Category Must Read Middle Grade

The Teacher’s Funeral Richard Peck Ages 8-12 If your teacher has to die, August isn’t a bad time of year for it,” begins Richard Peck’s latest novel, a book full of his signature wit and sass. Russell Culver is fifteen…

The Summer of the Swans Betsy Byers  Ages 9-13 All summer Sara Godfrey has fretted over herself, her impossible body, her terrible new haircut. One moment she’s elated, the next, she’s in tears. And she can’t figure out why. Maybe…

The Soft-Hearted Sheep Dog Sylvia Green  Harvey, a sheepdog, who is so timid that he’s afraid of sheep! No one seems to want him.

The Sign of the Beaver Elizabeth George Speare Ages 9-11 When Matt’s father leaves him on his own to guard their new cabin in the wilderness, Matt is scared but determined to be brave and prove that he can take…

The Seventh Most Important Thing Shelley Pearsall Ages 10-13 Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But…

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs Betty G. Birney Life in Sassafras Springs has always been predictable, boring even, but one afternoon that changes when Eben McAllister’s pa challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras that rival the real…

The Search for Big Lou Lane Walker Who doesn’t look forward to summer camp? Two weeks of sun and fun were just what Presley’s parents thought she needed. Too bad she didn’t feel the same way. . . Growing up…

The Neverending Story Michael Ende Ages 8+ When Bastian happens upon an old book called The Neverending Story, he’s swept into the magical world of Fantastica–so much that he finds he has actually become a character in the story! And when…

The Muppets The Movie Junior Novel Katharine Turner Ages 8-12

The Moorchild Eloise McGraw Ages 9-12 Half moorfolk and half human, and unable to shape-shift or disappear at will, Moql threatens the safety of the Band. So the Folk banish her and send her to live among humans as a…