Recently, some moms have asked me for recommendations for kids that have outgrown middle grade books, but aren’t quite ready for YA books like The Hunger Games. It can be frustrating for both kids and parents to find books that feel authentic and relevant yet are still age appropriate. This is a list of books to help smooth that transition.
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Harbor Me
Also available from:Six kids come together and form a unique support group in this New York Times bestselling novel from the author of Brown Girl Dreaming. When they’re together, the kids share their stories openly, in a way they can’t anywhere else. This heartfelt novel explores the complexities of young people’s lives and how they find healing and hope through friendship.
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The Whole Story of Half a Girl
Also available from:This thoughtful coming-of-age novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of The Night Diary is perfect for readers of friendship and cultural identity stories. Sonia comes from a mixed Indian and Jewish American family. She faces big questions about who she is and how she fits in when her family falls on hard times and her father goes missing.
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Ranger’s Apprentice Series
Also available from:For readers who can’t get enough medieval fantasy, this series will be right up their alley. It’s about a teenage boy recruited by the mysterious Rangers — cloaked figures tasked with protecting the kingdom. Battles, assassins, and an epic struggle between good and evil will keep readers hooked through this extra-long series (and the spin-off series!).
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Pony
Also available from:From the author of the worldwide sensation Wonder comes a story about a boy searching for his kidnapped father. Laced with magic, ghosts, and adventure, this story is poignant and entertaining. It will keep tweens and young teens captivated from cover to cover.
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Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers
Also available from:Michelle Obama adapted her worldwide bestselling memoir for young YA readers. Kids will learn about her childhood, influences, struggles, and triumphs in this book. It’s an inspiring read that many young teens will find helpful as they embark on their formative years.
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His Dark Materials Series
Also available from:Harry Potter fans looking for another fantasy series to get lost in will enjoy this modern classic. Oppression, rebellion, and vanishing children take a young girl on a breathtaking journey to remote parts of the world and through other dimensions. This unique fantasy series has been adapted into graphic novels and a television series on HBO.
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The Raymie Nightingale Three Book Collection
Also available from:Kids who enjoy realistic and historical fiction will love this completed series from the two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. These beloved books beautifully capture the experiences of three young teenage girls as they figure out who they are and what they believe.
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The Outsiders
Also available from:The Greasers vs. Socs classic that has captivated young readers for generations is still relevant. Full of emotion, drama, and insights into human nature, The Outsiders is a story for the ages.
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Thirteens
Also available from:Young teens who enjoy spooky stories will love this series about a cursed town, a creepy villain, and three friends trying to avoid becoming the next victims. With plenty of hair-raising plot twists, this is the perfect gateway series for kids interested in YA thrillers.
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Hoot
Also available from:Send your early YA reader to the Florida wilderness with Carl Hiaasen’s Newbery Honor-winning adventure. As the new kid at school, Roy deals with his fair share of bullies. But when he discovers a nest of endangered owls in an empty lot destined to become a restaurant, he must tackle a new bully. Humor, heart, and a cast of quirky characters make this modern classic a must-read.
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The Nyxia Triad
Also available from:If your kid likes science fiction but isn’t ready to tackle The Martian, this completed series is an excellent choice. It’s about a diverse group of teens who travel into deep space to mine a volatile mineral on a distant planet. Competition, conspiracy, and surprising twists keep young YA readers glued to the page.
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Places We’ve Never Been
Also available from:Romance readers will find much to love in Kasie West’s charming YA novels. In this story, two childhood friends reunite when their families take an RV trip together. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, it doesn’t take long for them to rekindle their friendship — and progress to something more.
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The Overthrow Series
Also available from:Toxic plants, insects, aliens, and non-stop action keep kids coming back to this series again and again. It starts with rain delivering alien plant seeds to earth, and those plants releasing toxins into the air, affecting everyone except three young teenagers, who appear immune. As the aliens grow, hatch, and take over the world, the teens race to stop them and save humanity.
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The Book Thief
Also available from:This bestselling book has touched hearts all over the world. It is the magnificent story of a young German girl during World War II, the friends she makes, and the books she steals.
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The Hobbit
Also available from:A personal favorite from my early teen years, The Hobbit is an epic adventure all its own, featuring Galdalf, Bilbo, Smaug, and Gollum. Kids that like fantasy and appreciate classic literature will fall in love with this story.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022.