It’s pure fun watching a middle grade character who can turn invisible - sneaking past bullies, uncovering secrets, and learning that sometimes the hardest part isn’t disappearing, but being truly seen. Things Not Seen – Andrew Clements A teenage boy wakes up invisible one morning and must uncover why it happened - and how to reverse it - in a heartfelt, humorous suburban mystery. Invisible Emmie – Terri Libenson A shy girl who feels “invisible” at school gets her secret note

There’s something irresistibly fun about stories that climb up into attics – those dusty treasure troves where creaks, cobwebs, and forgotten boxes hide secrets just waiting for brave kids to uncover. The Aviary – Kathleen O’Dell In a crumbling mansion filled with birds and locked rooms, an attic window hides a clue to an old magician’s secret. The Attic Child – Lola Jaye (upper MG / crossover) A dual-timeline mystery following two children decades apart who find a shared leg

There’s delicious fun in mysteries set in suburbia - where nosy neighbours, creaky garages, and suspiciously perfect lawns hide secrets just begging to be uncovered by the kids next door. The Great Greene Heist – Varian Johnson Middle-school con artist Jackson Greene pulls off a suburban school election heist full of twists, teamwork, and clever scheming. Spy School – Stuart Gibbs A nerdy kid accidentally gets recruited by a junior division of the CIA and finds that even the

Few thrills compare to diving into a middle grade mystery—where every whisper hides a clue, every shadow might be a suspect, and clever kids unravel secrets that even the grown-ups missed. The Westing Game – Ellen Raskin A quirky, twisting puzzle of a mystery as 16 heirs compete to solve Samuel Westing’s will – full of clever clues and laugh-out-loud surprises. Book Scavenger – Jennifer Chambliss Bertman A clever mystery for book lovers – Emily and her new friend James race t

There’s a special kind of fun in adventure stories set in suburbia—where the quiet cul-de-sacs and tidy hedges hide secret maps, midnight missions, and mysteries waiting just beyond the letterbox. The Mummy in the Attic – Mitch Mitchell When Tom McNabb and his best friend Stevie find a strange mummy tucked away in the attic, their sleepy suburban world explodes into invisible mishaps, ancient magic, and backyard mayhem. The Fourteenth Goldfish – Jennifer L. Holm When Ellie’s

Nothing beats the wild thrill of a middle grade adventure — when every clue leads to danger, every secret opens a new door, and ordinary kids discover they’re braver than they ever dreamed. Wildoak – C.C. Harrington A stuttering girl and a snow leopard find each other in a misty Cornish forest — a quiet but powerful adventure about friendship, nature, and courage. The Explorer – Katherine Rundell After a plane crash, four children must survive in the Amazon rainforest, uncov

Few things are more thrilling than a story where an ordinary kid discovers an ancient amulet - one that hums with secrets, grants strange powers, and turns a normal day into an unforgettable adventure. Tomb of Shadows (Seven Wonders #3) – Peter Lerangis A thrilling global quest where the heroes seek a powerful Egyptian relic - an amulet that could either save or destroy them. The Legend of the Rift (Seven Wonders #5) – Peter Lerangis Ancient relics, pharaoh magic, and secret

Stories that tackle bullying help young readers build empathy and courage, showing that standing up for yourself – and for others – can transform fear into strength and kindness into real power. Wonder – R.J. Palacio Though now a modern classic, this remains one of the most heartfelt portrayals of bullying and kindness, as Auggie navigates middle school with courage and empathy. Blubber – Judy Blume A brutally honest look at the shifting dynamics of bullying, belonging, and g

Whether mysterious, mischievous, or downright magical, cats in middle grade stories bring a special kind of wonder—padding silently through plots, stealing scenes, and proving that heroes sometimes have whiskers. Varjak Paw – S.F. Said A young Mesopotamian Blue cat learns a secret feline martial art called “The Way” to defend his family and discover what bravery truly means. The Time-Travelling Cat and the Egyptian Goddess – Julia Jarman When Ka the cat vanishes into a glowin

From loyal sidekicks to talking tricksters, animal characters in middle-grade books remind us of the wonder in seeing the world through different eyes - and the magic of friendships that cross every boundary. The Wild Robot – Peter Brown A stranded robot named Roz learns to live among wild animals, forming unexpected friendships and discovering what it means to belong. Pax – Sara Pennypacker A boy and his fox are separated by war but share an unbreakable bond in this tender,

There’s nothing quite like a funny middle grade book – the kind that makes you snort-laugh in public, grin through the gross bits, and discover that even the spookiest or strangest adventures can leave you giggling. The Super Life of Ben Braver – Marcus Emerson When Ben accidentally lands in a secret school for kids with superpowers, his hilarious attempts to fit in cause more explosions than heroics. Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom – Booki Vivat A doodle-fill

Middle grade books about courage and bravery remind us that true heroes aren’t fearless – they’re kids who tremble, stumble, and still find the strength to stand up and face the dark anyway. The Haunting of Henry Davis – Kathryn Siebel When Henry and new friend Grace meet a ghost boy, they must face their fears – and their own pasts – to help him find peace. The Way to Bea – Kat Yeh After losing her best friend, Bea retreats into silence – but poetry, courage, and new frie

Middle grade stories about self-discovery celebrate the joy of watching young characters uncover who they really are – brave, curious, and capable of far more than they ever imagined The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy Shy, music-loving Maybelle takes a daring road trip to meet the father she’s never known – and finds her own voice and strength along the way. The House That Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold When two kids discover their houses are mysterious

Fantasy middle grade books fill the imagination with joy, whisking readers to worlds of magic and mystery where brave hearts, strange creatures, and impossible dreams come vividly to life. The Secret of Nightingale Wood – Lucy Strange In 1919, a lonely girl discovers a hidden forest where strange magic – and an ancient secret – might be the key to saving her family. The Sea in Winter – Christine Day A modern story with a mythic undercurrent, where a young dancer must find h

Middle grade books with ancient civilizations at their heart invite readers to uncover the joy of lost worlds – where buried secrets, forgotten gods, and daring discoveries bring history crackling to life. Secrets of the Tombs: The Phoenix Code – Helen Moss When Ryan and Cleo meet on an archaeological dig in Egypt, a modern-day mystery unfolds around an ancient tomb – and they must crack the code before time runs out. The Lost Scroll of the Physician – Alisha Sevigny In Anci

Middle grade books about everyday lives with a twist celebrate the joy of discovering that even the most ordinary days can hide secrets, surprises, and a spark of the impossible waiting to turn life upside down. The Friendship Experiment – Erin Teagan A budding scientist tries to apply lab logic to middle-school friendships, but discovers that emotions don’t follow formulas. The Extraordinary Colours of Auden Dare – Zillah Bethell In a world where water is scarce, a colour-bl

Middle grade stories about friendship remind us of the joy in finding our people - the ones who make us laugh, stand by us when things get weird, and prove that adventures are always better when shared The Secret Deep by Lindsay Galvin After their mother’s mysterious death, two sisters find themselves on a remote island where science and the supernatural intertwine – forging new friendships amid danger and loss. The Great Pet Heist by Emily Ecton A group of pets band togethe

Middle grade books set in Ancient Egypt capture the joy of exploring a world of golden tombs, secret hieroglyphs, clever curses, and brave kids who dare to uncover the mysteries of the past. The Red Pyramid – Rick Riordan When siblings Carter and Sadie discover their link to the Egyptian gods, they must master ancient magic to stop chaos from consuming the modern world. Mystery of the Egyptian Scroll – Scott Peters A young scribe must solve the disappearance of a stolen scrol

Middle grade hero’s journey stories capture the joy of watching ordinary kids step beyond their comfort zones, face the impossible, and discover the courage, friendship, and heart that make them truly extraordinary The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark & Nick Eliopulos Two unlikely friends are thrown into a dangerous guild meant to protect their city from monsters – and must uncover dark secrets that threaten everyone they love. The Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling by William

There’s a special kind of wonder in magical middle grade stories set in the real world – where everyday streets, schools, and backyards shimmer with the thrilling possibility that something extraordinary might be hiding just out of sight. Summer of L.U.C.K.  By Laura Segal Stegman Three children at summer camp discover a magical carnival in an abandoned warehouse. They must help the ghost of the carnival's owner revive the carnival before the summer ends, which also helps the