20 Favorite Books Of Middle Schoolers

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Selecting books that both fit the curriculum and engage your students is a tall order.  Whether you are looking for a whole class book or are compiling choices for independent reading, look no further. 

 

Here are 20 books, by genre, that are sure to be winners in the eyes of your middle school students:

 

Adventure

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

 

Diary Fiction

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

 

Drama and Coming-of-Age

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

 

Dystopian Fiction

The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

Fantasy

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

 

Historical Fiction

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

 

Mystery and Suspense

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

 

Realistic Fiction

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

 

Science Fiction

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Books; bookshelves; library

Of course, there are countless other books worthy of this list.  This selection is simply based on the texts that were part of the curriculum in the districts where I have taught English Language Arts for grades six through eight.  Some of these books were read by the whole class, while others were either for summer reading or independent reading.

 

When it comes to texts assigned to the whole class, the way that you read them is up to you, and in a way, determined by your students.

 

For instance, when I taught a seventh grade literature elective, we read The Outsiders.  My students loved when I read aloud to them, occasionally with students volunteering to read as well.  This approach worked for us because my students maintained an excellent record of being attentive and participating in discussions.   

 

A slightly modified approach was used with a sixth grade honors English Language Arts course where we read A Wrinkle in Time.  This class was filled with respectful, bright preteens.  Some days, we read aloud together as a class, the readers consisting of me and several volunteers.  Other days, my students worked in assigned groups where they were tasked with reading a set number of chapters and completing tasks that required discussions within each group.  These students had a glowing history of being responsible, so I felt confident that I could step into the role of facilitator during much of our time together.      

 

If possible, include the mentioned books in your curriculum, or at least into your classroom library.  Incorporate the reading approach that works effectively for your students.  The right text plus the right reading method equals a winning combination!

 

What books have been hits with your middle schoolers?  How were those books read in your classes?  Leave a question, comment, or suggestion below, in the Comments Section!   

 

Please visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to purchase a variety of resources for all grades and subjects!

 

Peace.  Love.  Reading & Writing.

 

💗 Miss M

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