Back to School Books for Middle School

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the next couple of weeks!

Most middle schoolers aren’t dying to read a book right before school starts, but keep these in mind as read-alouds or read-withs or even a “you might like this book” recommendation, especially if you are a teacher or school librarian!

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Back to School Books for Middle School

The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson: The Herdmans are back and are a force to be reckoned with at Woodrow Wilson School.

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan: “Don’t judge a book–or a 5th grader–by its cover” is the message that comes through loud and clear in this heart-warming middle grades title. Read our full review and check out our book club tips!

Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous by J. B. Cheaney: A realistic fiction novel that brings together nine very different students on one bus with one school driver for one school year: who is going to be famous? Read our full review here!

Tangerine by Edward Bloor: A realistic sports story that is so much more than a sports story, Tangerine blends soccer, environmentalism, bullying, racism, and physical disability into a well-written, thought-provoking middle grades read. Read our full review.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt: A modern classic! Don’t miss the follow-ups: Okay For Now (our review) and Just Like That (our review). Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood learns about Shakespeare, running, and life in this humorous coming of age story. Read our review.

The View From Saturday by e. l. konigsburg: The View From Saturday is a smart book for smart kids. konigsburg raises as many questions as she answers. Readers will have to make some of the connections on their own, but the reward is worth it. Read our full review.

Harry vs. The First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins: Harry Bergen-Murphy has all his supplies, plus a too-short haircut and the latest Fluff Monster accessories. But he’s NOT ready for first grade. What about the rules? And the lines? And the bullies, mean teachers, and scary classroom pets? Read our full review.

The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown: Three underdogs work hard to boost their game to the next level. It’s a hard road with plenty of setbacks and a lot riding on the big game. So, will they win? By the time we get to that point, readers will feel they’re in the stands, cheering on the underdogs. The ultimate win might not be what thttps://redeemedreader.com/the-playmakers-by-chad-morris-and-shelly-brown/hey expect—or it might be even better. Read our full review.

Blended by Sharon Draper: Isabella is blended: half-white, half-black. Soon, she’s going to be in a blended family, too. How do you find your identity when you’re all mixed up? Blended tackles a lot of issues in one, tidy middle grades package. And for the most part, it addresses issues with grace, humor, poignancy, and thoughtfulness. The ending is a little too neatly wrapped up, but most middle school readers will find it reassuring. Draper writes about big issues that kids are dealing with (divorce, racial tension, etc.) in ways that young readers will resonate with. Read our full review.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger: In spite of some mild bathroom humor and typical sixth-grade name-calling, this is rather a sweet story about the follies and  foibles of middle school. Read our full review.

Old School by Gordon Korman: A host of sixth- and seventh-graders discover that old folks have a lot of know-how and wisdom to share, not to mention a taste for hot tea that creates a lunchroom mini-boom for teabags. And the young rejuvenate the old. Read our full review.

Don’t miss our Back to School Picture Books List for younger kids!