15 Fantastic Middle Grade Books Hitting Shelves in Fall 2019
by Melissa Taylor
Fall brings incredible offerings of middle grade books. From a poignant World War II graphic novel to books containing magic, friendship, humor, and even some scares, you’re sure to find a good book (or three) for every kind of reader. Dive into our list now and discover 15 must-read middle grade books coming your way this fall.
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The World Ends in April
Because of her survivalist grandfather, Eleanor is already prepared for an asteroid to hit the Earth. But she needs to get her friends ready, too. She does this in a school club – instigating fear and a lack of concern for the present-day world. Not only is this story about prepping for the world’s end, but it is also a tender story of friendship, family, and growing up.
(On sale: 9/3/19)Preorder from: -
Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe
Available from:Do you like scary, creepy, and weird short stories that will keep you up at night? These stories will do just that. You’ll read about the sinister secrets lurking in our everyday world. Did you know there might be evil lurking in that stray kitten or even in your own shadow? Better watch out!
(On sale: 9/3/19)Also available from: -
Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers
Available from:Four girls unexpectedly come together to take a stand against the Floras — the local Scouts who use a hat made from endangered bird feathers. Ofelia, Aster, Cat, and Lane do whatever it takes to make their voices heard. Through it all, their tentative friendships become a close sisterhood.
(On sale: 9/3/19)Also available from: -
The Creakers
Available from:Who are the Creakers? They’re stinky, disgusting creatures who live under your bed! And Lucy thinks that they’re responsible for the grown-ups’ disappearance. Unlike most other kids who don’t want the adults back, Lucy wants to see her mom again. In this creepy but exciting adventure, Lucy and her friends attempt a daring rescue of the grown-ups from the Creakers’ upside-down world.
(On sale: 9/10/19)Also available from: -
The Last Kids on Earth and the Midnight Blade
Available from:If you aren’t yet a fan of this action-packed zombie adventure series, don’t miss out on the fun. This fifth book in the series continues after the Monster Apocalypse with Jack’s discovery that his blade has more magical powers, which, of course, he uses to fight zombies and weird Vine-Thingies. But it’s harder than ever for the friends to survive when an unexpected villain arrives.
(On sale: 9/17/19)Also available from: -
Beverly, Right Here
Available from:Beverly leaves her miserable home life for … well, anywhere else. She randomly ends up in a new town with a kind older woman living in a trailer park. Not sure what else to do, Beverly gets a job and stays. As time passes, Beverly finds that her new community becomes an actual family that she can depend on ... for once in her life.
(On sale: 9/24/19)Also available from: -
Pages & Co: The Bookwanderers
Available from:Book lovers will devour this imaginative, literary-themed story. After her mother’s disappearance, Tilly spends time at her grandparents’ bookstore where she meets two of her favorite book characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice of Wonderland. She learns that she’s a bookwanderer — someone who can talk to characters out of their stories, as well as enter into any story she wants. This turns out to be essential when Tilly begins an investigation into what happened to her mother.
(On sale: 9/24/19)Also available from: -
Reach for the Skai
Known for her acting on the Disney Channel as well as her personal activism, Skai shares helpful, hard-earned life lessons — including career highs and lows, bullying, and learning to love herself.
(On sale: 10/1/19)Preorder from: -
Magic Tree House: Christmas in Camelot Deluxe Holiday Edition
Available from:Now with new, full-color illustrations, Jack and Annie travel to Camelot for Christmas Eve where they’re tasked with searching for the kingdom’s missing joy and its missing knights. With the help of the mysterious Christmas Knight, the duo enters Camelot and are sent on a quest that even the greatest knights have failed. Will they find Camelot’s missing things in time for the big Christmas celebration?
(On sale: 10/1/19)Also available from: -
The Bootlace Magician
Return to the dazzling Circus Mirandus where Micah now trains as the Lightbender’s apprentice. Unfortunately, Micah’s magical training is interrupted by his evil grandmother, The Bird Woman, who wants to destroy the entire Circus. It’s up to Micah, the Lightbender, and their friends to stop her from wiping out everything they love.(On sale: 10/1/19)
Preorder from: -
White Bird
Available from:Fans of Palacio’s Wonder will devour this graphic novel about overcoming prejudices and the power of kindness during World War II. In the short story collection Auggie & Me, readers met Julian’s Jewish grandmother, Grandmère. This new story surrounds Sara, Julian’s Grandmère, and her childhood in Nazi-occupied France. Though Sara was initially unkind to a boy in her class, he becomes her and her family’s savior when he hides them during World War II. This rich historical story takes readers on an emotional, memorable journey of courage and friendship.
(On sale: 10/8/19)Also available from: -
Klawde Evil Alien Warlord Cat: The Spacedog Cometh #3
Available from:Get ready for Klawde’s latest challenge: An alien dog has arrived on Earth to bring Klawde to justice for his past evil emperor behavior. Meanwhile, Klawde’s person Raj also faces a big challenge – his grandmother. If you like sarcastic humor with lots of engaging illustrations and exciting adventures, don’t miss this third book in the series.
(On sale: 10/8/19)Also available from: -
The Dragon Thief
Available from:The sequel to Dragons in a Bag picks up when the best friend of Jaxon’s sister steals one of the three dragons he was supposed to return to the realm of magic. Kavita isn’t quite sure what she’s gotten herself into when her baby dragon continues to grow. With the gates to the magic realm closed, Jaxon will have to find Kavita if he hopes to restore balance between the worlds and return the dragon home safely.
(On Sale: 10/22/19)Also available from: -
Shine!
Available from:Co-authored by bestselling author Chris Grabenstein and his wife, J.J., Shine! tells the story of 12-year-old Piper as she struggles to stand out at a school where everyone is a high achiever. As she navigates the year — facing bullies, helping others, and trying to figure out how she might excel — Piper finds she shines bright just by being the kind and caring person she already is.
(On sale: 11/5/19)Also available from: -
The Ghost in Apartment 2R
Available from:When his brother moves to college, Danny finds out that the room he left behind is haunted. Danny and his two best friends hope to find a solution by interviewing people in their Brooklyn neighborhood and finding out about different cultures’ spirits. Can the trio figure out what the spirit wants … and how to get rid of it?
(On sale: 11/12/19)Also available from:
