New Middle Grade & Chapter Books Coming in Fall 2026
by Janssen Bradshaw
As the summer months wind down and give way to back-to-school season, it’s the perfect time for cozy fall reading.
With the arrival of cooler temperatures, shorter days, and pumpkin-spiced everything comes an array of new middle grade books and chapter books to check out! From graphic novels and new spins on childhood classics to mysteries and adventures, here are the most exciting chapter books and middle grade reads coming this fall.
-
Mexikid Dreams
Buy from:Pedro hates that his summers and weekends have been spent dealing with strawberries. Picking under the hot sun day after day is not what Pedro wants to do with his time. When his brother gets a job away from the fields, Pedro sees a glimpse of freedom and wants the same. Funny yet serious, this graphic novel has it all.
Ages 10 - 14(On sale: 9/1/2026)
Buy from: -
The Neverfear
Buy from:The long-awaited third book of the Impossible Creatures series is here! In this next adventure, Christopher and Anya learn that bandits are burning villages across the Archipelago. To make matters worse, one of their friends is placed in a very dangerous situation. Can the kids outsmart their enemies, save the villages, and rescue the people they love most?
Ages 10+(On sale: 9/1/2026)
Buy from: -
Quetzal's Labyrinth
Buy from:Diego always thought his abuelo’s stories of ancient magic in Mexican history were false until he's chased by a beast straight out of legend. When his grandfather's dog, Cholo, starts speaking to him, Diego learns the myths are real, and he's caught in a centuries-old war. With humanity's fate hanging in the balance, Diego must brave Quetzal's labyrinth. Luckily, he has his best friend Violeta, Cholo, a sassy rubber chicken, and a bloodthirsty kitten by his side to face the challenge.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/1/2026)
Buy from: -
A Beginner’s Guide to Leveling Up
Buy from:Lexie was excited to start sixth grade. But after some friendships shift and her grandfather dies, her new middle school life feels challenging. When looking through her grandfather’s things, she finds a mysterious journal filled with cryptic notes and codes from an unfinished video game he was making. Suddenly, Lexie and her sister are transported into the actual game, and they find it difficult to tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/22/2026)
Buy from: -
Hijacked by Goats
Buy from:Josie has always believed she's a bad person. After a stay at a psychiatric hospital, she's diagnosed with OCD, but doesn’t believe that the voice in her head is a bully rather than the truth. As she deals with Hal, the stubborn goat her dad is watching, Josie sees surprising similarities between the animal and her diagnosis. With help from her therapist and her loved ones, she learns how to stand up to the bully in her brain.
Ages 10+(On sale: 9/8/2026)
Buy from: -
Sisters Alone
Buy from:Sisters Rama and Leena find themselves trapped alone at their rural house when a blizzard hits and their father is traveling for work. They must stay together and fight for their lives as the storm changes everything they know.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/8/2026)
Buy from: -
Squirrel Lock Holmes 2: Mystery at the Corn-y Maze
Buy from:Squirrel Lock Holmes and Mole Watson are champions at finding lost things. But when three animals go missing, they have their work cut out for them! This is an excellent graphic novel for early chapter book readers who love a bit of silliness.
Ages 6 - 9(On sale: 9/8/2026)
Buy from: -
Feeling Like an ADHD Alien
Buy from:Kiki has always felt different. She has trouble staying focused, and she has really big emotions. After making mistake after mistake, she is finally diagnosed with ADHD. Now, with a plan in place, Kiki can feel less like an alien and more like a regular kid.
Ages 10+(On sale: 9/15/2026)
Buy from: -
Sword and Backpack: The Tree Companions
Buy from:The College of the Three Companions was once legendary, but was abandoned long ago. Meanwhile, Ehmett, a young Archivist apprentice, wants to unearth the college’s long-lost secrets. He teams up with a clever thief and a determined young warrior, setting off a magical chain of events that binds their fates together. Now the three must go on a dangerous journey filled with ancient magic, mythical creatures, and secrets to restore the city and the college to their former glory.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/15/2026)
Buy from: -
The Swifts: A Garden of Vipers
Buy from:This third installment of The Swifts series takes young readers to the heart of Manhattan. The Swift children are known for catching murderers and solving mysteries, so when a cousin needs help solving a murder in New York City, they are ready for it!
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/22/2026)
Buy from: -
Camp Half-Blood: The Wild Zone
Buy from:Rick Riordan is back in action with this new, five-part series. Katie Kim is the newest arrival at Camp Half-Blood. Even though she isn’t a veteran, she knows the camp’s strict rule to stay out of the Wild Zone forest. So why does her head counselor take her and four other newcomers to the forest in the middle of the night? Making matters even stranger, when Katie’s half-brother goes missing in the Wild Zone, she has no choice but to go in after him.
Ages 10 - 14(On sale: 9/29/2026)
Buy from: -
Film Nerds
Buy from:Ami and Ivy are best friends who made the coolest sci-fi film together before they entered sixth grade. When the girls start middle school, they are split up, forcing each to make new friends. Hoping to boost their social status, Ami wants to submit their film to an upcoming talent show, but Ivy doesn’t want anyone to see it. What will the girls decide?
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 9/29/2026)
Buy from: -
The Wump
Buy from:Timothy has always been a good kid, but that doesn’t help him escape his bullies, including a shadowy monster that feeds on his darkest thoughts. As Timothy faces intense internal and school struggles, he takes a dark turn. Will he give in to the desire for revenge?
Ages 9 - 12(On sale: 9/29/2026)
Buy from: -
Dasia Forever
Buy from:This heartfelt story follows Dasia, a thirteen-year-old girl who is doing her best to navigate chemo treatments, family challenges, and a new friendship with a fellow patient. Although the two girls initially seem to have little in common, they soon discover shared experiences that keep them both afloat.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 10/6/2026)
Buy from: -
Game On
Buy from:Sasan fits in with the other American middle school kids, and he likes it that way. However, his mom keeps pushing her culture on him, which deters his goal to be just like everyone else. When he wants the newest video game his friends have, his mom makes him a deal: she’ll buy him the video game if he agrees to learn Farsi.
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 10/6/2026)
Buy from: -
The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan
Buy from:If you have a reader who loves Roller Girl, check out the author’s newest graphic novel. Mabel Mulligan knows what she will be doing this summer: playing and creating with her beloved stuffed animals. However, her plans get turned upside down when she overhears her parents’ quiet conversation about some big upcoming changes.
Ages 7 - 10(On sale: 10/6/2026)
Buy from: -
Dragonborn: The Twilight Child
Buy from:Alex Evans and her friends return in this sequel to Dragonborn. The group travels to Scotland, where war has erupted. Humans fight alongside dragons, attempting to defeat the rise of ancient demons. Full of fantasy, mystery, and adventure, this book will keep your middle grade reader engaged!
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 10/20/2026)
Buy from: -
The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
Buy from:Jack and his three best friends might be the only people left on Earth, and now the zombies are disappearing. That seems like good news — but the shrieking noises they hear make the kids think something has gone awry with the zombies. Grab this full-color graphic novel this fall!
Ages 8 - 12(On sale: 11/3/2026)
Buy from: -
The Pet Rock Ransom
Buy from:Geared for the younger readers, this field day adventure is fun and enjoyable! Field Day is supposed to be fun, but it takes an unexpected turn when Carter’s friend’s pet rock goes missing! Can Carter crack the case in time to enjoy Field Day?
Ages 6 - 9(On sale: 11/3/2026)
Buy from:
