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Best of the Year, Book Lists, Middle Grade Books · December 2, 2021

My Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2021

Curating my list of best middle grade books of 2021 was much easier than last year, for some reason. I credit that to understanding what I like better and finally defining what makes a “best of the best” book for me. Of course, as with all “best of” lists, this is entirely subjective. For me, these stories are the most memorable, enjoyable, and/or thought-provoking middle grade books I read in 2021.

For each book, I’ll share a snippet of my review along with a link to the full review, the book’s publication year, and the ages I would recommend them for. Out of 120 books read this year, these are my top 14 middle-grade books of 2021!


two of the best middle grade books of 2021 including allergic and birdie's billions

Best Middle Grade Books of 2021

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

Just Be Cool, Jenna
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 10 and up
  • What to know about this book: This companion to Keep It Together, Keiko Carter focuses on her friend Jenna, who’s dealing with a breakup and her parents’ divorce when she finds a new friend at a Hamilton-inspired diner. Jenna and Rin are reluctant, unlikely friends who bond over art and shared parental issues, but Jenna has vowed to protect her heart. Will she let Rin in?

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is a compulsively-readable middle grade release, perfect for fans of upper middle grade stories. This realistic contemporary novel handles tough themes like the process and reality of parental divorce, a tween experiencing the fall-out of a breakup, kids managing busy school schedules, and keeping bonds of friendship alive. It also highlights the value of vulnerability and how powerful it can be to open one’s heart to the affections of others. I loved this one, and can’t wait to read whatever Debbi Michiko Florence writes next.


Allergic

Allergic
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 8 and up
  • What to know about this book: Maggie loves animals and has been waiting patiently to get a dog, only to discover that she’s allergic. She’s also dealing with a changing family in which she feels less and less like she belongs. Her two little brothers are seemingly obsessed with each other and couldn’t care less about her. Her mother is heavily pregnant and excited for the new baby. When she finally makes a new friend, that friend gets a dog!

Allergic is a sweet, realistic depiction of what it’s like to suffer from allergies. This graphic novel features stunning illustrations, a lovable protagonist, and a rambunctious family. Among other things, readers will feel Maggie’s strong love for animals, the complex emotions of nurturing a friendship despite differences, and the struggle to find one’s place at home as a tween. I loved this one and would definitely recommend it.


A Place to Hang the Moon

A Place to Hang the Moon
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: Orphans William, Edmund, and Anna (aged 12, 11, and 9) are evacuated after their (not nice) grandmother dies. The kids are instructed not to disclose how well off their family is until they’re placed with a new family that feels like a forever family. Through several poorly matched families, the children take solace in each other, stories from William about their parents, and their love of books and the town library.

A Place to Hang the Moon is a heartwarming, immersive middle-grade debut. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy reading this story of three orphaned siblings set against the background of the British WWII evacuation. Come for the spellbinding storytelling and stay for the unforgettable characters, the love of libraries, and the buttered toast. I would highly recommend this book, period, but especially for fans of books about siblings, adoption and community.


The Kate in Between

The Kate in Between - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: Twelve-year-old Kate must face herself, and the truth, after her participation in a bullying incident — with her best friend as the victim — goes viral. Although the viral videos portray Kate as saving the day, they only show one side of the story, not the part where she participated in bullying her friend.

The Kate in Between is a timely, complex, and engaging middle grade book about identity, popularity, bullying culture, and going viral. This unique middle grade book highlights the nuances of being human and shows that no one falls neatly into “good” or “bad” boxes. With a messy, but likable and relatable protagonist, this book will prove to be a true conversation starter and resonate with middle school kids and adults alike.


Starfish

Starfish - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 10 and up
  • What to know about this book: Ellie, a fat girl, has been bullied for her weight since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash in the pool. Even her older brother and sister make fun of her weight. Her mom controls her diet, monitoring her portions and choosing lackluster “healthy” alternatives. Ellie is feeling more disheartened because her friend Viv who is also plus-sized is moving away.

Starfish is a powerful, fat-positive middle grade verse novel about a girl who is learning that she deserves to take up space. This realistic story is important for educators, parents, and kids alike and urges all to question their biases toward fat people. It’s also a sweet book about friendship, sisterhood, swimming, summer, and self-acceptance.


The Chance to Fly

The Chance to Fly
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: Thirteen-year-old Nat Beacon has been paralyzed from the waist down since an accident when she was two. She’s also a wheelchair athlete whose parents have moved from California to New Jersey for her mother’s new job. Nat is obsessed with Broadway and Hamilton although she has never actually been in a musical. So when she stumbles upon a group of kids putting on a production of Wicked, the musical, she’s all in! But can she get the role of her dreams when she’s in a wheelchair?

The Chance to Fly is a sparkling debut with excellent OwnVoices disability representation. While this book highlights several challenges that wheelchair users face, from accessibility to minimal face-to-face interaction with their peers, it is at its heart a book about a love for the stage. Theater kids will be all over this one, as well as anyone who enjoys books about large friendship groups and warm parent-child dynamics.


Red, White, and Whole

red white and whole
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 10 and up
  • What to know about this book: The year is 1983 and 13-year-old Reha is caught between two cultures: her Indian family and community at home; and the all-American experience at school and with her white “school best friend.” But it’s not all rosy. Her mother doesn’t approve of Reha acting more American than Indian. She makes all of Reha’s clothes herself, and is upset when Reha says she would like to go to the school dance. Reha is understandably frustrated at her mother’s lack of understanding, but she’s about to have more problems. Her mom is diagnosed with leukemia and Reha’s life is turned upside down.

Red, White, and Whole is a heartwarming and heartbreaking verse novel about mothers and daughters, the eighties, and straddling two cultures. This moving middle-grade novel with a protagonist coming of age in the midst of a traumatic life experience will appeal both to younger and older readers between ages 10-14. If you enjoy verse novels about parental illness, family, friendships, and Indian culture, this is one you should not miss.


Taking Up Space

Taking Up Space
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: Sarah loves basketball and feels most like herself when she’s playing a good game with her team. But lately her body has been changing — she’s eating more and feeling less coordinated on the court. It doesn’t help that her mom is constantly telling her that she eats too much. Before long, Sarah develops disordered eating patterns. When a friend asks her to partner with him for a cooking contest, her weird feelings about food are triggered and Sarah realizes she might need to ask for help.

I never got around to reviewing this book on my site (because time!) but I loved this story. Alyson Gerber writes so well about how food can go from a tool to nourish our bodies (and enjoy) to something punishing. Still, this book manages to maintain a thread of food love as Sarah finds her way back to a healthy eating pattern. It’s perfect for anyone looking for body image books for tweens, basketball books, or stories about food and cooking.


The Best Worst Summer

The Best Worst Summer - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 8 and up
  • What to know about this book: The Best Worst Summer follows two sets of kids three decades apart. In the present, Peyton is reeling from a move and separation from her best friend. But her summer gains new life when she discovers a time capsule. After making a new friend in the library, Peyton is eager to get to the bottom of the time capsule mystery. Meanwhile, in 1989, best friends Jessica and Melissa are planning the best summer ever! They even plan to bury a time capsule. Jessica is an adopted Korean girl — one of the only Asians in her small town — and Melissa’s mom is hiding some deep secrets about their family. When the secret unravels, the girls’ lives are forever changed

I stayed up late reading this one! The Best Worst Summer is a charming, engaging middle grade novel that manages to blend historical and contemporary fiction. Friendship is the book’s central theme, but it also features good disability representation, realistic family dynamics, the struggles of moving from one city to another, and a riveting mystery for readers to watch the characters resolve. Set in summer, this book is an excellent summer reading pick!


The Shape of Thunder

The Shape of Thunder - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 8-12 years
  • What to know about this book: Best friends Quinn and Cora have had their lives altered by a tragic event. Quinn’s brother Parker killed Cora’s sister in a school shooting. Understandably, this created a rift between both girls, even though they still deeply care for each other and have been friends since kindergarten. As they approach the first anniversary of the shooting, Quinn thinks she’s found a way to undo what happened and reaches out to Cora to work with her.

The Shape of Thunder is a brilliant, moving, and realistic take on the effect of school shootings, death, and grief on the lives of children. This book is a reminder that kids should not have to feel unsafe anywhere, but especially at school. It is also a heartfelt ode to childhood friendships and people who know us even better than we know ourselves. With exceptional storytelling prowess, Warga has created a timeless classic about family, loss, and forgiveness.


Ten Thousand Tries

Ten Thousand Tries - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 8 and up
  • What to know about this book: Golden Macaroni is having a tough year. First, he really wants to get bigger and become the captain of his middle school soccer team. As a dedicated Messi fan, he’s working on putting in ten thousand hours of soccer practice so that he can become as good as Messi. His former-soccer-star father has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). His best friend, Lucy Littlehouse is also moving away from her home next door to Golden’s. Despite his dad’s obvious deterioration, Golden stubbornly believes that his dad will get better. How will he cope with everything on his plate — and the heartbreaking challenges ahead of his family?

Ten Thousand Tries is a moving, heartwarming story about family, friendship, community, soccer, and the love of a father. This book artfully manages the delicate balance of real-life suffering with the humor we can find lurking in small, mundane moments. With engaging soccer scenes; and warm, healthy friendship and family dynamics; this book is hard to put down. If you like books about soccer, families banding together, and books that make you laugh and cry, this is not one to miss.


How to Find What You’re Not Looking For

How to Find What You're Not Looking For - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: 12-year-old Ariel finds her life upturned when her big sister (the best of them all), Leah, elopes with her Indian-American boyfriend after the Loving vs. Virginia ruling. Ariel’s parents are upset, Ariel is struggling with being able to write well at school, and she can’t stop thinking about her sister and everything happening in the world.

How to Find What You’re Not Looking For is a poignant, moving, and brilliantly written middle grade novel about family, identity, and love. Set against the background of the 1968 Loving vs. Virginia verdict and written from a second-person point of view, this book follows an insightful young Jewish protagonist confronting the world’s harsh realities and inequities. This one is a real treat for tween and adult readers.


Birdie’s Billions

Birdie's Billions - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: Sixth-grader Birdie Loggerman’s life becomes complicated when she finds half a million dollars — cash — in an abandoned house. Her mom is a cleaner currently out of work because Birdie’s damaged property in her last client’s house. And Birdie’s best friend’s mother views her with disdain because she’s one of the poorer kids living in their highbrow area. So when Birdie finds all this money (she’s been praying for, no less), should she keep it? Or does finders, keepers not apply in this case?

Birdie’s Billions is a unique, absorbing, middle grade novel about poverty, moral dilemmas and class privilege. With a fresh plot and and an endearing, flawed protagonist, this story highlights the impact of financial difficulties on kids. It also shows the value of a supportive home environment and community, especially in challenging times. If you like engaging realistic fiction with protagonists who don’t always do the right things, you’ll enjoy this one.


Violets Are Blue

Violets Are Blue - best middle grade books of 2021
read my review
  • Publication year: 2021
  • Recommended for ages: 9 and up
  • What to know about this book: 12-year-old Wren lives with her mom after her parents’ divorce. Her dad has moved to New York City and married his lover (with whom he was unfaithful to her mother) who is now expecting twins. Wren is also a special effects makeup aficionado. Caught up in a new school, navigating new friendships, and balancing her relationships with her parents — whose relationship with each other is strained — Wren notices her mom has begun behaving strangely.

Violets Are Blue is an engaging middle grade book with a relatable, creative protagonist dealing with parental substance abuse. It also spotlights the reality of coping with parental divorce after infidelity and thereafter adjusting to a new blended family. Fans of stories with kids who love arts and crafts as well as musical theater will also enjoy this book. Really, everyone and anyone will.


There they are: 14 best middle grade books of 2021! If you want to see more books I loved this year, check out my summer reading guide. Already stacking your TBR for 2022? I’ve got you covered. Have a look at 100 of my most anticipated 2022 middle grade books (you’re welcome).

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Posted In: Best of the Year, Book Lists, Middle Grade Books

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    December 12, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    Totally agree on A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON! It’s one of my favorite reads of the year as well. I also really liked STARFISH. Great list!

    Susan
    http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

    Reply
  2. Jenna @ Falling Letters says

    December 28, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    I have not read any of these! At least, a few of them are already on my TBR, haha. But The Kate In Between is new to me – sounds like one I should prioritize next year.

    Reply

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🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fa 🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fans

If you’ve been looking for more high-stakes mysteries for tweens, let me introduce you to THE WINTERTON DECEPTION! Meet 13-year-old twins Hope and Gordon. They’ve just found out that their dad was Brandon Winterton (of the wealthy dictionary magnate family). Unfortunately, Hope can’t stand rich people, especially since the twins and their mom are barely making ends meet and living in a motel. But their fortune is about to change.

When Gordon enters the family into the Winterton Bee, they’re thrust into into the midst of family’s secrets, with a deadly enemy, and a scavenger hunt set up by the family’s dead matriarch. 

This is a fast-paced mystery with plenty to gnaw on between the twin relationship, family drama, character development, and flashbacks that help readers learn more about the Winterton family.

So happy that more and more mysteries are coming out for readers in the 6th-8th grades. This one does touch a bit on addiction and there’s a scene where the kids’ lives are in danger but all ends well!

It’s out at the end of October! 🤩

#mysteriesforkids #middlegradebooks #bookstagram
👯‍♀️ TWINS in middle grade literature 💕 

I love seeing more twins in middle grade books. For a long time, the only twins I knew in middle grade lit were the Sweet Valley High girlies. Then, I got a glimpse of twin life with Issa and Jessie in @karinaisreadingandwriting’s THE VANDERBEEKERS. 

Since then, we’ve seen more depictions of twins, including Varian Johnson’s TWINS (a graphic novel about twin sisters Francine and Maureen entering 6th grade), MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, and Hope and Gordon in THE WINTERTON DECEPTION (review to come)!

And of course, these two books, TWIN CITIES and SAVING SUNSHINE (which I just started and am loving)! While these stories will appeal to twins, I think everyone who’s ever been curious about twins will love getting a glimpse into what life feels like as one half of a whole. 

Which middle grade twin stories have you read and loved? 😍 

#middlegrade #twinbooks #mglit #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the 📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the truth 

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, Avvisi writer’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes when they tell the truth. 

After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, cinzia and her mestra are arrested at night and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. 

Besides the wonderfully imaginative and powerful storyline, loved the visuals and the diversity representation in this graphic novel. The main character has a bad leg and gets around with a walking stick, which is something rarely depicted in graphic novels (and it’s barely even discussed—it just is!).

Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

#graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites 🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites

Looking for an upper middle grade book about ballet, friendships, and body image? Meet TURNING POINT. 

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

Paula Chase is one of my favorite writers for this audience and this may be my favorite of hers so far. It’s in the same universe as two of her previous books, DOUGH BOYS and SO DONE but you don’t need to read them in order. 

I’d say her books are great for kids ages 12+
Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

#booksbooksbooks #mglit #bookstagram
🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

I’d seen this book floating around for ages but was never drawn to it (the cover maybe?) until I saw a review somewhere I can’t remember 🤪 I was pleasantly surprised!

Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

I’d recommend this one to 6th graders and up (heads up for content warning: text mentions and depicts illicit drug use by a minor, although portrayed in a negative light) as a fascinating look into Mexican culture, life as a twin, and finding your own identity.

#kidlit #graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man An ♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man

Ant isn’t your average 10 year old. He loves a good game of spades and he and his best friend are planning to revamp their reputation after losing badly at the last spades tournament. But things are changing in Ant’s life. His dad is acting weird, asking him to hide things from his mom. There’s a new girl in class who Ant maybe likes and who plays spades better than many boys he knows. 

When his best friend is grounded, Ant teams up with Shirley, hoping to impress his father and finally be tough like Joplin men should be. But instead, he learns what it really means to be a man—and it’s not about never crying.

There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

#mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebookies #kidlit #booksforkids
❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now. 

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

I really enjoyed Lolo’s story. It’s strongly reminiscent of classics like Ramona and Lolo’s voice leaps off the pages. The setting is also an unmistakable part of this story and the story feels drenched in summer. My heart went out to Lolo who always feels like she’s the reason why everything’s gone awry. I also laughed plenty at her way of seeing the world. 

This book is perfect for family readalouds especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too.

#mglit #summerbooks #booksforelementaryschoolkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
🎸 believe the hype I was very nervous about re 🎸 believe the hype

I was very nervous about reading a book about a kid with cancer, but there’s no better author than Rob Harrell to do this. 

When Ross is diagnosed with a rare lacrimal gland cancer (in his eye), it’s like a new trial for his seventh grade existence. Add to that the fact that his mom died from cancer years before, he’s going blind in one eye, his best friend is moving away soon, and mean kids at school are making terrible memes about his illness and you have a dumpster fire of a year waiting to happen. Or is it?

As heavy as everything I’ve mentioned above sounds, this book is more hopeful than anything else. We follow Ross through radiotherapy and the painful, sad side effects of cancer medications, but also through learning to play the guitar, an unlikely friendship with a school bully, and a closer relationship with his dad.

I especially loved the audiobook version which has fun interdissions featuring Will’s comic alter-ego BatPig (with a different narrator, background jingles and everything). 

I would recommend this book to 6th graders and up looking for funny books with male protagonists. It’s also a great one to hand to kids coping with cancer or chronic illnesses. 

If you’re in the WINK fan club, you just got a new member 😉

#mglit #books #bookstagram
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