From the Team: Our Favorite Middle Grade Books
We’ve been cheering you on to enjoy Middle Grade books all month long, but we wanted to get in on the fun. Below you’ll find our team’s favorite titles from when we were that age—not that long ago! Read on for our recommendations.
Sam Smith, Author
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
This is one of many books my children recommended I read for a long time. I’m not sure when they stopped only taking my recommendations, and gave them to me as well. Turnabout is fair play, and (as our UK cousins say) fair play to them! Eventually, the stopped recommending I read it and began to insist. I’m so glad they did. One of the finest books I have ever read, and a top five all-time MG book. Charming, funny, believable, and beautiful. This is a book that makes an author think, ‘How has he possibly done this? Has he befriended a wizard, or been granted wishes by a genie?’ It’s such a human tale, for young and old, and I love it so much. Thanks to my kids, and kudos to Master Schmidt!
Andrew Mackay, Publisher
The Year of the Black Pony by Walt Morey
At some point in my 10 or 11 year-old life, my mom bought a (now-out-of-print) box set of Walt Morey novels. They were set in the Pacific northwest and Alaska, and notably didn’t include his best-known book, Gentle Ben. The Year of the Black Pony is about a boy named Chris, whose alcoholic, ne’er-do-well father is tragically killed when he picks a fight in the town bar. Chris’s mother has to find a way to save the family, and Chris has to decide whether to be angry at the world over his circumstances or to follow his mother’s example. Oh, yeah, and there’s a beautiful horse that catches his eye and captures his heart. Listen, I’m doing a bad job explaining this, but it’s a delightful, warm, thoroughly good story. The world needs more stories like The Year of the Black Pony.
(Also, if anyone from Walt Morey’s estate reads this, I’ve been emailing you for years… we should talk. Let’s get these books back in print and back into the hands of readers who will love them.)
Jaclyn Rader, Administrative Assistant
The Penderwick Series by Jeanne Birdsall
I found these books as an adult and was captured by the simple, yet beautiful, whimsy of it all. It was a joy to follow the Pendewick sisters on their adventures, and I eagerly anticipate the day my daughters are old enough to begin reading them with me.
Natalie Morell, Marketing & Communications Manager
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
I was influenced by Story Warren’s blog (an occupational hazard) and came across a recommendation for A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. I read this as an adult and found it delightful! Three siblings must flee London during World War II and are jostled back and forth between difficult situations and mistreatment. Forced to grow beyond their years, they’re really just longing for someone to make them a family again. Then, they find refuge in the library. The author does a wonderful job packaging the hardships in a way that allows the reader can grow alongside the characters. I can’t wait to read this book with my kids!
Coralie Terry, Publisher’s Assistant
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
When I was about twelve, my little brother and I agreed to exchange books if the other would promise to read it. He gave me Inkheart and I have never forgotten the magical world or the beloved characters. The story of lost and broken families fighting to find one another again resonates with me to this day, and the delightfully beautiful world is still enchanting every time I reread it. This epic adventure of good vs. evil was easy to get lost in and kept me turning pages, but more than that, it gave me hope when I needed it most.
Kelly Keller, Managing Editor
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
One of my favorite middle grade books from my younger years was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. It was rare to find a survival story featuring a girl, plus the descriptions of the natural world were enchanting. This book is based on a true story!
Josiah Smith, CEO
The Giver by Lois Lowry
On the surface, the world seems quite perfect because of the sameness of society. Emotions and differences are suppressed in order to eliminate pain and conflict. An incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story that I would recommend. And, keep going through the other books in the series – Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
Zach Franzen, Illustrator
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
I love how this book maps the adventurous spirit of childhood onto the seriousness of the world. It’s a great story that made me reflect on my own inner capabilities.
When she’s not behind her laptop, Kelly enjoys live music, baseball, reading great books, and traveling with her husband, David. Kelly hails from beautiful snowy New England, but after nearly two decades in North Carolina, she feels right at home.
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Some books I would highly recommend are:
Wars of the Realm trilogy (by chuck black)
The Starlore Legacy (which is my current favorite series)(by chuck black)
The Kingdom Series (by Chuck Black)
Dragonspell (by Donita K Paul)
Wingfeather Saga (Andrew Peterson
Hank the Cowdog (John R. Erickson) (Very good reads for middle school, lots of humor about a dog on a ranch in the panhandle. The audio versions are amazing and are voiced all by the author)