Summer 2023 Recommended Reading: Grades 6-8

Updated May 14, 2024
M
Milton Academy/Cox Library
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1

Ablaze
Krovatin, Christopher,
Paper Book
Christopher Krovatin is on fire with his latest horror thriller for Scholastic. Aly Theland doesn't understand what's happening to her. She comes from a very normal family and lives a very normal life.There's only one thing off. When Aly gets angry, things burst into flame. Aly doesn't feel she's...
Horror

2

The Ash House
Walker, Angharad,
Paper Book
An unsettling, gripping middle grade debut about searching for a sense of belonging in the wrong places, and the bravery it takes to defy those who seek to control us. This is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children meets Lord of the Flies for fans of Neil Gaiman and Holly Black....
Horror

3

A beginner's guide to ruling the galaxy
Solomons, David,
Paper Book
A brilliantly funny story of what happens when a galactic princess moves in next door and almost brings about the end of the world. Exciting new fiction from the bestselling, award-winning author of My Brother is a Superhero.
Science fiction

4

Big lies : from Socrates to social media
Kurlansky, Mark,
Paper Book
Mark Kurlansky's bestselling works of nonfiction view the history of the world through unexpected lenses, including cod, salt, and paper. In this new book for young readers his lens is the art of the big lie. Big lies are told by governments, politicians, and corporations to avoid responsibility,...
Nonfiction

5

Black Panther : tales of Wakanda : an anthology of the Marvel Universe
Holland, Jesse J.,
Paper Book
A ground-breaking anthology celebrating Marvel's beloved Black Panther and his home of Wakanda.   Eighteen short stories penned by an all-star cast of authors such as Sheree Renée Thomas and Nikki Giovanni. T'Challa faces the gods of his parents....
Science fiction

6

Braiding sweetgrass for young adults : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants
Kimmerer, Robin Wall,
Paper Book
Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrated how all living things--from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen--provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass. Adapted for young...
Nonfiction

7

Bump
Wallace, Matt,
Paper Book
A moving and triumphant middle grade contemporary debut from award-winning author Matt Wallace about a heroic young girl--who dreams of becoming a pro wrestler--learning to find courage and fight for what she loves. Perfect for fans of Kelly Yang, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds' Track series...
Sports

8

Call him Jack : the story of Jackie Robinson, Black freedom fighter
Williams, Yohuru R.,
Paper Book
An enthralling, eye-opening portrayal of this barrier-breaking American hero as a lifelong, relentlessly proud fighter for Black justice and civil rights. According to Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson was "a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider...
Nonfiction

9

Children of stardust
Adodo, Edudzi,
Paper Book
Zero Adedji dreams of joining one of the Saba guilds--groups of intergalactic travelers who explore space, retrieve lost treasures, and hunt down criminals. Instead, he must scrape by as a guide to travelers stranded on his home planet of Anansi 12. Then he meets Wanderblatch, a strange creature...
Science fiction

10

Confessions of a class clown
Costner, Arianne,
Paper Book
This middle-school class clown's hilarious online videos might get thousands of views . . . but is fame worth the price of friendship? A heartfelt story with multiple perspectives about the challenges of social media. Meet Jack Reynolds. Making people laugh is his life's work....
Relationships

11

Cub
Copeland, Cynthia L.,
Paper Book
"Raina Telgemeier fans will lap this up." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books A laugh-out-loud funny and empowering graphic memoir about growing up and finding your voice. Twelve-year-old...
Nonfiction

12

The Darkdeep
Condie, Allyson Braithwaite,
Paper Book
"This book left me breathless!" --R. L. Stine, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Goosebumps and Fear Street "Move over, Stranger Things. . . The Darkdeep will pull you into an irresistibly eerie world beyond your wildest dreams--and nightmares." -...
Horror

13

Daughter of the moon goddess : a novel
Tan, Sue Lynn,
Paper Book
The bestselling debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess. A young woman's quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm, setting her on a dangerous path where those she loves are not the only ones at risk... *THE INSTANT...

Adrenaline

14

The door of no return
Alexander, Kwame,
Paper Book
From the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winning author Kwame Alexander, comes the first book in a searing, breathtaking trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family. In his village in Upper...

Historical fiction

15

Dream, Annie, dream
Brown, Waka T.,
Paper Book
In this empowering deconstruction of the so-called American Dream, a twelve-year-old Japanese American girl grapples with, and ultimately rises above, the racism and trials of middle school she experiences while chasing her dreams. As the daughter of immigrants who came to...
Realistic fiction

16

Ezra exposed
Feldman, Amy Epstein,
Paper Book
It started as a joke--but it's not funny anymore. Even though Ezra's got good friends and can make everyone laugh, he feels like he's invisible, both at home and at school. To make things worse, he's the only kid in his group without a phone--left out of plans and shared jokes and games....
Realistic fiction

17

Finally seen
Yang, Kelly,
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a "involving, realistic" (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, and learns about family, friendship, and the...
Relationships

18

Freewater
Luqman-Dawson, Amina,
Paper Book
Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award  An Indiebound Bestseller A New York Times Bestseller Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical,...
Historical fiction

19

The ghosts of Rancho Espanto
Cuevas, Adrianna,
Paper Book
An Edgar Award winning middle grade mystery by Adrianna Cuevas--author of the Pura Belpré Honor Book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez--perfect for fans of Claribel Ortega's The Ghost Squad and Louis Sachar's Holes. ' Rafa would rather live in the...
Mystery

20

The grip
Stroman, Marcus,
Paper Book
In this first book in the semi-autobiographical middle grade series from MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman, a young baseball player learns that perfect games only come with a lot of practice--and some strikeouts. Young Marcus Stroman is determined to make it to the highest playing level...
Sports

21

Grounded : a novel
Saeed, Aisha,
Paper Book
Four kids meet at an airport for one unforgettable night in this middle-grade novel by four bestselling and award-winning authors--Aisha Saeed, Huda Al-Marashi, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, and S. K. Ali. When a thunderstorm grounds all flights following a huge Muslim...
Relationships

22

Honey and me
Drazin, Meira,
Paper Book
Fans of Judy Blume, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, and The Penderwicks will love this funny, charismatic story of a Jewish girl striving to forge her own identity in the shadow of her fearless best friend. **A 2023 Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book!** **A...
Relationships

23

Iceberg
Nielsen, Jennifer A.,
Paper Book
As disaster looms on the horizon, a young stowaway onboard the Titanic will need all her courage and wits to stay alive. A thrilling tale from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen! Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone from her home in England aboard...
Mystery

24

Indigo and Ida
Capps, Heather Murphy,
Paper Book
When eighth grader and aspiring journalist Indigo breaks an important story, exposing an unfair school policy, she's suddenly popular for the first time. The friends who've recently drifted away from her want to hang out again. Then Indigo notices that the school's disciplinary policies...
Realistic fiction

25

Join the club, Maggie Diaz
Moreno, Nina
Paper Book
This humorous and heartfelt middle-grade debut by Nina Moreno with illustrations by Courtney Lovett is perfect for fans of Celia C. Pérez and Terri Libenson, and any reader still deciding what their passion in life is. "MAYBE I'M GOOD AT SOMETHING I DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT YET." ...
Realistic fiction

26

Key player
Yang, Kelly,
Paper Book
Mia Tang is going for the goal in the fourth Front Desk novel by New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang! Mia Tang is play to win! The Women's World Cup is coming to Southern California, and everyone has soccer fever--especially Mia Tang! The U.S. team is playing China...
Sports

27

The last cuentista
Higuera, Donna Barba,
Paper Book
Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Pura Belpré Award From Pura Belpré Award winner and Newbery Medalist, Donna Barba Higuera--a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us...
Science fiction

28

The last mapmaker
Soontornvat, Christina,
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book  From Christina Soontornvat, the visionary and versatile author of three Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world. In a fantasy adventure every bit as...
Fantasy

29

Leonard (my life as a cat)
Sorosiak, Carlie.
Paper Book
He's not a stray house cat, he's an immortal being. And now he must choose whether to return to his planet or remain with his new human friend in a humorous, heart-tugging story from the author of I, Cosmo. The cat that Olive rescues from a flood has a secret: he's not...
Science fiction

30

The Manifestor prophecy
Thomas, Angie,
Paper Book
Instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore. It's not...

Fantasy

31

The Marvellers
Clayton, Dhonielle,
Paper Book
Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky --an instant New York Times and #1 Indie Bestseller! "The Marvellers deserves the highest compliment I can give a book: I want to live...
Fantasy

32

My aunt is a monster
Yee, Reimena,
Paper Book
Curses! Adventures! And drama! Oh my! Safia might not be able to see the world, but that doesn't mean she can't experience it to the fullest as she finds herself on her very first adventure! This is a contemporary fantasy middle-grade graphic novel about discovering what you are truly capable of....
Adrenaline

33

Nikhil out loud
Pancholy, Maulik,
Paper Book
Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Middle Grade From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy who learns the power of using his voice. For fans of Merci Suárez Changes...
Mystery

34

Northwind
Paulsen, Gary,
Paper Book
This stunning New York Times Bestseller from the survival story master, set along a rugged coastline centuries ago, does for the ocean what Hatchet does for the woods, as it relates the story of a young person's battle to stay alive against the odds, where the high seas meet a...
Adrenaline

35

The ogress and the orphans
Barnhill, Kelly Regan,
Paper Book
A National Book Award finalist and instant fantasy classic about the power of community, generosity, books, and baked goods, from the author of the beloved Newbery Medal winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon. The town of Stone in the Glen used to be lovely, but it hasn't been so in...
Fantasy

36

The princess revolt
O'Neill, Cathy,
Paper Book
Disney's Twisted Tales meets the Half Upon a Time trilogy in this "lively" (School Library Journal) first book of a new fantasy series following a young girl who discovers that fairy tale characters are real when she becomes the target of vindictive princesses who want their Happily Ever...

Re-tellings

37

Rescue
Nielsen, Jennifer A.,
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a thrilling World War II story of espionage and intrigue, as one girl races to save her father and aid the French resistance. Six hundred and fifty-seven days ago, Meg Kenyon's father left their home in France to fight...
Historical fiction

38

Scout is not a band kid
Armstrong, Jade,
Paper Book
A young girl in middle school will do whatever it takes to meet her favorite author-even if it means joining her school band! A contemporary graphic novel about making your dream come true-and the friends you make along the way. When Scout learns that her favorite author is doing...
Relationships

39

Shinji Takahashi and the mark of the coatl
Kagawa, Julie,
Paper Book
"One cannot fight destiny, boy. Even if one did not ask for it. The idol calls for you, and you must answer its call..." Shinji Takahashi is just an ordinary kid. An ordinary homeschooled smart-alecky kid being raised by his globe-trotting aunt Yui. But when a magical guardian...
Adrenaline

40

Simon sort of says
Bow, Erin,
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD . LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD . SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR . FINALIST FOR THE AUDIE AWARD FOR BEST MIDDLE GRADE AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR "Funny, poignant and-most important-hopeful." -New York Times Simon O'Keeffe's biggest...
Realistic fiction

41

Sisters of the Neversea
Smith, Cynthia Leitich,
Paper Book
Five starred reviews! In this beautifully reimagined story by NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), Native American Lily and English Wendy embark on a high-flying journey of magic, adventure, and courage to a fairy-tale...
Re-tellings

42

Soul lanterns
Kuzki, Shaw,
Paper Book
The haunting and poignant story of a how a young Japanese girl's understanding of the historic and tragic bombing of Hiroshima is transformed by a memorial lantern-floating ceremony. Twelve-year-old Nozomi lives in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. She wasn't even born when the...
Historical fiction

43

Sparrows in the wind
Levine, Gail Carson,
Paper Book
This novel from Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine about two princesses battling against their fates in the middle of the Trojan War is a must-read for anyone who loves Greek mythology or the Percy Jackson books! Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when...
Re-tellings

44

The Swifts : a dictionary of scoundrels
Lincoln, Beth,
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestseller! "Knives Out feel by way of Lemony Snicket...This archly told, never muddled debut whodunit reveals a roster of distinct characters, a labyrinthine setting and plot, and a mystery that is as clever as its heroine." - Publishers Weekly...

Mystery

45

Swim team
Christmas, Johnnie,
Paper Book
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for...
Sports

46

Thirteen chairs
Shelton, Dave,
Paper Book
A spine-tingling collection of ghost stories.When a boy finds himself drawn into an empty house one cold night, he enters a room in which twelve unusual-looking people sit around a table. And the thirteenth chair is pulled out for him.One by one, each of those assembled tells their ownghost...
Horror

47

Troublemaker
Cho, John,
Paper Book
An instant New York Times bestselller! An Indiebound bestseller! 12-year-old Jordan feels like he can't live up to the example his older sister set, or his parent's expectations. When he returns home from school one day hoping to hide his suspension, Los Angeles...
Historical fiction

48

Victory. Stand! : raising my fist for justice
Smith, Tommie,
Paper Book
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon...
Nonfiction

49

I will always write back : how one letter changed two lives
Alifirenka, Caitlin,
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl, a boy from Zimbabwe, and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. It started as an assignment. Caitlin had never even heard of Zimbabwe when everyone in her class was told to write...
Nonfiction

50

The Windeby puzzle : history and story
Lowry, Lois,
Paper Book
Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author Lois Lowry transports readers to an Iron Age world through the suspenseful dual narrative of a boy and girl both battling to survive. In an utterly one-of-a-kind blend of fiction and history, a master storyteller explores the...
Historical fiction

51

The witch, the sword, and the cursed knights
Rogers, Alexandria,
Paper Book
Twelve-year-old Ellie can't help that she's a witch, the most hated member of society. Determined to prove her worth and eschew her heritage, Ellie applies to the Fairy Godmother Academy-her golden ticket to societal acceptance. But Ellie's dreams are squashed when she receives the dreaded draft...
Re-tellings

52

Wreck at Ada's reef
Beil, Michael D.,
Paper Book
A vibrant contemporary mystery with a classic feel about grappling with grief, righting past wrongs, redefining family, and finding yourself. An Edgar Award Nominee! Twelve-year-old Lark Heron-Finch is steeling herself to spend the summer on Swallowtail Island off...
Mystery

53

Wretched waterpark
White, Kiersten,
Paper Book
A middle-grade mystery series that's spooky, creepy, and filled with gothic twists!Meet the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents-or at the very least finally finding a good churro....
Mystery

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