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
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
All the small wonderful things
Foster, Kate
Paper Book
In an endearing story about an autistic boy and his steadfast furry pal, Alex is convinced that winning a trophy at the dog show will help him make a real friend at last. Eleven-year-old Alex knows that starting middle school will be a big change, and for an autistic person,...
Confessions from the Group Chat
Meadows, Jodi
Paper Book
What happens in the group chat stays in the group chat... until it doesn't. Virginia Vaughn just wants to fit in with her super-popular friend group. That means she doesn't let them know how much she loves the library, she never speaks a word about her massive crush on tragically...
The cool code
Langeland, Deirdre
Paper Book
In this funny and heartfelt slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller, when coding whiz Zoey goes from homeschooled to new school, she develops an app to help her make friends. Will the Cool Code help Zoey fit in Or will it completely crash her social...
Crushed
Conklin, Melanie
Paper Book
A heartfelt middle grade story about changing friendships, peer pressure, and the courage to speak up when lines are crossed, perfect for fans of Starfish and Finally Heard.  Sophie Valentine would rather be at home, doing school virtually....
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...
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...
The girls of Skylark Lane
Benway, Robin
Paper Book
"Slice-of-life tale about sisterly love" --ALA Booklist National Book Award winner Robin Benway debuts a coming-of-age middle grade novel about friendships, family, and discovering the person you're meant to be. The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Sandlot when twin sisters join...
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,...
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...
Mind over monsters!
Uhrig, Betsy
Paper Book
Gordon Korman meets Scooby-Doo when anxiety-prone middle schoolers try a mindfulness app that has them face their fears all-too-literally in this spooky, "humorous, and heartfelt" (Publishers Weekly) middle grade adventure. FACE YOUR FEARS! That's what the meditation app...
The Moon Without Stars
Miller, Chanel
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The Newbery Honor-winning author of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All explores the way growing up, finding friends, and discovering who you are can be both awkward and empowering in this heartfelt middle school novel. ★ "Genuine and...
Not quite a ghost
Ursu, Anne
Paper Book
Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by the Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, and NPR! From the award-winning author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy comes an unforgettable and deeply personal story of the ghosts that surround us--and the ones we carry inside. ...
The Taylors
Calonita, Jen
Paper Book
Four girls . . . all named Taylor. Read New York Times bestseller Jen Calonita's origin story of an unforgettable friendship! And don't miss the sister novel: Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1) by Elizabeth Eulberg. Taylor (aka Teffy to her family) is terrified to start middle...
The things we miss
Stecher, Leah
Paper Book
"Magical and heartbreaking! You will read this book in one gulp." - Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times-bestselling author of The Fourteenth Goldfish When You Reach Me meets Starfish in this heartfelt contemporary middle grade about a misfit girl who finds...
Wires crossed
Fantaskey, Beth
Paper Book
A smart and funny slice-of-life graphic novel for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller about navigating the ups and downs of middle school--from first crushes to crushing the school's science competition. Is this what middle school is all about Being stuck in the middle...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.