Back to School for Kids (ages 7-12)

First day jitters? Want to get back in the groove? Here are some primary and middlegrade fiction recommendations just for you, from youngest to oldest.

Updated August 27, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times Bestseller, A Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012 -- August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing...
Middlegrade fiction (novel)
Best friend!
Fang, Vicky
Paper Book
Brand-new first grader Ava Lin is determined to find a best friend--even if she's a bit unclear on how to go about it--in this launch of a funny, super relatable chapter-book series. Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals...

Primary fiction (younger novel)

Welcome to Scare School
Lerner, Jarrett
Paper Book
A young ghost tries his best to fit in with the rest of the ghouls in this sweet and spooky chapter book by acclaimed author Jarrett Lerner. Bash, a young ghost who's never been good at "ghost stuff" is heading off to Scare School, the world's leading institution for elementary...

Primary fiction (younger novel)

Awkward. 2, Brave
Chmakova, Svetlana
Paper Book
In his daydreams, Jensen is the biggest hero that ever was, saving the world and his friends on a daily basis. But his middle school reality is VERY different--math is hard, getting along with friends is hard...Even finding a partner for the class project is a huge problem when you always get picked...
Middlegrade graphic novel
Lunar boy
Wibowo, Jessica
Paper Book
For fans of The Witch Boy and Squished, Lunar Boy is a must-have heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who discovers a home in the most unlikely places, from debut twin creators Jes and Cin Wibowo. Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he...
Middlegrade graphic novel
Making friends
Gudsnuk, Kristen
Paper Book
Danielle needs a perfect friend, but sometimes making (or creating) one is a lot easier than keeping one! Sometimes making a friend is a lot easier than keeping one! Sixth grade was SO much easier for Dany. All her friends were in the same room and she knew exactly what to expect...
Middlegrade graphic novel
Lights, camera, middle school!
Holm, Jennifer L.
Paper Book
Watch out, middle school! Babymouse graduates from graphic novels in the first of the Babymouse Tales from the Locker series--now in paperback!   For Babymouse, middle school is like a monster movie. You can never be sure who's a friend and who's an enemy, and the halls are filled...
Middlegrade fiction (novel)

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.