It’s that time of year again – back to school! While I’m in complete denial about sending my kids off, they’re excited to go back. They have their friends, activities, and a whole year’s worth of adventure/learning waiting for them.
We have a couple of years before the monstrosity known as middle school hits our house. However, I know a lot of people that are wading into those treacherous waters this year. If you’re one of them, here are some books to help prepare your child (and you!) for the days ahead.
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts, illustrated by Laura Park
Be prepared to laugh at the misadventures of Rafe Khatchadorian as he tries to break every overbearing rule in school. With the movie coming out in October, now is the perfect time to read the book.
Genie Wishes by Elisabeth Dahl
Genie’s fifth grade year is full of firsts. As the class blogger, she gets to write the wishes of her class, but the drama that comes with growing up can be hard to deal with. This sweet, authentic novel captures what life is like for many fifth graders.
The School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani
When Sophie and Agatha arrive at the School for Good and Evil, each girl ends up in the school she didn’t expect to be in. This breathtaking fairy tale is about friendship, loyalty, trust, magic, and love.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The book that inspired a nation-wide quest for kindness is finding its way to theaters in 2017. If you haven’t had the chance to read this gem yet, now is the perfect time to pick it up. It’s one that you AND your child should read. It’s about looking past appearances and accepting people as they are.
Schooled by Gordon Korman
After a lifetime of zen homeschooling, Capricorn Cap Anderson finds himself attending public school for the first time. Ready or not, he’s entering the deep waters of middle school – and the sharks are circling. This touching and often humorous look at middle school politics is a great read for any kid hoping to stay true to himself.
Diary of a Sixth Grade Ninja series by Marcus Emerson
What sixth grader doesn’t want to be a ninja? Even I wanted to be one at that age. Lucky, Chase Cooper wrote this diary to warn other kids about the complications involved in that profession. With ten books in this series, your kids can obsess over it for a nice long time.
Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky
With illustrations and infographics along the way, this book is chock full of amazing women that contributed to science. From the famous to the not-quite-so-famous, kids can learn about the women that shattered glass ceilings (and a few beakers) and accomplished amazing things. With schools making an effort to get more girls interested in STEM, this book is the perfect back to school read.
Wonder Woman at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee
With the popularity of both super heroes and high school-themed shows (think Monster High and Ever After High), this novel comes as no surprise. Wonder Woman and Supergirl star in the first two books of the series. A third book featuring Batgirl is slated to come out in January 2017.
The Lost Twin (Scarlet and Ivy) by Sophie Cleverly
Ivy’s rambunctious twin Scarlet died at boarding school. Now quiet Ivy is being forced to take her place at school – and impersonate Scarlet. Ivy soon finds that life isn’t a bed of roses at Rookwood, and something sinister is going on. As she follows the clues Scarlet left behind, she delves deeper into the secrets of the school and closer to meeting the same end as her sister.
Pilfer Academy: A School So Bad It’s Criminal by Lauren Magaziner
If dead twins and dark mysteries don’t interest your child, try out a secret boarding school for thieves instead. Young George is kidnapped as Pilfer Academy’s newest student. At first, he dives right into his classes on safe cracking and DIY gadgets. This hilarious and wacky book takes readers on a ride they won’t forget.
Are you sending a child to middle school this year? What books are you reading?
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter to stay up to date on new giveaways, author interviews, reviews, and other awesomeness! Sign up now.
2 COMMENTS
Gina
8 years agoSo many great titles called out there, but I’ve actually had the chance to read two of them myself and gotta say, I can totally see the kiddos getting into them. PILFER ACADEMY…and..SUPER HERO HIGH. Great picks! Thanks for the share!
Dena at Batch of Books
8 years ago AUTHORSuper fun books, right? Thanks for stopping by!