25 Delightful Feel-Good Middle-Grade Books

Ambitious sixth grader Zoe Sparks loves to write and enjoys brainstorming ideas for her journalism class. There’s only one problem: Her at-home computer is so unreliable that it just stops working one day. Fortunately, her school is organizing a cookie dough fundraiser, and guess what the top seller prize is? A WordPro laptop — and orange (her favorite color) at that! Zoe is determined to outsell everyone, especially her nemesis Amaya. But soon, her ambition begins to impact her balance and her friendship with her BFF Felix. I adored the voice in this one and finished it in one day. Good for ages 9+ and also UNDER 200 pages!

Since her mom died during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been just Chloe and her dad. She worries about their finances, so when she has the chance to go on a school trip to Broadway, she’s hesitant to tell him. On a good note, there’s a boy she maybe likes? He works at a boba tea place in her neighborhood, and things are going well until an altercation at the shop ends with Chloe being banned from the boba tea place. What unfolds is a string of chaotic, surprising, and satisfying events, including a boba-making business, two lost lovers reuniting, and a new furry family member. Bubble Trouble is a lighthearted, feel-good middle grade romance — the exact kind constantly sought out by kids in this age group. Ages 10+

When Rory moves to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her dad after her parents’ separation, she meets Abby, a tall fellow basketball lover, and the two become fast friends. Imagine their shock when they find out that their dads can’t stand each other — and not because they coach the city’s rival basketball teams but because of something that happened years ago when THEY were middle schoolers. Bishop takes us through the girls’ lives as they dig into what happened between their dads, telling the story from multiple perspectives: the girls’, their dads’, and a ball-playing nun in their lives. Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up is a fast-paced and compelling book about true friendships, family secrets, forgiveness, and basketball. Ages 10+

Charlie is the new kid for the umpteenth time, but this time things will be different. Her dad is no longer in the military, and this is a more permanent home, so she feels more pressure to find and impress some new friends. When she meets a cool group of Black girls with varying interests, she decides to hide her “babyish” style and hobbies to befriend them. But she soon learns that with true friends, you can be your whole self. Curlfriends: New In Town is the cute first book in a new graphic novel series about Black hair, girlfriends, fashion, and adjusting to change. Ages 8+

Zurika Damani plays the violin with a sprinkle of hip-hop and has just been rejected by Julliard. Her current options are to go to college for pre-law or compete in a contest judged by major college scouts (including Julliard scouts). The only problem is that the contest is during her big sister’s week-long Indian wedding. Thankfully, her cousins band together to help her disappear during the ceremony without being discovered. But things get complicated when Zurika finds out that the group’s South African cousin is a fellow contestant. My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding is a rambunctious, chaotic story about family and music and featuring a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance. Ages 11+

Santana and Casey feel like the less-loved daughters in their families, so when the two girls become friends, they decide to weasel their way into being their parents’ favorites by undermining their sisters. I’m typically not a fan of intense sibling rivalry stories, but this book is truly funny and reads in an easy, relatable voice reminiscent of contemporary classics like The Babysitters’ Club books. My heart went out to both girls and anyone who’s ever felt like the second favorite child will feel seen by this story. Ages 9+

This fun SHORT series opener (yay for short MG) is immediately reminiscent of friendship group books like The Babysitters Club. Gigi and her two friends, Zeina and Caroline, decide to start a tutoring club in the library to help them save up some cash for an art summer camp. Gigi’s parents think being an artist is not a promising career option and would rather she focus on math and the sciences, so she neglects to tell them about the club and her plan. The girls add wannabe goth Emma to their team, and business begins. They must navigate business planning, crushes, tricky clients, and worried parents to keep their business (and their friendship) afloat. The vibes were so sweet in this one, and kids who love entrepreneurial stories, books by Debbi Michiko Florence, and friendship-based realistic fiction will love it. Ages 9+

After a series of unfortunate incidents with potatoes, Ben Hardy is sure he’s cursed. So you can imagine his terror when his family moves to Idaho and his school’s mascot is a potato! When Ben accidentally causes the mascot to sprain his ankle, the coach insists that he replace the injured mascot. As the new kid, Ben is scared to tank his social status and lose his new friends and potential friendships with the cool kids, so he decides to hide his identity as the mascot. But soon, one lie leads to another and Ben’s lies threaten to topple all the good things in his new life in Idaho. My Life As a Potato is a humorous, thought-provoking story about staying true to yourself and finding your tribe as the new kid in town. Ages 10+

In The House Swap, tweens Allie and Sage are forced together when their families plan to swap houses goes awry. Allie is a British girl living in the countryside and preparing to be a spy when she grows up. She’s also the (overlooked, she feels) middle child, stuck between a teen brother and a talkative little sister. Sage is an only child in sunny California, growing up with parents who seem to be growing apart. She gets more worried when she discovers that only her mom will be coming with her to the English countryside. Both girls realize that they have more in common than they think and decide to help each other — Ally with Sage’s parents and Sage with being Allie’s friend. The House Swap is a cozy, charming middle grade book about family (history & secrets), new friendships, and navigating parental divorce. Ages 9+

This book follows young Ryanna who gets sent to a family summer camp with her mother’s extended family — who she hasn’t seen since her mom died when she was three. Ryanna goes to camp hoping for a low-key situation where she can spend time in peace and quiet with her grandparents but is surprised to find a slew of aunts, uncles, and cousins at Camp Van Camp. After a rocky start, she starts to learn more about her mom, even discovering a treasure map she created as a kid and reading the detective novels she used to enjoy. But when she discovers that the campgrounds will be torn down by a developer, Ryanna and her cousins have to band together to save the day. The Firefly Summer is a summer-infused middle grade book about family, summer camps, and learning more about a deceased parent. Ages 9+

11-year-old Mo is facing a hard life moment. Her Nan (and sole guardian) has died, and her uncle (and only surviving relative) has decided to pass on caring for her in favor of enlisting in the military. So, Mo’s entering the foster care system. Her Nan’s last wish for Mo was that she find a hobby, but Mo isn’t sure about that — until she finds a book with family recipes. After one failed homing, she ends up in the home of a very well-to-do white couple who seem delighted to have her. There, Mo feels safe to try her hands out at recipes and even start a website to house all the family recipes she’s been collecting. But then, Mo’s world is turned upside down again. Will Mo ever find her own family? Lasagna Means I Love You is an achingly tender portrait of a girl searching — through food and recipes — for a family to belong to. Ages 9+

Ever since her mother left a few years ago, Annie has felt like the odd one out in her family. Her dad and brother are practical and organized–they just don’t understand the way she thinks, in lines and color. Everywhere she turns, she feels like an outsider, even at school, so she’s been reluctant to get close to anyone. When a “Ding-Dong-Ditch” attempt goes wrong, Annie finds herself stuck making amends with Gloria, the eccentric elderly lady she disturbed. I adored this story. Annie’s rambunctious tone had me from the first page. She’s young and chubby, and trying to figure out who she is. My heart went out to her because I understand how it can be when your view of the world around you limits you. She is so convinced that she just has bad luck — or perhaps it’s easier to believe that instead of taking life by the horns. Ages 9+

I LOVE this book! I couldn’t put it down, and it had me on the edge of my seat so many times. The fact that the main character has kleptomania, the whole witness protection plot, and a genuinely interesting protagonist (among many other things) make this story enjoyable. 10/10 would recommend. Ages 10+

Alex Manalo and his father have moved from Silicon Valley to Sacramento where his dad is taking over his Lolo and Lola’s grocery store. His grandparents have retired and his dad is tired of Silicon Valley living and wants to revamp the family’s Filipino Market. Alex is struggling to adjust a new place and also feeling burdened by his father’s expectations of him — that he cut his hair short, play more sports, and make less slime. At school, Alex is quickly befriended by Logan, a boy who thinks he should sell his slime. Unfortunately, a girl named Meadow has a monopoly over the school’s slime market and is not pleased about Alex joining. So they decide to have a contest to determine the champion, once and for all. Can Alex juggle sliming, figuring out soccer, making new friends, and helping his dad keep their family traditions alive at Manalo Market? How to Win a Slime War is a fun, heartwarming story about identity, family, Filipino culture, soccer, and entrepreneurship. Ages 9+

Thirteen-year-old Nat Beacon has the chance to fly when she stumbles upon a group of kids putting on a production of Wicked, the musical. Nat has been paralyzed from the waist down since an accident when she was two. She’s also a wheelchair athlete whose parents have moved from California to New Jersey for her mother’s new job. Nat is obsessed with Broadway and Hamilton although she has never actually been in a musical. Upon auditioning, she scores a role in the play and begins to bond with The Boulders, which is what the group calls themselves. The group is diverse, including Malik, an African-American boy and Reya whose Indian American. There’s also Hudson, Fig, Jacklyn, and Savannah. Nat faces several challenges because of the way some people treat her during the musical, but when the show has to be canceled after a fire in the theater, the kids have to find a way to get things up and running again. Ages 10+

Told from Jameela’s perspective, More to the Story is a modern middle-grade novel inspired by the classic novel, Little Women. Four Muslim-American sisters Jameela, Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza are distraught when their dad has to go abroad for six months for a job. Thirteen-year-old Jam, as she is fondly called has just become the features editor for her school’s newspaper. She’s determined to impress her dad with her first story. At the same time, a family friend’s nephew, Ali moves from the UK to Atlanta. As Jam and Ali’s friendship blossoms, one of her sisters receives devastating news about her health. I ADORED THIS BOOK from the very first sentence–I just knew it would be good. And I was right. Ages 10+

Measuring Up follows 12-year-old Cici, who moves from Taiwan to the US with her parents, leaving behind her beloved A-ma (her grandmother). Thankfully, the adjustment period isn’t too hard on her. She makes friends quickly, and her English is already pretty good. However, she and her parents struggle with American culture, like sleepovers and fireplaces, and she quickly stops bringing Taiwanese food to lunch, preferring instead to learn to make American food so she can blend in. Although Cici and her parents want to bring her grandmother over for a visit at least, they can’t afford to yet. Cici misses her A-ma, with whom she used to go to the market and cook. So when she stumbles upon a kid cooking contest, it feels like the perfect opportunity to earn $1000. The only problem is that Cici can only cook Taiwanese dishes. Fortunately, she’s paired up with an Italian-American girl, Miranda, whose father runs a restaurant (and who practically grew up working in a restaurant). Halfway through the contest, though, each contestant has to compete alone. Measuring Up is an excellent feel-good, coming-of-age story that pays homage to the love between a granddaughter and her grandmother. Ages 9+

Jubilee and her Nan are always moving, on the search for their perfect place, and this time Jubilee has her heart set on Hope Springs, Texas. The small town is where her crafting heroine Arletta Paisely is from, and Jubilee is sure that if it’s good enough for Arletta, Hope Springs will immediately feel like home for them, too — because she’s honestly tired of moving and saying (or not saying) goodbyes. However, when the pair arrive the small town, things don’t get go as planned. Jubilee is quickly befriended by a girl, Abby, who likes to fish. She even finds a part time job in a craft store in town, and then her Momma tries to get back into her life. But then a mega-chain superstore threatens the town’s small businesses. To top it all off, just when Jubilee is settling in and working on a town festival to boost small businesses, Nan starts to get that relocation itch again. Can Jubilee make Hope Springs her home? Hope Springs is a charming middle grade debut novel about finding home in unexpected places and fighting hard to show up for those we love. Ages 9+

Kate Albus’s debut middle-grade book, A Place to Hang the Moon follows three orphaned kids in England during the WWII evacuation. Orphans William, Edmund, and Anna (aged 12, 11, and 9) are evacuated after their (not nice) grandmother dies. The kids are instructed not to disclose how well off their family is until they’re placed with a new family that feels like a forever family. In their new countryside dwelling, the kids are placed with several poorly matched families. The first family has twin boys that are just horrid and the second family is too poor (and could care less about them besides the money she’s paid to look after them). Through it all, the children take solace in each other, stories from William about their parents, and their love of books and the town library. A Place to Hang the Moon is a heartwarming, immersive middle-grade debut. Ages 9+

Ryan Hart and her family are moving to a new (old) house because her dad lost his post office job and his new job doesn’t pay as much. Ryan is unhappy about the change for many reasons. She liked their old house, and even though she has her own room in this new house, this house is a smaller bungalow, which means there will be no stairs to play on. She also fears that it will be too small to entertain guests, because Ryan loves to create new recipes — and cook them! Still, there are small joys. She doesn’t have to change schools and is still close enough to one of her best friends. With the new house, and selling one of their cars, her parents can better deal with their financial struggles. Throughout this slice-of-life book, Ryan learns how to believe in herself, enjoy public speaking, be a bigger person, and love who she is. Renee Watson’s Ways to Make Sunshine is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist. Ages 7+

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. Ages 8+

The Amelia Six is the story of six clever girls who are invited to spend a night in Amelia Earhart’s home because of their achievements in STEM (specifically flying and aeronautics). Although all big-time Earhart fans, each of the girls are different. There’s shy, anxious Amelia (Millie) whose mom left her to go be a pilot. Then there are twins Robin and Wren who run a YouTube channel, Thea who builds things, like the side car she arrives in with her aunt’s motorcycle, Nathalie and her pet rat, and Cassie whose parents work at NASA. The girls are hosted by Birdie, one of the Ninety-Niners who is the museum’s caretaker. Also in the house are Edna, the housekeeper; Collin, Birdie’s nephew; and Perry, the chef. Things are going smoothly until the girls realize that Birdie has been drugged and Amelia Earhart’s famous aviator goggles — which must be retrieved by the Smithsonian the next day(!) — have gone missing. Everyone’s a suspect and suddenly these girls have to band together if they want to get out alive. This is a clever, girl-powered mystery that is perfect for Amelia Earhart fans (and nonfans alike). Ages 9+

On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her “Yu-MEAT” because she smells like her family’s Korean barbecue restaurant. On the inside, Yumi is ready for her Netflix stand-up special. Her notebook is filled with mortifying memories that she’s reworked into comedy gold. All she needs is a stage and courage. Instead of spending the summer studying her favorite YouTube comedians, Yumi is enrolled in test-prep tutoring to qualify for a private school scholarship, which will help in a time of hardship at the restaurant. One day after class, Yumi stumbles on an opportunity that will change her life: a comedy camp for kids taught by one of her favorite YouTube stars. The only problem is that the instructor and all the students think she’s a girl named Kay Nakamura–and Yumi doesn’t correct them. As this case of mistaken identity unravels, Yumi must decide to stand up and reveal the truth or risk losing her dreams and disappointing everyone she cares about. Ages 9+

Annie is a shy fifth-grader with a remarkable memory for people, their idiosyncrasies, and life’s moments in general. Things change for Annie after her knack for remembering seemingly leads her family to moving from Brooklyn, NY to a tiny town called Clover Gap. Now, Annie and her family have to adjust to a new town that is vastly different from the city living they’re used to. Her parents also have to cope with financial insecurity and Annie and her brother struggle to make friends — each for different reasons. In honor of Annie’s love for lists, it’s only right that my favorite things about this book be in list format. I LOVED this book! Annie’s Life in Lists is a uniquely written, sweet portrayal of a young girl finding her voice and loving it. Ages 9+

Utterly delicious and delightful book about a middle-school food aficionado who becomes a food critic. Enjoyed all the mouth-watering food descriptions (always read this one with a plate of food by your side!). Ages 8+

What thirteen-year-old Abby wants most is to meet her father. She just never imagined he would be a huge film star―in Bollywood! Now she’s traveling to Mumbai to get to know her famous father. I devoured this in one sitting. Enjoyable, escapist middle grade fiction featuring a trip to India and a foray into Bollywood glitz and glamor. Ages 9+