Middle Grade Fiction / Novels for Kids
Each year Evanston Public Library decides on the 101 Great Books for Kids. Dive into this incredible list of adventure, love, death, heartbreak, ghosts (SO many ghosts!) and more!
43. Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar
Spain, 1492. Jewish people are being forced to convert to Christianity or else leave the country forever. As we follow a girl on her journey out of Spain, the story quickly transports us to her subsequent descendants and their own journeys to freedom, centuries later. Call Number: J Behar.R
44. Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf by Deke Moulton
As if Benji didn’t have enough to worry about! He has to study constantly for his upcoming bar mitzvah, he’s a werewolf in a kibbutz full of other werewolves, and now his frenemy/crush from school Caleb Gao has just shown up as a werewolf too! Call Number: J Moult.D
45. Benny Ramirez and the Nearly Departed by José Pablo Iriarte
Benny and his family move into the mansion belonging to his recently deceased grandfather, a trumpet playing music legend. Imagine Benny’s surprise when Abuelo’s ghost pops up, needing his help! A funny family story with a paranormal twist. Call Number: J Iriar.J
46. Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan
When 12-year-old Summer starts having intense dreams about a Cree girl named Buffalo Dreamer who is attempting to escape a residential school, she is determined to find out what happened to this brave hero from the past. Call Number: J Dunca.V
47. Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness, ill. Tim Miller
Zeke’s having a rough time. He has family problems, bully problems, and the country of France on his knee (it’s a whole story). A hilarious tale of friends, villains, and fromage. Call Number: J Ness.P
48. Flying Through Water by Mamle Wolo
Living in rural Ghana, Sena knows his future depends on his schooling and grades. But when a chance to make money for his family arises, he jumps at the chance. Now he’s trapped and must make his way back home so he can help others escape too. Call Number: J Wolo.M
49. A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan
In the city of Dantessa nothing is more important than games. Now Pia needs to compete in the ultimate challenge if she’s going to save her grandfather from life as a pawn. But when everything’s a game, who do you trust? Call Number: J Fagan.D
50. The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts by Alex Bell, ill. Tim McDonagh
Bookish librarian-in-training Eli must save his ailing Nana by taking part in a wild contest involving magical creatures, dastardly villains, and risk-taking pals. A satisfying and fast-moving fantastical adventure. Call Number: J Bell.A
51. Island of Whispers by Frances Hardinge, ill. Emily Gravett
Milo knows he’s not cut out to be a ferryman like his father, transporting the dead to their next destination, but when tragedy strikes and danger threatens the dead, it’s up to one dreamy boy to do what’s best for both the living and the deceased. Call Number: J Hardi.F
52. Jamie by L.D. Lapinski
What are you supposed to do when it’s time to choose a boy or girl’s middle school and you’re non-binary? Maybe that’s when it’s time to speak up! A brave tale of one kid standing up for their rights. Call Number: J Lapin.L
53. Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Kareem lives in the Chicago area with his loving Syrian family. In 2017, his mom has to travel to Syria due to a family crisis, and when the Muslim Ban takes effect, she finds she cannot come home! Kareem must take action if he wants to see her again. Call Number: J Safad.S
54. Kwame Crashes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer
After a tricky little aboatia steals something precious from him, Kwame takes a dive into the underworld to get it back. Soon he meets figures from Ghanian mythology, including one with diabolical plans. Can Kwame save us all? Funny, fast-paced, and with lots of heart. Call Number: J Farme.C
55. Lion of the Sky by Ritu Hemnani
Set in 1947 in the tumultuous days of Partition, Raj and his best friend Iqbal love nothing more than flying their kites. But when their country is split in two, the two friends will find everything changing as Raj must flee his beloved India. Call Number: J Hemna.R
56. The Long Way Around by Anne Nesbet
Cousins Owen, Vivian, and Amy may be young, but their parents are allowing them to do a little camping on their own. When an earthquake cuts them off from help and other people, they decide to search for help on their own, no matter how treacherous. Call Number: J Nesbe. A
57. Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
Magnolia Wu and new friend Iris are on the hunt to locate the owner of every missing sock found at her parents’ laundromat. An investigation that delves into the heart of what makes NYC special and fun. Call Number: J Mille.C
58. Mid-air by Alicia D. Williams, ill. Daniel Egneus
Isaiah and his friends love biking, skating, and trying to break world records. When an accident claims the life of his buddy Darius, he feels responsible and lost. Will he ever learn to forgive and accept himself? Call Number: J Willi.A
59. Not Quite A Ghost by Anne Ursu
There’s something deeply wrong with Violet’s new house, but only she seems to know it. Too bad, since the thing in her wallpaper has its eyes on her, and as she becomes more and more ill, it seizes this horrible opportunity. Call Number: J Ursu.A
60. On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith
What do you get when you combine a living legend, a mystery, an unmissable game, and a road trip all together? Humans and animals join forces in this combination of Muscogee folklore and a modern day journey. Call Number: J Smith.C
61. One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
It’s 1879 and Lettie’s daddy has decided the family needs to pick up and move from Mississippi to Nebraska to start a new life. A marvelous glimpse of the Black exodusters and what it took to cross America on foot. Call Number: J Cline.L
62. Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston
Seventh grader Sharkita “Kita” embarks on a tumultuous journey to keep her family together while handling the consequences of her mother’s alcoholism. Call Number: J Winst.S
63. Slugfest by Gordan Korman
The Bad News Bears meets The Great British Bakeoff… sorta. Can a group of kids that all failed physical education not only make up for it, but go on to win a football seven-on-seven championship? A hilarious tale of slugs, stars, and sumptuous baked goods. Call Number: J Korma.G
64. Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen
In this mix of history, sports, and a coming of age story, it’s 1935 and 12-year-old Cato loves baseball. But when he and his friends play on the “whites-only” baseball field in town, that act threatens everyone he knows and loves. Call Number: J Heade.S
65. Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Fern is miserable. Her mom has taken her away from the only home she’s ever known, and now the girl is desperate to get back. But what if the home you’re looking for is the wrong one to seek? Call Number: J Oshau.K
Find the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.
Committee Members: Patrizia Alm, Karina Andrus, Stephen Barnes, Betsy Bird, Lisa Dallas, Kyria Dickerson, Betsy Haberl, Jessica Iverson, Kennedy Joseph, Taylor Keahey, Leigh Kennelly, Martha Meyer, Jeny Mills, Olivia Mo, Katrina Moravec, Bill Ohms, Bridget Petrites, Julie Rand, Jennifer Shreve, Robin Sindelar, Elizabeth English Steimle, Kasandra Trejo, Lulu Tripp, Michael Warren, and Brian Wilson
