Top 21 Middle-Grade Books for September

by Lauren Oliver & illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. Full review >

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by Hugh Lupton & Daniel Morden & illustrated by Carole Hénaff

Epic in deed and scope and a-bustle with larger-than-life characters, this retelling of the Iliad will rivet both readers... Full review >

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by Sharon Creech

An enchanting tale to treasure in which ordinary folk find fairies’ gold, run across crooked bridges and mend their broken... Full review >

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by Ashley Spires & illustrated by Ashley Spires

A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. Full review >

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by Polly Horvath

Ever respectful of the capacity of her audience to comprehend the big words and concepts she deals in, the author delivers a... Full review >

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by Sarah Lean

Ever so gently, this fine debut effort explores the power of human kindness as Cally and her father find effective ways to... Full review >

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by J. Torres & illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Be prepared for young Sasquatch fans roaring for more. Full review >

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by Michael Morpurgo

Humanity triumphs over evil and bureaucracy in this heart-rending and heart-affirming story. Full review >

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by Paula Danzinger ; Bruce Coville ; Elizabeth Levy illustrated by Tony Ross

Fully faithful to the voice Danziger gave Amber Brown, this visit with an old friend will totally satisfy readers. Full review >

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by Joan Bauer

Sugar, with her natural gift for rubbing down imperfections, will win readers’ hearts. Full review >

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by Martin W. Sandler

Outstanding nonfiction writing that makes history come alive. Full review >

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by Danette Haworth

Realistic, modern and still familiar, this is a middle school story both children and their parents should read. Full review >

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by Ben Hatke & illustrated by Ben Hatke

Imaginative and utterly bewitching. Full review >

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by Hilary McKay & illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

Utterly winning. Full review >

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by Shelley Moore Thomas

Though it’s filled with incident, emotion, magic and adventure, what stands out most is Trinket’s clear voice and loving... Full review >

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by Margi Preus

A morally satisfying page turner. Full review >

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by Marissa Moss

An intimate look at a soldier's life from a compelling, historical perspective. Full review >

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edited by J. Patrick Lewis

A spectacular collection—“And,” the editor notes with remarkable understatement, “the pictures are pretty nice too!”... Full review >

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by Adam Gidwitz

Not so much a set of retellings as a creative romp through traditional and tradition-based story-scapes, compulsively... Full review >

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by Linda Tarrant-Reid

From attractive page design to an afterword that encourages readers to search for their own history, there has been much... Full review >

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by Claire Legrand

A thoroughgoing ickfest, elevated by vulnerable but resilient young characters and capped by a righteously ominous closing... Full review >

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