Nancy Cavanaugh’s THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO RATCHET is the story of a lonely girl with a gift for auto mechanics, her tree-hugging granola-head father, and how she finds real friends.
Gennifer Choldenko’s AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS is the story of a boy whose family moves to the famous prison island, Alcatraz, and the warden’s daughter’s money-making schemes and an unlikely friendship between a girl with a leaning towards autism and the world’s most famous criminal. For more about this book, listen to the Book Club for Kids podcast.
Wendy Maas’ THE CANDYMAKERS was recommended to me by my youngest a year or so ago. This story of a candymaking competition is told by each contestant in turn. Their stories don’t always agree. And that’s what makes the mystery.
Shutta Crum’s THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN starts off like a classic quest of a very young wannabe knight. The tone is gentle and warm and you might be mistaken by the cover into thinking this is a book for younger middle grade readers only. There’s a really nice twist as a reward.
SPOILER ALERT: If you have a sensitive reader, check out the battle scene yourself first. The story is worth it.
Jessica Day George’s TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE is a warm book about a family and the castle that loves them. I noticed that the current cover on Amazon makes it look much “girlier” than it is. Celie is a princess, but she’s also a mapmaker who saves the day. This is the first book in a series.
SPOILER ALERT: Sensitive readers may be concerned that the story will get too dark after Chapter 3, but the book keeps it’s younger middle grade tone, so take courage and read on! 🙂
Caitlen Rubino-Bradway’s ORDINARY MAGIC is a bit like Harry Potter upside down because it’s the ordinary kids who are sent away to school, not the magical ones.
SPOILER ALERT: Sensitive readers might not be crazy about the goblins.
Lynda Mulally Hunt’s FISH IN A TREE was one of my absolute favorite books this year. Artistic Ally has a secret worry but her terrific teacher, Mr. Daniels, gives her hope. This is a heart-warming story about making friends, finding your place in your class, and finding out what it means to be smart.
Kelly Barnhill’s THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON is a story for readers who like to fall completely into a story. The world feels so rich and the relationships between the family members are so warm. Magical.
SPOILER ALERT: There’s a scene with paper birds that might be challenging for sensitive readers.
Lynne Rae Perkins’ NUTS TO YOU stars a cast of squirrels that talk exactly the way you would expect squirrels to talk. They’re worried about the forest and they’ve got a bit of attitude. Fun!
Ally Condie’s SUMMERLOST is as beautiful as its cover. A story about overcoming grief that’s focused on hope and a Shakespeare summer festival and a new special friend.
Read more about SUMMERLOST in my Goodreads review.
Want even more? Download The Winged Pen’s 2016 List of Great Book Gifts for Classroom Libraries here.
These are the same books we’ve been sharing on Twitter during December–– all on one list for your shopping convenience.
Did you find something to try? Or do you have other suggestions for middle grade readers? Feel free to comment below.
The Winged Pen is taking a break for the holidays and will return early 2017 with an exciting new development. See you then!
LAUREL DECHER writes stories about all things Italian, vegetable, or musical. Beloved pets of the past include “Stretchy the Leech” and a guinea pig that unexpectedly produced twins. She’s famous for getting lost, but carries maps because people always ask her for directions. You can read THE WOUNDED BOOK, her adventure story for young readers on Wattpad. Or find her on Twitter and her blog, This Is An Overseas Post, where she writes about life with her family in Germany. She’s still a Vermonter and an epidemiologist at heart. PSA: Eat more kale! 🙂 Her short fiction for adults, UNFORESEEN TIMES, originally appeared in Windhover.
I loved the Al Capone book! I’m reading Wish by Barbara O’ Connor and suspect it should go on this list too.
Thanks, Carol! I don’t know Barbara O’Connor’s Wish. Looking forward to checking it out.
Laurel
Barbara’s Wish and How to Steal a Dog are both amazing! I nominated Wish for a Cybil award. If you click on the list at the bottom of the post, you’ll see that it was the #2 book on our recommendations for gifts for Classroom Libraries.
Thanks for Including THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN on your list. It was a book written from my heart not long after my father died. It’s gone on to do good things . . .
and through Knopf, a second book: William and the Witch’s Riddle which came out in 2016.
Keep up the good work!
Shutta
Shutta,
Thanks so much for coming by to comment! THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN is such a lovely book. I can really tell that it comes from the heart. How exciting that there’s a second book! Congratulations!!
Laurel