2026 MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITES
6th to 8th Grade book recommendations for kids, educators, booksellers, librarians, and caregivers of the best children’s books in 2025.
Aarzu All Around
By: Marzieh Abbas
ISBN: 9781665970419
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Sports / Games / Recreation
Adi of Boutanga: A Story from Cameroon
By: Alain Serge Dzotap
Illustrated by:
Marc Daniau
Marc Daniau
ISBN: 9780802856296
Fiction, 9–12, Picture Book, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel
By: Laura Terry
Illustrated by:
Laura Terry
Laura Terry
ISBN: 9781338325096
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Coming of Age
The Adventures of the Flash Gang, Episode Three: Berlin Breakout
By: M.M. Downing & S.J. Waugh
ISBN: 9781646035694
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Historical Fiction
All the Blues in the Sky
By: Renée Watson
ISBN: 9781547605897
Fiction, 9–12, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Death / Grief / Loss
At the Edge of Lost
By: Martha Brockenbrough
ISBN: 9781546125020
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Action / Adventure
Athlete is Agender
By: Katherine Locke & Nicole Melleby
ISBN: 9780316572002
Nonfiction, 9–12, Anthology / Collection, Biography / Memoir
Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World
By: Dylan Thuras & Jennifer Swanson
Illustrated by:
Ruby Fresson
Ruby Fresson
ISBN: 9781523516889
Nonfiction, 9–12, Anthology / Collection, STEM / STEAM
Blood in the Water
By: Tiffany D. Jackson
ISBN: 9781338849912
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Mystery / Thriller
The Bug Bandits: The Museum Is Her Home. Her Mission Is to Save It.
By: Jenni L. Walsh
ISBN: 9780310167921
Fiction, 9–12, Chapter Book, Action / Adventure
The Cassette Tape Secret
By: Danielle Herzog
ISBN: 9781631639852
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Mystery / Thriller
Chickenpox
By: Remy Lai
Illustrated by:
Remy Lai
Remy Lai
ISBN: 9781250863294
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Family / Community
Chinese Mythology: Legendary Tales of Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and Beyond
By: Aaron Hwang
Illustrated by:
Adela Li
Adela Li
ISBN: 9780762487769
Fiction, 9–12, Anthology / Collection, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
Climate Is Just the Start
By: Mikaela Loach
ISBN: 9780593897324
Nonfiction, 9–12, Prose, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling
Cosmo Park
By: Madeleine Finlay
Illustrated by:
Tom Dearie
Tom Dearie
ISBN: 9781838741303
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi
The Court of the Dead: A Nico di Angelo Adventure
By: Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro
ISBN: 9781368109116
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
Coven
By: Soman Chainani
Illustrated by:
Joel Gennari
Joel Gennari
ISBN: 9780062979681
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Creaky Acres
By: Calista Brill & Nilah Magruder
Illustrated by:
Nilah Magruder
Nilah Magruder
ISBN: 9780735230620
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Humor
Deepwater Creek
By: Michael Regina
Illustrated by:
Michael Regina
Michael Regina
ISBN: 9780593117392
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Horror
Dial If You Dare
By: Alexandre Côté-Fournier
Illustrated by:
Geneviève Bigué
Geneviève Bigué
ISBN: 9781459839953
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Horror
Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers
By: Kim Chi & Stephan Lee
Illustrated by:
Utomaru
Utomaru
ISBN: 9781536236705
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Books / Reading
Dragonforged: Sword of the Champion
By: Eric Lide
ISBN: 9781454947745
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
J vs. K
By: Kwame Alexander & Jerry Craft
Illustrated by:
Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft
ISBN: 9780316582681
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Humor
Leyendas/Legends: 60 Latine People Who Changed the World
By: Mónica Mancillas
Illustrated by:
Isadora Zeferino
Isadora Zeferino
ISBN: 9781797211985
Nonfiction, 9–12, Picture Book, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Lice: How to Survive on Humans
By: Berta Paramo
Illustrated by:
Berta Paramo
Berta Paramo
ISBN: 9783039640553
Nonfiction, 9–12, Chapter Book, Animals
Ride or Die
By: Delilah S. Dawson
ISBN: 9780593486832
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Occult / Paranormal / Supernatural
A Summer of Dragonflies
By: Natasha Deen
ISBN: 9781770868007
Fiction, 9–12, Prose, Places / Travel
The Trouble With Heroes
By: Kate Messner
ISBN: 9781547616398
Fiction, 9–12, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Death / Grief / Loss
White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups
By: Gail Jarrow
ISBN: 9781662681035
Nonfiction, 9–12, Prose, History
Wildcats: A Graphic Novel
By: Crystal Velasquez
Illustrated by:
Eva Cabrera
Eva Cabrera
ISBN: 9781524879679
Fiction, 9–12, Graphic Novel, BIPOC Characters and Creators
