The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids Ages 9 – 12
by Janssen Bradshaw
There is nothing more magical than long summer days filled with warm weather, family activities, and plenty of reading.
Even as an adult, I love the feeling of school letting out and having more free time to read without a school schedule. It means more time for my middle-grade readers to snuggle up with a stack of new books!
If you have a middle grader in your home, these are some terrific books for them to read independently, together, or listen to as audiobooks on a summer road trip! You will find books filled with magical creatures, adventure, and bravery on this list — there is something for everyone!
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The Human Kaboom
Available from:If you have a child who loves a good book series and all things wacky, check out The Human Kaboom! All six books have the same title, each with new illustrators and different stories that will keep your kid hooked!
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The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels
Available from:The birth of each child in the Swift family means a visit to the Family Dictionary to be named and defined. Shenanigan usually lives up to her namesake, but when someone dies at a family reunion, she is determined to find the killer and no longer be defined by her name.
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Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind
Available from:Momo’s mother tells her magical stories of goddesses and evil spirits, which she doesn’t believe until a monster attacks her publicly, and a talking fox comes to her rescue. After that, everything goes from completely ordinary to surreal as she learns her mother’s stories are true and that she is half human, half goddess.
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Superworld: Save Noah
Available from:There are typically only one or two superheroes in most stories. However, in Superworld, Noah is the ONLY person who didn’t get a superpower after a meteor hit the earth five years ago. Talk about being unlucky. Can he stop the city’s villains as a regular kid?
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Ready or Not! #1
Available from:Too much is changing in nine-year-old Abby’s world. Her best friend moved away, her mom started working full time, she has to do the dreaded after-school running program, and don’t get her started on the changes happening in her body without her permission. Being stuck between being a little kid and a full-blown teenager is hard.
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Grace Needs Space!
Available from:Just like most kids, Grace counts down the days until summer comes. Unlike most kids, she has a super adventurous trip planned across space with one of her moms, and she cannot wait! As the journey unfolds, it doesn’t go as planned; instead, she becomes lonely and homesick. Will Grace get her summer trip back on track, or is it doomed to be the worst vacation ever?
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Felice and the Wailing Woman
Available from:This middle grade novel is full of magic, curses, bravery, and adventure. Water terrifies 12-year-old Felice ever since she was saved from drowning as a child. She must face her fear head-on when she discovers her mother haunts the river in Tres Leches.
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Doodles From the Boogie Down
Available from:Inspired by Stephanie Rodriguez’s tween years, eighth-grader Steph realizes it’s time to apply for high schools. Steph desperately wants to attend an art school across town but knows her mother will not agree. She lies to almost everyone around her to make her dream come true. She must decide if causing conflict in all her relationships is worth attending the beloved art school.
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Hands
Available from:Trev has seen his family hurt at the hands of his stepdad. And when his stepdad finally leaves, he threatens Trev’s mom. Trev decides enough is enough and starts training to protect his mom and sisters no matter what. The only downfall of Trev’s plan is that he is a talented artist, and his hands could help his family in a different way. What will Trev decide to do with his hands?
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Heroes of Havensong: Dragonboy
Available from:Four different worlds that have been at war for centuries collide in this middle grade fantasy book. Blue, River, Wren, and Shenli get assigned to work together on what seems like an impossible mission — to restore peace between the lands and make it a Haven once again.
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ChupaCarter
Available from:George Lopez and his humor hit the bookshelves with a hilarious middle grade series! Twelve-year-old Jorge is upset about moving in with his grandparents, and it doesn’t help that he hates his new school. The only new friend he has found is a mythical monster, the Chupacabra. When trouble hits his new town and all fingers point at his new pal, will Jorge stay loyal or expose him to the world?
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Aniana del Mar Jumps In
Available from:Aniana del Mar is one with the water and cannot live without swimming. The only problem is that Ani and her dad have to hide her love for swimming from her Mami, who still lives in fear after losing a loved one to drowning. When Ani becomes ill, she knows it is time to tell Mami about her swimming.
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Penny Draws a Best Friend
Available from:Things are changing for fifth-grader Penny. She hasn’t seen her best friend, Violet, all summer and can’t wait to rejoin friendship forces in Art Club. Art Club becomes a disappointment when Violet announces it’s for babies and ditches Penny to hang out with the mean girls at school. Can Penny recover from this friendship loss and find new friends?
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When You Trap a Tiger
Available from:This Newbery Medal winner is a sure bet for any child who loves fantasy and folklore. Lily and her family move into her grandmother’s house to care for her. Then, a magical tiger approaches Lily, offering to make her grandmother healthy again in exchange for something valuable.
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Honest June: Secrets and Spies
Available from:The Honest June series is back with the third installment. This time, June’s closest relationships blow up in her face. When her secret blog full of her honest thoughts about her friends and family is exposed, she is left with no one. How will June fix the harm she has done?
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It’s Not Bragging If It’s True
Available from:Zaila Avant-garde was the first Black student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and when she did, she became an overnight sensation. Learn about Zaila’s family, accomplishments, trials, and fears in this outstanding non-fiction book for kids.
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Would You Rather? Summer Edition
Available from:School is out, everyone is relaxed, and the fun is just starting! Get some funny discussions going with this Would You Rather? book on a family road trip, sitting around the campfire, or hanging out at the beach. Your entire family will laugh at the goofy responses you come up with. It’s a surefire way to keep everyone entertained!
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Lei and the Fire Goddess
Available from:Finally, summer is here, and Anna cannot wait! She’s headed to Hawaii to visit her Tutu and plans on soaking up every relaxing, touristy minute. That is, until her Tutu’s folklore stories come to life, and the fire goddess kidnaps her best friend!
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More Great Summer Reads for 9- to 12-Year-Olds:
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Alien Summer #1
Also available from:Dragons in a Bag
Also available from:Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found
Also available from:Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Book 1)
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The Lock-Eater
Also available from:The Smartest Kid in the Universe
Also available from:Dragon World
Also available from:Omar Rising
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Wonder: Illustrated Edition
Also available from:Map of Flames (The Forgotten Five, Book 1)
Also available from:Marcus Makes a Movie
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The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Also available from:Different Kinds of Fruit
Also available from:Harriet the Spy
Also available from:Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom
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Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
Also available from:The Ice Cream Machine
Also available from:The First Rule of Punk
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Looking for summer reading ideas for younger or older kids? Check out our 2023 lists for Kids Ages 3 – 5, Ages 6 – 8, and Teens.