15 Middle Grade Series So Engrossing Tweens Can’t Put Them Down
by Melissa Taylor
My daughter reads for hours at a time — curled up in her cozy teal chair, That’s every parent’s dream, right? At the moment, she’s on book three of a new favorite series — because there’s nothing better than reading an amazing book and then finding out there are even more books to devour! Well-written, compelling book series like the binge-worthy choices below will keep your kids passionately reading, too.
Please note: retail buttons will direct you to the first book in a series. Click on the title of the series to see more books.
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Theodore Boone Series
Buy from:If you like action and mystery, the seven-book Theodore Boone series provides hours of thrilling adventures with 13-year-old titular character. Despite his young age, Theodore knows the law and uses his burgeoning legal skills to help people in need and solve difficult, often dangerous cases.
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Max and the Midknights Series
Buy from:Magic, adventure, and humor collide in this illustrated series from the author of Big Nate. Each book in the series follows Max and her friends, the Midknights, on their misadventures. They rescue kidnapped uncles, save their kingdom from monsters, and tackle evil twins.
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The Wingfeather Saga Series
Buy from:This captivating fantasy series follows the adventures of the Igiby siblings — Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli — as they discover their hidden heritage and confront dark forces threatening their world of Aerwiar. Filled with imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and themes of courage and sacrifice, the series weaves a rich tapestry of epic quests and familial bonds across its four books.
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Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Series
Buy from:My daughter and her classmates, like many tweens, absolutely love the well-written Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series. When a group of students win an overnight stay at the new Mr. Lemoncellos’s Library, they don’t realize that they’ll have to use the library resources to solve complicated puzzles in order to leave.
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Tristan Strong Series
Buy from:If you loved Percy Jackson, pick up this fast-paced adventure series based on African American folklore. It’s about a boy named Tristan who accidentally opens a portal to a magical realm. Suddenly, Tristan is thrust into an ancient battle alongside John Henry and Brier Rabbit that will require him to strike a deal with the trickster Anansi. The first book of this irresistible series is also available as a graphic novel.
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The Last Kids on Earth Series
Buy from:Jack and his buddies are holed up in his tricked-out backyard treehouse after the monster apocalypse turns most of the town into zombies. Despite all this, Jack makes monster and zombie fighting seem like a fun video game. The Last Kids on Earth is a page-turning, humorous adventure series, which currently contains four novels (with a fifth coming out in September) and is soon to be adapted into a Netflix Original series.
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Samantha Spinner Series
Buy from:Puzzle-loving kids will enjoy this humorous mystery series about a girl with a missing uncle, a set of clues, and a rusty red umbrella. But there’s more to the umbrella than Samantha realizes, and soon she gets whisked away on a globe-trotting adventure. Each book brings a new mystery, new experiences, and more fun!
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Hilo Series
Buy from:With ten books in this rib-tickling graphic novel series, your kid will have plenty of reading material to keep them occupied. Hilo, Gina, and DJ go on one adventure after another and tackle everything from space robots to monsters. Silliness, action, and full-color illustrations make this series utterly binge-worthy!
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The Forgotten Five Series
Buy from:Superpowers, adventure, betrayal, and friendship await inside this action-packed series from the author of The Unwanteds. Five kids with supernatural abilities venture into modern society for the first time and navigate a world that has outlawed them. Each installment takes readers deeper into the fight against a corrupt government. This pulse-pounding series will keep kids glued to the page!
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Merci Suárez Series
Buy from:Merci Suárez is a sixth-grader navigating the challenges of family, friendships, and school, with a focus on cultural identity and the ups and downs of adolescence. The series offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of Merci's coming-of-age journey in a Cuban-American family.
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Futureland Series
Buy from:This action-packed, STEM-centered middle grade series about a floating theme park is the perfect blend of a futuristic reality and the familiar patterns of a whodunit mystery Eleven-year-old Cam has grown up living in Futureland, the futuristic amusement park his parents built. When the robots and rides start glitching and people go missing, it's up to Cam and his new friends to save his home and family.
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Sweet Valley Twins Series
Buy from:The Sweet Valley twins are back and better than ever in this new graphic novel series! Adapted from the original novels, these books follow sisters Jessica and Elizabeth as they attend school, make friends, navigate drama, and get crushes. Even though only a few installments are available, more are on the way and will give your kids something to look forward to.
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Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger Series
Buy from:Return to the epic Ranger’s Apprentice fantasy world with this new, gripping adventure series featuring a strong female character. Now an adult, Will is a legendary but disillusioned Ranger who is appointed to train the first female Ranger, the rebellious Princess Madelyn. As Madelyn trains to become a skilled Ranger herself, together they’ll investigate a mysterious death linked to dangerous criminals.
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The Unicorn Rescue Society Series
Buy from:What if mythological creatures were real? On a school field trip, Elliot and Uchenna learn that mythical creatures actually are real when they rescue a Jersey Devil and are subsequently inducted into the secretive Unicorn Rescue Society. Bad guys, dragons, world travel, and more makes the Unicorn Rescue Society series a great choice for children who like magic and fantasy books.
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Jake the Fake Series
Buy from:When Jake is admitted into the Music & Art Academy with a decidedly lackluster musical talent, he decides that he’ll keep his spot at the school by morphing into a totally weird (and hilarious) persona called “The Dentist.” I mean, who can question an artist and their quirks, right? Even though he might not have musical or artistic talent, one thing is for sure – Jake’s got a clear knack for comedy.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2023.