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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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.

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All the small wonderful things
Foster, Kate
Paper Book
"This book will appeal to readers who love dogs and want a story about how friendship often arrives unexpectedly--and a true friend will like you for you." --Booklist Eleven-year-old Alex knows that starting middle school will be a big change, and for an autistic person,...
Amy's big brother
Jeong, BonHyung
Paper Book
I'm not her babysitter...Having a little sister isn't easy - she takes my soda, follows me around, and wants to tag along with me and my friends. Worse, she always gets her way with our parents! Sometimes I wonder if I was adopted just to look after her. (I know, it doesn't make sense.) Going to...
The best friend bracelet
Collier, Nicole D.
Paper Book
A tender, funny story about making--and keeping--friends, perfect for fans of Sarah Mlynowski. At Hurston Middle School, best friendship is a big deal. And Zariah Brown makes the best best friendship bracelets in town. Business is booming; Zariah can hardly keep up with...
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...
Crushing it
Becker, Erin (Children's author)
Paper Book
From debut author Erin Becker comes an action-packed but tender novel about first romance, queer identity, and learning how to be brave when it matters the most. On the soccer field, Magic Mel is in her element. She's ready to lead her team to victory at the city championship in...
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...
The extremely embarrassing life of Lottie Brooks
Kirby, Katie
Bestselling author Katie Kirby captures the humorous and heart-felt antics of Lottie Brooks, an 11-year-old who is in for one long--and embarrassing--year if she can't learn to laugh at life's little mistakes. A Warning to Future Readers: Hi, I'm Lottie...
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...
Happy & sad & everything true
Thayer, Alex
Paper Book
With charm and sincerity reminiscent of Judy Blume and Rebecca Stead, this debut middle grade novel is a heartfelt, hopeful story about a girl finding herself through secretly giving out advice to classmates. Back when Dee and Juniper were still friends, Dee never hid in the...
Leah vs. Art
McCullough, Joy
Paper Book
Leah's ambitious extracurricular plans cause trouble in this second book in the Team Awkward middle grade series that's The Baby-Sitters Club meets Dork Diaries. How organized, driven Leah was born into her family, she'll never know. They're as different as can be. For example,...
Merci Suárez changes gears
Medina, Meg
Paper Book
A Pura Belpre Award Winning Author Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They...
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...
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 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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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/944.1309/list/7157

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