Harrington Middle School Summer 2026 Reading Suggestions

The titles in this list are merely suggestions. Students may choose to read any middle grade book for summer reading!

Updated May 11, 2026
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Busted
Gemeinhart, Dan
Paper Book
"A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!" --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series "Busted is about to be your kid's new favorite." --...
Holding on for Dear Life
Bowling, Dusti
Paper Book
A USA Today bestseller! Acclaimed author Dusti Bowling takes the bull by the horns in this moving novel about a boy struggling to keep his family together while facing the side effects of bull riding. Thirteen-year-old Canyon loves bull riding, but...
One for the Murphys
Hunt, Lynda Mullaly.
Paper Book
From the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Fish in a Tree!  Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This...
Al Capone does my shirts
Choldenko, Gennifer
Paper Book
The Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner, but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history. Al Capone Does My Shirts has become an instant classic for all...
The Bletchley Riddle
Sepetys, Ruta
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A thrilling mystery and collaboration between award-winning and bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin! This historical adventure follows two siblings at Bletchley Park, the home of WWII codebreakers, as they try to unravel a mystery surrounding...
Code talker : a novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two
Bruchac, Joseph
Paper Book
Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved...
Caraval
Garber, Stephanie
Paper Book
Welcome, welcome to CARAVAL, the first book in Stephanie Garber's enchanting, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Caraval series, about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER!
The false prince
Nielsen, Jennifer A.
Paper Book
A modern classic by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen, The False Prince thrills with wild twists and turns, danger and deceit, and the revelation of hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end. In a discontented kingdom,...
Obsessed : a memoir of my life with OCD
Britz, Allison
Paper Book
A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder--and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side--in this powerful and inspiring memoir. Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz...
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...
Coach
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! In this "beautifully executed victory lap" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) to Jason Reynolds's award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into...
The running dream
Van Draanen, Wendelin.
Paper Book
The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story that's perfect for anyone who's ever thought that something was impossible. Readers will revel in the story of a girl who puts herself back together--and learns to dream bigger than ever before--after she's told she...
Blood in the Water
Jackson, Tiffany D
Paper Book
The instant New York Times bestseller! Winner of the Edgar Award! Mega bestselling and award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson (The Weight of Blood; White Smoke) makes her thrilling middle-grade debut with a can't-put-it-down murder mystery set...
Girl, stolen
Henry, April.
Paper Book
Cheyenne, a blind sixteen year-old, is kidnapped and held for ransom; she must outwit her captors to get out alive. Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening...
A royal conundrum
Yee, Lisa
Paper Book
" When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)--who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat!...
The Naturals
Barnes, Jennifer Lynn
Paper Book
Cold cases are about to get hot. Don't miss this exhilarating crime thriller--perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder--from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The...
Cinder
Meyer, Marissa
Paper Book
Large Print�s increased font size and wider line spacing maximizes reading legibility, and has been proven to advance comprehension, improve fluency, reduce eye fatigue, and boost engagement in young readers of all abilities, especially struggling, reluctant, and striving readers.<...
Legend
Lu, Marie
Paper Book
"Legend doesn't merely survive the hype, it deserves it." From the New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born...
All the Blues in the Sky
Watson, Renee
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal | A New York Times bestseller | A USA Today bestseller #1 New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medal winner Renée Watson explores friendship, loss, and life with grief in this poignant novel in verse and...
And then, boom!
Fipps, Lisa
Paper Book
A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can't be depended on as she never stays...
Louder than hunger
Schu, John
Paper Book
The trouble with heroes
Messner, Kate
Paper Book

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