Best Middle Grade Books Set in New York City
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Tweens, read an unforgettable middle grade book set in the hustle, bustle, and heart of New York City, Manhattan! Whether your tween readers dreams of riding the subway solo, solving mysteries in Central Park, or navigating middle school in the big city, this list of middle grade books set in New York City will have them hooked. Let’s dive into the stories that capture the magic and madness of life in the city that never sleeps.
Let’s travel to New York City!
Middle Grade Books Set in New York City
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All written and illustrated by Chanel Miller
REALISTIC / ILLUSTRATED
In this charming, illustrated story, Magnolia’s parents own a laundromat in New York City. A new girl named Iris from California suggests that Magnolia find the owners of the lost socks on the (slightly embarrassing) lost sock bulletin board so that’s how the girls spend their days. Magnolia uses her knowledge of their customers to seek out the owners. They learn the backstories and secrets of many people, as well as introduce Iris to the city of New York. Magnolia experiences growing pains in her new friendship but also growth in other relationships in her beautiful, diverse, and kind community.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street written by Karina Yan Glaser
REALISTIC
Like The Penderwicks, you’ll fall in love with this quirky, wonderful family from the first page. 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. It’s almost Christmas and their efforts are only making things worse. What will they do? Charming and heart-warming.
City Spies Mission Manhattan written by James Ponti
SPY ADVENTURE
Who else has readers who love this series? Every book is just as strong as the first. The writing is compelling and interesting, plus who doesn’t want to read about kid spies who save the world? In this fifth book, Rio is featured as the team leader. They start in Venice, where they save a teen activist from a bombing, and then their mission takes them to New York City, where the activist is scheduled to speak at the United Nations. Also, why is Cairo’s traitorous mom contacting him, and whose side is he on? Adventure, secrets, and problems, this book has it all!
Katerina Ballerina written by Tiler Peck and Kyle Harris, illustrated by Sumiti Collina
REALISTIC (series)
An earnest young girl loves ballet, but since her dad can’t afford lessons, she watches YouTube videos and practices in her room. After a disastrous talent shows Katerina’s dad her bravery, Katrina’s dad stretches the budget for lessons. It’s not a great start when she shows up in a red swimming suit and homemade tutu! But she makes a friend who helps her learn ballet terms and adjust to formal classes. As Katrina becomes more serious in her dancing, a competition reminds Katrina that she needs to balance both working hard and enjoying dancing.
Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus
HISTORICAL FICTION
Set in New York City, this is a marvelous historical fiction story about family, community, and survival. Dory’s pop leaves to fight in World War II, assuring Dory and her younger and older brother that the neighborhood will give them what they need. And that’s true–at first, even though they miss their pops. When their new landlord realizes they are living without an adult, he calls social services on them. Refusing to be separated from her siblings, Dory finds a perfect new home– a secret hotel accessible only by dumb waiter, right about their favorite restaurant. A masterpiece of storytelling.
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston
I really liked this well-plotted mystery and think your readers will, too– the writing is great and the story is engaging. Jada has recently moved from France back to New York City after her Mama’s plane crashed 6 months before. But what really happened? Jada still thinks her mom’s alive which makes her father think that Jada is not accepting reality. What her father doesn’t know is there’s been a man following Jada and she has actually seen her mom. What is going on?
Operation Sisterhood by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
SLICE-OF-LIFE / BLENDED FAMILY
You’ll fall in love with this rich slice-of-Black-blended-family life in New York City. It’s always been just Jo and her mum but now they’re joining a new family because Jo’s mum is getting married to Bill. They move into a big brownstone with Bill and his daughter Sunday plus twins Lee and Liland, their parents Mama Hope and Papa Charles, and so many animals — chickens, cats, a lizard, a turtle, and a dog. It’s hard for Bo to get used to so much togetherness and she misses the one-on-one time she used to have with her mum. While she’s adjusting to her new patchwork-quilted family, she and her new sisters embark on a project to make the upcoming wedding a special day.
Lucky Broken Girl written by Ruth Behar
HISTORICAL MEMOIR
After a terrible car accident, Ruthie’s entire body is in a cast. She’s stuck in bed for months, then more months, then over a year with no television (it’s 1960). In a story based on the author’s childhood, we see this hardship punctuated by a vibrant, caring neighbor, a loving school tutor, and a determined physical therapist. Overall, Ruthie feels gratitude that she didn’t die, even on her hardest days, but it’s a challenging time, to say the least, and one that I connected to because of my daughter’s long-term illness.
A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
REALISTIC
A powerful story with complex, three-dimensional characters about grief, family, community, and homelessness. When their family becomes homeless after her dad dies, June helps her little sister and non-speaking mom get settled at Huey House. Despite the shock of their new situation, June finds kindness from many of the people at the shelter. But when Mrs. G, their social worker gets fired for not agreeing to the city’s new homeless policies, June helps organize a protest and discovers that home isn’t a place and family isn’t always blood.
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
Harbor Me tackles very big issues including race, immigration, bullying, learning differences, friendship, and forgiveness. The story is about six diverse children with learning differences. They bond during a special group, kids-only time on Friday afternoons where they share their stories, many of which Haley records on a tape recorder. Even as she learns the others’ stories, Haley is reluctant to share how her own dad is in jail for the car accident killing her mother. Eventually, she shares and it’s beautiful to see how the other kids support her.
Dead City by James Ponti
PARANORMAL (series)
Molly’s recruited to hunt zombies in New York City, just like her mother, who is dead. Or is mom actually a zombie? And why is she trying to contact Molly? This is a great action-adventure-mystery series with a zombie focus.
New Dragon City by Marci Mancusi
FANTASY
After dragons attacked world, humans must survive hidden, avoiding the skies filled with human-eating dragons. When Noah meets a young dragon, he’s surprised to feels compassion for her. The dragon Asha, in turn, saves his life. This goes against everything his father preaches about killing all dragons. It goes against Asha’s herd’s hatred of humans, also. Can Noah and Asha change the world with their new bond?
Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan
GRAPHIC NOVEL / FAIRY TALE (ages 10+)
I adore this reimagining of Snow White set in New York City in the 20s. Snow White’s dad is a Wall Street king, her stepmother is a Zigfield Follies star, and her seven small protectors are street kids. It’s SO interesting how Phelan uses this historical setting to animate a familiar fairy tale. The black and white illustrations set the tone for this dark story with a happy ending.
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