April 20, 2026

Middle Grade for Every Kind of Kid

There's a middle grade book for every kind of kid.

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These are the books featured in this post — tap any cover to find it on Amazon.

Cover of The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks

by Jeanne Birdsall

This series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager. Over one million copies sold, now with a bright new look! This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures. The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget. Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.

Cover of The Westing Game

The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin

For the kid who loves a good mystery — clues, red herrings, and a plot clever enough to inspire theories.

Cover of The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

For the visual kid — half pictures, half prose, all magic. A Caldecott winner.

Cover of Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

For the animal lover and the outdoor kid — read it together, it's worth it.

Cover of The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

by Kelly Barnhill

SPECIAL PREVIEW! Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known. The acclaimed author of The Witch’s Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic.

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