Best Middle-Grade Books for Summer Reading

What are our favorite middle grade books for summer reading? We’re glad you asked. Whether you’re reading by the pool, on a family vacation, or hiding away from blazing heat waves, we’ve got a great list of diverse reads. It’s hard to feel bored when you’re lost in a great story! Be sure to check out summer reading lists for middle school kids for an imagination boost all break long; there’s something for everyone out there. From popular to the best middle grade books, here are 10 of our picks:

1. City of Lights - Kelly Byrd
   An ordinary eleven-year-old girl finds herself in an extraordinary new world, fighting along with new friends to save it. Join Mary and the Resistors as they begin an adventure to save LeeChee from the evil Shoeboxians. Experience the Everything! Part one of the Far From Home series. Age 9 and up.

2. Great Big Ocean Sky - Kelly Byrd

   Join the Resistors once again as they continue the fight for The Everything! Your favorite Oracles in training Mary, Teeny, Van Clare, Corb, Mikeala, and WindRunner sharpen their skills with brand new challenges. Plus, one of her closest friends makes his way to LeeChee. Can he be trusted? Part two of the Far From Home series. Ages 9 and up.

3. Once Upon a K-Prom - Kat Cho

   Elena is hard at work on everything but Prom. In fact, between saving her beloved community center and trying to figure out who she is, it’s the last thing she can think about. That is, until her childhood best friend turned international k-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up to ask her to go with him. Ages 12 and up.

4. Room to Dream - Kelly Yang

   Mia Tang is finally getting to experience a dream of hers. Her family are all going on vacation to China! Follow Mia as she sees extended family again, and explores Beijing, and the metamorphosis China is going through. She can’t help but think of her own life’s metamorphosis too. A Front Desk novel. Ages 8 and up.

5. It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit - Justin A. Reynolds

   Eddie’s plan of only doing laundry once during summer break was ruined. His mom found his giant pile of filthy clothes, and he’s stuck doing it all at once. Until the power goes out and suddenly he and the neighborhood kids realize they’re the last people on Earth. Ages 8 and up.

6. The Civil War of Amos Abernathy - Michael Leali
   Amos Abernathy is a history buff – and it shows! He’s a historical reenactor who has a crush on a newcomer. As he explores his feelings he wonders about the LGBTQ+ people in the nineteenth century. He discovers a soldier who may have identified as trans and hashes a plan to tell his story. Ages 8 and up. 

7. The Beautiful Something Else - Ash Van Otterloo

   Sparrow Malone’s mom is going through a hard time. That means Sparrow can’t make the hard time even worse. After a long while of doing well in school and going mostly under the radar Sparrow finds themself in a new town with her Aunt and suddenly things seem different. Join Sparrow’s journey to find if there may be something beyond girl or boy. Ages 8 and up.

8. The Storyteller - Brandon Hobson
   Ziggy and Moon are desperate for answers about their missing indigenous mother. Even with some pretty intense anxiety, he and his friends set out to explore a nearby cave where he heard there may be clues. The adventure ahead of them helps Ziggy to discover his story is tied with all the Cherokees before him. Ages 9 and up.

9. Wonder - R J Palacio
   August’s face is different. All he wants is to be accepted at a new school but it seems as though no one can move beyond the fact that he’s just a little different. The struggle with acceptance goes beyond the kids at school but contributes to the growth of a community. Ages 9 and up.

10. Invisible - Christina Diaz Gonzales
    School community service doesn’t sound like the most fun you’ll ever have, but a group of Spanish-speaking kids who don’t have a thing in common discover it matters more than they thought. This graphic novel is a heartwarming tale of navigating middle school. Ages 10 and up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books should my kid read over the summer?

Try these: City of Lights, Once Upon a K-prom, or It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit. Each of these books is a fun, challenging read for kids ages nine to fourteen.  

Should kids do summer reading?

Yes! Summer reading is great reading practice and an imaginative hobby for all ages that you can fit in almost anywhere. 

How can I make summer reading fun?

Check out popular middle grade books to keep reading fun and relevant. Chat with your friends about the books you’ve read this summer.