2025 Color Our World Middle School Book List

The 2025 Summer Reading Lists are full of book titles to keep middle schoolers engaged in reading and exploring throughout the summer.

This list is recommended and available through the Sussex County Library System for children ages 11 and up. These books will pair nicely with our 2025 summer reading theme.

Updated December 14, 2024
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Art year by year /
Bowden, Alice,
Paper Book
Travel through time to discover the paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects that enrich our world. Are you seeking a lavishly illustrated timeline that showcases a glorious gallery of art from all around the world? Then SI Art Year By Year may be the book for you!
Art club /
Doucet, Rashad,
Paper Book
Inspired by the author's own childhood, this contemporary graphic novel paints a picture of an aspiring young artist on a mission to prove that the arts are worth fighting for.  Dale Donavan has heard the same lecture over and over again: Art will get you...
The color of sound /
Isler, Emily Barth,
Paper Book
"[A] salient celebration of family, music, and neurodiversity." --starred, Publishers Weekly "A top pick for any middle school collection; a perfect book club pick and a reminder to all that patience and understanding can change lives." --starred, School Library Journal Twelve-year...
Drawing Deena /
Khan, Hena.
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Amina's Voice and Amina's Song comes a "nuanced and quietly powerful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.
Discover Her Art :
Leibowitz, Jean/ Rogers, Lisa Labanca
Ebook
"An inclusive, easy-to-read guidebook to women artists." -- Publishers Weekly. "A must for art history curriculum and to diversify biography shelves." --School Library Journal. Discover Her Art invites young art lovers and...
The story of paintings :
Manning, Mick.
Paper Book
From prehistoric cave art to graffiti, this beautiful compendium introduces children to the world of paintings. Get ready to feast your eyes on an exhibition of fantastic art! Kids can time-travel through the centuries and learn all about 39 paintings, from a galloping...
Pencilvania
Watson, Stephanie
Paper Book
In this illustrated, modern take on The Phantom Tollbooth meets Harold and the Purple Crayon, author Stephanie Watson beautifully explores grief and creativity through an unforgettable fantasy world. Ever since she first learned to hold a crayon, Zora Webb has been unstoppable. Zora draws...
The magic paintbrush /
Zhang, Kat,
Paper Book
In this highly illustrated series launch, Amy, an Asian American girl picks up an ancient paintbrush and unwittingly unleashes the power to make her art real and sometimes dangerous. Perfect for fantasy readers who love Dragons in a Bag and the Dragon Pearl series. ...

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