AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
Some of the links on this blog may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I have personally used or thoroughly researched and believe will add value to my readers. For more information please read my Affiliate Disclosure. Thank you for your support!
As parents, one of our greatest joys has been watching our kids, Olive and Dominic, develop a love for reading. We’re lucky to have two kids who genuinely love to read, but each came to that love in their own way. Their journeys into reading were different, but each of them found their way thanks to the right book at the right time.
For Olive, it all started with The Unicorn in the Barn. This magical story sparked her imagination, and soon enough, she was ready for Harry Potter, which truly sealed her love for reading. She’s now hooked on adventure, fantasy, and stories that whisk her away to other worlds.
For Dominic, it was a much different path. He wasn’t as quick to pick up a book until he discovered Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson. The quirky, funny, diary format made reading feel like a fun, relatable escape, and Dominic quickly discovered that books could make him laugh out loud. It was the humor that got him hooked, and now, he’s on the lookout for books that keep him entertained and engaged.
If you’re a parent or educator hoping to nurture this same love of reading in your middle schooler, you’re in the right place. Here’s why it’s so important to foster a reading habit and how to overcome the common challenges many kids face when it comes to reading.
Cultivating a Love for Reading: Why It Matters
Cultivating a Love for Reading: Why It Matters
Reading is more than just an academic requirement, it’s a tool for learning, growth, and self-discovery. For middle schoolers, developing a love for reading is crucial. Not only does it improve language skills and academic performance, but it also sparks creativity, expands vocabulary, and opens doors to new ideas.
When kids are excited about reading, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Instead, it becomes an enjoyable part of their daily routine. And this habit has long-lasting benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Books teach empathy, allowing children to experience life through different perspectives, which is especially important during the middle school years when social and emotional development is at its peak.
Why Middle Schoolers Often Struggle with Reading
Middle school is a time when many kids start to lose interest in reading. With the rise of social media, video games, and extracurriculars, books can sometimes feel less appealing. Here are a few reasons why reading can become a struggle at this age:
Competing Distractions: Between smartphones, games, and friends, reading often takes a backseat to more interactive and social activities.
Increased Academic Pressure: As school becomes more demanding, reading for fun can feel like an added task rather than a source of relaxation.
Need for Relatable Content: Middle schoolers want to see themselves in stories. Books that don’t reflect their interests or struggles might seem boring or irrelevant to them.
Peer Influence: At this age, kids are especially aware of what their peers think. If reading isn’t seen as “cool,” some might shy away from it to fit in.
Despite these challenges, middle school is a critical time to encourage reading. Finding the right books that resonate with their interests and experiences can make a huge difference.
Why Reading is Important
Reading opens doors. It’s the gateway to knowledge, creativity, and understanding. For middle schoolers, books provide an escape from their everyday lives, giving them a chance to dive into new worlds, ideas, and experiences.
- Improved Academic Performance: Reading regularly helps with comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, and critical thinking, all of which are crucial for success in school.
- Imagination and Creativity: Books allow kids to explore new ideas, think outside the box, and exercise their imaginations.
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Through stories, kids gain insights into different perspectives, which helps them develop empathy and emotional understanding vital skills as they navigate complex social dynamics during their tween years.
- Support Personal Growth: Through reading, kids can explore topics they might not encounter in everyday life, sparking curiosity and self-reflection.In short, reading doesn’t just make kids smarter, it helps them grow as individuals, both inside and outside the classroom.
By nurturing a love for reading, we’re not only helping middle schoolers succeed academically, but we’re also supporting their emotional, social, and personal growth.
Top 10 Books for Middle Schoolers
If you’re looking for books to spark your middle schooler’s interest, here are 10 great picks, including a mix of adventure, humor, and heart:
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series follows Percy Jackson, a young demigod and son of Poseidon, as he navigates a modern world filled with Greek gods, monsters, and prophecies. Alongside friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy undertakes dangerous quests that explore themes of courage, friendship, and loyalty. While this series focuses on Greek mythology, Riordan's later series expand to include Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies, each bringing a fresh mythological lens to new heroes and adventures.
- There are 7 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
Tevin Hansen's A Junkyard Adventure book series introduces young readers to a variety of engaging subjects, each explored through a new adventure in the mysterious junkyard. Every book in the series focuses on a different theme, from science and technology to history and geography, bringing unique educational elements into thrilling narratives. Through the eyes of curious characters who explore the junkyard's hidden treasures, each story blends discovery with valuable lessons, sparking readers' interest in learning more about the world around them.
- There are 10 books in this series.
- All 10 books are available on Kindle Unlimited
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the journey of a young boy named Harry, who discovers he's a wizard on his eleventh birthday. Over seven books, Harry learns magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, builds deep friendships, and confronts dark forces led by the dark wizard Voldemort, who seeks to dominate the magical world. Set in an enchanting world filled with magical creatures, mysteries, and moral challenges, the series explores themes of bravery, friendship, loyalty, and the power of love.
- There are 7 books in this series not including The Cursed Child
- Offered as a boxed collection set
- Available on Amazon Prime & Kindle Unlimited
Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson is a humorous, action-packed series about Chase Cooper, a sixth grader who joins a secret ninja clan at his middle school. Written in a diary format, the books follow Chase as he tackles bullies, school politics, and ninja missions, all while balancing school life. With relatable scenarios, clever humor, and themes of friendship and courage, the series is perfect for young readers who enjoy fast-paced, funny stories.
- There are 13 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
- All 13 books are available on Kindle Unlimited
C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic fantasy series that follows children who enter the magical land of Narnia, where they battle dark forces with the help of the wise lion Aslan. The seven-book series, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, explores themes of courage, faith, redemption, and friendship through allegorical storytelling and timeless lessons.
- There are 7 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a heartwarming novel about August "Auggie" Pullman, a young boy with a facial difference who faces the challenges of attending a mainstream school for the first time. The story, narrated from multiple perspectives, explores how Auggie's classmates, teachers, family, and even himself, grapple with acceptance, kindness, and empathy. Through his journey, Auggie learns to embrace his uniqueness, and his classmates discover the importance of seeing beyond appearances. Wonder celebrates courage, friendship, and the profound impact of compassion on others.
James Dashner's The Maze Runner series follows Thomas, a teen who wakes up with no memory in the mysterious Glade, surrounded by a shifting maze and deadly creatures. Along with other teens, he must navigate the maze and uncover the secrets behind their pasts and the dystopian world outside. The series explores themes of survival, friendship, and identity as Thomas and his friends fight for freedom and self-discovery.
- There are 5 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart follows four gifted children (Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance) recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to stop his twin brother, Ledroptha Curtain, from controlling minds. The children face challenging tests that strengthen their intellect, courage, and teamwork, while learning important lessons about friendship and trust.
- There are 4 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
The Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier follows 13-year-old Jack Sullivan and his friends (Quinn, June, and Dirk) surviving a monster apocalypse. As they battle creatures, explore a changed world, and live in a treehouse, they face thrilling adventures, using humor, friendship, and courage to navigate a world overrun by zombies and monsters.
- There are 9 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they journey through time and space to rescue Meg's father from an evil force. The five-book series blends adventure, family, and philosophical themes, exploring good vs. evil, individuality, and the power of love. Each book builds on this imaginative world, offering both emotional depth and a challenge to readers' understanding of the universe.
- There are 5 books in this series.
- Offered as a boxed collection set
Where to purchase books for middle Schoolers
Finding the perfect books for middle schoolers has never been easier, thanks to the variety of platforms available. Here are some popular options for purchasing or borrowing books:
Amazon: With a vast selection of books for all age groups, Amazon is a go-to for purchasing both physical and Kindle eBooks. You can find popular series like Percy Jackson and Junkyard Adventures at your fingertips.
Kindle Unlimited: If your middle schooler loves to read, Kindle Unlimited is a great subscription service to consider. For a monthly fee, readers get access to a massive library of eBooks, including many popular middle school titles. It’s perfect for exploring new books without committing to buying each one.
Barnes & Noble: Offering both physical books and eBooks through their Nook platform, Barnes & Noble has a wide range of options for young readers. They often have exclusive editions or special collections for popular middle school series.
Books-A-Million: Another great bookstore chain, Books-A-Million carries a variety of middle school books, including bestsellers and hidden gems. They also offer a membership program for discounts.
Public Libraries: Don’t overlook the local library! Most libraries offer physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks that can be borrowed for free. Many libraries also partner with digital platforms like Libby, Hoopla, and OverDrive, where kids can borrow eBooks directly to their devices.
Bookshop.org: If you prefer supporting independent bookstores, Bookshop.org is an excellent online option. You can buy books and help support local bookstores at the same time.
With these options, you’ll easily be able to find the perfect books for your middle schooler, whether you prefer physical copies or digital formats.
Encouraging a Lifelong Love of Reading
The key to fostering a love of reading is introducing your kids to books that speak to their interests and passions. Whether they’re into magic, adventure, or humor, there’s a book for everyone. It’s not just about getting them to read; it’s about helping them find the joy and excitement that books bring. Once they find that spark, it’s a habit that can last a lifetime. So, start with one of these great picks, and watch as your middle schooler’s love for reading grows!
We’d love to hear from you! What books or book series does your middle schooler love? Whether it’s an action-packed adventure, a heartwarming story, or a hilarious read, sharing your kids’ favorites can help others find their next great read. Drop a comment below or connect with us on social media to share your recommendations. Let’s build a community of book-loving families and inspire each other to keep reading!
