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 8, 2025
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Greater Victoria Public Library
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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)

First day, worst day
Nonamus, Andy
Paper Book
A very unlucky kid navigates the many challenges of the first day of school in the first book in The Very Worst Ever chapter book series! [REDACTED] keeps his name and school secret--even hiding his appearance behind stickers. Why? Because his bad luck is super embarrassing!

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)

Brave
Chmakova, Svetlana
Paper Book
Still on high alert about the looming threat of sunspots, Jensen of the art club reaches out to the school newspaper to spread his message. But when Jenny and Akilah discover that Berrybrook's resident bullies have set their sights on Jensen, the girls are determined to use their positions on the...

Intermediate graphic novel

Tegan and Sara : junior high
Quin, Tegan
Paper Book
From indie-pop twin-sister duo Tegan and Sara comes their bestselling contemporary middle grade graphic novel about growing up, coming out, and finding yourself through music and sisterhood--perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's Sisters and Sweet Valley Twins. ...

Intermediate 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...

Intermediate graphic novel

Ghost
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this...

Intermediate fiction

Jamie
Lapinski, L. D.
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Book of 2024! There's a place for everyone, you've just got to find it. Jamie is a beautiful and uplifting story about how to make your own place in a world that doesn't think you fit. "Excels at being educational without sacrificing...

Intermediate fiction

Middle School Mischief
Yūsuf, Bāsim
Digital file

Intermediate fiction

Lights, camera, middle school!
Holm, Jennifer L.
Paper Book
It's a new kind of book for Babymouse! Fans of Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and James Patterson's Middle School books, this is going to be epic. . . .   For Babymouse, middle school is like a monster movie. You can never be sure who's a friend and who's an enemy, and...

Intermediate fiction

A zombie ate my homework!
Greenwald, Tom
Paper Book
Arnold Z. Ombee has escaped a secret government zombie project -- but now can he survive human elementary school?From the hilarious mind behind the Crimebiters series comes a new trilogy that fans of The Last Kids on Earth will love to pieces (literally). Arnold Z. Ombee has escaped a secret...

Intermediate fiction

Dress coded
Firestone, Carrie
Paper Book
In this debut middle-grade girl-power friendship story, perfect for fans of Moxie, an eighth grader starts a podcast to protest the unfair dress code enforcement at her middle school and sparks a rebellion.   Molly Frost is FED UP... Because Olivia...

Intermediate fiction

Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME * Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face--who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that...

Intermediate fiction


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