I’ve been teaching for over 20 years, most of them in Grade 5. For a long time, I recommended books I thought my students might like, without actually reading them myself. Once I started reading middle grade and getting to know the authors, everything changed. I could finally tell which books my students would really love.
Two of my go-to teacher tricks: follow the author and follow the series. If a kid loves one book by an author, there’s a good chance they’ll love another. And with a series, they already know the characters, so the next book feels easy to pick up.
Here are 7 authors I recommend again and again, and my students almost always keep reading.
Authors and Chapter Book Series I Always Recommend
Kelly Yang
Front Desk (series)
Ages 9-12
Every single book in this series is awwesssommmeee, and kids literally hug it when they come talk to me about it. All her titles outside of the series are equally great.
Alan Gratz
Ages 8-13
Anything he writes, kids devour. So many titles to choose from. His books usually follow two (or more!) points of view, are historical fiction and are action-packed. Like, when I read Refugee aloud to the Grade 5’s we were all holding on to each other.
Erin Yun
Pippa Park (series)
Ages 9-12
Oh my goodness, I cannot get enough of Pippa! Pippa is Korean American, lives with her older sister, and earns a spot at a fancy private school thanks to her basketball skills. The first book follows her as she tries to fit in by being someone she’s not. But can she keep it up? The second book is even cuter (a 4th grader lent it to me last year!). Perfect for kids who love wholesome characters with plenty of drama.
Kelley Armstrong 🇨🇦
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying (series)
Ages 8-12
This series is so cool and unexpected. Where there are so many awesome fantasy books, this one stands out as an accessible for many ages book. There are cool sketchbook drawings in the back and the character is a fierce princess who is unafraid of all. Great for totally age-appropriate fantasy reading.
Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ages 10-13
These books are all incredible historical fiction stories that follow female protagonists. The stories are fast-paced and impossible to put down. My students read A Night Divided as a book group and could NOT stop talking about it!!
G.F. Miller
Not If You Break Up with Me First, What if You Fall For me First, Maybe We’re Meant to Last
Ages 10-14
Super cute and sweet crush books that are middle school appropriate.
Chris Grabenstein
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (series), The Smartest Kid in the Universe (series)
Ages 8-12
The Smartest Kid in the Universe is the easiest book to get kids hooked if they like mystery and funny books (it’s also a great book for older reluctant readers). Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is also a student-loved series (and is also a graphic novel!). My students are begging me to get the whole series of both. Eeeppp!!
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