Are you struggling to get your middle schooler to read? To read anything, anything at all? Maybe you are lucky enough to have a child who has found their genre, author or just an overall interest in reading. Or, maybe not.
Well, if that’s the case, we have compiled a list of books that middle schoolers actually like reading. We hope your child will find one of these books or series interesting to lead them on their way to a love of reading.
Author: Mike Lupica
Does your child like sports? If so, they might just devour Mike Lupica’s books. They are filled with detailed, fast-paced, and exciting game play descriptions. They are books about teens and for teens. He gets into the good character-building areas too like teamwork, camaraderie, work ethic, family and more. What’s not to love? Check out some of his books here:
Author: Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds writes for the reluctant reader. He doesn’t write books that he wouldn’t want to read as a child. He doesn’t teach lessons. He writes so kids feel cared about and less invisible. He writes about real issues.
Book: Wonder
This is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and it’s easy to see why. The main character is lovable and inspiring. The book shows the power of empathy and kindness and actually launched the “Choose Kind” movement. After reading Wonder, readers might be enticed to read the side story, Auggie and Me, to get deeper into the main characters and their perspectives. If they are still clamoring for more, R.J. Palacio has quite a few other books suitable for middle schoolers.
Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events
These 13 books are not pleasant or upbeat, but they will certainly grab the reader’s attention and keep them turning the pages. As they do, they will find humor throughout the book which is a reminder that laughter can make bad situations more tolerable. A bonus to these books is the subtle vocabulary lessons sprinkled in as the author, Lemony Snicket, includes definitions throughout. If your child enjoyed the books, they are bound to enjoy the Netflix original show as well.
We hope your child will find interest in our suggestions. If these don’t do it, a few other series include Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Wings of Fire, the Humphrey Series, and the Wayside School Series. Read Brightly is another great resource that is full of helpful articles. We can’t wait to hear which book gets your child hooked. Let us know in the comments!
Wishing you well,
Sarah