So I still read Middle Grade.

Sometimes.

Occasionally I get annoyed at how low the stakes are in some books, but there are a couple of MG reads that still stick out to me.

The thing is, Middle Grade can be so refreshing once in a while. With a lot of YA (Young Adult), it’s like reading the same book over and over again – just set in different places with different characters. I mean, three words would probably sum up most, if not all of the YA world – Action, Romance, Teenagers. (Honorable mentions are Angst and Drama.)

But we’re not here to complain about YA. Let’s talk about how awesome Middle Grade can be!

Middle Grade books have messages, too.

The thing about Middle Grade is that although the books are generally aimed for younger audiences (uhh yeah that’s why it’s called Middle Grade), they still manage to weave in powerful themes and messages.

Of course, there is no genre of fiction that does not have its exceptions, so yes, there are Middle Grade books that are full of drama and serve no purpose aside from entertainment. Those are the kinds of books you don’t exactly learn much from but for some reason are still good reads.

Except the thing is, just because the books are aimed for younger readers doesn’t mean that one has to dumb it down a gazillion times – no, Middle Grade can be great. That’s what I like about it. Middle Grade can have amazing plots and characters and themes – and although it’s totally different from picture books and YA, it is still its own genre.

What themes YA seem to lack are often present in MG as well – family, platonic friendships, being yourself. So if you’re looking for themes like those, try searching the MG market. There’s bunches there 🙂

Middle Grade is generally lighthearted.

I love that with Middle Grade, most books end with a positive note (I love happy endings, okay? Don’t judge) and are generally quite PG throughout which can be a relief as it means I don’t have to watch out for certain things like a whole page of swearing or some very touchy romance.

The main characters – who are generally around 11-14 years old as a good rule of thumb – do face challenges, but they’re not as extreme as YA or as anticlimactic children’s books can be.

Lighthearted does not mean a boring plot. No, Middle Grade has the capacity to take you on a fun ride that keeps you turning the pages. Like any good story, they can have relatable characters and a plot full of twists.

Middle Grade isn’t just for tweens.

Although kids around the ages of 8-12 are the target audience for Middle Grade, no one is going to stop you from picking up something Middle Grade and enjoying it (I hope). Yes, it might not be all you read, but it can be a little change from your normal reading habits.

After all that is said and done, I highly encourage you to try out Middle Grade if you haven’t already. Maybe you won’t like it, and that’s okay. But if you do, well, there’s a whole world out there to explore.

Okay, so now that I’ve talked a bit about Middle Grade, maybe you’re looking for somewhere to start. So in no particular order, let me present 10 of my favorite middle grade books or series (you might want to watch out for some bad puns, by the way).

1. Wonder

One of the most well-known Middle Grade reads but so heartwarming and beautiful – it’s no wonder why the book is often chosen for classroom studies and discussions.

2. The Water Castle

This is a slow but interesting tale that involves the weaving of the past and the present. I loved the mystery, science, and history that was woven into the story, but the flashback parts occurred too often for my liking. That, however, does not affect the fact that I think The Water Castle is a total splash and a great addition to the Middle Grade genre.

3. Holes

Another oldie but goodie, Holes is a strangely fascinating story that again weaves past events with the present. The book is sort of like a puzzle, with everything coming together until you reach the end. It’s a hole lot of fun, I promise you.

4. Half Upon A Time

Half Upon A Time is a fairytale retelling featuring a boy named Jack and a girl named May. May is somehow important to the fairytale world (I’m not going to say how because spoilers), but was raised in our world. After a couple of crazy events, she finds herself in Jack’s fairytale reality and chaos ensues. I mean, how much more fun can you get? You’ll be finished in no time.

5. Seven Wonders

Think of an adventure/action/fantasy blend and you have the Seven Wonders series. Basically, Jack McKinley (you’d be surprised by how many Jacks there are in Middle Grade) and his friends fight against time by assembling seven objects from the seven wonders of the world before they turn fourteen. If they don’t, a time clock in their genetics stops and they die. Lots of action, lore, and adventuring in this series as well as themes of friendship, loyalty, and family in this wonderful series.

6. The Last Kids on Earth

Okay, okay. Imagine what would happen if the zombie apocalypse were to actually take place. Well, that’s what happens to social outcast and reject Jack Sullivan (that’s right, another Jack). He manages to find three survivors – his best friend and tech whiz, the school bully, and his crush – and forms a team to survive the oncoming waves of zombies. 

This series is probably meant for younger audiences as it’s chock full of pictures, but the plot isn’t any less compelling. I’m not kidding, you should totally try this one out.

7. Counting by 7s

A very sweet contemporary novel about a girl who loses her parents but finds a new family in the most unlikely of people.

Honestly, Counting by 7s is a book I’d recommend to just about anyone who likes contemporary. It’s seven times better than a lot of books I’ve read and I’m just counting on the hope that you’ll love it as much as I do.

8. Warriors

I’m going to paws here and say that if you choose to dive into Warrior Cats and decide that you like it, be warned – there are close to 80 books in the series with currently six 6-book mainstream arcs, super editions, novellas, guides, and more. It’s a difficult series to summarize, but imagine a world of cats divided into four clans and within each of those clans, a hierarchy. These cats guard their clans’ territories with a passion and would gladly die defending their home and clanmates.  If you can read every book in the series then wow, kudos to you!

9. Ranger’s Apprentice

Ranger’s Apprentice is such a popular series that it’s gone through like, what, four different covers? It also has three spin-off series that are set in the same world.

If you’re looking for action and adventure in a medieval-type world, try Ranger’s Apprentice. Featuring the expert archers and spies that are loyal to the king (they call themselves rangers), this is one series you don’t want to miss.

10. Bloomability

When Domenica Santolina Doone (she prefers the nickname Dinnie) is brought to an international school in Switzerland, she’s suddenly surrounded by a sea of cultures and people from every part of the world. Bloomability is a book about adapting and adjusting to changes in life, friendship, the beauty of the many cultures our world has, and how one can bloom amidst the transitions we go through.

(Side note: I personally think anything Sharon Creech writes is bound to be good, so for other of her works try Ruby Holler, Walk Two Moons, or Chasing Redbird.)

Bonus: Amulet

And if you’re into graphic novels, I recommend Amulet. Even though each instalment in the series is short, the artwork and worldbuilding is stunning and the plot is great as well. 

And even if you’re not going to read it, just get the book to admire the art XD

Back to you!

Do you read Middle Grade? What are your thoughts on it? Do you have any favorite Middle Grade reads (and if you do, what are they)? Comment below!