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Tween

18 Fantastic Chapter Books for Fifth Graders

by Jennifer Garry

Looking for the perfect book for your fifth grader? You’ve come to the right place!

Fifth grade sits on the cusp of so many things: it marks the end of elementary school and the beginning of middle school. It’s an in-between zone, right in the middle of being a little kid and teen. And it’s a time when kids should just be kids — and dip their toes into deeper waters, too.

These 18 books include something for everyone: mystery, humor, sports, the intersection of thoughts and feelings, and so much more.

Black Boy Joy

Black Boy Joy

edited by Kwame Mbalia

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Seventeen Black male and non-binary writers share their stories of Black boyhood in this essential anthology. Authors like Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia share celebratory stories, comics, poems, and more—making it a must-have for every type of reader.

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Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch

by Nic Stone

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As captain of the only all-Black softball team in the league, Shenice is determined to lead her team to the championship. She gets distracted when she learns her great-grandfather’s baseball career-ending crime might have been a setup. Determined to uncover the truth about her ancestor, her focus on the game slips. Can she clear her great-grandpa’s name and help take home the championship?

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Silverworld

Silverworld

by Diana Abu-Jaber

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Dive into a rich tapestry of Lebanese culture as Sami embarks on a breathtaking adventure to save her sick grandmother. Through the powers of a spell, she is transported to a mysterious world beyond her wildest imagination. But this is no ordinary world — it's filled with magical creatures, both light and dark, and a sinister plot threatening the very fabric of this enchanting realm. Sami discovers that the devious Shadow Queen Nixie is holding her beloved Grandma Sitti captive. Will Sami be able to muster the courage and strength to rescue her grandmother and restore peace to Silverworld?

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The Many Meanings of Meilan

The Many Meanings of Meilan

by Andrea Wang

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After life-changes and encountering injustice Meilan discovers the power of embracing every part of herself. Before, her world revolved around her beloved gradnmother Nai Nai, the bakery in Boston's Chinatown that they run together, and her love for Chinese fairy tales. When Nai Nai passes away, the family falls apart, and Meilan, her parents, and her grandfather embark on a journey to find a new home. They end up in Redbud, Ohio, a town that couldn't be more different from Chinatown. Meilan struggles to fit in, and is even given a new name at school in this heart-felt story of self-acceptance.

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Midnight at the Barclay Hotel

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel

by Fleur Bradley, illustrated by Xavier Bonet

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A weekend away at a haunted hotel turns into a murder mystery when the guests learn of Mr. Barclay’s demise—and that they are all suspects. Three kids team up to figure out who the culprit is, uncovering secrets about the hotel and its guests along the way. This fun and fast-paced story is an excellent introduction to mystery novels.

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The Magic Paintbrush

The Magic Paintbrush

by Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell, illustrated by Phoebe Zhong

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When Amy is fed up with feeling lackluster about her recent drawings, she gives her grandmother Lao Lao a visit. There she discovers an ancient paintbrush that brings her creations to life right before her eyes. When her creation Luna begins to roam the streets of her New York City neighborhood, Amy embarks on an exciting journey.

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Starfish

Starfish

by Lisa Fipps

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This novel in verse is about Ellie, an 11-year-old girl who struggles with self-acceptance after years of fat-shaming. The criticism comes from everywhere: kids at school, her mom, and even strangers. As a result, she tries to fly under the radar and avoids attracting unwanted attention. With a new friend by her side and the support of a few caring adults, can she learn to accept herself?

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The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story

The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story

by Charis Cotter

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When Alice’s parents get divorced, her mom takes a job at Blackwood House as a live-in nurse to a wealthy older woman. After they move into the big, creepy house, things quickly turn strange. First, the housekeeper’s daughter tells her that her bedroom is haunted. Then, they find a dollhouse replica of Blackwood House filled with dolls that look like real girls. Soon, Alice becomes obsessed with solving the mystery of the girls in the dollhouse and what might have happened to them.

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Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

by Lisa Lee

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Maizy is faced with unexpected change as she learns that Ohio will be her family's new home. The move is even more challenging as they are the only Asian Americans in their new town. At The Golden Palace, their family restaurant with generations of history, Maizy uncovers some surprising truths. However, with each discovery comes more questions, especially after a beloved family treasure goes missing and a racist note is left behind. Determined to find answers, Maizy embarks on a quest to uncover the truth.

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Harbor Me

Harbor Me

by Jacqueline Woodson

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In this book by National Book Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson, a diverse group of kids meets weekly to talk in a safe, adult-free space. They start off discussing bullying incidents and end up tackling significant, timely issues like immigration, incarceration, race, and identity. This hope-filled book is a fantastic starting point for many essential discussions.

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The Night Diary

The Night Diary

by Veera Hiranandani

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Told through letters to the mother she lost as a baby, The Night Diary follows 12-year-old Nisha and her dad as they escape from Pakistan in 1947, after India’s partition. Half-Muslim and half-Hindu, home and identity become complicated concepts for Nisha almost overnight.

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Merci Suárez Changes Gears

Merci Suárez Changes Gears

by Meg Medina

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Merci and her brother are not like the other kids at Seaward Pines Academy. While their peers come from wealthy families, Merci and Roli are on scholarship. To complicate matters, Merci must put up with mean girls, boy problems, and friendship drama at school. At home, her grandfather’s behavior becomes erratic, and she knows that her family is keeping a secret from her. While touching on classic middle school issues, this book also tackles classism, family, and culture.

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Flora and Ulysses

Flora and Ulysses

by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

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Flora and Ulysses is one of my all-time favorite middle grade books. Cynical, comic-loving Flora saves an unsuspecting squirrel from her neighbor’s vacuum — only for the critter to emerge with superpowers. Hilarious and heartfelt, it follows the two unlikely friends on an adventure with comic-style illustrations.

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Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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Ally never learned to read, but she has always hidden it by causing disruptions in class — until Mr. Daniels sees through her antics and meets her where she’s at. As Ally pushes through her shame and past bullies, her confidence grows, and she realizes she’s more than her dyslexia. This book is an uplifting read—especially for kids who struggle in school.

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The Cardboard Kingdom

The Cardboard Kingdom

by Chad Sell

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No “best of” list for kids is complete without a graphic novel that can pull in reluctant readers. The Cardboard Kingdom is a classic tale about kids being kids. Sixteen children from one neighborhood use cardboard and their imaginations to create an entire world for themselves. Through their play, the kids explore their identities and touch on friendship, divorce, bullying, and so much more.

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Wonder

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

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Not quite a decade old, Wonder is already a classic that led to a movie, a graphic novel, and the Choose Kind movement. The story revolves around Auggie, a fifth-grader with a facial difference starting mainstream school for the first time. Told from different points of view, it’s a story of friendship, courage, and kindness.

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The Apothecary

The Apothecary

by Maile Meloy

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After abruptly moving from sunny Los Angeles to London during the Cold War, Janie visits her local apothecary for a homesickness cure. The apothecary’s son, Benjamin (who dreams of being a spy) quickly becomes the most exciting thing in her new life. When his dad gets kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must protect a 700-year-old book from Russian spies, save the apothecary, and prevent a nuclear disaster.

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Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

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Theo Boone might be only 13, but he dreams of being a lawyer and even gives legal advice to kids at school. But when he gets involved in a murder trial, he must risk everything to expose the truth and deliver justice. The first in a series from John Grisham, this book will catch the attention of mystery lovers and aspiring lawyers alike.

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