Refresh your student's reading list with these engaging middle grade and young adult titles as the new school year approaches! From heartwarming stories to adventurous tales to coming of age themes, this round-up has something for every reader.
Middle Grade:
HEROES: A NOVEL OF PEARL HARBOR By: Alan Gratz
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee, Ground Zero, and Two Degrees comes this heart-pounding, inventive, and powerful new novel about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor... as only Alan Gratz can tell it!
TIMID By: Jonathan Todd
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
A semi autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel about frenemies, fitting in, and finding your voice.
SUNNY MAKES HER CASE By: Jennifer L. Holm; illus. by Matthew Holm
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
The New York Times bestselling SUNNY series continues as Sunny finds herself in the spotlight in a competition unlike any other...
SHINY MISFITS By: Maysoon Zayid; illus. by Shadia Amin
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
Bay Ann doesn't think she's a star--she knows it! Now how does she prove it to the rest of the world? This is a hilarious graphic novel about friendship, fame, and fighting for control of your own story, perfect for fans of Nat Enough, Click, and Invisible.
THE LIARS SOCIETY By: Alyson Gerber
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
The Inheritance Games and One of Us is Lying for middle grade -- beloved author Alyson Gerber's new series is an unforgettable mystery featuring a secret society, a mysterious island, and dangerous family secrets.
ANY WAY YOU LOOK By: Maleeha Siddiqui
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
What do you do with the wrong kind of attention? Dress Coded meets Amina's Voice in this new middle grade novel by Maleeha Siddiqui.
THE NEW GIRL By: Cassandra Calin
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale June 4, 2024
Instagram sensation and Tapas webcomic superstar Cassandra Calin makes her long-form debut with this funny, feel-good middle-grade graphic novel about change.
WILD WAVE By: Rodman Philbrick
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale August 6, 2024
Another WILD adventure from Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Wild River. Wild Wave is the adventure of two kids trapped in the aftermath of a tsunami. It's kids vs. nature in another edge-of-your seat read!
WITCHLINGS #3: HOUSE OF ELEPHANTS By: Claribel A. Ortega
Scholastic Press | Ages 8-12 | On sale October 1, 2024
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega: The third book in the spellbinding Witchlings series!
LEGENDS OF LOTUS ISLAND #1: THE GUARDIAN TEST By: Christina Soontornvat
Scholastic Inc. | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale June 4, 2024
From three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Christina Soontornvat comes a compelling and immersive young middle grade fantasy series for readers who love stories about animals, magic, and kids like them embracing their power to change the world.
LEGENDS OF LOTUS ISLAND #2: INTO THE SHADOW MIST By: Christina Soontornvat
Scholastic Inc. | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale August 6, 2024
When an unseen force begins to destroy the trees, putting the entire ecosystem at risk, Plum and her classmates must spring into action. Plum is determined to help, even though she's hiding secrets about her own Guardian powers from even her closest friends.
LEGENDS OF LOTUS ISLAND #3: CITY OF WISHES By: Christina Soontornvat
Scholastic Paperbacks | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
During the New Year break, Plum and her friends travel to fancy, fashionable Nakhon City. At first, Plum is dazzled by how big and exciting Nakhon City is. But under the glittering surface, secrets lurk. A storm is brewing, and Plum will have to harness all of her growing powers to survive it.
BEST WISHES # 3: TIME AFTER TIME By: Sarah Mlynowski & Christina Soontornvat
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | November 12, 2024
Pass the magic on! This enchanting multi-author series is like American Girl with magic. In this book, written by bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski and three-time Newbery Honor recipient Christina Soontornvat, the magic bracelet comes to a girl in Texas, who ends up in a Groundhog Day-style time loop.
BEST WISHES #4: LIKE A BOSS By: Sarah Mlynowski & Hena Khan
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | November 12, 2024
Pass the wishes on! This New York Times bestselling multi-author series is like American Girl with magic.
SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL MAGIC #1: THE EQUINOX TEST By: Liz Montague
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
Three friends discover magic and mayhem around every corner of their school in this brand-new illustrated series from New Yorker cartoonist and NAACP Image Award nominee Liz Montague that's perfect for fans of Witchlings and The Wizards of Waverly Place.
SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL MAGIC #2: THE WINTER FROSTBy: Liz Montague
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12| November 12, 2024
Three friends discover magic and mayhem around every corner of their school in this illustrated series from New Yorkercartoonist and NAACP Image Award nominee Liz Montague that's perfect for fans of Witchlings and The Wizards of Waverly Place.
INKHEART #4: INKWORLD: THE COLOR OF REVENGE By: Cornelia Funke
Chicken House | Ages 8 to 12 | November 12, 2024
Vengeance awaits in the follow up to the epic, award-winning, New York Times bestselling Inkheart trilogy by internationally acclaimed author Cornelia Funke.
THE SQUAD: A GRAPHIC NOVEL (THE TRYOUT #2) By: Christina Soontornvat; illus. by Joanna Cacao
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | November 12, 2024
Break out your pom poms! The highly anticipated, stand-alone companion to the instant #1 bestseller The Tryout promises even more cheer, higher stakes, and relatable middle-school drama. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
WHATEVER AFTER GRAPHIX #1: FAIREST OF ALL By: Sarah Mlynowski
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
The magic of the New York Times and PW bestselling Whatever After series comes to life in this brand-new graphic novel adaptation that will appeal to fans of the BSC and Wings of Fire alike! Fractured fairy tales have never been this fun.
ZOMBIE SEASON #2: DEAD IN THE WATER By: Justin Weinberger
Scholastic Press | Ages 8 to 12 | On sale now!
With Redwood destroyed, the survivors are doing their best to adjust to their new reality. But a new threat is lurking in the shadows -- an enemy that no one believed existed. One that was just waiting for the right moment to strike…
39 CLUES: ONE FALSE NOTE (GRAPHIC NOVEL EDITION) By: Gordon Korman; illus. by Hannah Templer
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | September 3, 2024
The second installment in the mega-bestselling The 39 Clues series, now in graphic novel form!
LEON #2: WORST FRIENDS FOREVER By: Jamar Nicholas
Graphix | Ages 8 to 12 | October 1, 2024
Leon struggles with a super ego -- and a super secret! -- in the second graphic novel in Jamar Nicholas's action-packed, heartfelt, and joyously funny series.
Young Adult:
STEPPING OFF By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Scholastic Press | Ages 12 Up | June 4, 2024
Jesse Dienstag's favorite sweatshirt says, "The real world isn't real." That's the slogan of the vacation-home community in Pennsylvania where his family has always spent every vacation and weekend for as long as he can remember. In the summer of 2019, as Jesse is about to enter his junior year of high school in New York City, he desperately wants to believe the slogan is true. For one thing, the two girls he loves -- equally and desperately -- are in Pennsylvania, and all the stresses and pressures of his daily life and school are in New York. But when his parents stop talking to each other, it gets harder and harder for Jesse to maintain his dream life in Pennsylvania. And when Covid shuts New York City down in March 2020 just days after Jesse’s mother leaves his father, Jesse's worlds collide.
RUIN ROAD By: Lamar Giles
Scholastic Press | Ages 12 Up | September 17, 2024
Sometimes a little fear is a good thing. Cade Webster lives between worlds. He’s a standout football star at the right school but lives in the wrong neighborhood--if you let his classmates tell it. Everywhere but home, people are afraid of him for one reason or another. Afraid he’s too big, too fast, too ambitious, too Black.
