Starting Middle School

New lockers, new classes, new friends—and a few big feelings along the way.

This booklist is full of stories about starting middle school, from first-day jitters and friendship shifts to finding your place and learning to believe in yourself. Whether you’re excited, nervous, or a little bit of both, these books remind readers that everyone’s figuring it out as they go.

Updated January 15, 2026
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Lake Oswego Public Library
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Starting Middle School

New lockers, new classes, new friends—and a few big feelings along the way.

This booklist is full of stories about starting middle school, from first-day jitters and friendship shifts to finding your place and learning to believe in yourself. Whether you’re excited, nervous, or a little bit of both, these books remind readers that everyone’s figuring it out as they go.

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Amy's big brother
Jeong, BonHyung
Paper Book
I'm not her babysitter...Having a little sister isn't easy - she takes my soda, follows me around, and wants to tag along with me and my friends. Worse, she always gets her way with our parents! Sometimes I wonder if I was adopted just to look after her. (I know, it doesn't make sense.) Going to...
The cool code
Langeland, Deirdre
Ebook
Crushing It
Becker, Erin.
Paper Book
From debut author Erin Becker comes an action-packed but tender novel about first romance, queer identity, and learning how to be brave when it matters the most-now in paperback! On the soccer field, Magic Mel is in her element. She's ready to lead her team to victory at the city...
Dear Jackie
Bagley, Jessixa
Paper Book
A middle schooler's plan to fit in with her new friends by writing herself a fake love letter backfires spectacularly in this funny and all-too-relatable graphic novel perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series. Jackie and Milo have been best...
The extremely embarrassing life of Lottie Brooks
Kirby, Katie
Paper Book
The first book in the hilarious new series for children by the bestselling creator of Hurrah For Gin. Lottie Brooks is 11 and her life is already officially over - not only is she about to start high school without any friends or glamorous swooshy hair, she's just...
Four eyes
Ogle, Rex
Paper Book
A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses. Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His...
Grow up, Luchy Zapata
Alessandri, Alexandra
Paper Book
A funny, relatable middle school drama about two Colombian American girls who have always been BFFs--until sixth grade turns everything upside down. Luchy Zapata is starting middle school, and she's muy excited. She and her two best friends, Cami and Mateo, will finally be...
Kareem between
Safadi, Shifa Saltagi
Paper Book
This award-winning, heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh-grade Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. "The exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid." -Jasmine Warga, New...
Merci Suárez changes gears
Medina, Meg
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal A New York Times bestseller Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suarez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between in a resonant new novel from Meg Medina. Merci Suarez knew...
The Taylors
Calonita, Jen
Ebook
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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/1043.1411/list/7157

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