Summer offers a little more breathing room—and for many families, that makes it the perfect time for middle grade readers to reconnect with books. With more freedom to choose what they're reading, kids can follow their interests, read at their own pace, and discover stories they genuinely enjoy.
One of the easiest ways to keep kids engaged is by giving them choices. Introducing a mix of series, standalone stories, chapter books, and graphic novels helps reading feel fun instead of forced. Beloved series like Wings of Fire and The Baby-sitters Club let kids spend more time with characters they already love, while graphic novels and fast-paced chapter books are great for readers who want something exciting, accessible, and easy to pick up anytime.
To help take the guesswork out of building a great summer reading book stack, we’ve rounded up 20+ must-read books just for middle grade readers. This list includes fan-favorite series, exciting new releases, and a wide range of genres—from action-packed fantasy and laugh-out-loud humor to realistic stories and imaginative graphic novels—so every reader can find something that they'll want to reach for again and again.
Plus, even older readers will love coloring in our free summer reading adventure! Download a copy and encourage kids to choose what they love, track what they read, and see where it takes them.
Ready to build their ultimate summer reading stack? Explore our top middle grade picks below and help your reader find stories they’ll love all season long. You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
New Releases
Introduce your reader to the hottest new books of the season to add to their bucket list of summer reading adventures.
