Exciting New and Recent Middle Grade Novels

⚓ Books    📅 2026-01-19    👤 surdeus    👁️ 5      

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When you help in finding someone their next read, it’s like being a detective, but using your powers of deduction for something happy. And helping find new middle grade novels for kids is an especially satisfying task. Narrowing down options requires considering different aspects, like their reading level, preferred genre, desire for representation, and even past faves. Ultimately, though, when you finally land on the right book or books for a kid? Delightful. Their enthusiasm and their parents’ relief are palpable. In fact, introducing children to new books is one of the main things that keeps me in library work because it’s uplifting, fun, and deeply validating.

Of course, there are always new novels being published, so, as a children’s librarian, I am always reading the latest releases to discover what else is out there. For this list of new and recent middle grade novels, I focused more on realistic fiction, but there is plenty else out there; after all, mystery, fantasy, and horror remain popular with the 8-12 year old set.

The Moon Without Stars book cover

The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller

Thirteen-year-old Luna is as awkward and anxious as most teen girls are, but she doesn’t realize that and lets her embarrassment and shame keep her quiet. Luna and her best friend, Scott, love making zines together, until suddenly the zines bring Luna to the attention of the popular girls in school. Thrust into their orbit, she has to balance her newfound popularity with her desire to remain friends with Scott and true to herself.

Fooled book cover Susan  Haas and Lexi Haas

Fooled by Susan Haas and Lexi Haas

The story is about Lil and her friends, students attending an Exceptional Children’s program for kids with special needs. Lil, for instance, has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair and an alternative communication device. Their school’s principal wants to keep the students with special needs separate, therefore barring them from participating in extracurricular activities. Lil and her friends refuse to accept the unfair treatment, fighting for inclusivity as they stand up to the school board. This book is co-written by Susan and Lexi Haas, mother-and-daughter co-authors, as well as disability advocates and educators.

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