Jacob Jacobowitz
Middle school can be a tough and confusing time for nearly everyone. Although it might not seem like it, everyone has their own problems.
Everyone would also benefit from reading all of these books while at middle school. These fiction must reads are educational and fun at the same time, which is just what a middle schooler needs. We think all of these are valuable reads, so get them all before high school comes around!
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#1 Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
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This National Book Award Finalist is a must read for your middle school student is Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. This is a powerful story of overcoming obstacles in life and how being vulnerable with other people can lead to great friendships.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#2 Taming the Wild Horses: On Purpose for a Purpose by B. Louise Bayer
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Taming the Wild Horses is a guide designed to bring attention to the lack of self-worth and self-respect felt by young people in today’s society. Author B. Louise Bayer’s experience raising her own children opened her eyes to the need to help this generation develop a sense of purpose as they go through life.
Using wild horses as a metaphor of the temptations kids have to battle against in their lives, she has developed an original program that creates pathways for participants to develop communication skills. Readers will find that this guide provides tools to build a life filled with happiness and begin a journey of improved decision making. Taming the Wild Horses’ teachings hold the key to help today’s youth develop a better outlook on life and an understanding of how precious life truly is.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#3 The Mirror in the Woods by Jodie Keeling
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Seventh grade is hard. You count on having your friends around you to share your experiences. But what if that doesn’t happen? This is what Kelly faces in author Jodie Keeling’s book, The Mirror in the Woods. She looked forward to seventh grade with her best friend, Lily, by her side. But then she loses Lily to makeup, cheerleading, boys, and even new friends. All things Kelly isn’t really interested in.
Then what starts out as a normal, boring day at school ends in a four-wheeler wreck in front of a mirror in the woods. All it takes is one mixed-up reflection to learn that, sometimes, what is on the other side of the glass might not be what we expect to see. Kelly could be someone you know-even you. Things are going great, and then everything seems upside down. Friendships you thought were forever are torn apart. Maybe you, like Kelly, also have issues with being a middle child. You’ll find The Mirror in the Woods a fun and inspiring read.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#4 Brock McGuire by Gladice Guillermo
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Brock McGuire has an enviable life! He’s popular at school, was chosen to play in the jazz band and has no problem making people laugh. His life would be perfect except for three very irritating things. He has ridiculous curly red hair, two annoying sisters…and who can forget his arch enemy Rick Stevens? Brock is shocked when his world slowly begins to shatter around him; he loses his golden reputation and finds himself in an ugly predicament.
A riveting experience in an ancient kingdom gives him a glimmer of hope that he might be able to re-capture his prestige and fame. Did he really visit another kingdom? Is he going crazy? Is he so stressed out that his imagination is playing tricks on him? Brock McGuire is sure to catapult you into your own private adventure. Brock McGuire has an enviable life! He’s popular at school, was chosen to play in the jazz band and has no problem making people laugh. His life would be perfect except for three very irritating things.
He has ridiculous curly red hair, two annoying sisters…and who can forget his arch enemy Rick Stevens? Brock is shocked when his world slowly begins to shatter around him; he loses his golden reputation and finds himself in an ugly predicament. A riveting experience in an ancient kingdom gives him a glimmer of hope that he might be able to re-capture his prestige and fame. Did he really visit another kingdom? Is he going crazy? Is he so stressed out that his imagination is playing tricks on him? Brock McGuire is sure to catapult you into your own private adventure.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#5 The Giver by Lois Lowry
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12-year-old Jonas lives in a community where each member is assigned a lifetime role. Jonas has been waiting for his role all his twelve years of life. But when he’s assigned the role that would make him the bearer of humanity’s memories, he discovers that his world is not as perfect as it seemed to be. Now bearing humanity’s memories and possibly humanity’s future, Jonas has to defy the life planned out for him. This book is a great read for young minds because its symbolic plot prepares them to the concept of growing up–in that it will require them to make difficult decisions and sacrifices. That they will have to learn to let go of childhood innocence to embrace the scrutinizing mind of an adult.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#6 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
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With Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, young readers are sure to gain a a new-found appreciation for wisdom and freedom. In this story, these two are represented by printed books which have become illegal and will be immediately destroyed by fire, along with the house where they are discovered. Young readers are introduced to characters that valued these books so much, that they would rather stay in their burning homes than give them up.
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#7 Animal Farm by George Orwell
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Animal farm by George Orwell is one of those must reads. Being that that is written in a language for middle schoolers, make it a quick and easy read. Yet, the lessons the book carries have passed on through generations. It discusses human conduct, it discusses in justice, and it discusses different types of governments. Having that exposure to this world at a age where minds and individuality are developing is crucial. Seeing the good and bad in situations is important in learning how to make decisions, stepping into their own power, into their own belief systems. This knowledge will help them become stronger individuals in the future.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#8 A Guide to Starting High School With a Smile by Amba Brown
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This guidebook was created for both boys and girls who are preparing for high school. It is full of practical tips, positive quotes, analogies, interactive pages, food for thought, stories from other students and motivational ideas.
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#9 The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
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This is a book raw with the unfairness of a world setting the characters up for failure. But amidst that failure is the hope that things can and will get better through the force of will and personal determination. It’s a book that will stay with you through adulthood, the most important parts lingering like personal memories, reminding you that everyone’s an outsider looking in.
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#10 Highly Effective Teaching Strategies By Marc Hoberman
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Marc Hoberman has been an educator for over 33 years and has an amazing approach to help teachers become highly effective educators. It is easy to follow and proven strategies to help win the classroom. I think every teacher should read this book since it has great suggestions, advise and powerful strategies for all educators. Every educator will benefit from this book since every page shows you his knowledge and wisdom he gained over the years.
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#11 Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
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A Christmas Carol is a great introduction into Charles Dickens, as many students will later be reading his work in high school literature curriculum. A story that most know, but few have actually read, this classic work utilizes engaging descriptions, helping the readers to vividly visualize settings and characters. Students will build an understanding of how characters’ choices affect the plot and build the theme of the story through these extremely relatable characters.
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#12 The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
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The kids absolutely love this one because it’s creepy, eerie and grips the readers attention as they follow the unfortunate events of two Irish siblings who end up alone and are hired to work as servants in an old manor home in England where they discover all is not what it seems.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#13 Fearless Public Speaking: A Guide for Beginners by Joy Jones
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Scared of speaking in public? You’re not alone! This accessible guide, written by a former teacher and poetry slam coach, will help tweens and teens find their voice! Outlining, ad-libbing, composing, performing, writing and reciting – everything you need is found in this fun yet practical guide. In addition to easy-to-read text, the book features easy-to-implement exercises that reinforce the concepts. Fearless Public Speaking is published by Sterling Publishing and retails for $14.95.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#14 Drumroll, please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
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It’s a fantastic read about changes in life – From middle school romance, to dealing with divorce, and understanding sexuality, Drumroll, Please has it all. Plus, Melly is so relatable, she’ll pull you in from the very beginning. A must-read in middle school!
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#15 A Girl’s Guide to Kicking Goals by Steph Claire Smith
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As teenage models, Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith know exactly what it feels like to grow up in a media savvy world which makes growing up far more complicated. Having traded in skinniness for feeling great through fitness and a balanced diet, Laura and Steph’s book A Girl’s Guide to Kicking Goals traces their journey towards finding balance, happiness and self-acceptance in a digital world.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
#16 The Kilwade Tragedy by Terry Keys
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The importance of teen health and teen mental health cannot be overstated. Sadly, Terry’s novel is punishingly timely with all of the violent events so razor sharp at present. This is a novel to read not only because it is fine prose, but it also suggests a flaw in our society. A book every parent MUST read.
Before buying a book make sure to compare price and outlet, we have included links below to several large book outlets for different regions in the world:
Courtney Vasquez from Lavidge
Tracy Lamourie from Lamourie Public Relations
Rachel Davidson from Denver Party Ride
Stefanie Almond from Hope & Love Radio
Amba Brown from The Finding Your Path Project
Vinay Amin from Eu Natural
Beatrice Davis from Sassy B Worldwide Productions, Inc.
Kristine Thorndyke from Test Prep Nerds
Cendu Param from Cenzerely Yours
Joy Jones from JoyJonesOnline
Brooke Van Sickle from Journey to KidLit
Steph Claire Smith from The Quarto Group
Terry keys from Terry Keys Books
