Prime reading season is almost here! School gets out for us in a few weeks, so Nora and I are already making our middle grade reading lists.
Here’s what we have so far, in case you want to crib off of us:
How to Stage a Catastrophe
This one had us at the title. Plus, I’m a sucker for books that feature catastrophic theater productions by kids (see a slew of John Irving novels—which are, of course, NOT middle grade).
Hello Universe
I’m seeing this book everywhere and now it has one of those gold award stickers on it, so I have to read it. Plus, a bully gets a comeuppance, which is always delightful.
See You in the Cosmos
This book features a kid who wants to document his life on his ipod so he can launch it into space. And his dog is named Carl Sagan. Nuff said.
The Unbreakable Code
Nora chose this one because, she says, “It’s about codes and I wish I knew more codes.” I don’t know that I want her to know more codes, but I guess education is never a waste. Even if you use it against your mom.
Well, That Was Awkward
This is a Nora pick, too. “It sounds interesting,” was all I could pull out of her. I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that it’s a book about a girl having a crush on a boy who likes her best friend, so she pretends to be her best friend, Cyrano-style.
Midnight Without a Moon
Nora’s adding this to her list because “people were reading it last year and they said it was good.” Nothing like word of mouth.
Step Up to the Plate
Nora gave this one a thumbs down: “It has sports in it, so I don’t want to read it.” But it’s on my list because the main character has immigrant parents, one from India and one from Mexico and it’s set in post-war America.
The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes
Nora wants to read this because the book description talks about an “Institute for Perpetually Wicked and Hideously Unattractive Children.” Which is, admittedly, pretty compelling.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
This is a fantasy book and the plot sounds intricate as all get out. I want to read it to see if it works. I’m guessing it does, because: gold sticker. Maybe we’ll cover it on the podcast.
Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White
This one’s on my list because I adore E.B. White so what could be better than reading a middle grade bio of him?
That’s what we’ve got so far! Hope this helps round out your summer reading list. Of course, you should also add my middle grade novel…
The Cat, the Cash, the Leap, and the List
Here’s what one reader had to say:
As a mom & book lover, the adventure and anticipation in this story is so much fun to read!
As a teacher, the use of rich, delicious, never-dumbed-down vocabulary is SO necessary in this “Captain Underpants” era. I loved patiently waiting for Kennedy (8) to sound out words like “preposterous” and “undaunted.”
BUY. THIS. BOOK.
By the way, all of these links are affiliate links, so if you buy one, you pay the same, but Nora gets a few pennies for her big 8th grade trip fund.