Welcome to the 2022 Middle School Summer Reading Guide!
It’s summer reading guide season again, and I’m thrilled to bring you this year’s edition of the Reading Middle Grade Middle School Summer Reading Guide. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories on this list, and I hope you’ll love them too.
Some quick facts:
- This guide is aimed at upper elementary school kids and middle schoolers ages 8 and up (of course, librarians, parents, and all adults are welcome to read these)
- There are 25 books on this list with my recommendations for reading age, a brief description, number of pages, and publishing date
- The books are split into five categories spotlighting verse novels, upper middle grade, summer stories, kids beating challenges, and kids embracing new circumstances
- There’s a printable version of this list with 25 more books, a summer reading challenge, more summer-related book lists, and a letter from the editor (me!). To download the printable, just add your name and email address to the form below and it’ll come right to your inbox!
Middle School Summer Reading List for 2022
Here are the 25 books on this years summer reading guide:
Say It in Verse
Golden Girl
Published: February 22, 2022
Ages: 8+
320 pages
Afiyah has a problem stealing things, even when she tries hard not to. She’s often remorseful and returns the stolen items. But when her father is wrongfully arrested for embezzlement at the airport during a family trip, Afiyah is forced to strongly examine stealing habits — especially after she’s caught in the act. A touching, realistic coming-of-age story.
In the Beautiful Country
Published: June 14, 2022
Ages: 8+
320 pages
Living in 80s Taiwan with her mother, Ai Shi (Anna) eagerly anticipates moving to the beautiful country (the US) where her father moved a few months ago. But she’s in for a shock when they arrive at their cramped apartment. Stuck with a failing fast-food restaurant, Anna’s parents struggle to make ends meet. At school, she feels like an outsider since she can barely speak English. Is the beautiful country for them? A moving, poignant, and lyrical verse novel.
Twisting Backward Flipping Forward
Published: July 12, 2022
Ages: 8+
144 pages
Claire is an excellent gymnast but can’t find her footing when it’s time to read. The words wobble and jumble and she can’t make sense of them until her school principal suggests she might be dyslexic. But Claire’s mother won’t accept that her child is dyslexic. A heartrending examination of a child with learning difficulties.
When Winter Robeson Came
Published: January 11, 2022
Ages: 9+
176 pages
Winter is a 13-year-old boy visiting his cousin Eden and her family in Los Angeles from Mississippi. Unbeknownst to Eden and her family, Winter isn’t just there to see Disneyland — he’s looking for his father, J.T. Robeson, who came to LA 12 years ago and never returned. Eventually, he gets Eden to help him on his search. Not long after, the Watts Riot erupts. A rich, immersive story about 60s LA.
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For
Published: September 14, 2021
Ages: 9+
12-year-old Ariel’s life is 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. A brilliant, award-winning novel written mostly in prose and some verse the protagonist writes.
Big Kids, Big Problems
Bright
Published: July 5, 2022
Ages: 9+
336 pages
Marianne Blume has convinced herself that she’s not smart. She’s gotten through school so far by charming teachers out of questioning her. But her eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Garcia, isn’t easily fooled. To pull up her grades for high school, Marianne tries to win his favor by joining the school’s trivia team (which he coaches). A deeply insightful book about labels, persistence, and self-belief.
Karthik Delivers
Published: April 5, 2022
Ages: 11+
272 pages
14-year-old Karthik Raghavan is spending his last summer of middle school delivering groceries for his father’s failing Indian grocery store, hanging out with his best friends, and sneaking glances at his crush, Juhi. But the most interesting part of Karthik’s summer? A university student wants him to act as Leonard Bernstein in her play. Can Karthik deliver? A unique, refreshing look at a teen finding his passion.
Coming Up Short
Published: June 21, 2022
Ages: 9+
304 pages
Bea is winning at being a shortstop, finally making headway with her crush, and is excited to go to summer camp with her friends when her dad’s legal license is suspended in a town scandal. Suddenly, she develops a case of the yips and begs her parents to send her to another softball summer camp on Gray Island, where her mom grew up. Throughout the summer, Bea learns more about her parents’ previous marriages and other secrets. A sporty, summery, and serious coming-of-age story.
Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!
Published: April 19, 2022
Ages: 8+
304 pages
Tahlia is excited to redeem herself at the end-of-school summer pool party after wearing a rashguard and shorts last year while everyone was in fancy swimsuits. That is until she gets her first period. Her mother is out of town, leaving her with her dad and two older brothers — whom she cannot tell. With only her best friend Lily on her side, Tahlia has to figure out how to buy pads and tampons, use a tampon, avoid toxic shock syndrome, and make it to the pool party. A hilarious, relatable tale of growing up and getting your first period.
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
Published: April 26, 2022
Ages: 9+
288 pages
New girl Jennifer Chan is missing. As whispers begin, her next-door neighbor Mallory Moss worries that Jennifer may have been abducted by the aliens she believed existed. Mallory reunites with two former friends to find Jennifer following clues from the diary Jennifer left behind and prove that she and her friends didn’t run Jennifer Chan out of town with their bullying. A riveting and thought-provoking release.
Summertime Blues
Miss Quinces
Published: May 3, 2022
Ages: 8+
256 pages
What if all you wanted for the summer was to go to camp with your best friends and draw comics in peace — BUT your parents thought it was better to go to Honduras, where they’re from, instead? That’s Sue’s dilemma. On top of that, she finds out that her family is throwing her a surprise Quincenera against her wish. Will Sue survive the summer? An engaging, immersive graphic novel.
Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes
Published: May 17, 2022
Ages: 9+
256 pages
Alex is looking forward to spending the summer at the pool (as she’s always done) with her best friend, Will. This summer, though, a schoolmate named Rebekah has eyes for Will. As Rebekah and Will begin a tentative crush-friendship, Alex feels threatened and ropes Will into a big summer project (building their treehouse), for which they’ll need several summer jobs to afford building supplies. Terrific, relatable summery read.
NOT Starring Zadie Louise
Published: June 21, 2022
Ages: 8+
256 pages
Due to tight financial circumstances, Zadie’s summer activities have all been replaced with helping out (or at least trying not to cause a disaster) in the theater where her mom directs plays. Zadie would rather hang out with the lights and tech crew, but it seems that she ruins everything she touches! Soon everyone is frustrated with her — and on top of that, she finds out her grandma who lives in their basement is moving! Funny, relatable, and full of theater hijinks.
Out of Range
Published: May 10, 2022
Ages: 9+
272 pages
After months of squabbling, sisters Abby, Emma, and Ollie are shipped off to summer camp together by their parents to figure out their issues. They succeed in ignoring each other most of the time, but a hike gone wrong on their last day forces them to work together against hunger, near-drownings, and bear attacks. A heartfelt, survivalist tale.
Camp Famous
Published: May 10, 2022
Ages: 8+
272 pages
After a meltdown following a social mishap, Abby is in despair that she’ll never fit in anywhere. Her parents send her to a camp for famous kids — even though she isn’t famous (and had no idea what the camp was about). There, Abby is so focused on fitting in that she starts to lose herself. An enjoyable camp adventure with a dose of introspection.
Against the Odds
Swim Team
Published: May 17, 2022
Ages: 8+
256 pages
After she and her dad move from Brooklyn to Florida, Bree is excited for her first day in middle school. Unfortunately, when Bree goes to choose her math club elective, it’s fully booked. As a math lover who can’t swim, she’s crushed to hear that the only elective left is swim 101. At first, Bree avoids getting in the water, but after a near-drowning in her housing complex, an elderly neighbor (who used to be part of her swim team) decides to coach Bree. Engaging, rich in history, and compulsively readable.
Falling Short
Published: March 15, 2022
Ages: 8+
304 pages
Isaac and Marco have been besties for as long as they can remember. At the start of middle school, both boys decide to help each other reach their goals. For Isaac, it’s getting better at more than just basketball — getting better grades and being more responsible. And for Marco, it’s learning a sport: basketball. A sweet book about fathers, basketball, and male friendships.
Just Right, Jillian
Published: February 15, 2022
Ages: 8+
224 pages
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. A charming, inspiring story.
A Perfect Mistake
Published: July 12, 2022
Ages: 9+
272 pages
Max and his community are reeling from a night out gone wrong. Max and his friends Joey and Will went out with two older boys, but Will ended up unconscious and in a coma, and Joey won’t speak to Max anymore. Max also has ADHD and is over six feet tall at 11, which means he stands out in his class. Frustrated that he can’t figure out what happened to Will, Max teams up with an inquisitive classmate, but the truths he unravels aren’t pretty. A gripping, sensitive mystery.
The Unforgettable Logan Foster
Published: January 18, 2022
Ages: 8+
272 pages
Logan is a foster kid on the autism spectrum, with a photographic memory. Just when Logan is sure that he’ll never be adopted, a new couple, Margie and Gil show up. After a rocky start, Logan is settling in with his new foster parents when he starts noticing some weird things. Gil never seems to eat, and are Margie’s tears silver? He’s only processing the fact that his new parents might be superheroes when they’re kidnapped by a supervillain and it’s up to Logan to save them.
Embrace the New
Shine On, Luz Veliz
Shine On, Luz Véliz!
Published: May 3, 2022
Ages: 9+
332 pages
When Luz has to stop playing soccer after tearing her ACL, she feels a bit lost. No longer a soccer superstar, who is she? Worse still, her dad, who used to share her love for the sport, seems on eggshells around her. Soon though, Luz stumbles upon a new passion: coding, assisted by Mr. Mac, their elderly neighbor next door. But just as she’s finding her feet, a new family member, Solana, comes to stay with them. Solana’s visit upends Liz’s identity even more. An engrossing story about family and coding.
A Song Called Home
Published: March 15, 2022
Ages: 8+
368 pages
Lou and her sister Casey have to move from the city to the suburbs to live with Steve, leaving behind their old schools and Lou’s best friend Beth Tsai. Forming this new family is hard on Lou and Casey for different reasons. Lou feels like she’s leaving their alcoholic father behind, and Casey worries that Steve is being too nice and the “real Steve” will show up soon. On the day before their move (which is also Lou’s birthday), Lou finds a guitar right outside their old apartment addressed to her. Convinced it’s from her dad, she starts learning to play guitar to maintain that bond with him. A realistic, heartrending portrayal of a blending family.
Those Kids from Fawn Creek
Published: March 8, 2022
Ages: 9+
336 pages
New girl Orchid Mason appearance has disrupted the ecosystem in Fawn Creek middle school. Orchid says she’s from New York and has grown up in cities worldwide. She meets shy Dorothy and her best friend Greyson. Cousins Janie and Abby, and “Queen Bee” Rennie Dean who’s newly moved away to a nearby town but still keeps tabs on everyone. When Rennie and her crew find out about Orchid’s seemingly exotic background, they’re jealous and convinced that she’s lying. But is she? A gorgeously written, character-driven novel.
Honestly Elliot
Honestly Elliot
Published: March 1, 2022
Ages: 8+
288 pages
Elliot has ADHD and loves to cook. He lives with his mom and spends time with his dad and step-mom regularly. He also wants to go to cooking camp and his dad refuses to pay for it. When Elliot gets the chance to execute a food-related pop-up as part of a school-wide entrepreneurial project, he sees it as a chance for redemption. Unfortunately, he’s paired with popular girl Maribel who can’t eat gluten and wants them to make yummy pies without gluten. A sweet, coming-of-age story.
Duet
Published: May 10, 2022
Ages: 8+
304 pages
Mirabelle is a gifted goldfinch who loves to sing. When the old pianist she hangs by gets a new reluctant student, Mirabelle is intrigued. As Michael starts to play Chopin, Mirabelle can’t hold herself from singing with him. Thus begins a whimsical partnership that leads the two to solve a mystery involving Chopin’s piano. An enrapturing, unique story about music and birds.
There they are: 25 brilliant middle grade books to read in summer 2022! Which of these books have you read and loved?
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