Lush Books

Guardians of Ga’Hoole Survivors A Wolf called Wonder Pax These stories follow animal protagonists navigating survival, loyalty, and belonging, as they face danger, form bonds, and discover strength in the wild.   Here’s what they’re about   Warriors: Into the Wild Rusty, a house cat, has always dreamed of life beyond his comfortable home. When he ventures into the forest, he discovers a hidden world of wild cat clans, each with its own rules, loyalties, and rivalries. Renamed

The Westing Game Chasing Vermeer The Mysterious Benedict Society These stories feature clever young problem-solvers tackling layered mysteries, using observation, logic, and teamwork to uncover secrets and outwit adults in satisfying, puzzle-filled adventures.   Here’s what they’re about   Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock Teen detective Nancy Drew is determined to help a family who have been unfairly denied an inheritance. When a mysterious old clock becomes the key to

Big Nate Timmy Failure The Terrible Two These stories combine humour, school life, and quirky protagonists, following kids who navigate everyday challenges with creativity, confidence, and plenty of laugh-out-loud misadventures.   Here’s what they’re about   The Smartest Kid in the Universe Jake McQuade is an average kid who prefers video games and snacks to schoolwork — until a science experiment accidentally turns him into the smartest kid in the universe. Suddenly, Jake kn

The Bad Guys Dragon Rider Amari and the Night Brothers These stories blend humour, adventure, and unlikely heroes, following misfit characters who discover courage, friendship, and their own strengths in exciting, imaginative worlds.   Here’s what they’re about   How to Train Your Dragon Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the son of a Viking chief — but he’s not exactly the fierce warrior his tribe expects. When it’s time to train a dragon, Hiccup ends up with a small, stubborn

The ages of 8–12 are a golden window for reading growth. At this stage, children are ready for richer stories, deeper emotions, and bigger ideas – while still craving adventure, humour, and excitement. Middle-grade books meet kids exactly where they are, helping them build confidence, empathy, and stamina as readers. The books below span a range of popular middle-grade genres, offering something for every kind of reader and helping kids discover what they truly love to read.

Middle grade books that are funny but frightening strike that perfect balance—where shivers and snickers dance together, and readers laugh even as they peek nervously over the page.   Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies – Jonathan Rosen Devin thinks his creepy neighbour is up to something — and he’s right: the man’s plush toy bunnies have come to life, and they’re hungry. Equal parts hilarious and horrifying.   The Mummy in the Attic – Mitch Mitchell When Tom McNabb and his fe

Stories steeped in secrets, lies, and family mysteries pull readers into the thrill of discovery — where every half-truth hides a clue, every attic box hums with history, and one brave kid must untangle the past to set things right.   A Snicker of Magic – Natalie Lloyd Felicity Pickle’s family keeps moving — but when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, she learns that her family’s magic, and its mysteries, may still be alive.   The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane – Julia Nobel At a s

There’s exhilarating fun in middle grade archaeological adventures – where crumbling maps, buried temples, and ancient clues send brave kids racing through history to uncover secrets the world forgot.   The Missing Mummy – Ron Roy (A to Z Mysteries) Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose investigate the theft of a mummy from the local museum – and discover that even small-town mysteries can have ancient roots.   The Mummy in the Attic – Mitch Mitchell When Tom McNabb and his best friend S

It’s pure fun watching dynamic duos in middle grade books – those unstoppable pairs who bicker, banter, and somehow save the day together, proving that two heads (and twice the trouble) are always better than one.     Framed! – James Ponti Florian and Margaret use their smarts, sarcasm, and “Theory of All Small Things” to solve crimes — sometimes faster than the FBI.   Lemons – Melissa Savage Lemonade Liberty Witt and Tobin Sky team up to hunt Bigfoot — but end up finding fri

When magic meets science in middle grade stories, sparks truly fly — potions bubble beside experiments, logic tangles with wonder, and curious kids prove that imagination and invention are two sides of the same spell.   The Fourteenth Goldfish – Jennifer L. Holm When Ellie’s scientist grandfather turns himself into a teenager, she discovers that the line between scientific discovery and the miraculous is thinner than she imagined.   The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal

There’s great shivery fun in stories where creepy things lurk at home – when the familiar hum of the fridge or a creak on the stairs hints that something uncanny is hiding just beyond the hallway light.   The Haunted House Next Door – Andres Miedoso (Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #1) A hilarious spooky mystery for younger MG readers — about two best friends who discover their new neighbour’s house is very, very haunted. The House with a Clock in Its Walls – John Bellairs After mo

There’s nothing more fun than a middle grade heroine with a healthy dose of sass — sharp-witted, bold-hearted, and never afraid to speak her mind (even when it gets her into delicious trouble).   Stevie – The Mummy in the Attic by Mitch Mitchell Tom’s best friend and partner-in-chaos, Stevie is quick-witted, fearless, and not afraid to tell Tom when he’s being a doofus — her sass is only matched by her loyalty and big heart.   Ramona Quimby – Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly C

There’s irresistible fun in stories woven with secret spells and charms - where whispered words can open doors, shimmer in the air, and turn an ordinary school day into a dash of pure magic.   The Hotel Between – Sean Easley Cam discovers a magical hotel that can transport him anywhere in the world — but each room hides a secret, and one charm may be the key to finding his missing mother.   The Marvelwood Magicians – Diane Zahler A family of suburban magicians hiding their po

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