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
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Absolutely everything
Alexander, Damian (Cartoonist)
Paper Book
Lately, life feels like a lot for Marcella. Sixth grade seems complicated on purpose. Marcella keeps forgetting her homework or getting distracted while she's doing it. Plus, her bestie has new friends, and her parents even want to move apartments. She's trying to keep track of the changes...
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....
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...
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, New...
Listen to this
Blecher, Jennifer
Paper Book
Secrets, rumors, shifting friendships, overbearing parents, and, on top of all that, a first dance--how does anyone survive seventh grade? Told from dual points of view, this novel about two tweens finding their voices and standing up for themselves is for fans of Lisa Yee, Leslie Connor, and...
Merci Suarez 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...
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. ...
Opal Watson : private eye
Thurman, Brittany
Paper Book
Opal Watson, Private Eye introduces an exciting new middle grade mystery series based on the popular original Pinna podcast that feels like a modern-day version of Harriet the Spy. Opal Watson loves being a detective. When her neighbor's cat goes missing or her grandmother...
Rainbow Fair
Ma, Diana
Paper Book
Set against the backdrop of a middle school cultural fair, this tenderhearted and funny novel from the author of The Unbeatable Lily Hong stars twelve-year-old Sophie Mu--who discovers the power of defining oneself as she navigates friendship drama, family expectations, and learning...
The ripple effect
Caprara, Rebecca
Paper Book
When 6th grader Zella's class prank flops, she's given a second chance to leave a lasting impact in this middle-grade novel about redemption, friendship, and kindness. A perfect book club pick to inspire discussion, 9-12-year-old fans of Katherine Applegate's Wishtree will...
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...
Things that shimmer
Lakritz, Deborah
Paper Book
Praise for Things That Shimmer by Deborah Lakritz: Sydney Taylor Notable Book In the spring of 1973, Melanie Adler desperately wants to be accepted by the Shimmers, the popular kids in her class. But the secret of her mother's PTSD stands in the way. As hard as she tries, Melanie...
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...

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