Lush Books

Greenglass House Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket The Westing Game Charlie and the Chocolate Factory These stories combine puzzles, competition, and mystery, following clever kids navigating high-stakes challenges, uncovering secrets, and using creativity and logic to succeed in unusual settings.   Here’s what they’re about   The Candymakers Four children are invited to compete in a famous candy factory’s annual contest to create the next best sweet. Each contestant bri

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 Willoughbys Ottoline and the Yellow Cat The Mysterious Benedict Society The Terrible Two These stories feature quirky humour, eccentric worlds, and clever kids navigating odd adults, using wit, teamwork, and creativity to solve problems and outsmart expectations.   Here’s what they’re about   A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning After their parents die in a terrible fire, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to live with the sinister Count Olaf. Disgu

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

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.

These books are perfect for kids who love mystery, creepy settings, and spooky vibes — without nightmares. Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy A fan-favourite Goosebumps title that delivers jumpy moments, creepy laughs, and a perfectly pitched scare level for ages 8–12. The Graveyard Book Atmospheric and gently spooky, with ghosts who are more charming than terrifying — ideal for confident readers who enjoy eerie settings. Small Spaces Creeping suspense, scarecrows, and a

City of the Plague God The Egypt Game The Last Shadow Warrior Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts Each of these books blends mystery, history, and a touch of the supernatural, perfect for readers who love spooky adventures grounded in real-world emotion. Here’s what they’re about   The Mummy in the Attic When a strange mummy linked to Ancient Egypt enters his life, Tom McNabb finds himself caught in a mystery that refuses to stay buried. As unsettling events unfold, Tom

The Mummy in the Attic The Mysterious Benedict Society Chasing Vermeer The Westing Game These books reward puzzle-loving readers with clever clues, smart teamwork, and mysteries that make kids feel one step ahead of the adults.   Here’s what they’re about   Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library When Kyle Keeley is chosen to attend the grand opening of the world’s most high-tech library, he expects fun — not to be locked inside overnight. To escape, Kyle and a group of clever k

The Mysterious Benedict Society Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library The Westing Game Chasing Vermeer These books weave mystery, friendship, and layered storytelling into clever plots that reward patient, curious readers. Here’s what they’re about Holes Stanley Yelnats believes his family is cursed, and when he’s wrongly accused of theft, he’s sent to Camp Green Lake — a desert detention centre where boys dig holes all day, every day. As Stanley befriends the other campers, h

The Mummy in the Attic The Red Pyramid These reads are perfect for curious minds who love history with a twist, mixing Ancient Egypt, secrets, and mysteries where imagination and reality collide. Here’s what they’re about   The Egypt Game When new girl April and her neighbour Melanie bond over a shared fascination with Ancient Egypt, they create an imaginative game set in a deserted yard behind a local curiosity shop. As more children join in, the “Egypt Game” becomes increas

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 wicked fun in stories with strange or suspicious neighbours — the ones who peer through curtains, bury odd boxes at midnight, and make kids wonder whether adventure (or danger) has just moved in next door.     Old Mr. Wetherbee – The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg The oddball neighbour whose strange stories and unexpected wisdom tie together a group of suburban kids — and a mystery that spans generations.   Mr Benedict – The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent

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