Holiday Gift Guide for Middle-Grade Readers

When recommending books for 10-14-year-olds (middle-grade readers) I am always drawn to a variety of fiction books that span different interests. Children love new, fresh stories… complicated, emotional stories…and action-packed adventures. I have included some of each in this year’s list!

After being in the classroom for over 25 years and raising two boys, I have become quite adept at choosing books that will “hook” readers. I wish I could meet each of your children and give them personalized suggestions, but hopefully this is the next best thing.

The Chosen Ones:

I have chosen several books that you and your children may not have heard of before. Introducing children to different authors and books is important. You never know when they might find their next favorite author. 

However, I have also included some of the best series. Children (and adults) love nothing more than to find a book they love and realize it is the first in a series. So, while some of these may seem like they have been around for a while…they still have the same appeal as when they were first released. 

For example, The Hunger Games. My boys read the Suzanne Collins series when it first hit the shelves in 2008; yet, what is a handful of sixth graders in class today reading? Yep, The Hunger Games series. It may be old to us, but it is brand new to them and still just as compelling and entrancing as it was in 2008. 

Similarly, Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is making a resurgence as I type. If you haven’t heard, Disney+ has a new, live-action series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The series will begin streaming on December 20, 2023, on their Disney+ streaming service. Children are devouring the first book, The Lightning Thief before the series begins. For my students, Percy Jackson has never lost its appeal. Children always flock to Rick Riordan and his series. 

City Spies, Wings of Fire, and The Crossover are all additional, all-time favorite series for middle graders. The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander, is also a series on Netflix that I highly recommend. OK- let’s be honest, I recommend ANYTHING done by Kwame Alexander. He is a literary God. If you or your children have never read his books, please make it a priority this holiday season!

Linked by Gordan Korman (Swindle series author) has a very relevant message for our children. It is unique and surprising in its story arc. The message of love and acceptance of all is at the forefront, as it is in The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Coyote is one of my favorite characters of all time. I hope you not only gift this book to your child but also take the time to read it as well. It explores how Coyote and her father deal with the recent, sudden passing of her mother in their own quirky way.

I can’t wait for all the history lovers to read I Must Betray You by Ruth Sepetys. Ruth Sepetys sets a high bar for all those aspiring historical fiction authors. I love all of her and Jennifer Nielsen’s books. I Must Betray You brings to light the struggles of communist Romania. It focuses on the citizen spy network that ravaged the country. It is a fast-paced thriller that no reader, young or old, will be able to put down.

Finally, I have included The Last Mapmaker and The Ogress and the Orphans, two of my Newbery Award contenders for 2022. These two books should be read by all middle-grade children. I cannot praise these two books enough, one adventure and one fantasy…both with fantastic stories, characters, and messages. 

2023 was filled with many fantastic books for 10–14-year-olds. Please be sure and check out my blog post about these great books, I have not included any of them in my Holiday Gift Guide, but HIGHLY recommend them! 

I have provided the links to these books on Amazon. Feel free to read a more in-depth summary of each book there. Also, I encourage you to buy from your local, independent bookseller whenever possible! 

*Please be aware: I am an Amazon Affiliate and will earn a small commission if you purchase using one of the links below.