It can be difficult to find books that are engaging enough for middle schoolers, with difficult enough wording, but content that isn’t too mature for our tween readers. This list of 100+ Engaging Books for Middle School can help you narrow your search!

While I have not read every one of these books, I have read a good number of them. I picked each of these based on their approximate reading level, as well as their appropriateness for the middle grades. This of course does not supersede a parent’s judgement in having your children read these. If I have not read these, I have read reviews and felt these books fit the bill of being exciting enough to engage our middle readers!

100+ Engaging Books for Middle School

Ok, I admit, this list may not look like 100 books for middle school, but it is actually MORE THAN 100 BOOKS! Between the single books I listed that actually have sequels and spin-offs to the large list of books series, the total is closer to 200 books!

Single Books for Middle School

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
2. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (while this is a series of 8 books, many just read this titled one)
3. Beauty by Robin McKinley
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
5. Eleven by Tom Rogers (A couple of other 9/11 books of note: Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story and Towers Falling)
6. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (The sequel is The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate.)
7. Frindle by Andrew Clements (Andrew Clements has a host of great books for middle school – such as The Report Card –  so be sure to check out some of his others!)
8. Hatchett by Gary Paulsen (there are 4 spin off adventures from this book)
9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
10. Holes by Louis Sachar
11. Hoot by Carl Haissen
12. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
13. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
14. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
15. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
16. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
17. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
18. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
19. Little House on the Prairie  by Laura Ingalls Wilder (another book that is technically a series of 9 books, but the this one stands alone as well)
20. Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm (The sequel is Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick)
21. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM by Robert C O’Brien
22. My Brother Sam is Dead by Christopher Collier
23. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
24. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (author of Moon Over Manifest)
25. Number the Stars by Lois Lowery
26. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (There are actually 4 Penderwick books)
27. Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswan
28. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds (there are 3 other Shiloh books)
29. Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli (the sequel is Love, Stargirl)
30. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
31. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christoper Paul Curtis
32. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
33. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (Corresponding Activities)
34. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
35. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
36. The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry (and it’s sequel The Worst Night Ever)
37. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (and the whole 5 book set)

Series Books for Middle School

The thing I love about book series is that if you fall in love a book, an author, a story, a style of writing, it is easy to find another one to pick up!

1. Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer (7 books)
2. Book of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau (4 books)
3. Canterwood Crest series by Jessica Burkhart (19 at my best count)
4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (7 books)
5. The Giver by Lois Lowery (4 books) (Check out my Giver Activities)
6. Harry Potter by (7 books plus The Cursed Child)
7. Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan (5 books)
8. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (5 books)
9. Middle School by James Patterson (number 9 comes out in 2017)
10. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Tenton Lee Stewart (4 books)
11. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan (5 books)
12. Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander (5 books)
13. Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan (12 books)
14. Willow Falls by Wendy Mass (4 books)

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