The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids Ages 9 – 12
by Janssen Bradshaw
I can’t believe summer is almost upon us! Slow summer mornings with tons of time stretched ahead of us mean my middle grade readers will devour book after book. This summer reading list for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders will help fill that need to read.
These books for tweens feature fantasy, mystery, hardships, history, adventure, and lots of fun! This list has something for every kind of reader.
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Ready or Not! #1
Buy from:Too much is changing in nine-year-old Abby’s world. Her best friend moved away, her mom started working full time, she has to do the dreaded after-school running program, and don’t get her started on the changes happening in her body without her permission. Being stuck between being a little kid and a full-blown teenager is hard.
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Solve Your Own Mystery: The Monster Maker
Buy from:This novel is similar to a choose-your-own-adventure book, but focuses on solving a mystery. You, the reader, are the detective in charge of figuring out who took Dr. Franklefink’s priceless Monster Maker. It’s a challenging task set in a town full of ghosts, werewolves, and zombies — and the reader decides how to solve the case!
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Soundtrack: A Novel
Buy from:Despite a difficult home life, Stuy finds joy in playing the drums and eventually forms a band with other musicians. They perform in subway stations to raise enough money to record an album and quickly gain popularity. But the little bit of fame Stuy achieves comes with rising public expectations and the complications of a troubled family.
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Alyce With a Why
Buy from:Fairy tale retellings are so much fun, and this one is no exception. Alyce has always thought her grandmother, Alice, told very strange stories. But after moving in with her and receiving an invitation to a mysterious tea party, she discovers that her grandmother’s outlandish tales are true.
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The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks
Buy from:Eleven-year-old Lottie Brooks returns in this second installment of her self-titled series. Follow her through her first year of middle school as she faces embarrassment, friendship hiccups, and a possible starring role in the school play! This is a relatable story for any middle school girl.
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A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits)
Buy from:My daughter loved the first book in this series! The Misfits may be an awkward group of kids fighting crime, but they possess the right qualities to dominate every mission. That is until priceless pieces of art go missing, bizarre earthquakes shake up San Francisco, and the nicest kid in school starts receiving terrorizing notes — all at the same time. Is this a coincidence, or are these circumstances connected?
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The Moon Without Stars
Buy from:Luna isn’t your typical 7th-grader. She knows who she is and knows she loves creating zines with Scott, her best friend. When one of their zines goes viral, Luna is accepted into the popular group at school. However, she soon realizes that popularity may not be worth the price.
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Last Day Pool Party
Buy from:Rose is sick of getting overlooked. Even her name was left off the list at her eighth-grade graduation. But no more! She is determined to stand out at an upcoming pool party. However, due to unexpected drama and mishaps, the pool party takes a surprising nose-dive of its own.
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Mythspeaker
Buy from:Because of a prophecy when he was young, Kyta has always known he is supposed to save the world. But now that he’s thirteen, the anticipation of how and when he will save the world is all-consuming. This fantasy novel is full of adventure, risks, and life-changing danger.
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Forbidden Mountain
Buy from:Fablehaven fans will be thrilled to read Brandon Mull’s newest fantasy book. On Mako’s sacred guardian matching day, he faces the choice of bonding with a dangerous spirit that will allow him to defeat a rising threat against his kingdom. Meanwhile, in another part of the empire, a girl named Arden builds an underground criminal network to search for her missing friend. Their paths eventually cross as they team up to fight a common enemy.
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Goodbye French Fry
Buy from:Ping-Ping feels stuck in the middle. Born in the U.S. but of Chinese descent, she often doesn’t feel American or Chinese enough. Adding to this stress, her classmates call her “French Fry” at school, and her father is considering a new job in Kenya. Amidst all of these stressors, Ping-Ping finds out that taekwondo is the perfect outlet for her.
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The Ghost in Cabin 13
Buy from:Sleepaway camp is full of firsts for Leah. First time being away from family, meeting new friends, and being in Cabin 13. She faces an unexpected fear when her doll becomes possessed by a ghost. Will the mean girls in Cabin 13 help her get rid of the evil spirit?
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The Dragon’s Apprentice
Buy from:Like most fantasy books, this middle grade novel has adventure and magic on every page, but it is also hilarious! Twelve-year-old Ciara lives in a tiny village ruled by an Emperor who promises that bad things will befall anyone who learns magic. Ciara tempts fate and accidentally summons an ancient, grouchy dragon who might be able to help her save her mother!
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The Green Kingdom
Buy from:Brooklyn is NOT where 12-year-old Caspia wants to spend the summer. Big cities are not her thing, but her attitude changes when she finds a bundle of letters written by a blind girl long ago, all containing a riddle. These riddles lead her on an adventure to places and people she would have never discovered otherwise.
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A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
Buy from:When a quiet kid and his grumpy yet famous grandpa hit the road in a vintage convertible, sparks fly and surprises unfold. From coast to coast, they battle old grudges, face unexpected challenges, and discover that real-life adventures can be the most epic of all!
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Survive This Safari
Buy from:My kids love mind puzzles, and this middle grade novel is chock full of them. Lucy’s mind is blown when she is selected to participate in the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge. She and her team race against the Wild Ambassadors to solve mind-bending puzzles and unlock new areas in the safari park. Naturally, they run into some crazy obstacles along the way. You don’t want to miss this one!
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Would You Rather? Summer Edition
Buy from:School is out, everyone is relaxed, and the fun is just starting! Get some funny discussions going with this Would You Rather? book on a family road trip, sitting around the campfire, or hanging out at the beach. Your entire family will laugh at the goofy responses you come up with. It’s a surefire way to keep everyone entertained!
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Looking for summer reading ideas for younger or older kids? Check out our lists for Kids Ages 3 – 5, Ages 6 – 8, and Teens.