If you’ve kept up with the young adult book world recently, you have certainly noticed that diverse YA books with big, important topics are exploding right now. I love that many middle grade books have also started to embrace today’s tough subject matter without shying away from the difficulties of growing up in a complicated world.
I have recently found myself gravitating more toward contemporary middle grade books with diverse characters because they oftentimes provide me, as well as young readers, with the opportunity to think long after the final page is turned about themes ranging from important social issues to difficult-to-grasp concepts to universal experiences related to adolescence. Below I’ve rounded up a list of diverse books for tweens that truly feel contemporary. They all do a great job of making the middle grade “voice” sound as authentic and real as possible and they resonate with the times in which we live today.
-
The Secret Library
Buy from:Kids who like adventure, books, and family mysteries will enjoy this New York Times bestselling novel. Using the map her grandfather left her, Dally discovers a secret library that can magically transport her to various times throughout history. As Dally visits the library, she goes on thrilling adventures, tapping into her personal history and identity.
Buy from: -
Remember Us
Buy from:Join a young girl named Sage as she dives headfirst into an unforgettable summer filled with self-discovery, basketball, friendship, and heartbreak. As her neighborhood deals with one tragedy after another, Sage finds beauty and hope in the small moments and learns to let go of the past.
Buy from: -
Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind
Buy from:Momo’s dreams of being an ordinary girl vanish when she discovers she is the daughter of a Shinto goddess. She gets thrown into a world filled with magic, monsters, and pulse-pounding adventure. With her ex-best friend Danny and a fox named Niko beside her, Momo embarks on a quest to banish evil spirits from the mortal world.
Buy from: -
Halfway to Somewhere
Buy from:When Ave’s parents divorce, they move with their mom and younger brother to Kansas. Life in Kansas couldn’t be more different than what Ave is used to in Mexico. A new city, a new school, and a new language make the transition difficult. But with time, Ave learns to love their new home. This is an excellent book for kids going through significant life changes.
Buy from: -
A Brush with Magic
Buy from:During her first summer visit to Korea, Yumi finds a magical inkbrush that brings her paintings to life. At first, this seems like a dream come true — she paints a creature from a Korean fairy tale who accompanies her as she explores Seoul. But when the inkbrush poses a threat to her family, Yumi must use her courage and wits to set things right.
Buy from: -
Isabel in Bloom
Buy from:Moving to a new country is hard, and Isabel worries she won’t fit in with the kids in her San Francisco neighborhood. But as she gets involved in school clubs, she gradually feels more at home. Gardening and cooking help her find friendship, comfort, and joy as she builds her new life.
Buy from: -
Once in a Blue Moon
Buy from:After an incident that put his mother in perilous danger, James Henry suffers from the trauma of that night. And with his twin sister leaving for school soon, James Henry retreats further into himself. However, with the love and encouragement of his family and friends, James Henry manages to process what happened and move forward. This heartfelt novel-in-verse is a must-read!
Buy from: -
Safe Harbor
Buy from:When her parents divorce, Greetha moves with her mom from India to Rhode Island. At first, she feels angry at everyone and everything. However, when she meets a new friend named Miguel, and they rescue a harbor seal together, things start to improve. Her anger recedes as Greetha leans into her passion for wildlife and conservation. Kids who enjoy stories about nature, friendship, and new beginnings will love this novel-in-verse.
Buy from: -
Snow
Buy from:Kids who love fairy tales will want to read this beautiful story about a princess determined to break a curse at any cost. When the princess stumbles across Ela, a modern Indian American girl, she kidnaps her. Stuck in the fairy tale as a prisoner, Ela agrees to help the princess break the curse in exchange for her freedom.
Buy from: -
Tight
Buy from:A sixth grader named Bryan from the projects gets all wound up when he’s constantly told he needs to be “hard” when he’d rather go with the flow and stay chill. Bryan’s mom has always encouraged his quiet, thoughtful nature, but his dad thinks it’s time for his tween son to toughen up.
Buy from: -
The First Rule of Punk
Buy from:The First Rule of Punk seriously rocks (pun intended)! Twelve-year-old punk-rocker Malú has to navigate her identity at a new school and in a new home in this fun story with themes of friendship, finding your place, and learning to rock out like no one’s watching.
Buy from: -
Harbor Me
Buy from:I think Harbor Me is a breathtakingly beautiful and well-written story about a diverse group of middle school students who become unlikely confidantes through storytelling. Woodson poses the interesting question: “If the worst thing in the world happened, would I help protect someone else? Would I let myself be a harbor for someone who needs it?” I love how each of the characters finds safe harbor in each other’s stories.
Buy from: -
Amal Unbound
Buy from:The novel follows a Pakistani girl named Amal who finds herself bound in servitude to an upper class family. Written from a young girl’s perspective, this novel centers on the heavy issue of indentured servitude and the power of girl education in Pakistan. A beautiful celebration of resistance and justice.
Buy from: -
The Science of Breakable Things
Buy from:Natalie Napoli is a 12-year-old girl who is convinced she can fix her mother who is a botanist suffering from depression. If she can just win the egg drop, win enough money for tickets to New Mexico, show her mother the miracle Cobalt Blue Orchid — a flower she hopes will bring her back to life — then everything will be solved. A moving book centered on themes of family, friendship, mental health, and STEM subjects.
Buy from: -
The Stars Beneath Our Feet
Buy from:Twelve-year old Wallace “Lolly” Rachpaul lives in Harlem is dealing with a lot after his older brother’s unexpected, tragic death. Family, friends, community, and a passion for building with LEGOs all help him navigate his own way in this poetic story about grief, anger, and coping with the tough breaks in life. (Shout out to the various representations of diversity in this one!)
Buy from:
You might also like:
- Book to Graphic Novel Adaptations Kids Will Love
- Books About Puzzles and Codes for 9- to 12-Year-Olds
- 20 Books for Middle Schoolers
- Books for Fans of We Were Liars
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2025.