The Best Middle Grade and Chapter Books of 2026 (So Far)
by Janssen Bradshaw
The first half of 2026 has given us an amazing collection of middle grade and chapter books to enjoy, and choosing the best has been a difficult delight. This year’s standout titles span magical fantasies, space adventures, haunting mysteries, funny graphic novels, and so much more!
-
Forbidden Mountain
Buy from:Fantasy lovers will be thrilled to get their hands on the latest offering from the bestselling author of the Fablehaven series and Beyonders series. In a world where young people bond with spirits, a boy named Mako faces an impossible decision. When he meets a criminal named Arden, they form an unlikely alliance to save their home from corruption and an ancient evil spirit.
Buy from: -
Life on the Moon
Buy from:Leo and his family leap at the chance to join the moon’s first human colony. However, none of them expected things to go sideways once they arrived. But between Leo’s dad mysteriously vanishing, discovering strange lifeforms, and the other colonists' blatant lies, Leo knows something is up. He must figure out where his dad went and why everyone is lying about the moon creatures before it’s too late.
Buy from: -
Pip and Pals: Otter Space
Buy from:This early graphic novel is perfect for kids transitioning from picture books to longer works. It’s filled with humor, witty dialogue, and colorful illustrations that will keep young readers engaged. They’ll follow an adorable otter whose fur accidentally turns green, and the friends who decide she must be an alien.
Buy from: -
Found Sound
Buy from:Felix is dreading spending his summer vacation alone and bored. But when he discovers a mysterious box and opens it, he is whisked away on a sound-filled scavenger hunt around town. As he and his new friend, Marigold, piece together clues and solve puzzles, Felix’s would-be boring summer turns into an unforgettable adventure.
Buy from: -
The Chismosas Only Book Club
Buy from:A group of four friends creates a book club that meets in an old bookstore founded by one of their ancestors. As the girls start high school, their diverging interests threaten to tear them apart. Thankfully, the bookstore and its founder’s spirit help them navigate the choppy waters of growing up. Readers who like magical realism and fans of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will love this novel.
Buy from: -
Alice with a Why
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
A Sea Monster Conundrum (The Misfits)
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
Unfairies: A Graphic Novel
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
The Moon Without Stars
Buy from: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?
Buy from: -
X Marks the Haunt
Buy from: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?
Buy from: -
Unstoppable Us, Volume 3: How Enemies Become Friends
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
Last Day Pool Party
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
Goodbye, French Fry
Buy from: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’.
Buy from: -
Aku: Journey to Ibra
Buy from: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?
Buy from: -
Phoenix
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
Squirrel Lock Holmes #1: The Pet Rock Mystery
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
You're a Winner, Gracie Wei
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
When Tomorrow Burns
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
The Shark Prince
Buy from: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.
Buy from: -
Roar
Buy from: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.
Buy from:
