Lush Books

These books are fast-paced, funny, and immediately gripping  — ideal for reluctant or wiggly readers who need a strong hook from page one Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney Short chapters, cartoons on every page, and laugh-out-loud moments make this a gateway series for kids who think books are boring. The Mummy in the Attic – Mitch Mitchell A spooky-fun mystery packed with humour, danger, and a creepy attic surprise — perfect for kids who love Goosebumps-style thrills witho

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

The Mummy in the Attic The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor The Storm Runner Each story blends ancient mythology with modern kids, delivering fast-paced action, high stakes, and legends that refuse to stay buried. Here’s what they’re about   City of the Plague God When a mysterious amulet unleashes an ancient Mesopotamian god, Zane’s everyday life is turned upside down. Teaming up with unlikely allies, he must navigate modern London while b

The Mummy in the Attic Doll Bones The Doll in the Garden Small Spaces These books all tap into the delicious thrill of creepy objects, slow-burn suspense, and spooky surprises that feel daring without tipping into nightmare territory. Here’s what they’re about   Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy When twins Lindy and Kris find a ventriloquist dummy in a rubbish bin, it seems like a harmless toy — until it starts causing trouble. Lindy’s dummy, Mr Wood, begins saying cruel

Small Spaces Doll Bones The Night Librarian The Graveyard Book All of these books offer spooky fun with mystery and suspense, delivering chills that entertain without overwhelming sensitive readers. Here’s what they’re about   Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House When siblings Josh and Amanda move to the strange town of Dark Falls, something feels very wrong. The people act oddly, the house seems alive, and the town’s history is deeply unsettling. As the siblings investigate, th

Out of My Mind Fish in a Tree Rules Front Desk These heartfelt stories explore kindness, empathy, and finding your place, making them perfect for readers who connect deeply with character-driven books. Here’s what they’re about   Wonder Auggie Pullman was born with a facial difference and has spent most of his life being homeschooled. When he starts fifth grade at a mainstream school, he must face stares, whispers, and the challenge of fitting in. Told through multiple perspe

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself The Terrible Two Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Dork Diaries Each book delivers laugh-out-loud humour, relatable school mishaps, and short, accessible chapters that keep even reluctant readers turning pages. Here’s what they’re about   Diary of a Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley just wants to survive middle school with his dignity intact — which turns out to be nearly impossible. Through cartoon-style journal entries, Greg documents awkward friendship

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

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