{"id":10488,"date":"2025-06-04T12:53:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T16:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2025-06-09T10:45:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:45:43","slug":"books-for-seventh-graders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/books-for-seventh-graders\/","title":{"rendered":"Wonderful Middle Grade and Teen Books for 7th Graders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let’s face it: Older middle schoolers are reading more YA than ever before. Still, I’m happy that there are many upper middle grade books that are “cool enough” for them — like those on this list. Seventh graders are on the brink of teenage life and may relate most strongly to books about body image, crushes, and similar topics. They’re also more able to tolerate tastefully done stories about sexual harassment, domestic violence, addiction, serious mental illness, and other harsh, unpleasant realities of life. On this list, you’ll find middle grade and teen books that hit all of these themes. Of course, as always mentioned, seventh graders can always read up or down. They can read and enjoy many of the books I’ve recommended for 6th graders<\/a> and 5th graders<\/a>, as well as books for 8th graders<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Join my Patreon community<\/a> to get a printable version of<\/strong> this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also buy the standalone printable from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re curious about the content of the books on my list, you can get access to my Content Notes Database<\/a>, where I share information about what to expect from all the books on my lists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Excellent Books for 7th Graders to Enjoy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of my favorite books for 7th graders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mysteries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blood in the Water<\/h2><\/div>
By Tiffany D. Jackson
Published: July 1, 2025<\/strong>
\u2b50\ufe0f 2025 SUMMER READING GUIDE<\/a> PICK<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kaylani is spending the summer in Martha\u2019s Vineyard with the Watson family \u2014 family friends \u2014 after her dad is imprisoned for fraud. But when Kaylani arrives, the Watson grandkids, especially her agemate London, are snooty and unwelcoming. Things get worse when a boy is murdered just two nights after. All eyes are on Cassie because of her history with Chadwick, but it\u2019s not long before Kaylani and her band of new friends uncover the sinister mystery behind Chadwick\u2019s death. I LOVED this book and couldn\u2019t stop reading it once I started. I would totally return to Martha\u2019s Vineyard with Kaylani and her crew. An absolute homerun of a story for kids who love murder mysteries. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Perfect Mistake<\/h2><\/div>
By Melanie Conklin
Published: July 12, 2022<\/strong>
\u2b50\ufe0f JULY 2025 KIDS’ SUMMER BOOK CLUB<\/a> PICK<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Max and his community are reeling from a night out gone wrong. Max and his friends, Joey and Will, went out with two older boys, but Will ended up unconscious and in a coma, and Joey won\u2019t speak to Max anymore. Max also has ADHD and is over six feet tall at 11, which means he stands out in his class. Frustrated that he can\u2019t figure out what happened to Will, Max teams up with an inquisitive classmate, but the truths he unravels aren\u2019t pretty. Can Max get to the bottom of this mystery? A Perfect Mistake<\/em> is a pitch-perfect middle grade mystery<\/a> about honesty, peer pressure, and standing up for what\u2019s right. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Billions to Burn<\/h2><\/div>
By Taylor Banks
Published: May 6, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is an edgy mystery about four Black kids working to find one missing grandfather and the loot that their ancestor died for a century ago. Think of it The Parker Inheritance meets The Inheritance Games with lots of clues and puzzles that readers can solve as they go. Fast-paced, chock-full of resonant Black history, and full of high-stakes chases, this book is perfect for middle schoolers seeking mysteries with more substance. It does end on a huge cliffhanger, hopefully to be resolved in the next books in the series. Truly a lot of fun. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)<\/h2><\/div>
By Debbi Michiko Florence 
Published: March 11, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Megumi Mizuno is sent to Leland Chase Academy (aka Last Chance Academy), she’s not expecting to make new friends or fall into a scavenger hunt. She’s hurting from the grief of losing her mother and feeling distanced from her workaholic father. But when silver envelopes start arriving at her (and other students’) dorm room, they’re all eager to win the coveted prize. I really enjoyed this story! It’s no murder mystery, but you really connect with the characters, becoming invested in who wins the prize. There are also so many questions about who the hunt’s mastermind is, what secrets other kids are hiding, and whether Meg will make the right decisions about her friendships and stay out of trouble. I’ll be on the lookout for future books in the series as this first one leaves off on a cliffhanger! Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Royal Blood<\/h2><\/div>
By Aim\u00e9e Carter
Published: March 7, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Evan Bright has a secret: She\u2019s the illegitimate child of the reigning British monarch. After 17 years of boarding school hopping, she\u2019s forced to spend her last months as a minor with her father in England to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, when a boy who tries to assault her is found dead hours later, it seems like trouble follows her everywhere. Stuck in a country where everyone seems to dislike her and unsure who to trust, Evan must track down the real killer in this royal mystery. Heads up for infrequent mild profanity and sexual harassment. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Coming-of-Age Stories<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kyra, Just for Today<\/h2><\/div>
By Sara Zarr
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kyra\u2019s mother is a sober alcoholic trying to stay on the straight and narrow, and she has a great friendship with Lu, even though she doesn\u2019t have many other friends. But in the 7th grade, everything starts to change. Lu starts to make new friends and splits her time between both friend groups, eventually asking Kyra to join them sometimes. Kyra is also getting bullied for being bigger than most other 13-year-olds. Kyra is a great cook and finds solace in cooking at home and helping her mom with her cleaning jobs, until her mom starts acting strangely, and Kyra begins to suspect that she\u2019s fallen off the sober wagon. How can Kyra stay afloat when her world seems to be crumbling? Kyra, Just for Today<\/em> is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about living with an alcoholic parent and figuring out life\u2019s ups and downs as a tween. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dive<\/h2><\/div>
By John David Anderson
Published: August 19, 2025<\/strong>
\u2b50\ufe0f 2025 SUMMER READING GUIDE<\/a> PICK<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13-year-old Kass is new to a Catholic private school where she’s on the dive team. She’s left behind her best friend Aleah, with whom she’s struggling to stay in touch, and feels a bit lost in the social circles of her new school, where dive queen Amber reigns supreme. Then Kass meets Miles. Miles is a teen dropout whom Kass encounters dumpster diving outside her school. The two begin a tentative friendship as Miles shares his philosophy about dumpster diving while giving her peeks into the turmoil of his life, his veteran dad, who has PTSD and memory issues, his absentee mother, and their financial dire straits. As Kass’s eyes are opened to the world in a different way, her own life begins to undergo small shifts, until one event changes her and Miles’ relationship forever. I read this is one huge gulp. It’s so poignant and filled with longing. This book will get tweens thinking and talking about right and wrong, family, friendship, sports, ambition, social classes, and the consequences of their actions. I adored it and think it is the perfect upper middle grade book for fans of Morrison’s Up for Air<\/a><\/em> and Choldenko’s The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman<\/em>. Ages 11+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Strongest Heart<\/h2><\/div>
By Saadia Faruqi
Published: March 4, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Incredibly emotive and authentic writing from Saadia Faruqi in this book about a teenage boy whose father is living with schizophrenia. Mo\u2019s mother is serving a UNESCO mission and has left Mo and his dad to move in with Mo\u2019s aunt and her son. Mo quickly bonds with Rayyan, his cousin, and becomes his defender against a bully, Frankie. But as Mo\u2019s father\u2019s episodes worsen, he realizes the need to rely on others, allow his heart to be vulnerable, and find a way to love his father, even though he seems monstrous at times. This book is just phenomenal. I\u2019ve followed Faruqi\u2019s writing over the years, and this is her best work yet. Mo is realistically drawn with a distinct voice. He is angsty and tries so hard to seem tough, but readers will easily see through that tough exterior. The voice reminds me a lot of Jason Reynolds\u2019 Ghost<\/a><\/em>, and the focus on mental illness is much-needed, so honest and utterly moving. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Wrong Way Home<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate O’Shaughnessy
Published: April 2, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fern and her mother have been living on The Ranch under the thumb of a charismatic leader named Dr. Ben. One day, Fern\u2019s mom sneaks herself and Fern across the country from NY to CA, where they live in a motel in her mother\u2019s teenage neighborhood. Although it quickly becomes obvious to readers that Fern and her mom have escaped a cult, Fern is confused, misses the stability of living a regimented life, and worries about returning to the unstable lifestyle she and her mother had before The Ranch. As a result, she starts plotting \u2014 unbeknownst to her mother \u2014 to return to The Ranch. The Wrong Way Home<\/em> is an unforgettable, propulsive story of a girl learning to trust her inner voice. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Genesis Begins Again<\/h2><\/div>
By  Alicia D. Williams
Published: January 15, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Genesis Begins Again, <\/em>thirteen-year-old Genesis grapples with intense self-hate worsened by her father\u2019s verbal abuse and her grandmother\u2019s backward ideologies about skin color. Readers first meet Genesis when she brings her \u201cfriends\u201d home for the first time. In an embarrassing turn of events, they arrive to meet all her belongings in the street. The landlord has put Genesis\u2019s family out because her gambling, alcoholic father defaulted on the rent, again<\/em>. Things seem to look up for their family when they move into a posh neighborhood. Genesis makes new friends, joins the school choir, and even gets a helpful math tutor. Yet, her self-hate follows her. Genesis Begins Again is<\/em> a remarkable middle-grade debut with a strong message about colorism, self-love, and the power of music<\/a>. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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No Purchase Necessary<\/h2><\/div>
By Maria Marianayagam 
Published: January 14, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Sri Lankan 8th grader Ajay discovers that the chocolate bar he was pressured into stealing bears a million-dollar prize, he\u2019s in an ethical dilemma. As he tries to find his way around the problem, Ajay finds himself entangled in a stressful yet often hilarious web of lies between his strict immigrant parents, his precocious little sister, and his best friend, whom he kind of likes, Mindy. No Purchase Necessary<\/em> is a warmhearted coming-of-age story about figuring out who you want to be and standing up for what\u2019s right. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sci-Fi\/Dystopia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Selection<\/h2><\/div>
By Kiera Cass 
Published: April 24, 2012<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In this dystopian romance series, 35 girls vie for the love of a prince in a process called the selection. One of the girls, America, is sure she doesn\u2019t want to be there because she\u2019s reeling from a recent breakup and so she decides to befriend the prince\u2026 until her feelings start to change. But a wrench is thrown into their budding relationship when her ex becomes a palace guard. This Hunger Games<\/em> meets The Bachelor<\/em> tale is perfect for romance fans who like a side of action and dystopia. No language in this one, but several kissing and makeout scenes <\/strong>\u2014 all PG13. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Snowglobe<\/h2><\/div>
By Soyoung Park
Published: February 27, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This YA novel is set in a dystopian world where every part of the earth is living with frigid temperatures except for Snowglobe\u2013akin to The Capitol in The Hunger Games<\/em>. While residents of all the other settlements work hard to generate resources for Snowglobe, its inhabitants live life under the camera lens, their lives fodder for reality TV and controlled by prestigious directors. When the star of one of the most popular shows dies, another girl outside Snowglobe who resembles her eerily is recruited to take her place, opening a can of worms about the unethical misuse of power in Snowglobe. Snowglobe is a twisty dystopian thriller for fans of The Hunger Games <\/em>series, expertly combining elements of thriller, dystopian fiction, and a mystery subplot while also exploring themes of privacy, ethics, and reality television. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Scythe<\/h2><\/div>
By Neal Shusterman 
Published: November 22, 2016<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This dystopian YA book is at once chilling, thought-provoking, and compulsively readable. Set in a world where humans have conquered sickness, death, and all threats to life but now have appointed scythes to manage the population by gleaning humans periodically, this book follows two unwilling teens selected as apprentice scythes and their journey to attaining the position \u2014 or will they? Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Enhanced<\/h2><\/div>
By  Candace Kade
Published: March 14, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In a world where DNA determines your future, being born a \u201cNatural\u201d means being relegated to the dangerous Outskirts\u2014a life with minimal opportunity.  Lee Urban, born a Natural but adopted into a wealthy Enhanced family, must hide her true identity, especially when she\u2019s accepted into the elite Peking University. Enhanced<\/em> dives headfirst into a not-so-distant future world where gene editing creates a super-human class\u2014if you can afford it. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Romance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keeping Pace<\/h2><\/div>
By Laurie Morrison
Published: April 9, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grace is an overachiever because she feels like being smart is all she has. She doesn\u2019t seem too good at social situations and can\u2019t figure out fashion and styling like her friends. So she holds on to book smarts and finds worth in her grades \u2014 and in competing with her former best friend, Jonah. Their friendship exploded after his dad\u2019s sudden illness and death. Now, it\u2019s the end of 8th grade, and Jonah\u2019s won the coveted top scholar spot, leaving Grace with no raison d\u2019etre. She decides to compete in a half marathon, for which she finds out Jonah is training, so she has one last chance to beat him. She ends up learning a lot about what really matters in life. Keeping Pace<\/em> is a swoony middle grade romance about battling perfectionism and overambition and balancing relationships with goals. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dungeons and Drama<\/h2><\/div>
By Kristy Boyce
Published: January 9, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Theater nerd Riley Morris is in hot water. Her parents found out that she drove her friend to her concert (without a driver\u2019s permit), and now she\u2019s grounded and forced to work at her father\u2019s game store. During an uncomfortable encounter with her ex, she gets caught up in proving that she\u2019s moved on and claims to be dating her schoolmate and one of her dad\u2019s employees, Nathan. Both teens make a fake dating plan to help them reach their own goals, but along the way, as they support each other\u2019s interests and spend time together, real feelings begin to develop. Dungeons and Drama<\/em> is a gratifying fake dating romance that blends gaming with theater for young teens. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lia and Beckett\u2019s Abracadabra<\/h2><\/div>
By Amy Noelle Parks
Published: July 5, 2022<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lia and Beckett come from rival families in the magic (performance magic, not fantastical) industry, so when her grandmother disappears and asks Lia to compete in a contest with the men in Beckett\u2019s family, the two are forced to come face to face\u2013and soon sparks begin to fly. I love how this book explores a unique subject\u2014magic tricks\u2014and the relationship that develops between Lia and Beckett throughout the story. This is perfect for fans of slow-burn romances, love stories with plenty of family drama, and a serious side of humor. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What If You Fall for Me First?<\/h2><\/div>
By G.F. Miller
Published: June 10, 2025<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This adorable follow-up to Miller’s Not If You Break Up with Me First is heavier on the swoon and lighter on the (still present) comedic element and perfect for fans of friends-to-lovers romances and stories about finding home and family through romance. Holden is known for being a certified bad boy — just ask the legion of girls he’s dated for anything from 3 days to two weeks. Sofia is a goody-two-shoes girl who just wants her crush, Mark Chen, to notice her. When Sofia enlists Holden’s help to give her a glow up, the two develop a sweet, healing, and affirming friendship that leads them to finding confidence, community, and the courage to be vulnerable. I ADORED this one! Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bye Forever, I Guess<\/h2><\/div>
By Jodi<\/span> Meadows
Published: October 22, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ingrid is most comfortable with online interactions, posting on her website, and gaming with her long-distance bestie, whom she met online. When a new kid moves into her neighborhood, and her only in-person friendship crumbles, Ingrid is relieved to add a new friend and maybe a crush to her list of online friends. But things take a romantic and surprising turn as she learns to stand up for herself. This book is warm, cozy, sweet, and romantic. I also love that it\u2019s told partly in text messages and truly captures the upper middle schooler vibe as Ingrid and her friends are 8th graders. Hand to readers ages 10+ <\/strong>who can\u2019t get enough of a good romance.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Action\/Adventure\/Survival<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Across the Desert<\/h2><\/div>
By Dusti Bowling
Published: October 12, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12-year-old Jolene has a tough life. Her mom is misusing opioids and can barely care for her. She\u2019s mocked at school for wearing too-small clothing and looking haggard. Jolene\u2019s only bright spot is a tween pilot she watches via livestream at the library, \u201cAddie Earhart.\u201d Addie and Jolene gradually form a warm friendship and encourage each other through life\u2019s hardships. But one day during the livestream, Addie crashes her plane. No one but Jolene is watching the stream, and Addie\u2019s mom doesn\u2019t know she even flies planes. It\u2019s up to Jolene to save her, but she\u2019s a kid with no money \u2014 and Addie\u2019s is stuck miles away in the Arizona desert. How will Jolene make it work? Across the Desert<\/em> is a heart-pounding middle grade novel about self-worth, friendships, and the struggle of a parent with addiction. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Just Keep Walking<\/h2><\/div>
By Erin Soderberg Downing 
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jo (aka Josephine, named after Jo March) is still reeling from her parents\u2019 divorce and her father\u2019s decision to leave them for his girlfriend and her family. To prove that she and her mom can handle life without him, Jo and her mom embark on a 100+ mile hike along Lake Superior to the Lutsen Gondola, carrying their backpacks, dehydrated food, tents, and a book (for Jo). As the two weather hilly terrain, minor injuries, wild animals, new friendships, disappointments, and adverse weather, they learn to find their inner strength to move on and to forgive Tim, Jo\u2019s father. Just Keep Walking<\/em> is a triumphant celebration of adventure, perseverance, and the healing power of the outdoors. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation<\/h2><\/div>
By Stuart Gibbs
Published: September 17, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Charlie Thorne is a genius tween recruited by the CIA to help stop a terrorist group from accessing a potentially destructive equation by Albert Einstein. Full of globetrotting, high suspense and spy hijinks, it\u2019s fabulous on audio and great for mature 5th graders and middle schoolers. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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96 Miles<\/h2><\/div>
By J. L. Esplin
Published: February 11, 2020<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Lockwood brothers are supposed to be able to survive anything. Their dad, a hardcore believer in self-reliance, has stockpiled enough food and water at their isolated Nevada home to last for months. But when they are robbed of all their supplies during a massive blackout while their dad is out of town, John and Stew must walk 96 miles in the stark desert sun to get help. Along the way, they\u2019re forced to question their dad\u2019s insistence on self-reliance and ask just what it is that we owe to our neighbors, our kin, and to ourselves. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Burning Season<\/h2><\/div>
By Caroline Starr Rose
Published: May 13, 2025<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Opal is a fourth-generation lookout with a huge secret: She\u2019s terrified of fire. After all, it took her father\u2019s life when she was much younger. Opal wants to move to the nearest town for 7th grade, but her mother and grandmother want her to learn about being a lookout. When her mom is stuck in town during a shopping trip after the trails are washed out and Opal\u2019s grandmother goes missing just as a fire is starting, it\u2019s up to Opal to find her grandmother and fight the flames\u2013and her fear. This verse novel had a bit of a slow start, but the story picks up pace once Opal is out looking for her grandmother and fire-fighting; the action-packed scenes are absolutely riveting. I loved learning about the lives of lookout families and the important work they do in forests. Hand to fans of Alone and Hatchet (which Opal reads in this story) who love the additional thrill of firefighting. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Historical Fiction<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will\u2019s Race for Home<\/h2><\/div>
By Jewell Parker Rhodes
Published: January 14, 2025<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This powerhouse Western is about a boy who accompanies his father to secure land during the Oklahoma Land Rush in the 1880s. They encounter a veteran who joins their company, and Will must defend himself against dangers along the way. I learned so much from this moving historical account that helps readers understand that time period while touching on themes like father-son relationships, community, and bravery. Heads up for gun usage (it is a Western, after all). Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rebellion 1776<\/h2><\/div>
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Published: April 1, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Elsbeth Culpepper is a house servant in 1776 Boston when the Patriots start to gain an advantage over the British. Her boss is a British loyalist and flees to Britain, leaving her in his home, even as her own father goes missing. Soon, the Pike family, their rambunctious children, a teen girl in their care, and their mean-spirited housekeeper move into the house. As the Revolutionary War continues, a smallpox epidemic begins to rage, throwing Elsbeth\u2019s life into disarray. This is a very slice-of-life story buoyed by a strong protagonist, a thread of mystery, the hijinks of a large family, and the historical background. I loved that this book is set in the 1700s because there\u2019s a real gap in the market, and I became increasingly invested in Elsbeth as the story progressed. Still, this book is more \u201ccoming-of-age in the time of smallpox\u201d than it is a \u201cRevolutionary War story,\u201d and it is over 400 pages, so it is probably best for stronger upper middle school readers with a special fondness for historical fiction. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One Big Open Sky<\/h2><\/div>
By Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I LOVED this verse novel told from the perspective of young Lettie, her mother Sylvie, and a teenage teacher, Philomena, about their perilous journey from 1870s Mississippi to Nebraska during the Great Migration. With narrators of varying ages, this suspenseful, at times heartbreaking story has plenty to offer readers between the ages of 9 and 13<\/strong> and would make a great readaloud for families with older kids.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Refugee<\/h2><\/div>
By Alan Gratz 
Published: July 25, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are three kids living in the 1940s, 1990s, and 2015, respectively. They are also all refugees trying to escape their homes in search of a better life. Josef is a Jew fleeing Germany with his family, Isabel is leaving Cuba via boat to Miami, and Mahmoud and his family are fleeing Syria amidst the civil unrest. Their stories will intersect through the years, and this book sheds light on the heartbreaking global refugee crisis and all the ways history continues to repeat itself. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Verse Novels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bright Red Fruit<\/h2><\/div>
By  Safia Elhillo
Published: February 6, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Everyone in her tight-knit Sudanese-American community thinks Samira is a bad girl, and they don\u2019t hesitate to tell her mother. So when Samira is grounded after a particularly upsetting discovery, she turns to a poetry forum to pass the time. There, she meets a charismatic spoken word poet, Horus, who tells her how beautiful she and her poetry are. But there\u2019s more to him than meets the eye. This story is a gripping and gorgeously written cautionary tale for teens and parents alike, exploring the dangers of grooming, the importance of trusting your children, and the power of healthy friendships. I loved every minute of it and will be reading everything this author writes. Heads up for a brief sexual assault scene that is PG-13. Ages 12+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lion of the Sky<\/h2><\/div>
By Ritu Hemnani
Published: May 7, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Raj and Iqbal are two best friends, one Hindu and one Muslim, who lived in Singh just before India\u2019s partition. After the country\u2019s independence, Raj and his family are forced to flee, encountering many hardships along the way as they struggle to resettle in Bombay. Raj is not great at math and prefers to be in the kitchen (the place of the women, according to his father), much to his father\u2019s chagrin. But that love for food ends up saving them as his mom starts using food as a source of income. There\u2019s plenty of sibling strife as Raj feels far from his older brother and, at times, jealous of his little sister Maya, who goes missing during the partition. While The Night Diary<\/em> is more introspective, this book truly digs deep into what really happened to families during this time of grand migration and is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about that time period. It is unflinching, beautifully written, and doesn\u2019t shy away from hard events. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Trouble with Heroes<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate Messner
Published: April 27, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is an incredible (mostly) verse novel about a boy who vandalizes a gravestone of a 46er Adirondack woman and is tasked with hiking all 46 peaks as reparations. I read this one from start to finish in a single day, and I loved the multiple formats \u2014 written in posters, pictures, text messages, letters, recipes, and yes, verse. Finn is angry a lot, and the hike introduces him to people who knew his dad and a slobbering dog, Seymour. This one combines adventure, heart, mystery, suspense, and flashbacks in a beautifully crafted narrative. It\u2019s just really clever, has a strong kid appeal, and is full of emotional depth. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Alone<\/h2><\/div>
By Megan E. Freeman
Published: January 12, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Alone<\/em> follows 12-year-old Maddie, who gets abandoned by some twist of fate when her entire town is mysteriously evacuated. Left alone with no human in sight, she bonds with a Rottweiler named George, who is one of many abandoned pets. Soon after, they lose power and then water, and Maddie has to fend for herself using a variety of ingenious means and the town resources at her disposal, including an empty library, grocery store, and neighbors\u2019 homes. This is a well-written middle-grade survival novel with a tenacious protagonist and engaging plot. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Graphic Novel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A First Time for Everything<\/h2><\/div>
By Dan Santat 
Published: February 28, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A First Time for Everything<\/em> is Dan Santat\u2019s new graphic memoir about his school trip to Europe at the end of middle school. Middle school Dan is shy and socially awkward. He spends most of his time helping his mom, who has Lupus, and gets teased a bit by some girls in his grade. Thankfully, his parents are determined that he see the world, and they support his European trip. As they visit Germany, France, Switzerland, and England, Dan is swept up in many, many firsts, making for a life-changing trip. A First Time for Everything<\/em> is a stellar, relatable graphic novel about growing up, wading through the awkward tween years, and finding one\u2019s voice. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Band Nerd<\/h2><\/div>
By Sarah Clawson Willis (Author), Emma Cormarie (Illustrator)
Published:  April 22, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book is all about Lucy, a new 7th grader at the Windley School of the Arts (Band Track). She plays the flute and was first chair throughout the past year at her former school, so she’s in for a shock when she meets Tolli, a snobby fellow 7th grader who seems better at flute than she is\u2013and very possessive about her best friend. But Lucy has bigger problems. Her dad is a raging alcoholic, and her parents are always fighting. Lucy feels that if she becomes first chair, things will go back to normal; her parents will be proud of her, and they\u2019ll finally stop fighting. So she focuses desperately on reaching this goal, with some disappointing results. This is an intense look at the impact of parental alcoholism. This story is starkly realistic about the rollercoaster that is addiction recovery and how it can affect the children of the substance abuser. I loved the storytelling and the suspense throughout this PLOTTY graphic novel. I loved seeing Lucy make some questionable choices, her friend group, and the three-dimensional characters dealing with their own personal stuff throughout this book. A solid debut with a very moving Author’s Note at the end. Ages 11+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reel Life<\/h2><\/div>
By Kane Lynch 
Published: May 20, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Galen\u2019s life is turned upside down when his parents split up after his father\u2019s affair is revealed. Struggling to make sense of his new normal with his dad and his new girlfriend and eventually his mom and her new boyfriend (who also has a daughter!), Galen turns to filmmaking to find out how things turned out the way they are. Add to that a former best friend turned meanie and Galen can\u2019t seem to get the hang of real life anymore. This graphic novel feels super realistic and I can easily see so many kids being in Galen\u2019s position. Hand to kids navigating divorce, separation, blended families, and changing friendships. I can see this one engendering a love for filmmaking. Was it my favorite book ever? No, but it\u2019s super readable and moving and my instincts tell me that kids will like it. Good for fans of Starmer\u2019s A Million Views<\/em>. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The New Girl<\/h2><\/div>
By Cassandra Calin
Published: June 4, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is a semi-autobiographical story of Lia, who moves from Romania to Canada just as she\u2019s getting her first (very painful) period. It seems to be the first in a series about Lia. In Montreal, she struggles initially at her French immersion school. I love the progression as she begins to understand more and more French. This is a great choice if you\u2019re looking for a slice-of-life graphic novel that tackles periods and puberty, features crushes, and explores the struggles and triumphs of immigration. Readers discover that a girl crushes on another girl in this story, but doesn\u2019t reveal it. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sports Stories<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On Thin Ice<\/h2><\/div>
By Jessica Kim
Published: February 25, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Twins Dex and Phoebe Bae are dealing with their father\u2019s death in different ways. Dex pretends that all is well, expending energy in his pranks and taking little seriously, while intense Phoebe channels all her energy in winning ice skating tournaments to make her dad proud. But when Dex is kicked off his hockey team and becomes Phoebe\u2019s ice skating partner after her partner is injured, they both get to see each other in a different light. This book is so funny, sweet, and heartwarming. Yes, grief is lightly sprinkled in there, but there are more jokes, family bonding, and high-action sports moments than anything else. I love that this story is told from both siblings\u2019 perspectives, allowing readers to leave the story feeling like they know each character in and out. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Unforgettable Leta Lightning Laurel<\/h2><\/div>
By R.L. Toalson
Published: May 27, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eighth-grader Leta Laurel is the 400m dash star of her track team. It\u2019s the one place she can count on winning, especially now that her father has left her and her mom and sister and money is so tight they have to eat school lunch. So when a new girl with a reputation for the same race and a last name like \u201cDash,\u201d Leta is threatened. I LOVED this story. R.L. Toalson just has a way with words and that upper middle grade angsty voice that is relatable and flawed. This story is about sisterhood, sportsmanship, girl power, accepting and valuing the family you do have, and never giving up. It also has one of my favorite grandparent-grandchild relationships I\u2019ve read in a while. I practically inhaled it in one sitting! Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up<\/h2><\/div>
By Jenn Bishop
Published: October 24, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Rory moves to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her dad after her parents\u2019 separation, she meets Abby, a tall fellow basketball lover, and the two become fast friends. Imagine their shock when they find out that their dads can\u2019t stand each other \u2014 and not because they coach the city\u2019s rival basketball teams but because of something that happened years ago when THEY were middle schoolers. Bishop takes us through the girls\u2019 lives as they dig into what happened between their dads, telling the story from multiple perspectives: the girls\u2019, their dads\u2019, and a ball-playing nun in their lives. Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up<\/em> is a fast-paced and compelling book about true friendships, family secrets, forgiveness, and basketball. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kareem Between<\/h2><\/div>
By Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Published: September 10, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s 2016, and Kareem is a Syrian-American football fan who really wants to play on his school middle school team but flunks his tryouts. The coach\u2019s son Austin then tells Kareem that he can help him get in with the team if he helps him with his homework and some schoolwork, too. Kareem also generally wants to stay on Austin\u2019s good side and so is afraid to stand up to him when Austin starts bullying a new Syrian immigrant whose family is friends with Kareem\u2019s. Then things go haywire when Kareem\u2019s mother has to go to Syria to get her parents to the US, and Trump\u2019s order bans flights from Syria and some other predominantly Muslim countries. Kareem Between<\/em> is a powerful coming-of-age story about standing up for what is right. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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More Books for 7th Graders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n