Mrs. Tom's 2024 Ultimate Summer Reading Guide
For Middle Grade Students
The great children’s author, Gary Paulson, tells us to “read like a wolf eats!” I hope you’re ravenous for reading this summer. I can’t wait to devour these delicious books. Without further ado, here’s the summer reading guide for middle grade students. Remember, they’re not just for kids. Enjoy!
#1. Picture Books
Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld—Riley made a paper airplane and couldn’t wait to let it soar. Lots of birds offer him advice about how to make a bigger and better plane, but finally he discovers the true meaning of soaring.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld—When something sad happens to Taylor, he doesn’t know how to respond, but a rabbit knows just what he needs—someone to listen.
Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman—This is a story about the arrival of new babies, sibling rivalry, bravery, unconditional love...and veggies!
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson—This book explores how we all feel like outsiders sometimes and how brave it is that we go forth anyway.
Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld—Grandpa and granddaughter go on a walk in the forest. After passing other hikers, Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath a person who seems like they won't understand what you’re feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way.
Spider in the Well by Jess Hannigan—Breaking News: Wishing Well Broken! The townspeople of Bad Göodsburg are up in arms. With their beloved well busted, none of their important, generous, kindhearted wishes are coming true! It’s time to investigate what’s happening.
Ahoy by Sophie Blackall—Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high-seas adventure…all without leaving the living room!
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santant—This story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match.
Hidden Gem by Linda Liu—When a small pebble sees others gathering on the steps of the Museum of Rocks, he grows curious. Once inside the esteemed halls, he is shocked by what he discovers. The only rocks on display are glittering gemstones, geodes, and crystals! Can he be special, too?
#2. Nonfiction Picture Books
Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel—Biography about beloved librarian and storyteller Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children’s services at all branches of the New York Public Library.
Step Gently Out by Helen Frost—A Poetic photo album of the insect world.
This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids From Around the World by Matt Lamothe—This genuine exchange provides a window into traditions that may be different from our own as well as mirrors reflecting our common experiences.
How Do You Spell Unfair: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford—In 1936, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee. And with that win, she was asked to compete at the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. She left her home state a celebrity, but celebration turned to chill when the train crossed the state line into Maryland, where segregation was the law of the land.
#3. Novel in Verse
And Then Boom by Lisa Fipps—Novel features a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him.
#4. Series
The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class by Kate Messner and various authors—Each book in this series of eighteen features a different student in Mrs. Z’s class. Each book is also written by a different author. Note that these books have bigger print and are quite short.
#5. Graphic Novel
Timid by Jonathan Todd—A semiautobiographical graphic novel about frenemies, fitting in, and finding your voice.
#6. Hybrid Books
Lucky Scramble by Peter Raymundo—Six competitive cubers face off at the Speed Cubing national championships. Mostly a graphic novel with some prose pages.
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider—This is a poetry and comic book in one. It’s organized by the seasons.
Tacos Today by Raul the Third—The book follows the young luchadores on the hunt for their favorite lunch in an action-packed, graphic-novel-style.
#7. Fiction Novels
Attack of the Black Rectangles by A. S. King—When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he's outraged. Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story. But who?
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggars—Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and ensuring the equilibrium is in balance.
Ferris by Kate Dicamillo—A hilarious and achingly real love story about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother, and growing up.
Olivetti by Allie Millington—Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks. Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs) and recently replaced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family. The Brindles are busy humans, apart from 12-year-old Ernest, who would rather be left alone with his collection of Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do was remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they’ve typed on him. It’s a thankless job, keeping memories alive.
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow—Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school.
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee and Dan Santant—When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)—who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case.
First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly—When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future, his life is changed forever. This novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness.
One and Only Family by Katherine Applegate—For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby. This is the last adventure in Ivan’s world. Told from Ivan’s perspective.
The Many Assinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri—This is the tale of an exciting journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger than life character and the so-called “Seller of Dreams.”
True Colors by Abby Cooper—In Serenity, Minnesota, everyone looks on the bright side, and that’s on purpose: to live in this town, people have to agree to talk positively and only focus on the good things in life. For twelve-year-old Mackenzie Werner, who has the rare gift of her emotions showing up as a colorful haze around her body, this town seems like the perfect place until a documentary maker comes to town and starts asking questions.
#8. Historical Fiction
Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar—The Novel tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life.
Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen—As disaster looms on the horizon, a young stowaway onboard the Titanic will need all her courage and wits to stay alive.
#9. Link to 2023 Summer Reading Guide for Middle Grades
Finally, for more reading suggestions, you can revisit the titles in last year’s summer reading guide.
Have you read any of these books? Which ones will you add to your TBR? Let me know in the comments. On August 30th, I’ll let you know the books I read and loved. I hope you’ll join in the conversation and share your favorites too.
NOTE: Mrs. Tom’s Ultimate Summer Reading Guide FOR ADULTS comes out next Friday.