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I know that most of you don't really read children's books but I do because I like to write children's stories. Usually I write picture books or beginning reader type books. I'm interested in trying my hand in middle grade books (Ages 9-14). I like to read different books of the age range that I'm writing for to get a feel for it. So do any of you have any good books or series that you read or that a child in your family has read?

Hello,

I teach ESL (English as a Second Language). The school where I teach has different levels so I have used different kinds of books from different levels. For this age range, I could tell you that I've read and used the following books in classes and my students have enjoyed them (there are also some books that other teachers have used on this list):

Holes
We Beat the Street
The Outsiders
Everything, Everything
A Corner of the Universe
A View from Saturday
The Secret Life of Bees
The Giver
Outcasts United (Youth Version)
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Still Alice
The Bean Trees
Uglies
Flight
Pay It Forward
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Where the Red Fern Grows
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Out of My Mind
Hunger Games
Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe
Hatchet
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Kira, Kira
Bridge to Teribithia
Tuck Everlasting
A Long Walk to Water
The Giver
Small Steps
Boxcar Children
Frindle
A Wrinkle in Time
A Million Ways Home
Theodore Boone Books


I hope this helps.

Thank you, Christina. Your list gives me great ideas for which books I should look for. I'm especially interested in Holes and The Boxcar Children series. I've seen those titles in other lists as well so I hope they will be excellent sources for me.

Yea, I helped!

Good luck!

I think Percy Jackson is always a fantastic read (including all other spin offs by Rick Riordan, as well as Kane Chronicles) since it gets kids interested in Greek Mythology as well. I also enjoyed reading Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter.

I've heard of the Percy Jackson series. I've seen them in the stores before as well. I'll add that to my reading list too. Gallagher Girls sounds slightly familiar. I'll have to goggle it so that I can learn more about what the story is about.

Indie authors Graeme Ing's Ocean of Dust
M. G. Wells' Lightmasters no.13

Ohh... I never heard of those titles before. The Ocean of Dust title sound like it will be a fascinating read. I'll have to search for it.

Actually Graeme Ing has a few children's, young teen books and they get high ratings. Worth a look

Really? Now this author really has my attention. I'm a fan of any author who can write for a multiple audience. Thank you for the recommendation.

You can go through 'The Sparrow Princess' by Russel Whitehead. Its quite creative and imaginative and middle graders tend to like such stories.

You're right! Even in middle school, girls still love stories about princesses. The Sparrow Princess sounds like an interesting title. It sounds like it'll be about an unconventional princess, which is perfect for me. I love reading and writing about strong female roles.

Amagine wrote:You're right! Even in middle school, girls still love stories about princesses. The Sparrow Princess sounds like an interesting title. It sounds like it'll be about an unconventional princess, which is perfect for me. I love reading and writing about strong female roles.

It is an interesting read. Infact it shows both the vulnerable as well as the strong sides of the princess. my daughter loves listening to this story.

That makes it sound even more appealing. The fact that it shows that girls can be strong but still vulnerable. It encourages girls that it's okay to feel emotions. Nice...I'm sure a lot of girls would enjoy reading a book like that.

The Charlie Bone: Children of the Red King series, by Jennie Nimmo
Artemis Fowl Series by Eoine Colfer
The Gryphon Chronicles by E.G. Foley
The Journals of Myrth (How to Slay a Dragon: Vol. 1) by Bill Allen
The Alcatraz Vs. Evil Librarians Series by Brandon Sanderson
These books are so good, and each one, although all of a fantasy style, brings a little something different to the forefront. The only thing that could make them better is if any of them had a strong female lead. But the Brandon Sanderson book does have a very strong female character.