20 of the Most Buzzed-About Middle Grade Books of 2018
by Melissa Taylor
With books from debut authors like Matt Laney and Tae Keller as well as new releases from fan favorites like Dave Eggers, Christopher Paul Curtis, Wendy Mass, and Rebecca Stead, hereâs a look at some of the most buzz-worthy middle grade books of 2018.
Looking for this year’s best new titles?
Check out The Most Exciting Middle Grade Books of 2019!
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Amal Unbound
Buy from:Set in Pakistan, 12-year-old Amalâs life changes drastically when sheâs forced to work as an indentured servant for the rich Khan family. With her growing awareness of the Khanâs illegal activities and an unpleasant new enemy, Amal must find the courage to stand up for justice and change.
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The Season of Styx Malone
Buy from:Ten-year-old Caleb Franklin and his older brother Bobby Gene are bored with their ordinary, small-town lives. So itâs no surprise when they quickly fall under the influence of Styx Malone, an older, smooth-talking boy. Styx has big plans for the boys this summer, but as their adventures become increasingly more daring, the boys start to wonder if thereâs more to Styx than meets the eye.
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Calling All Minds
Buy from:Autism spokesperson, scientist, and inventor, Temple Grandin, shares wisdom and inspiration to help young inventors as they tinker, build, and invent. Read about the science and history of inventions, stories from Grandinâs childhood, and ways (many ways) to innovate with an open, inquisitive mind.
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Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans
Buy from:Just before he disappears, Samanthaâs uncle gifts her a rusty red umbrella. On it, she discovers a hidden map that leads her and her brother to a secret travel portal to Paris where theyâre pursued by ninja-like, sword-wielding men. But Paris is just the first stop of many â the siblings must hurry to solve the secret puzzles in this action-packed world adventure.
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Betty Before X
Buy from:In Detroit in the 1940s, 11-year-old Betty feels like she doesnât belong. She connects to the messages at church, especially the speeches from civil rights activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall. There, and at the Housewives League, Betty grows into her identity and lifeâs purpose. Based on the childhood of civil rights icon, Dr. Betty Shabazz.
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An Anthology of Intriguing Animals
Buy from:Did you know a male mooseâs antlers can grow to weigh more than 44 lbs? Discover fascinating animal facts like this and more in An Anthology of Intriguing Animals. Kids will love poring over the extraordinary photos, dazzling illustrations, and fun facts on over 100 different species from land, sea, and sky.
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The Journey of Little Charlie
Buy from:To repay his late sharecropper fatherâs debt, Charlie agrees to hunt fugitives for Capân Buck. But when he realizes who the fugitives are, Charlie must make a difficult choice, even if it means crossing the cruel Capân Buck. Written by the Newbery Award winning author of Bud, Not Buddy.
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Payback on Poplar Lane
Buy from:When 12-year-old Peterâs intern, Rachel, starts a competing business next door, these two entrepreneurial rivals fight to get each otherâs customers. Filled with business tips, humor, and a lemonade war unlike any other, Peter and Rachel will learn that friendship is more important than profits.
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Harbor Me
Buy from:Once a week, six students meet in the ARTT Room (short for âA Room to Talkâ) for an hour of unsupervised conversation. As the year goes on, the kidsâ walls come down and they use the safe space to share their grief and pain, ranging from deportation and racial inequalities to deceased parents.
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The Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution: A Handbook for Time Travelers
Buy from:If youâre time traveling to the American Revolution (or anywhere), you obviously must bring a handy dandy travel guide. This helpful guidebook gives practical tips for finding the best hotel rooms, avoiding prison, and meeting famous patriots. Written with plenty of humor and fascinating historical facts, kids wonât even realize all the history theyâre learning.
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Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein
Buy from:Based on a true story, Ali describes his life in Iraq under Saddam Husseinâs regime during the 43-day war with the United States and other nations. The constant bombings remind Ali of watching a video game but itâs not a game when the bombs get close, his family canât find enough food, and no one knows if Aliâs father is still alive. Redemption comes both with Husseinâs defeat and Aliâs interpreter work at Husseinâs later trial.
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The Cardboard Kingdom
Buy from:Artist Chad Sell teams up with ten authors to bring to life the vast imaginations of a fictional group of kids who all live in the same neighborhood. Using cardboard boxes, the kids dream up a fantastical land filled with heroes, villains, and lots of adventure.
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The Night Diary
Buy from:At the end of British rule, the country of India splits into two â Pakistan and India â a divide that separates religious as well as geographical differences. Twelve-year-old Nisha, half Muslim and half Hindi, feels lost now that she and her family are no longer safe in Pakistan. They flee as refugees, embarking on a harrowing journey by train and foot to find a new, safer home.
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The Science of Breakable Things
Buy from:Natalieâs sure that if her team can win the egg drop science competition, she can use the prize money to go see the rare Cobalt Blue Orchids with her mom. Then her mom wonât be depressed anymore. A moving coming-of-age story, Natalie uses the scientific method for both the science contest and her motherâs situation, leading her to reconsider what can be fixed and how to fix it.
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The Spinner Prince
Buy from:Scientific, smart felines rule the country of Singara with Prince Leo next in line for the throne. To prove heâs worthy of the job, he must defeat a slaycon. At the same time, heâs also trying to control his forbidden Spinner power while fighting against an uprising beyond the Great Wall and preventing his cousin from seizing power.
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The Mad Wolfâs Daughter
Buy from:Drestâs entire Scottish warband family is kidnapped by invading knights leaving her behind. She pursues them, taking a wounded knight with her, knowing she doesnât have much time before her father and brothers are killed. Itâs a dangerous, confusing trip; sheâs followed by a bandit, helped by a mysterious witch, and when she arrives at the castle, betrayed by a new friend.
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The Lifters
Buy from:When Granite and Catalina discover a magical doorway to a labyrinth of tunnels underneath their town, they learn that itâs up to them to save the world from the mysterious forces below the earth.
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Bob
Buy from:Bobâs been hiding in a closet in Livyâs grandmotherâs house for five years, waiting for Livy to return. Even though Livy doesnât remember this greenish creature in a chicken costume named Bob, she honors her promise to help the memory-less Bob discover his past. Their journey for answers forms a magical friendship.
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The Key to Everything
Buy from:When Tash returns from summer camp, she discovers that her neighbor, babysitter, and friend, Capân Jackie, is in a care home after breaking her hip. As Tash visits Capân Jackie, who no longer seems like herself, Tash wonders if itâs all her fault and what she can do to bring Capân Jackie home.
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She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
Buy from:Itâs 1966. Twelve-year-old Trudyâs treasured Beatles fan club has decreased to only three other kids, her best friend is now a cheerleader going by a new name, and her life at home stinks. So, when the Beatles arrive in Boston for their world tour, Trudy and friends sneak off to their concert, hoping it will change things for the better.
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