raymie hopes that winning the contest will cause her father who eloped with a dental hygienist to return to their family. And, poor Louisiana just wants some money and food for her grandmother and herself — two squatters subsisting on tuna. The setting was very disorienting at first, because historical fiction isn’t my thing. But the wonderful thing about this book and the series so far is how much these girls have grown on me. I enjoyed meeting all three girls and watching DiCamillo build their characters so effortlessly. The writing in this book is near-flawless. You may hate the plot or even the characters, but DiCamillo sure can write. Plus, the audio for this one is excellent! While Raymie isn’t my favorite of the three girls, I enjoyed this charming introduction to the Three Rancheros.

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?