13 Incredible Middle Grade Books, May 2025
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Some months have so many new and incredible new middle grade books. Like this month’s new releases that range from heartwarming, realistic stories to magical and fantastical adventures. Your readers won’t be able to put these books down!
Also, I have more May books to read so if I like any of those, they will be on my June review roundup.
Enjoy!
13 Incredible Middle Grade Books, May 2025
Creature Clinic written and illustrated by Gavin Aung Than 
FANTASY / GRAPHIC NOVEL
In this fantasy world, the wounded and sick mystical creatures go to the Creature Clinic run by Kara’s mom. Kara is an orc doctor-in-training at the clinic who discovers a human stuck to the bottom of a giant’s boot. But her mom, who hates humans, says to dump the human. Kara doesn’t. Instead, she nurses the human back to health. Kara’s janitor friend sneaks the human back into the clinic which is against the rules, and passes him off as an emotional support elf in a hazmat-looking suit. But what will happen when he helps the Giant and Kara’s mom finds out the truth? This is a heartwarming, magical story about family, friendship, and kindness with interesting creatures and situations created by the Zen Pencils creator.
Unico: Hunted Volume 2 written by Samuel Sattin, created by Osamu Tezuka, illustrated by Gurihiru
FANTASY GRAPHIC NOVEL
I LOVE THIS SERIES with such incredible art! Unico is the sweetest, amnesiac unicorn who continues to get dropped into worlds and situations to escape the wrathful Venus. In this world, an evil robot named Mother is oppressing and controlling the town with her polluting factories and destructive nature. Unico is determined to help his new friend Chiko and save the town from Mother. Meanwhile, Venus is still hunting Unico and will stop at nothing to find him.
Spelling It Out written by Margaret Finnegan
REALISTIC
This is a beautiful middle grade novel about growing up and growing old, family and memory, set in San Francisco. Ben is visiting his nan for the summer to study with a former spelling bee champion, a horrible man who belittles Ben more than he helps him. Despite that, Ben continues studying, encouraged by his new library friend Asha. But instead of his nan supervising, Ben has been left on his own, which builds his confidence as he navigates the city by himself. He slowly realizes that his nan is struggling to remember things, and it’s not getting better.
Afia and the Land of Wonders written and illustrated by Mia Araujo
FANTASY
Fantasy fans will love this magical and mesmerizing adventure that is inspired (but better) than Alice in Wonderland. Afia is a curious girl who is craving adventure. She leaves her beloved twin sister and closed community but gets tricked and trapped by a shape-shifting wood carver’s master, an abusive queen of an enchanted castle in a magical, slightly wacky land. A masked ghost helps Afia escape the queen’s palace, but she won’t escape the queen’s clutches for long. Lush color illustrations illuminate the dazzling story.
Return to Sender written and illustrated by Vera Brosel
MAGICAL REALISM
After his dad dies, Oliver acts as the grown-up taking care of his mom who has descended into grief. When they inherit his great aunt’s apartment, Oliver discovers a magical mail slot that grants his wishes. Of course, he uses the wishes to fit in at his new school and even gives a few wishes to a new friend. But Oliver wants more and more and ignores the possible consequences of his actions until something truly terrible happens. A compelling read about grief, greed, family, and friendship.
Minor Rescue: The Adventures of Noah Minor Book 2 written by Meredith Davis, illustrated by Billy Yong
SUPERHERO ADVENTURE
You’ll speed through this second book in the illustrated, fast-paced superhero adventure following the aftermath of Noah’s Great Uncle Saul’s betrayal and destruction. Noah is consumed with anger which has serious consequences when he uses the feeling to boost his Gravitas powers. When Saul kidnaps 26 kids who were rejected from the Gravitas program, Noah and his friends are tasked with investigating his Grandma’s house to find clues to her brother’s whereabouts. With themes of managing emotions, friendship, betrayal, and friendship and a relatable main character, this is another exciting adventure you won’t want to put down!
Chronicles or Whetherwhy written by Anna James, illustrated by David Wyatt
FANTASY
In a uniquely imagined world with four seasons of magic, Juniper is a twin with Enchanter spring magic who gets sent to a special academy, leaving her brother Rafferty, who has small Summer magic, at home. But on her way to the Thistledown Academy, Juniper is attacked by a sinister group of people who take her magic using a strange-looking bulb. Meanwhile, Rafferty follows his sister to the city and apprentices at a bookbindery where he joins the mysterious Papercut society. Will the adults with nefarious, greedy intentions defeat the siblings and their friends? A magical, adventurous plot!
The Callers written by Kiah Thomas
FANTASY
In this fantasy world, Callers are individuals with the power to “call” things (food, objects) into being. But Quin does not have the family gift, much to his mother’s disapproval. When Quin himself is “called” somewhere else, he soon learns a horrifying truth about his mother and their world’s legacy of theft. His new friend helps him not just see the truth but to find what his gift truly is. I loved this exciting, unique world and story and wasn’t even mad about the cliff hanger! I can’t wait for book two.
The Truth About 5th Grade written by Kim Tomsic and Mark Parisi
REALISTIC
If your kids like reading books in a first-person diary format, and most kids do, they will love this book that alternates the narrative perspectives of best friends Charli and Alex! These best friends’ opposite personalities are evidenced in their diaries and entertaining from start to finish. Dramatic Charli gets mad at best friend Alex, whom she thinks has betrayed her by revealing her crush. Alex has no idea why Charli is acting mad, so he decides to ignore it. This is a relatable, cute, and funny story about 5th-grade life and friendship with misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and revenge! You won’t be able to put this one down.
Growing Home written by Beth Ferry
ANIMAL FRIENDSHIP
If you like quiet books, read this illustrated middle grade novel about friendship and family next! It stars two plants, a grumpy fish, and a spider with a broken leg who live at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive. Their quiet days are interrupted by the discovery of their magical powers that help them fight a fish tank-stealing thief.
El NIño written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
MAGICAL REALISM
This incredible layered story about grief and mythology is both heartbreaking and heartwarming –– and you won’t be able to put it down. Kai’s sister Cali, a talented swimmer, disappeared into the ocean two years ago. Kai still hasn’t recovered, he’s dragging down his competitive summer swim team despite his best efforts. When he discovers a book his sister checked out from the library more than once about Queen Califa, reading it helps him imagine what happened to Cali and where she is now.
The Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation written by Pablo Cartaya
REALISTIC
A narrator shares Gonzalo’s summer vacation and breaks down the hero’s journey as Gonzalo and his grumpy Abuelo, a reclusive fantasy writer, set out on a cross-country road trip instead of flying to big cities on his book tour. The trip forces Gonzalo to grapple with his sad and mad emotions at his dad dying, his mom always working, and his abuelo not caring about him enough to do an author school visit. When Gonzalo takes control from the narrator, we see his growth and healing on this emotional coming-of-age story.
Creaky Acres written by Calista Brill, illustrated by Nilah Magruder
REALISTIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL
Horse lovers, don’t miss this enjoyable graphic novel about friendship and embracing your unique self. Nora moves to the country to a run-down horse barn that isn’t as fancy as her previous city barn and doesn’t compete in horse shows. Nora hates it. At first. But when she defends another rider from a bully at school, she makes her first friend and gives Creaky Acres a chance.
