The Best Middle Grade & Chapter Books of 2023

Fall is upon us, which means winter months are following shortly behind — giving my family as many excuses as possible to stay in and read!

My girls love a good middle grade chapter book, and we can’t wait to get our hands on some of these titles. This list features books full of mystery, adventure, fantasy, and humor. There is something here for everyone!

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell

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Shenanigan Swift is excited about their upcoming family reunion, but that comes to a halt when her aunt gets pushed down the stairs to her death. Shenanigan wants to prove she is more than a troublemaker by finding out who shoved her aunt. Full of suspense and plot twists, this book is perfect for any mystery lover.

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Super Pancake

by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Abhi Alwar

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Peggy the Pancake lives a pretty flat life until she magically acquires superhero skills! Will her new tricks and abilities be enough to save Breakfast Town from evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich?

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Wrecker

by Carl Hiaasen

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Valdez Jones VIII, also known as Wrecker, witnesses a boat wreck his eyes weren’t supposed to see. The men on the boat will pay him off if he keeps it a secret. But now the men show up everywhere in Wrecker’s life, hoping to convince him to be their lookout. Can he get out of this mess?

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Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind

by Misa Sugiura

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Calling all Fablehaven lovers! Add this action-packed fantasy novel to your “must-read” list for 2023. Follow Momo as she attempts (and fails) at being the normal kid at school. After her mother becomes very sick and Momo gets attacked by a character from her mother’s stories, she knows life will never be the same.

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The Eyes and the Impossible

by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris

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In this middle grade read, bestselling author and visionary Dave Eggers tells the story of a dog named Johannes who lives in a park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes of the park; to keep watch over everything, make sure that order is maintained, and report back to the Bison. But when major changes start to happen all throughout the park, Johannes’s eyes will be opened to a new reality. Get ready to see the world around you in a totally new way!

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The Last Comics on Earth

by Max Brallier and Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper and Douglas Holgate

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What’s better than a middle grade graphic novel? A full-color middle grade graphic novel! Follow best friends Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk as they take matters into their own hands when their favorite comic book gets discontinued. Can they keep the legacy of Z-Man going?

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The Rhythm of Time

by Questlove and S. A. Cosby

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Two bestselling authors, Questlove and S. A. Cosby, hit the shelves again with a thrilling new series for middle grade readers. This book follows Kasia, her inventions, and Rahim, her best friend, who is always willing to be the guinea pig for her creations. When Kasia gives Rahim a homemade cell phone for his birthday, he accidentally time-travels to 1997 and realizes that anything he does will change the future! Can Kasia save him and bring him back to the present?

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Mexikid

by Pedro Martín

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Pedro already feels like his family is living on top of each other. With eight siblings and his parents, there is never enough space. So, when he finds out Abuelito is coming to live with them, he isn’t happy. Join Pedro and his family as they take the road trip of a lifetime to pick up their grandfather from Mexico and bring him home.

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Remember Us

by Jacqueline Woodson

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Everything that Jacqueline Woodson touches is gold, and this book is no exception. Sage’s summer before seventh grade isn’t what she expected, especially when she meets Freddy. He’s a good friend who truly understands Sage. As they grow up, Sage draws on her memories with Freddy to stay afloat.

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Penny Draws a Best Friend

by Sara Shepard

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Penny Lowry is a regular, loveable fifth-grade girl. Penny spent the summer without her best friend Violet, and she can’t wait to pick up right where they left off, but Violet has changed. She no longer likes Art Club and hangs out with the mean girls. Is it Penny’s fault that Violet is acting so weird?

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Something Like Home

by Andrea Beatriz Arango

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Touching, lyrical, and uplifting, Something Like Home follows a young girl who is sent to live with her aunt because her parents aren’t able to take care of her any more. And while staying with her aunt is okay, trying to make friends at a new school is hard and she just doesn’t feel like she belongs. That is until she finds a puppy who becomes her constant companion and may even teach her what it means to be home.

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Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen

by Geri Halliwell-Horner

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Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner is on the book scene with a novel full of adventure, family secrets, a mysterious island, and threats you would never believe. This book delivers an action-packed story chock full of bravery and friendship.

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The Moth Keeper

by K. O’Neill

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This imaginative graphic novel is perfect for fantasy lovers. Anya is honored when she finally becomes a moth keeper. However, the job is much different than she expected. Lonely and cold during the night, Anya craves the sun more than anything. When she stays awake to experience the sun, her village, which depends on her as the moth keeper, suffers the consequences.

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Sweet Valley Twins: Teacher’s Pet

by Francine Pascal, illustrated by Claudia Aguirre, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger

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The New York Times bestselling Sweet Valley Twins books are back as graphic novels! Best friends and twin sisters Jessica and Elizabeth love each other but compete occasionally. In dance class, the teacher only has eyes for Elizabeth, even though Jessica is the better dancer. Can Jessica win the lead role of Swanilda, or will Elizabeth be the shoo-in? And will the twins' relationship survive the drama?

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The Human Kaboom

by Adam Rubin

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Adam Rubin is back with an exciting companion novel to his #1 New York Times bestselling book, The Ice Cream Machine. With pages full of danger, chaos, and hijinks, it will satisfy your middle grade reader and feed their imagination. They won’t be able to set it down!

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Tiger Daughter

by Rebecca Lim

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Wen is a remarkable young girl that readers will love. She is the first-generation daughter to Chinese migrant parents who have high expectations for her. But instead of empowering her, she often feels trapped in a home with never-ending rules. Then she befriends Henry, who is also a first-generation immigrant, and Wen finally feels understood. Tiger Daughter is a coming-of-age story that will inspire you with Wen’s resilience and strength as she and Henry strive to make their dreams a reality.

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The Timekeepers: First Flight

by S.J. King, ilustrated by Esther Hernando

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Fans of The Secret Explorers will love this new series. The Timekeepers are a secret organization whose mission is to keep history on course. In this first adventure, the Wright Flyer’s propeller has been stolen by villainous DeLay, and only the Timekeepers can put history's timeline back on track.

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Turtles of the Midnight Moon

by María José Fitzgerald

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Turtles of the Midnight Moon is just the thing for mystery and animal-loving kids! Friends Abby and Barana work together to figure out who is poaching turtle eggs from the beach. The friends take any measure possible to solve the mystery and save the turtle population.

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Meesh the Bad Demon #1

by Michelle Lam

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Meesh isn’t your typical demon. She sees the good in others and wants everyone to be happy. Ostracized by the other demons for her good nature, Meesh goes on a journey to find help after disaster strikes.

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Alex Wise vs. the End of the World

by Terry J. Benton-Walker

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Alex Wise is dealing with regular 12-year-old stuff when, out of the blue, the Four Horsemen show up and try to take over the world. When they capture his little sister, Alex must figure out how to use the new powers he received from a dominant god to save her life!

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It’s Not Bragging If It’s True

by Zaila Avant-garde

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Zaila Avant-garde is living proof that you can do anything. She made history by becoming the first Black student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021! In this nonfiction book, Zaila encourages kids to embrace themselves and encourages them to persevere through the challenges and obstacles they face.

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