Category Must Read Middle Grade

A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens During the French Revolution a young Englishman gives up his life to save the husband of the woman he loves.

The Jungle Book Rudyard Kipling 9+ The unforgettable story of Mowgli—a boy raised by a pack of wolves—as he learns indelible lessons about the laws of the jungle as well as the needs of the heart. Through Mowgli’s journey, readers…

Great Expectations Charles Dickens Ages 12+ In this unflaggingly suspenseful story of aspirations and moral redemption, humble, orphaned Pip, a ward of his short-tempered older sister and her husband, Joe, is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but…

Wonderstruck Brian Selznick Ages 8-11 Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a…

The Invention of Hugo Cabret Brian Selznick Ages 8+ Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks–like the…

Muggie Maggie Beverly Cleary Ages 8-9 At first, Maggie is just feeling plain stubborn when she declares she won’t learn cursive. What’s wrong with print, anyway? And she can easily type on a computer, so why would she need to know…

Get the Picture, Jenny Archer? Ellen Conford Ages 8-12 When Jenny Archer is given a used camera by her grandparents, she can think of many other presents she would rather have received. That, however, is before she discovers that her…

Babe the Gallant Pig Dick King-Smith When Babe arrives at Hogget Farm, Mrs. Hogget’s thoughts turn to sizzling bacon and juicy pork chops. But before long, Babe reveals a talent no one could have expected: he can handle Farmer Hogget’s…

The Young Reader’s Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Adam McKeown Ages 10-12 This wonderfully contemporary retelling features enticing art on nearly every page and provides an excellent introduction to the story. Written by an outstanding scholar in simple, eloquent language, it…

Poetry for Young People Emily Dickinson Ages 8+ See the beauty and magic of the everyday world through the eyes of Emily Dickinson, one of America’s best-loved and most renowned poets. Flowers, birds, sunrises, sunsets, the moon, and even her…