I define short middle-grade books as middle-grade books under 250 pages. Once we’re past that 250-page mark, it can be tough for beginning or reluctant readers. Personally, I’m good until page 400 — then my interest starts to dissolve. That’s why I’ve made this list of middle-grade books under 250 pages! There’s surprisingly a good number of short middle-grade books (I’ve read and loved all the ones on this list myself) these days, and I was impressed to find up to 20 books that were well under 250 pages, many of which will appeal even to older 8th graders. I’ve organized the list in order of increasing page length so it’s easier to sort through.
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Short Middle-Grade Books Under 250 Pages
Here are 30 excellent SHORT middle grade books less than 250 pages long:
Garvey’s Choice
Published: November 4, 2016
This verse novel follows the evolution of a boy named Garvey, who loves astronomy, music, and books — everything but the sports that his dad would prefer he enjoys. Despite all the bullying he faces, once he joins the school chorus, he starts to grow past his father’s expectations, finding a way to connect with his father on his terms. This is a great one to read aloud with kids ages 9 and up. (122 pages.)
Hands
Published: January 24, 2023
After his stepdad goes to jail for violating his parole and hitting his mom, Trev feels like he needs to get bigger and stronger to protect them when his stepdad is released. But is fighting back the best way? This is a slim, poignant look at what life is like for some kids and why it’s easy to feel like throwing hands is the most effective way to stay safe. The author shows that with community and education, there can be more far-reaching positive effects. Good for ages 11 and up. (144 pages.)
Stef Soto Taco Queen
Published: January 17, 2017
Stef Soto is a middle-schooler whose family owns a taco truck, Tia Perla. Like most kids her age would be, Stef finds Tia Perla embarrassing, especially as her once-best-friend Julia won’t stop teasing her about smelling like tacos. When new food truck regulations threaten her family’s business, Stef realizes just how much Tia Perla means to her. She also learns to be proud of who she is and to appreciate the good friends in her life. I loved Stef Soto, Taco Queen and would highly recommend for food lovers, readers who enjoy books about the immigrant experience, and anyone whose parents have worked hard so they can pursue their dreams. Great for ages 8 and up. (170 pages.)
Ready, Set, Dough
Published: October 17, 2023
Ambitious sixth grader Zoe Sparks loves to write and enjoys brainstorming ideas for her journalism class. There’s only one problem: Her at-home computer is so unreliable that it just stops working one day. Fortunately, her school is organizing a cookie dough fundraiser, and guess what the top seller prize is? A WordPro laptop — and orange (her favorite color) at that! Zoe is determined to outsell everyone, especially her nemesis Amaya. But soon, her ambition begins to impact her balance and her friendship with her BFF Felix. I adored the voice in this one and finished it in one day. Perfect for ages 9 and up. (173 pages.)
Before the Ever After
Published: September 1, 2020
ZJ’s dad is a popular pro-American footballer. He has an awesome crew of male friends who feel like family. Life seems pretty good until his dad comes home early from a game with an awful headache. The headache is joined by disturbing symptoms like forgetfulness, aggression, spacing out, and general confusion. The book is set in 1999-2000, when there was just a growing awareness of CTE. ZJ’s mom is worried because she knows a few other football friends of his dad who have had the same symptoms. As ZJ tries to get through each day, not knowing whether it’ll be a good day for his dad or a bad one, he finds comfort in family, comfort, and community. Before the Ever After is a brilliant, true-to-life portrayal of a child coping with his famous father’s deterioration due to CTE. Ages 10+ (175 pages)
PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together
Published: March 8, 2022
I truly loved this graphic novel about three friends who start a dog-walking business. It feels true to kids (feels like something I would’ve LOVED as a child who adored The Babysitters’ Club), and I enjoyed seeing the ethnic diversity and the parental involvement in this story. If you have kids who love animals or have an entrepreneurial streak, this is the book for them. It’s also delightfully short, and this is a series I totally plan to keep up with since every book is from a different girl’s perspective. Ages 8+ (176 pages)
Blue Stars: Mission 1 (The Vice Principal Problem)
Published: March 5, 2024
This is an entertaining graphic novel about cousins Maya and Riley (Black and Muscogee), who end up living with their grandmother when Maya’s parents are deployed and Riley’s parents move back in with her grandmother. The two girls get off to a rough start, exacerbated by their personality differences. Maya is reserved, studious, and science-focused, while Riley is outgoing, friendly, and artsy. At school, the girls quickly realize that their vice principal is suspicious, slashing arts, robotics, and any budgets possible in favor of increasing the number of detention classrooms. With their grandmother’s advice about using their voices firm in their mind, the girls hatch a plan to expose VP Balderdash’s schemes. I loved many things about this series starter, including the natural, subtle way both girls share their heritage and the way they find home and community with their grandmother. This is super short, and the superhero and planning scenes feel like something out of a Spy Kids movie. Ages 9+ (176 pages)
Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream
Published: April 25, 2023
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). Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream is a charming story about persistence, unlikely friendships, and the enduring love for a grandparent despite the odds. Ages 8+ (179 pages)
Ghost
Published: August 30, 2016
This book is about Castle Crenshaw (aka Ghost), who has PTSD from a dad who tried to fire a gun at him as a child. When he meets Coach and the rest of the team, he can finally harness his talent as a sprinter and stop running away from his problems. I love how powerful these kids’ stories are (in the Track series) and that they’re super short — this one is only 185 pages long. Ages 10+ (185 pages)
The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
Published: March 5, 2024
Perennial daydreamer Lucy Landry moves in with the family of a lighthouse keeper, Mr. Martin after the death of her guardian. Her overactive imagination initially puts off most of the Martin kids, but as Lucy fumbles through her day-to-day with the Martins, they start to fall for her spunky self, especially when she shares the riveting legend her father told her about a ruby necklace lost on a shipwrecked boat years before. Soon, Lucy convinces Ainsley, the oldest Martin, to go to Mermaid’s Corner with her to find the necklace. This charming young middle grade book is perfect for fans of classics and has serious cozy vibes for fans of The Penderwicks, The Vanderbeekers, and classic sibling stories. There’s also a lot of fascinating history about the lives of lighthouse keepers and I enjoyed learning lots about them. Ages 8+ (187 pages)
Tight
Published: September 4, 2018
Bryan loves comics and hanging out with his mom — and even his big sister sometimes — with no drama. His dad has a temper and has been in jail for some misdemeanors. Now he’s on parole, and it seems like things may be looking up. But when a new boy his age, Mike, worms his way into Bryan’s family, it appears Bryan may have a new friend. However, Mike is a bit of a daredevil and gets Bryan into skipping school and riding on top of trains. Still, it appears no one else can see anything wrong about Mike. Should Bryan keep his friendship? Should he absorb Mike’s idea of masculinity? Torrey Maldonado’s Tight is a true-to-life representation of the lives of some boys and firmly disposes of the toxic ideas about masculinity popular within some cultures. Ages 10+ (192 pages)
The Lemonade War
Published: May 4, 2009
Evan and Jessie Treski are siblings 14 months apart. Evan has great people skills, while Jessie seems to be on the spectrum and struggles with understanding social cues. However, she’s very book-smart. She knows math and is business savvy. Every summer, the siblings do a lemonade stand — a highlight for Jessie. This year, though, after finding out that Jessie is skipping a grade into the fourth grade with him, Evan seems to be mad at her. He’s even teaming up with another classmate to sell lemonade and leaving Jessie out. Before the kids know it, they’re in an all-out war to see who makes the most profit. I loved all the business tips in this book, and I know some people dislike books with sibling drama, but this one explores some important emotional themes, and Evan and Jessie eventually find their way to each other again. Ages 9+ (192 pages)
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Published: August 18, 2020
Isaiah’s father has died, leaving behind Isaiah, his mom, and his younger sister, Charlie. Isaiah’s mom is so depressed she’s lost her job — and started drinking too many bottles of wine. Isaiah realizes that they need money if they’ll ever move out of the motel where they’ve had to live since being unable to pay for their home. Thankfully, Isaiah has his father’s books of poems (even if his own words won’t come anymore), his best friend Sneaky who sells candy at school (and lets Isaiah be his business partner), and the kind people who look out for him once they realize he’s in need. In the end, will Isaiah be the hero of his story? Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero is a moving, realistic portrayal of the poverty and housing insecurity that can impact a family after the death of a parent. Ages 9+ (199 pages)
Ruby Finley and the Interstellar Invasion
Published: September 27, 2022
Ruby is an 11-year-old future entomologist who loves studying insects and playing video games with her neighborhood friends. When she sees a strange bug in her bedroom and shares a picture of it on social media, suspicious agents appear at her door to re-capture the now missing insect. Soon, all the metal in her neighborhood begins to disappear as Ruby and her friends realize there’s more to the strange bug. This was a lot of fun and will appeal to fans of STEM stories and books about robots. Ages 9+ (202 pages)
Rescue at Lake Wild
Published: April 27, 2021
Madi and her friends Jack and Aaron make a rescue at Lake Wild, saving two beaver kits, but they have a problem. Madi’s parents have said she cannot bring home any more strays. In fact, if she does, she’ll lose her trip to see acclaimed primatologist Jane Goodall. But neither Aaron nor Jack can take in the kits, and their local shelter is full. Besides, the kids find that the kits’ parents have been shot dead. Madi takes them, hiding them in a shed on her parents’ property until she can figure out her next steps. As she cares for the beavers, more adult beavers turn up shot dead. So Madi and her friends also need to figure out who is killing the beavers and why — all the while making sure her parents never figure out that she’s housing, feeding and bathing two beaver kits under their noses. Can Madi and the gang do it all? Rescue at Lake Wild is a sweet, entertaining, and informative book about rescuing animals, caring for beavers, and advocating for the environment. Ages 9+ (208 pages)
Averil Offline
Published: February 13, 2024
Averil’s mom and several parents of kids in her school and neighborhood use an app called Ruby Slippers to track their kids’ location, request video and photos from them on demand, and generally monitor their behavior and actions all day and Averil and her classmate Max are sick of it. Especially when they find out that the app will be updated soon to let parents remotely turn on their kids’ cameras at will. Both kids make a plot to ditch a camping trip and find the original app developer, Rider Wollybeck, in hopes of asking him to rescind the update. This hijinks-filled story is reminiscent of classic stories where kids run away to save the day as Max and Averil stay on their town’s college campus, eating at the cafeteria and sleeping in the library for the 2-3 days needed to accomplish their plan. I love the gentle mystery, STEM angle, and theme of childhood autonomy this book explores. I think it has major kid appeal! Ages 10+ (208 pages)
Just Right Jillian
Published: February 15, 2022
In Just Right Jillian, Jillian is a shy fifth grader put to the test when her teacher suggests she join the Mind Bender quiz competition. Her class is also learning about chick development and incubating a few too! As Jillian works to improve her mindset and use her voice, she also has to deal with the grief of losing her grandmother, her mom’s lupus flares, and helping out a friend dealing with his own family challenges. Will Jillian get it right? Just Right Jillian is a sweet young middle grade debut that elementary and middle schoolers alike will love. Ages 8+ (218 pages)
Light and Air
Published: January 2, 2024
As a non-fan of historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by this debut middle grade novel. Set in 1930s New York, where a tuberculosis epidemic is raging, it follows Halle, whose mother is diagnosed with the disease and sent off to JN Adams Sanatarium in Perrysburg. There, everyone, including people of all races, is welcome, and patients are treated with exposure to light and air. Soon, Halle ends up there to treat pneumonia. This book is accessible, plain-spoken, and truly written for kids without dumbing down or info dumping. The characters are richly drawn, and the subject matter is intriguing and rarely explored in books for kids. It’s impressive that the author has created a book all about tuberculosis with a rich, moving, adventurous, and tender plot balancing friendship, family, mystery, and history all at once. Ages 8+ (218 pages)
Breathing Underwater
Published: March 30, 2021
Breathing Underwater is Sarah Allen’s sophomore middle grade book. I have yet to read her debut, but this one caught my eye. Thirteen-year-old Olivia is excited about going on a road trip back to California with her sister and their uncle and aunt. Their family moved to Tennessee from California three years ago, and the girls had buried a time capsule before their move. Olivia’s big sister Ruth is now 16 and clinically depressed. She has good and bad days and is on medication to manage her depression. Olivia feels responsible for Ruth’s happiness and has a plan to recover their time capsule, while doing a photo project during their trip to remind Ruth of good times and make her just a little happier. But she soon finds out that with mental illness, it’s not always so simple. Breathing Underwater is a beautifully written, moving middle grade novel about sisterhood, art, and loving a sibling with a mental illness. Ages 10+ (219 pages)
Some Places More Than Others
Published: September 3, 2019
Some Places More Than Others has been on my TBR since the second I heard about it. It felt a bit like a dream come true to see that Kindle pre-order come through! Eleven-year-old Amara lives in Oregon with her parents. Her dad works for Nike which scores her literally everything from their collection as soon as it drops. Her mom designs clothes for her boutique store — and she’s expecting a second child after multiple miscarriages. But Amara’s nervous about welcoming a new baby. She’s also dying to visit Harlem, New York where her dad is from. Unfortunately, neither of her parents are particularly thrilled about her desire. Amara’s desire to go is heightened when she discovers that her father hasn’t spoken to his father since the day she was born — and her grandmother died. But when a school assignment requires that she share family relics, stories, and basically where she comes from, her parents allow her to visit with her dad. I ADORED THIS BOOK. Ages 9+ (220 pages)
No Vacancy
Published: September 1, 2020
In No Vacancy, Miriam Brockman’s family — who are Jewish — has just moved into a motel they bought in upstate New York. On top of the change from city to small town, Miriam has to work with her parents and uncle (who comes to help) to renovate the motel. Her parents are also struggling because the motel is in poor financial state, contrary to what the sellers had initially told them. This jeopardizes their plan to renovate and then sell the motel so they can buy a home. Next door to the hotel is a diner owned by a Catholic elderly couple, whose granddaughter, Kate, befriends Miriam. Miriam also begins working at the diner, peeling grapes for grape pie. In a bid to help draw customers to the motel, both girls create the illusion of a Virgin Mary apparition in a local abandoned drive-in. Their plan works, and customers start flooding the motel, but Miriam can’t shake the guilt, even as she explores other questions about religion and disability. Tziporah Cohen’s debut novel is a unique exploration of religion, friendship, and discrimination. Ages 10+ (221 pages)
A Field Guide to Getting Lost
Published: April 14, 2020
With themes of blended families, a deceased parent, a STEM-loving protagonist, and another protagonist with serious food allergies, this novel is full of important and fun elements. Younger middle-grade readers will especially love this short (under 250 pages!) book with a protagonist turning ten. A Field Guide to Getting Lost is an almost-slice-of-life novel about two children finding friendship when thrust together by their parents’ choice to date. Sutton and Luis, but Luis especially, show readers the power of embracing differences and choosing kindness even when we’re outside our comfort zones. Ages 9+ (223 pages)
Saving Sunshine
Published: September 5, 2023
This is a solid graphic novel about two siblings who’ve grown apart and can’t stop bickering. One is a NASA nerd/space head, while the other is a budding environmental activist. After their parents become fed up with their antics on a family trip to Florida for their mother’s job, their devices are confiscated until they can get along again. What finally turns the tide for them is a sick turtle they find on the beach. I love the illustrations in this one and the balanced way the author examines the public response to hijabs and cultural differences. Although slow initially and didactic at times, this is a great pick, especially for Muslim kids who want to see themselves in graphic novels written by Muslims or readers looking for environmental activism stories. (224 pages)
Take Back the Block
Published: January 26, 2021
Wes is your average sixth grader, except his style is fly. He may not win awards for being the best at math, but he will win the Best Dressed award. He also has a great crew of friends with whom he has lived in Kensington Oaks all his life. His parents believe in getting involved with social activism and are always dragging Wes to one protest after another. After initial major resistance to neighborhood activism, Wes is forced to dive in when developers threaten to tear down his neighborhood. The attempt at gentrification begins to divide the community as some members elect to sell their properties while others flat-out refuse. Up close and personal with the effects of gentrification, Wes and his friends are moved to use their voices. Take Back the Block is an insightful, inspiring, and hearty middle-grade book about community, friendship, and speaking up. (233 pages)
Clean Getaway
Published: January 7, 2020
William “Scoob” Lamar is hoping to make a clean getaway with his white G-ma. Especially because his dad is mad at him after an unpleasant school incident and subsequent suspension. At first he’s happy to be spending time with this G-ma, but soon, he realizes that this isn’t quite the trip he expected. As Scoob and G-ma travel through the US South, G-ma lets him into family history: his grandfather’s life, G-ma’s misdeeds and what life was like when Black people needed the Green Book to move through the US. Clean Getaway, Nic Stone’s middle grade debut is a fast-paced, clever story full of twists and a sense of adventure. (233 pages)
Allergic
Published: March 2, 2021
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. Maggie starts getting shots to get her allergies under control while on the hunt for a hypoallergenic pet. Things appear to be looking up when Maggie meets Claire, an only child living with her single dad, who indulges her every whim. Claire is one grade above Maggie, but the two become fast friends — until Claire gets a dog. Allergic is a sweet, realistic depiction of what it’s like to suffer from allergies. (240 pages)
Bubble Trouble
Published: July 18, 2023
Since her mom died during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been just Chloe and her dad. She worries about their finances, so when she has the chance to go on a school trip to Broadway, she’s hesitant to tell him. On a good note, there’s a boy she maybe likes? He works at a boba tea place in her neighborhood, and things are going well until an altercation at the shop ends with Chloe being banned from the boba tea place. What unfolds is a string of chaotic, surprising, and satisfying events, including a boba-making business, two lost lovers reuniting, and a new furry family member. Bubble Trouble is a lighthearted, feel-good middle grade romance — the exact kind constantly sought out by kids in this age group. (240 pages)
Maid for It
Published: September 5, 2023
After years of dealing with opioid addiction, Franny’s mom is finally sober and on the right track with a cleaning job and a cozy apartment upstairs from a laundromat. But then she gets in an accident and has to be prescribed opioids again, sending Franny into a frenzy. Franny starts doing her mom’s cleaning jobs behind her back — even blackmailing a school rival into working with her — to ensure they don’t run out of money. But she soon learns that worrying about adult problems isn’t her job. This is an informative, gripping, and accessible middle grade book about living with a parent recovering from addiction. This one is a page-turner — I read it in one sitting! (240 pages)
Ferris
Published: March 5, 2024
DiCamillo’s stories can be hit or miss for me, but this one I adored. It’s about Emma Phineas (also known as Ferris because she was born under a Ferris wheel), whose family is having a chaotic summer. Her younger sister Pinky is determined to be an outlaw, her grandmother Charisse is insistent that she’s seeing a ghost, and her father’s brother is separated from his wife and living in their basement. Despite how stressful all these circumstances sound, this book is more funny and heartfelt than anything else, as Ferris and her family find love and tenderness for each other. (241 pages)
Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair
Published: March 7, 2023
Brothers Lincoln and Hudson Dupré are constantly pretending to be on one adventure or another–and destroying their home in the process. Until their parents get an experienced babysitter who wrangles both boys using unconventional methods–much to their dismay. Their plot to get rid of her yields unexpected results. This hilarious graphic novel-prose hybrid shows the brothers’ imaginations in panels and the real story as plain text with illustrations. (243 pages)
Not An Easy Win
Published: February 28, 2023
Lawrence has had the odds stacked against him for so long. He and his mom and little sister went from living in Charlotte, NC to finally moving in with his grandma while his father is incarcerated. To make matters worse, Lawrence keeps getting picked on at school and getting into fights which results in his getting expelled. While he’s home, he starts going to the town’s rec center where he learns to play chess. But a boy there keeps trying to get Lawrence to fight. Can he find a way to secure a win for once? Not an Easy Win is a heartwarming, realistic, and satisfying book about poverty, having an incarcerated parent, and finding belonging in chess. (249 pages)
There they are: 31 of the best middle-grade books under 250 pages! Hopefully, these short middle-grade books will be easier and less intimidating for your reluctant reader. Which ones did I miss?
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Jessica says
This list is incredible– thank you for rounding up all these amazing titles! I run a Tween Book Club at my public library for kids ages 9-12 and the sweet spot for kids to actually finish the book before our discussion is around 200 pages. So many great choices here!