Reading helps use learn about the lives of others, gives us the opportunity to gain perspective and teaches us to think about how people different from ourselves experience the world. We have to understand others in order to cultivate empathy and compassion. I created this list of middle grade books (ages 8-13) with that in mind.
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Table of contents
Middle Grade Novels
Ramona the Pest (series) by Beverly Cleary
If someone where to ask you for a book that teaches empathy, this classic may not be the first to jump to your mind, but I bet as soon as you saw the cover you thought, "Of course!" Beverly Cleary is a master at taking the reader through the mind of a child and all the accompanying emotional ups and downs. My son listened to these audio books over and over again one summer and then in conversation he would bring up his observations about the troubles Ramona experienced and how she handled them.
MORE: Books for Fans of Beverly Cleary
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow is 12-years-old when her adoptive parents are killed in a car crash, leaving her totally alone. Willow is intensely gifted but doesn't make friends easily. At the counselor's office, she makes befriends with Mai and her brother, Quang-ha. The siblings take her home to their mom, who convinces social services to allow Willow to stay with them. Willow's narration of the story, her observations of others and her approach to learning how to interact with others is compelling. The cast of characters, including her underachieving school counselor and Vietnamese foster mother struggling against poverty, are both touchingly human and quietly funny.
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
Natalie's mother spends almost of of her time in bed, suffering from depression. Meanwhile, Natalie enters an egg-dropping science competition, thinking that if she wins the prize money she can buy a special blue orchid that is sure to return her mother to her. A diverse cast of characters surrounds the multi-racial Natalie, who is reluctant to confront her feelings about her mother. But by the end of her journey in this truly outstanding book, Natalie starts to come to terms with–like the eggs in her experiment– the fragility of people and everyone's need for support from others.
MORE: Middle Grade Books that Address Mental Health
How to Stay Invisible by Maggy C. Rudd
After his parents abandon him, 12-year-old Raymond heads to the woods, where he uses a hollowed out tree for shelter. Living alone with his dog, Raymond fishes and dumpster-dives for food and continues going to school. He keeps his secret from his new friends, the talkative Harlin, and an older man, Stigs, who has a sad history of his own. A compelling narrative and emotionally tense story that readers won't be able to put down.
MORE: Thrilling Survival Stories for Kids
Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff
A freak accident earlier in the year has left Trent as the town pariah and he is struggling to figure out how to redeem himself, in his own eyes as well as in others. His new friendship with Fallon, a girl with a mysterious scar, acts as a catalyst for his willingness to make better decisions. Trent's relationship with his brothers, his father, step-mother and his mother are all artfully drawn and nuanced. Graff's ability to draw us into the lives of her characters is superior.
Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswaniis
In this epistolary novel, school pen pal program matches Meena, an Indian immigrant girl in New York City, and River, the son of a coal miner in Kentucky. The two write thoughtful letters about their wildly different experiences, and across the distance they learn to see their similarities as well as appreciating the differences. Meena describes her life as her father prepares for his citizenship exam and the family tries to avoid being discovered by the landlord as illegal sub-letters. River worries about his absent dad, ill mother, and joins his activist grandmother in the fight to save the local area from the devastation caused by coal mines.
MORE: Take a Trip Around the World with Middle Grade Books
Flying Lessons & Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh
Tween readers who prefer short stories to novels will enjoy this diverse collection of stories. There's a story about pirate capture, a wheelchair basketball team, and a Star Wars geek. There are first crushes, super powers, friendships, and embarrassing parents–all of which middle grade readers will find instantly recognizable.
MORE: Best Short Story Collections for Kids
Out of My Mind (series) by Sharon M. Draper
Melody has cerebral palsey. She has never spoken and can perform almost no physical movement. The school and doctors claim she is also mentally disabled but her mother insists Melody is intelligent. Her mother is right. Melody has a photographic memory and is smarter than any of the other kids. Melody narrates her story, sharing her frustrations and triumphs, and when she gets a communication device others can finally appreciate her for who she is, not for who she is not.
Wink by Rob Harrell
Harrell's tender story about a boy dealing with a rare eye cancer is peppered with fantastic illustrations. Seventh grader, Ross, is worried about how cancer will change his body, as well as the way others see him. He wears a cowboy hat to disguise the permanent wink the cancer has caused. He also feels anger at his condition and at the friend who abandoned him. But Ross's story isn't depressing, Harrell's writing is amusing and readers, no matter what their medical history, will relate to Ross.
MORE: Books with Disabled Characters (Ages 8-13)
The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade by Jordan Sonnenblick
Maverick carries a sheriff's badge with him, a gift from his father who died in Afghanistan. He hopes it will help him to be courageous and stand up to bullies, making school a better place for everyone. His mother's boyfriends are abusive and alcoholic and Maverick is not always perfect himself. Sonnenblick has created relatable characters, with laugh-out-loud humor, and given the story a huge amount of heart. Highly recommended.
MORE: Children's Books that Address Domestic Violence
Weird Rules to Follow by Kim Spencer
This coming of age story set in 1980s British Columbia follows Mia, an 11-year-old Indigenous girl, as she navigates the ups and downs of growing up. The story is structured as a series of vignettes in which Mia narrates her observations about the differences between Indigenous and white families, how her friendship with her best friend, Lara, changes over time, and her sometimes chaotic family life. This book was one of my favorite reads of the year, not just because of Mia's strong voice but because I think even grown-up readers will come away richer after reading it.
MORE: Middle Grade and Chapter Books by Indigenous Authors
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
This poignant book looks at a host of concerns experience by thoughtful, intelligent 13-year-old Genesis. Genesis is concerned that her skin is "too dark." She believes her family and society value lighter brown skin over hers to the point that she attempts harmful actions to try and lighten her skin with lemons and bleach. At home, her father can't stop spending the rent money on gambling and alcohol. But Genesis has started a new school in a "better neighborhood" and meets new friends and teachers who help her learn to value herself. Highly recommended!
What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado
Stephen is mixed race but he knows the world sees him as Black. He is becoming more and more aware of how he is treated differently than his white best friend, Dan. Stephen increasingly wonders if he should be friends only with black and brown kids. In this short novel, Maldonado reaches out and grabs the reader, drawing them into to Stephen's personal journey which plays out against the background of larger social movements.
MORE: Anti-Bias Books for Ages 8-13
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
Twelve-year-old, Pakistani-American, Yusuf, lives in a small town Texas. He's excited about sixth grade and the upcoming robotics competition. However, it's the 20th anniversary of 9/11, racist bullies are leaving notes in his locker, and some in the community are protesting against a local mosque. When Yusuf's teacher assigns the students to write about 9/11, Yusuf turns to his uncle's diary from that time. A thoughtful portrayal of the ways communities deal with prejudice, anger and identity.
MORE: Children's Books about 9/11
Graphic Novels
New Kid (series) by Jerry Craft
After I brought this book home from the library, my son loved it and read it ten (literally) times in a row! I'm not surprised because after I read it, I realized how nuanced this story is. Art-loving Jordan navigates a new school as one of the few kids of color in his seventh grade class. Craft's story offers much to discover, even after multiple readings.
MORE: Middle School Graphic Novels
Chunky (series) by Yehudi Mercado
Hudi's parents are concerned about his weight and health, and they encourage him to go out for a sports team. Hudi's imaginary friend, Chunky, convinces him to try baseball but Hudi's talents lie not in sports. Hudi, the only Mexican-Jewish kid in his Texas neighborhood, prefers theater and comedy. An uplifting and funny graphic novel with a very likable protagonist.
MORE: Funny Graphic Novel Series for Kids
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, illustrated by Rose Bousamra
Marlene hates going to the hair salon to have her hair straightened. Her mother insists that Marlene tame her frizzy hair into "good hair." Marlene resents how others judge her natural hair, but she doesn't know how to style it. Enter Tía Ruby, who also has a head full of boisterous curls. Tía Ruby empowers Marlene with instructions and products to help her wear her hair the way she wants. This revelation is followed by another which helps bring Marlene and her mother closer together.
El Deafo by Cece Bell
This graphic novel memoir is narrated by Cece, who loses her hearing due to spinal meningitis. A very funny and charming book about the experiences, imaginings and wishes of a deaf girl (actually everyone is a rabbit). Although the story will help hearing kids to see challenges of the deaf, they will also see similarities.
Alli @ Taking Care of Monkey Business says
What a great list! I love letting kids learn valuable lessons through reading. Thanks for the ideas!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks Alli, I'm glad you liked the list.
alice velthuizen says
Please read Deborah Ellis, a Canadian author--she too, teaches us about others with more difficult lives than most of us in North America and Canada. The Breadwinner, about a young girl in Afghanistan is amazing. I love The Best Day of My LIfe, about a spunky orphaned girl in India; I am a Taxi--a young boy in South America whose parents are imprisoned for drugs. All suitable for Grades 5-8.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion.
Terese says
"Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I am looking forward to reading that one!
Lou says
Which of these books do you feel are better suited to 8yr old girls? Appreciate your feedback 🙂
Pattie Curlee says
Look on the Mighty Girl website, it has many different books, activities, and conversations to entertain and build a strong girl! http://www.amightygirl.com
Erica says
Hi Pattie, Thanks for chiming in. I know about that website and it is a good resource.
Kayla says
I highly recommend fish in a tree!
Erica MomandKiddo says
My son just finished reading this and said it was great. I'll have to read it too! Thanks for the suggestion.
Nicola says
Also, Crenshaw by Catherine Applegate.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, excellent book! I just finished reading it and should really add it to the list, now. Thank you for suggesting it!
brandy says
We love Clementine books...for the younger set..
AC says
Any suggestions for books for reluctant readers that are in middle school? Thanks
Erica says
Hi, have you tried graphic novels? My son loves those. El Deafo would be a great one to start with if you are looking for a book that teaches empathy.
Darcy says
What a great list and I will put it to good use with my kids. I loved “The One and Only Ivan”