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Teacher Tips *Bonus Content* Discovering Middle Grade Magic

Lovers of middle grade books know their transformative power. 

Geared toward readers ages 8-12, middle grade stories create a bridge for readers between early chapter books and young adult novels (for more about differences between the types of books, read this Writer’s Digest article). 


While the age range does not equate to middle schoolers, purposes behind middle grade books and what middle school students might learn are often the same: encourage empathy, boost literacy skills, and foster critical thinking. 


Recent Middle School Gems to Explore


At the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English annual convention, the award committee of the Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children named a winner, five honor books, and eight recommended books. What follows are three middle grade Honor books. (Link HERE for the complete list of winners). 


Middle Grade Honor Books



This novel-in-verse fosters empathy by addressing topics of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The events character Joe Oak encounters help readers understand the struggle of others. 



This novel fosters critical thinking by addressing complex issues such as anxiety and OCD, as well as living with a grandparent with Alzheimer’s. A dash of humor makes this book great for adult readers, too! 



This middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp does very well what most middle grade novels work to accomplish: balance engaging content and make content accessible for fluency and comprehension. 


Tips for Teachers


Start a Book Club

Create a classroom book club to spark discussions and encourage collaborative analysis. 


Integrate Across Subjects

Use historical fiction to complement history lessons or nonfiction to spark STEM-related discussions. 


Invite Student Choice

Let students choose books based on interests to empower their learning. This is an excellent strategy to engage readers during independent reading. 


Use as Mentor Texts

Highlight well-crafted characters, vivid settings, or creative plot structure to teach literacy skills. 


Middle grade books provide a transformative journey. By integrating these stories into your teaching, you can meet curricular goals, as well as inspire students to become thoughtful, compassionate, and curious. 

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