13 New Middle Grade Books to Read in Fall 2017
This post may contain affiliate links.
Discover new, amazing middle grade books for tweens, ages 9 – 12, for fall 2017 reading.
*Find more newly published (excellent) fall 2017 middle grade FANTASY books here and HISTORICAL FICTION books here. (I separated the list because it was so long.)
13 New Middle Grade Books to Read in Fall 2017
Wallace the Brave by Will Henry
HUMOR / GRAPHIC NOVEL
If you like the humor in Calvin and Hobbes, you must read Wallace the Brave. It’s totally hilarious. You’ll laugh your say through stories of Wallace’s life on the school bus, on the playground, playing with friends, hanging with his fisherman dad, and more. I’m smiling just writing this as I think back on Wallace’s antics and adventures. Very entertaining!
An excellent, diverse, page-turning coming-of-age story, this is about a girl who is half-Mexican on her mom’s side and half-punk rock on her dad’s side, both which are cultures prominently featured in the story and her life. Malú’s unhappily forced to move to Chicago with her mother where she eventually finds her place when she starts a Latin-flavored punk band. When their group doesn’t get into the talent show, they decide to play anyway. In the parking lot. (So punk!) See Malú discover herself through life’s challenges and adventures then find out what the first rule of punk actually is.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
REALISTIC
Like The Penderwicks, you’ll fall in love with this quirky, wonderful family. The Vanderbeekers’ landlord wants them out by the end of December but the Vanderbeeker kids are determined to change his mind, even though he hates noise, kids, and their family. But it’s almost Christmas and their efforts are only making things worse. What will they do? Charming and heart-warming.
All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
REALISTIC / COMING OF AGE / GRAPHIC NOVEL
Growing up, Imogene (aka. Impy) always loved her family’s part in the Renaissance Faire . . . that is, until middle school. Even though she gets her dream to work in the faire as a squire, she also just wants to be like the other girls at her school, too. Her journey is painful and honest as she figures out who she wants to be. It’s narrated as a hero’s journey which, with the faire background and middle school drama, feels perfect. Beyond being a terrific coming of age story, I’m sure this book will interest tween readers in Renaissance festivals themselves.
Written like an adult suspense novel, this is one of the best edge-of-your-seat mystery books for middle grade that I’ve ever read. A boy with no memory is found at the National Gallery staring at a Degas sculpture. Strangely, this boy knows a great deal about art and artists. After he’s put in foster care, we learn he’s being hunted by a team of professional bad guys. The boy, Art, and his foster sister, escape from several kidnapping attempts and begin to unravel who he is and what’s going on as they race around Washington D.C. Tweens will love the absolutely fantastic plot plus the QR codes embedded throughout the book showing the artwork mentioned.
Beautifully written and plotted, Justin Sayre has created a coming-of-age masterpiece not to be missed. Sophie’s life is complicated. Hiding her mom’s alcohol addiction affects everything, even her school work. When her mother leaves for a trip, her aunt moves in and gently helps Sophie learn about being a strong, beautiful, biracial woman. Sophie blossoms with the love and kindness of her aunt. Soon, Sophie must decide what she’ll do next — move with her aunt or stay with her mother who eventually returns home from rehab.
The Loser’s Club by Andrew Clements
REALISTIC
Ever been called a bookworm or a loser? Well, Alec has been called both — because he IS an avid reader. In fact, he gets in trouble for reading during class. As far as the loser comment? Alec decides to claim that word. He makes an after school care club just for reading (not a book club because who wants to talk?), calling it the Loser’s Club. Surprisingly, the club attracts other kids (despite the name). As it does, Alec starts noticing life outside his stories — the cute girl, the needs of other kids, the feelings! “Reading a book used to be like finding a place where no one could bother him or talk to him or remind him about stuff he ought to be doing instead. And now? Books just made him think and think and think . . . about himself, about Nina, about everybody else — about the whole world.” (209) Book lovers, you’ll want to read this genuine story with all your favorite books, relatable characters, and the growing pains that happen when we look up from a book.
At coding camp, Allie makes an app to help kids can find new friends. When she returns to school, she releases it only to discover it has a major glitch. Relatable and engaging, this is a cool STEM themed story of a middle school girl’s coding project that has unexpected consequences both positive and negative. ADDED TO: STEAM and STEM Chapter Books for Kids
The List by Patricia Forde
DYSTOPIAN
Like any dystopian story, this one begins after the cataclysmic event. One man controls the society, including the 500 words approved in “The List” people can use. (Because words = dangerous thoughts.) Letta is the Wordsmith’s apprentice, the job that controls and manages all the words from now and before. When the Wordsmith disappears, Letta asks her dangerous outsider friend to help her find out what happened. She discovers a sinister plan meant to wipe out the community’s language all together. There aren’t too many dystopian middle grade books (lots in YA) but this one is worth reading.
If you like suspenseful mysteries with ghosts that aren’t too scary, this book is for you! Olive, an aspiring actress with a domineering mother, discovers she fits in perfectly at Maudeville, a gorgeous old theater she’s run away to. Not only that, she’s been cast as the lead in the newest production. But there is something weird going on — her friend’s brother lives outside the theater in the alley and continues to warn her that things aren’t what they seem. What is really going on? Is it good or bad?
Mabel Opal Pear and the Rules for Spying by Amanda Hosch, illustrated by Ira Sluyterman van Langeweyde
MYSTERY / SPY
Mabel’s a determined, brave girl whose spy parents have gone missing. Her horrible aunt and uncle live with her clearly are up to no good. Mabel sets out to discover the truth about her parents, her unkind relatives, and the family’s unique spoon museum. Love this brave heroine.
Two ghost story books worth mentioning that were too creepy for me because I’m a wimp (I really am!) but your kids probably aren’t are the following:
The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie
GHOST
and
Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
GHOST
Remember, the fall 2017 middle grade FANTASY books are here.
The fall 2017 middle grade HISTORICAL FICTION books are here.
