Growing Reader
Tween
The Most Exciting Middle Grade & Chapter Books to Read This Fall
by Janssen Bradshaw
There’s something magical about the change of seasons; summer into fall is my favorite (fall to winter? Less so). The air feels crisp, the trees change colors spectacularly, and we ease into the swing of a regular school schedule. And, of course, a new season means new books are coming out!
Here are some terrific middle grade and chapter book titles being released this fall that you won’t want to miss!
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Witches of Brooklyn: S'More Magic
Also available from:Effie’s magic school is ending for the year and she can’t wait for summer! Unfortunately, Effie has to attend summer camp. In the wilderness. With no friends. Follow her through this new adventure full of magic and pandemonium.
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Memories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree House
Also available from:Mary Pope Osborne has learned much through her writing and research for The Magic Tree House books, and she’s ready to tell you about it. Pick up this book for all Magic Tree House lovers to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this beloved series!
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The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
Also available from:Middle grade readers rejoice! The eighth book in this beloved series hits the shelves this fall. After the seventh book, the last kids on earth reunite, and they couldn’t be happier. Their delight is quickly dispelled when the evil villain, Thrull, plots to destroy the fortress dimension!
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The Area 51 Files
Also available from:Sky Patel-Baum moves in with her uncle in a mysterious place: Area 51. This military base has more secrets and rules than you can shake a stick at, AND it’s full of aliens! As Sky learns the ropes of Area 51, she notices that some aliens have vanished, and everyone blames her. Will she be able to crack the case and convince everyone she has nothing to do with it?
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Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish
Also available from:If you have a child who loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this brand-new series is just the ticket! Airi is tired of moving around and is relieved when her family puts down permanent roots in Hawaii. She might be delighted about living somewhere long-term, but she isn’t excited about school. Even worse, her teacher is determined to make her enjoy school. So, Airi hatches a plan to prank her teacher so much that he will eventually give up on her!
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Standing in the Need of Prayer
Also available from:Based on the popular spiritual “Standing in the Need of Prayer,” this powerful and moving picture book showcases pivotal moments in African American history, starting in 1619, running through today, and continuing as aspirational dreams for tomorrow. It is a testament to the power of resilience and what can be accomplished through perseverance. Included at the end of the book, readers will find descriptions of the people, places, and events that are featured, making this a great way to learn and discuss with your little ones.
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Holler of the Fireflies
Also available from:Javari’s life is about to change forever. From the streets of Brooklyn to the Appalachian mountains for the summer, Javari quickly discovers that getting in trouble is the same everywhere. As Javari dives head first into STEM camp, he learns the most from Cricket, a mountain boy who is both holler and book smart.
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Pirates Past Noon Graphic Novel
Also available from:Jack and Annie are back with a new adventure on a beach filled with beautiful sand, water, and… pirates! The ship’s captain thinks Jack and Annie know where to find a stash of buried treasure, and he plans to keep them captive until they show him!
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She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
Also available from:The top-rated She Persisted picture books are now in chapter book form! This series follows women who didn’t take no for an answer and spoke up despite everything they endured. These books are the perfect way to learn more about important historical women!
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The Sleepover Mystery
Also available from:The adorable kitten, Bianca, can’t wait to attend the museum’s first sleepover! Things don’t go as expected when Bianca vanishes after a disagreement with the other kittens. Check out this new chapter book series chock full of loveable creatures!
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Pages & Co.: The Book Smugglers
Also available from:The fourth installment of the bestselling Pages & Co. series is now in paperback! Milo, the book smuggler, and his uncle, Horatio, take on a new risky job. The gig halts when Horatio gets poisoned by a copy of The Wizard of Oz. Can Milo travel through Emerald City to find out who is behind this sneaky act and stop it?
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Who Is Zendaya?
Also available from:If you have a reader interested in pop culture, Who Is Zendaya? is right up their alley. Learn how she started on the Disney channel and worked up to major box office movies like Spiderman. Get the details on how she involves herself in important issues like feminism, anti-bullying, and much more!
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A Seed in the Sun
Also available from:It’s 1965, and young Lula works in the grape fields under desolate conditions, cares for her ill mother and siblings, and watches out for her father’s temper, which can explode at any minute. She is tired of not being heard, and she has big dreams. After she meets a group of labor rights activists, she decides it’s an excellent time for her voice to be heard.
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The Stern Chase
Also available from:The Brotherband Chronicles are full of excitement, fantasy, and adventure, and this ninth book is no exception! The Herons are minding their own business at home, but a skirmish with Iberian pirates leads to a ransacked harbor, a destroyed fleet of ships, and a desperate chase across the seas. See if the Herons can defeat the pirates with their only remaining vessel.
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Looking for True
Also available from:Gladys and Jude live in the same neighborhood, but aren’t friends and rarely talk until they team up to find the neighbor’s missing dog. Once they find her, the kids face a new problem — neither of their parents will let them keep the dog.
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Wild Animals of the World
Also available from:Dieter Braun, a famous German illustrator, hits the bookshelves with a roar this fall! Wild Animals of the World gives us a peek into various animals' lives through bold and beautiful illustrations. This book is an excellent choice for any animal lover.
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Operation Final Notice
Also available from:Ronny and Jo are best friends and very similar, except for the worries that keep them up at night. Ronny’s family needs a thousand dollars to keep their only car from being repossessed. Jo’s anxiety is about her upcoming cello audition at a prestigious academy. She has never had a live performance go well and fears this one is also doomed. Can these best friends lean on each other for support through their challenges?
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