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Favorite Middle Grades Books

What is a “Middle Grades” book?

A Middle Grades book is classified as one that is written for children ages 8-12. (simple, right?)

Anyone who knows me knows I love to read! It’s definitely my favorite pastime and I’ve logged over 100 books read annually for the past several years. I’ve passed on this love of reading to my son who just turned eleven. With that being said...we’ve spent countless hours reading together.

My son falls right in the middle of that 8-12 range - not only does he love middle grades books, but I do, too!

Favorite Middle Grades Books

C.S. Lewis once said

“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” 

With that quote in mind, we’ve tried to find books that we both he, as an eleven year old, and I, as a...well much older than eleven year old, can enjoy together.  

The #bookstagram community on Instagram dedicates March to Middle Grades book reading.  We thought this would be the perfect time to share some of our favorites with you.  Many you may already be familiar with, but we hope we can add a few new titles to your TBR (To Be Read) stack as well.

(You can also follow me on Instagram, and also Mary’s book account, Homegrown Book Picks!)

Favorite Middle Grades Classics

These first few will come as no surprise to any reader of Middle Grades books.  They are tried and true and are considered “classics” for a reason. 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne is a precocious young orphan who is taken in by Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew on Prince Edward Island, Canada.  She is, in my opinion, one of the most loveable heroines in all of literature.  She’s never quiet, fiercely emotional and always into mischief. 

If you haven’t read Anne yet, try the Audible original audio version read by Rachel McAdams.  It’s sure to be a delightful experience. 

Old Yeller by Frank Gipson

Be ready for the tissues with this one and know that the ending is pretty emotionally charged if your middle graders aren’t quite ready for that yet.  With that said, this is a great book for boys growing up and taking on more responsibility.  Travis becomes the man of the house when his father leaves on a long cattle drive.  He takes on the responsibility of his family, while also taking care of the ugly, rascal of a dog that shows up whom they affectionately call Yeller.  My son loved this one and it fostered great conversation between us. 

We followed this one up with a family movie night to watch the 1957 Disney classic movie.  You can also follow it up with the movie Savage Sam that is a sequel to Old Yeller.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women follows the March family of four daughters and their mother as they navigate the years of the Civil War with their father away. The sisters Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth’s personalities are as varied and different as they could possibly be. The first reading of this novel is a cherished treasure that only gets better upon subsequent readings. The March girls become family and Marmee, their mother, is so full of wisdom and guidance. Follow this up with a number of movie versions and it will prove to be a wonderful family experience with your older middle-grade children.

Favorite Middle Grades Series

When you read a great book only to find out it’s part of a larger series, what a gift!  Here are some series we’ve come to love. 

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that first and foremost that this is beyond a doubt our favorite series!  These books follow young wizard Harry Potter and his friends on their journey to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort and save the wizarding world.  My son and I spent countless hours...117 to be exact...listening to the complete series during the 2020 Coronavirus Quarantine.

We looked forward to an hour (or two or three) each day when we could get away from little sister and ride around with the windows down listening to Jim Dale transport us to Hogwarts. If you’ve only read the books yourself and never listened to Jim Dale narrate them you are missing out on a treat! The voices he gives to the beloved characters are just spot on.

These books can also be followed up with a movie marathon, just know that the movies get progressively darker and more sinister so judge for your own kiddos when they are ready for the movies.

Favorite Middle Grades Books

Percy Jackson: by Rick Riordan

After finishing up the Harry Potter series my son was looking for another series and I suggested this one.  I’d read Percy Jackson years ago as I’m a sucker for anything Mythology based.  This series follows Percy Jackson, the demigod son of Poseidon, as he learns about his powers and the mythical world he never knew existed.  They are packed with action as Percy and his friends go on multiple quests to fight evil. 

The audio versions of these books are good as well, although not as captivating as listening to Jim Dale.  The first movie was a great accompaniment, however, it doesn't follow the book exactly. 

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

These could be considered a classic as well.  Written in the 1940s about Maud’s life in Minnesota during the late 1800s.  These books begin when young Betsy and Tacy are only five years old.  You see them grow and change all the way through the last book that is Betsy’s Wedding. 

Much like the classics, these girls become personal friends and their shenanigans are lighthearted and lovely.  This book transports you to a simpler time and makes you wish for days gone by singing around the piano with friends and snacking on fudge.  I first read these as an adult, but wish I could go back and read them as a young girl! 

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood

If you haven’t met the wolf children of Ashton Place you are missing out!  This is a six-book series following three siblings who have been raised by wolves and found by Lord Ashton on his estate.  Penelope Lumley is hired to be their governess and to try to teach them to act like humans. 

The mysteries surrounding the children abound from the very beginning.  Each book gets you a little closer to figuring out their true identity as well as Penelope’s. 

My son and I were both enthralled with these audiobooks read by Katherine Kellgren.  She immediately sucks you in with her British accent and makes it a very pleasurable listening experience.


Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I couldn’t write a post on favorite middle grades books without including the Little House series. These could be included in the classics section as well. This series begins in the 1870s and follows Laura Ingalls and her family as they move west and strive to make it on the American frontier as a pioneer family.

The audio versions of these books read by Cherry Jones are fantastic. Her voice is perfect for narrating the pioneer life and the fiddle playing in the audio versions brings Pa’s playing to life. These are sure to enthrall even younger listeners as well. Our personal favorite to listen to is The Long Winter which has become a re-read for us during the cold winter months each year.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

My son and I read the first book in this series for school this year, and I had to see what happened to the family in the next four books.  Follow along as this Jewish family of five sisters grow up in New York City’s Lower East Side at the turn of the century.  Their unique personalities and the mischief they get into will keep you enthralled.

Favorite Historical Fiction

My son and I use historical novels to supplement what he’s learning in school. 

These have been some of our favorites!

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr

The year is 1860 and Simon Green has just finished the third grade for the fourth time and decides he’s done with school.  He uses what street smarts he has to try to earn a fortune by walking 1,000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver to sell at a great price.  I had a blast reading aloud with my best rendition of Simon’s dialect.  My son got a kick out of it as well!

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie is a tomboy.  She’d rather be outdoors with her brothers than indoors with the girls sewing and cooking.  She is brave and bold and she’s based on the author’s grandmother.  My son loved reading about the mishaps she gets herself into with the Indians.  She’s spirited and fun and will make you laugh and remember her as a fond friend. 

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

What a listening treat!  This book follows a harmonica as it makes its way through the lives of three very different children during very different circumstances.  Each facing daunting challenges, the harmonica brings something into their lives that help them to bear the burdens they must. 

The harmonica playing on the audio version makes it a must.

Honorable Mention

I couldn’t end this post without mentioning the books by James Herriot. He’s written so many wonderful books on his time as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930’s and on. My son is a major animal lover and the heart that James Herriot puts into his books would make even a non-animal lover fall in love with them.

While not expressly Middle Grades, these books have appealed to our entire family. From James Herriot’s Treasury for Children to his Favorite Dog Stories, Cat Stories, and Animal Stories, you will be transported to a different place and time. With quirky farmers and their farm animals and pets, to his life with his veterinary partner and the goings-on of the town, you will be enthralled.

To go along with this experience you can watch PBS’s new show All Creatures Great and Small. Our entire family loved it and can’t wait for them to make season 2!

Favorite Middle Grades Books

More Middle-Grade Reading Ideas:


If you’re unsure about other Middle Grades books or any book recommendations for your children, don’t hesitate to check out Sarah Mackenzie’s The Read-Aloud Family.  Sarah, host of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, breaks her book into ages and gives great recommendations for each age level.  It’s an invaluable resource.  

Also, you can see look at the following posts from Mary here at Homegrown Learners:

Happy Reading!

Leave me a comment below with YOUR favorite Middle Grades book!

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This post is from our contributing writer, Allison. Follow her on Instagram to see the adventures of a book loving mom new to homeschooling














































From Public School to Homeschool: Lessons Learned Along the Way

I am a homeschooling mom to four loud, but wonderful children.

We have been homeschooling for 9 years and, unless God decides otherwise, I have 16 years of homeschooling left.

In many ways, I cannot imagine doing life any other way, but in reality, it has not always been that way for us. 

I want to share the challenges I faced going from public school educator to homeschool mom, the benefits of being a public school educator before we started homeschooling, and the benefits our family reaps from homeschooling.  

From Public School to Homeschool: Lessons Learned Along the Way

From Public School to Homeschool: Lessons Learned Along the Way

First, a little background for my story.

Fifteen or twenty years ago I could have easily been voted LEAST likely person to begin homeschooling. I went to college and earned a degree in Elementary Education. Then, while teaching public school, went back for a Master's in School Administration. I worked my way out of the classroom and into the principalship of an elementary school.

I was a huge proponent of the public school system and fully expected that my children would one day attend the school where I was principal. 

Fast forward a couple of years and add in a husband and two children. I felt I was raising everyone else's children to the detriment of my own.

When I was able to leave my job to be at home with my children, I thought it was a temporary situation until they were both school-age and I went back to work. However, during that time at home and the one year that my oldest spent in the school system, I realized it was not the right fit for us. We pulled my son out of school at the end of his kindergarten year and have not looked back. 

This has not always been a smooth and easy path, but it has been a hugely rewarding path. 

From Public School to Homeschool: Lessons Learned Along the Way

From Public School to Homeschool: Lessons Learned Along the Way

Challenges of Going From Public School Educator to Homeschool Mom

I honestly look back at our first year, particularly that first month, of homeschooling and laugh. I tried to recreate a public school environment in my homeschool even though public school was not working for my son. I had a daily schedule that said we were going to do each subject at a certain time, a behavior chart, and a Christian-based but otherwise traditional textbook curriculum.

I scheduled five days of school each week (and then tried to figure out how to fit in field trips and other activities). My daily plan was slightly shorter than our local public school, but still had my first grader doing school work from 9 am to 2 pm. 

In my public school mentality, I had compartmentalized each subject. So I was trying to cover every subject independently, every day. This was taking a long time and not creating the learning environment that I desired. 

One other challenge I faced was my fear of what other people would think about our decision. I knew that I had a lot of colleagues, friends, and family that worked in the public schools and many more whose children were in public schools. I had to struggle with doing things a certain way to make them feel like I was being successful. 

(Need a little encouragement? Read Stop Telling Me Why You Can’t Homeschool!)

Benefits of Public School Background

While I am a firm believer that it is not necessary to have a background in education in order to be a homeschool parent, there were a few benefits to my educational background.

First, it gave me the confidence to know that I could teach my children. I had been paid for years to teach other people's children so I was confident that I could teach my own children. I even had to use that argument with family a few times. 

Second, I had a figurative toolbox of strategies that I could try when my children struggled with a concept. All of that information is available on the internet, but I had tried and true strategies that I had used in the classroom. It helped me to re-teach, adapt, and modify my lessons to make them work for my children.

Finally, it gave me credibility among the doubters. People (often strangers) would ask me what qualified me to teach my children. Sometimes I would share real reasons, such as the fact that God gave me my children and I was responsible for training them up in the way they should go. However, especially with those that I did not think would listen to the real reasons, I would give them my educational and career background and they normally would leave me alone. 

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Benefits of Homeschooling (for our family)

With the challenges I mentioned earlier, you might be wondering why we stuck it out. Even when we were trying to replicate a public school in our home we saw the benefits of being at home and once we loosened up and found our own path it was even better. 

We loved the flexibility that it gave us to spend more time together.

My oldest two children were able to continue building a close relationship, with each other and extended family, because they were together for most of the day. My husband was working a flexible schedule that had him gone late into some nights but home in the mornings or off on a Friday.

When my oldest was in public school, he would sometimes not see his dad for a couple of days because of his school and sleep schedule. With all of us being home, we could take off when my husband was off, or even tag along with my husband when he needed to travel for work. 

My oldest learned to read at three (and thus was very bored in kindergarten) and my second child did not learn to read until she was about seven. Homeschooling gave us the flexibility to meet each of their needs and individualize their education. 

There are many things I want for my children, but above all else, I want them to know Jesus as their savior and walk closely with him. There are Christian students in all forms of education, but homeschooling allowed us the opportunity to spend more time focusing on spiritual development and to weave it into all areas of our lives. I loved that our science books not only explained the biology of plant life but also that God was the creator of that life. 

(You might also enjoy reading Mary’s posts - Stay in Your Own Lane - about marching to your own beat as a homeschooler - and also Let Them Be Little: The Crime of Vanishing Childhood)

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Advice for Public School Educators Choosing to Homeschool 

If you are a public school educator that recently became a homeschool parent, or if you are considering making that switch, I would like to offer you some advice.

First, each child is an individual and each home is different. This means that what works for one might not work for another and that is perfectly acceptable. Homeschool provides an amazing opportunity to custom tailor a curriculum to match temperament and interests. 

Second, there are reasons that you left the public school. When things are hard or you find yourself trying to replicate what you knew in the classroom, remind yourself of those reasons and find encouragement to keep walking this path.

Finally, embrace flexibility. This does not mean that you can't have a routine or use a curriculum but remember that you get to be in charge and decide what works best for your family. If you have a chance to take a great field trip or visit with a relative, put aside the math books for the day and enjoy. Take your schoolwork outside. If your child can finish their work before lunch, don't feel the need to add more. Take advantage of the free time for playing, creativity, or handicrafts. 

When my oldest was born almost 15 years ago, no one in my life would have dreamed that I would be a homeschool mom, but looking back I see how God was preparing me for this life. If you are thinking about taking that leap of faith, I encourage you to give it a try, expect challenges, and enjoy the ride. 

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Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of four. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family. Some of her favorite parts of homeschooling are hymn studies, living history, and read alouds. She and her children also enjoy incorporating food into their studies as often as possible.

I would love to hear from you - did you make the transition from public school to homeschool?

Leave me a comment below.

You might also enjoy:

5 Reasons Why We Chose to Homeschool

Is This the “New Normal”?