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Books
for kids
aged 8-12
Where kids, parents, teachers and librarians come for their next middle-grade read.


If your middle-grade reader liked The Mummy in the Attic, they might also like…
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


If your middle-grade reader liked The Egypt Game, they might also like…
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


14 Middle-Grade Books that are Funny and Just The Right Amount of Frightening!
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


10 Awesome Middle-Grade Books with Intriguing Family Mysteries
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


7 Enthralling Middle-Grade Books that include Archaeological Adventures
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


10 Spellbinding Middle-Grade Books in which Magic Meets Science
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


7 Exciting Kids’ Books about Creepy Things Hiding at Home
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


11 Middle-Grade Books with Seriously Weird Neighbors
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


7 Captivating Books with Secret Spells & Charms for Kids Aged 8-12
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
Lexi McLarin
1 min read


8 Imaginative Middle-Grade Books With Invisible Characters
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


9 Fun Kids' Books Where Strange Things Happen in Attics!
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


6 Gripping Suburban Mystery Books for Kids aged 8-12
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
Lexi McLarin
1 min read


7 Fun Mystery Books for Kids Aged 8-12
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
Lexi McLarin
1 min read


7 mad-cap Middle-Grade Suburban Adventure Books
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
Lexi McLarin
1 min read


10 Exciting Middle-Grade Books Brimming with Adventure
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


8 Magical Middle-Grade Books featuring Mysterious Amulets
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


9 Paw-some Middle-Grade Books with Cats as Characters
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


7 Superb Middle-Grade Books with Animals as Characters
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,
Lexi McLarin
1 min read


10 Humorous Middle-Grade Novels
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read


7 Gorgeous Middle-Grade Books about Self-Discovery
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
Lexi McLarin
2 min read
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