The Most-Anticipated Middle Grade and Chapter Books of 2026

The year 2025 brought some terrific new titles to devour — and now it’s time for 2026 books to shine!

Get ready for some absolutely excellent new middle grade and chapter books. From graphic novels to fantasy, adventure to detective work, there’s truly something for every reader on this list.

Alice with a Why

by Anna James, illustrated by Matthew Land

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A delightful retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland hits the book scene and can’t be missed. Alyce with a Y — granddaughter of the original Alice — receives a mysterious invitation to a tea party and quickly discovers that her grandmother’s wild tales might not have been so wild after all.

(On sale: 1/6/2026)

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A Sea Monster Conundrum (The Misfits)

by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat

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The Misfits are back! This kid-favorite series follows a team of powerful, crime-fighting misfits. This time, something strange is lurking near the bay — ghosts? A sea monster? Something in the fog? It’s up to the Misfits to crack the case.

(On sale: 1/6/2026)

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Unfairies: A Graphic Novel

by Huw Aaron

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These are not your typical fairies. Forget sparkles and sweetness — these fairies are rude, messy, and constantly squabbling as they vie for power. Perfect for Dog Man fans, this graphic novel is chaotic fun from start to finish.

(On sale: 1/27/2026)

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The Moon Without Stars

by Chanel Miller

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Luna has never been popular, and she’s fine with that. She likes hanging out with her best friend and making zines. But when one of her zines suddenly goes viral, she’s launched into middle-school fame. Will she stay true to herself amid all the newfound attention?

(On sale: 1/13/2026)

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X Marks the Haunt

by Lindsay Currie

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Twelve-year-old Will knows a lot about death thanks to his mom’s job at the graveyard. But when a 100-year-old crypt key goes missing, strange things begin happening: trees die, the lake fills with dangerous algae, and the whole town is on edge. Can Will uncover whether the lost key is connected?

(On sale: 1/6/2026)

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Murray the Pirate

by Adam Stower

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This unlikeliest duo — a bunny and a cat — is back for another adventure, this time in pirate territory. But trouble hits fast when they’re kidnapped and given a choice: help find hidden treasure or walk the plank.

(On sale: 1/20/2026)

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Unstoppable Us, Volume 3: How Enemies Become Friends

by Yuval Noah Harari, illustrated by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz

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For readers fascinated by how cultures and civilizations came to be, this third installment of Unstoppable Us explores how people from different lands came together to build new societies. Engaging, informative, and endlessly fascinating.

(On sale: 2/3/2026)

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Goodbye, French Fry

by Rin-rin Yu

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Ping-Ping often feels stuck between two worlds — surprising Americans with how American she is, while disappointing her Chinese family for not being Chinese enough. The one place she feels truly herself is taekwondo. Filled with family, culture, and friendship, this story offers a meaningful window into a life that may be very different from readers’.

(On sale: 2/17/2026)

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Aku: Journey to Ibra

by Micah Johnson

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Aku can’t believe his luck when a mysterious space helmet appears in his basement. Could putting it on be be his chance to become an astronaut? Or will he land in a mess much bigger than dealing with the school bully?

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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Girls Like Me

by Rebel Girls

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This nonfiction collection features 100 real stories from girls around the world. It’s an inspiring way for young readers to broaden their understanding of different cultures, communities, and lived experiences.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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Harper Sharp: Kid Detective

by Jarrett Williams

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Detective books never seem to get old! Funny, clever, and packed with vibrant illustrations, this first installment follows Harper Sharp as she takes on mysteries big and small. Grab this for any kid who loves graphic novels and detective stories.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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Phoenix

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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Calling all horse lovers! Harper hates her parents’ divorce, that she had to move, and especially that her new house is next to a riding barn. Then a sickly horse is dropped into her life. She must decide whether to let it go… or fight to bring it back to health.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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Squirrel Lock Holmes #1: The Pet Rock Mystery

by Ashley Belote

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A hilarious spin on Sherlock Holmes. Detective Squirrel Lock Holmes and his sidekick, Mole Watson, are on the case of a missing pet rock. Yes, a pet rock! This book is silly, wacky, and full of laughs.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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You're a Winner, Gracie Wei

by Kristen Mei Chase, illustrated by Basia Tran

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Gracie must win the school spelling bee. She’s the only one in her family (including her baby brother) who hasn’t made it onto the Wei family's Special Wall. But standing between her and victory is one obstacle: the super smart Elena Yarberry.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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When Tomorrow Burns

by Tae Keller

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Three childhood friends once found comfort in a mysterious book of prophecies. As they grow and drift apart, they forget about the book — until the final prophecy of fire begins to come true. To stop the wildfires, they’ll need to work together, even if they’re no longer on speaking terms.

(On sale: 3/3/2026)

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Last Day Pool Party

by Emma Steinkellner

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From the author of The Okay Witch comes a hilarious, drama-filled graphic novel about a group of middle schoolers trying to navigate one unforgettable, chaotic pool party on the last day of school.

(On sale: 4/7/2026)

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The Last Comics on Earth: Across the Doodleverse

by Max Brallier and Joshua Pruett, illustrated by Jay Cooper

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The final installment in this graphic-novel series looks so good! The gang faces a whole new challenge — an army of animated sketches threatening to take over. Can they stop the doodle invasion before it’s too late?

(On sale: 4/28/2026)

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Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Season of Flames

by Anna James, illustrated by David Wyatt

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The second book in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series brings readers more magic, royalty, circus intrigue, and mystery. Middle grade fantasy fans won’t want to put this one down.

(On sale: 4/28/2026)

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The Shark Prince

by Malia Maunakea

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Nohea is half human, half shark, just like his dad. After his father kills a surfer and disappears, Nohea fears he’s destined for the same fate. To support his family before his shark instincts take over, he enters a surfing competition, hoping to win enough money to keep them afloat.

(On sale: 5/5/2026)

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Roar

by Varsha Bajaj

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Rohan adores animals, especially tigers. Visiting the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works is a dream come true — until he discovers threats from poachers and a potential mining operation company trying to shut the sanctuary down. Determined to help, he sets out to educate anyone who will listen about protecting these incredible animals.

(On sale: 5/12/2026)

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