Lush Books

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