8 Middle Grade Books To Fall For During School Season

Filled action, adventure, and fantasy, The Red Sun is the perfect fit for Harry Potter and Percy Jackson fans. Sam just discovered that his mother is a witch and he is a direct descendent of Odin. Before he has time to process this, he finds himself in the mysterious land of Orkney. Drawing on Norse Mythology Adams introduces striking beings and creatures Sam must fight and befriend to protect this enchanted land from the poisonous Red Sun. The first book in this new fantasy adventure series, coming to terms with his powers and the evil forces that are against him is just the beginning for Sam.

For those who can’t get enough fantasy and fairy-tales, then The Isle of the Lost is the perfect book to get lost in this summer. A combination of Disney tales come together to tell the story of four children of four notable Disney villians. Follow the four as they embark on a quest across the land for powerful artifacts to restore their parents’ powers. This mythical world filled with so many lovable Disney characters, is both reminiscent and new.

The Looney Experiment is a heart warming tale with all the humor of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and all the heart of Tuesdays with Morrie. This fun story is a perfect companion to Harper Lee’s classic and hits on all the troubles a 7th grader may face. The Looney Experiment features the relationship that develops between a middle schooler with piling problems and a 77-year-old substitute teacher whose methods are anything but traditional. As time goes on, Atticus realizes that things can always be turned around and that he has the power to initiate change.

For those who can’t get enough thrillers, Theodore Boone: the Fugitive will keep adults and kids alike turning the pages. Theodore is 13 and has never been in this much danger. An old adversary, an accused murderer and fugitive, is back in his life to stand trial, but will he reveal Theo’s identity? Theo embarks on a quest to make sure justice is served in this fast-paced thriller with twists and turns that will keep anyone up way too late for a school night.

If Diary of a Wimpy Kid is for boys, then it has met its match in this series for girls. In the 9th book, Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen of the Dork Diaries, eighth grader Nikki Maxwell faces a bigger problem than ever before: someone got a hold of her diary and they’re not going to return it without creating some drama of their own. Join Nikki as she tries to figure out how to get her diary back and keep her reputation intact in this funny and relatable story that will keep your middle schoolers entertained the whole way through.

Book Scavenger is mystery, problem solving, and the game Clue all wrapped up into one. When 12-year-old Emily moves to San Francisco where her idol lives, author Garrison Griswold, her whole world changes. He is the creator of a book scavenger hunt where books are located in different cities across the nation and puzzles are solved for clues. Sadly, Mr. Griswold is viciously attacked and falls into a coma and has not publicly released the book hunt. Emily finds an unfamiliar book realizing she possibly has the only copy of the game. Rushing from clue to clue, she decides to solve the scavenger hunt before Griswold’s attacker comes after her.

The whole school is looking forward to the day when they don’t have to sit behind their desks and can go on the well deserved, end-of-the-year fieldtrip. The Worst Class Trip Ever is a hysterical novel perfect for every child who wakes up early for fieldtrip day. Students of Culver Middle School are off to Washington, DC. Wyatt, his best friend Matt, and some fellow peers are in trouble. They are not in trouble with the teacher losing patience, but from a gang of mysterious men. With our nation’s capital as the setting, the students set out on an adventure narrowly avoiding danger and getting further into trouble as they attempt to save the president.

From one of the most famous adult author comes a vibrant, fantasy-filled, middle grade novel that will keep your kids locked in. New York Times bestseller, David Baldacci, is delivering another great thriller for a younger generation. His second book about Vega Jane is the action-packed, adrenaline-rushing thriller you would expect to find. To escape Wormwood and discover the truth, Vega and Delph must cross the Quag of ferocious beasts and evil magic. However, the Quag is worse than expected and it will try to kill her. Vega is ready for the challenge in The Keeper.