5th and 6th Graders: Novels in Verse

This list includes titles from the Hartford School 2026 suggested summer reading list, as well as recommendations from staff at the Mount Laurel Library. Remember, you do not need to choose a title from the list; you can fulfill your summer reading obligations by reading any middle grade book.

Updated May 13, 2026
M
Mount Laurel Library
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Odder
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
Over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list! From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wishtree and The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate, a touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, perfect for summer...
The Magical Imperfect
Baron, Chris
Paper Book
"Highly recommended... Perfect for readers of Wonder and Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe."-- Booklist magazine, starred review Etan has stopped speaking since his mother left. His father and grandfather don't know how to...
Ode to a Nobody
Brooks DuBois, Caroline
Paper Book
A devastating tornado tears apart more than just houses in this striking novel in verse about a girl rebuilding herself. Before the storm, thirteen-year-old Quinn was happy flying under the radar. She was average. Unremarkable. Always looking for an escape from her house, where...
Rez dogs
Bruchac, Joseph
Paper Book
Renowned author Joseph Bruchac tells a powerful story of a girl who learns more about her Penacook heritage while sheltering in place with her grandparents during the coronavirus pandemic. Malian loves spending time with her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation...
Starfish
Fipps, Lisa
Paper Book
A PRINTZ HONOR BOOK . Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant novel-in-verse. "In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie herself is writing these poems, which...
Alone
Freeman, Megan E.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Perfect for fans ofHatchet and the I Survived series, this "riveting, immersive" (Kirkus Reviews) middle grade debut novel in verse from a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet tells the story of a young girl who wakes up one day to...
Aniana del Mar Jumps in
Mendez, Jasminne
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse, by an award-winning poet, about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. Aniana del Mar belongs in the water...
The In-Between
Van Heidrich, Katie
Paper Book
For fans of Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle and Life in Motion by Misty Copeland, this middle grade memoir in verse with "stellar writing [and] perfect pacing" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) chronicles a young girl and her family who must start over after losing their home...

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