18 Books for a Middle School Classroom Library

One of the toughest parts of teaching middle school English is choosing which books to recommend to each reader. In this age group, reading ability AND student maturity vary widely. Further, adults tend to disagree about which books are "appropriate" for middle school, so YA fiction with mature content can be risky.

In this post, 17 teachers have each recommended at least one novel that is addictive and appropriate for middle school.

• Addictive: Not all of these will have constant explosions and a frenetic plot pace, but these novels are ones that a typical middle schooler won't abandon because it's "too slow". 

• Appropriate: As much as we teachers want to resist censorship, sometimes in middle school we may have a reason to exert caution about the books we put in a student's hands. For example, maybe the parent is protective, the school's policy is conservative, or that student isn't emotionally in a good place to be reading that book. THUS, we teachers have to know some PG or PG-13 titles to recommend. 

NOTE: Some of the books below are more appropriate for 8th than 6th. Always use your judgment regarding what is best for your classroom. 

We hope you enjoy this list! To see the FULL book talk for each novel, click on the hyperlink of the teacher's username who recommended it.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

1.  Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Recommended by @secondarysara

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

2. Things That Surprise You by Jennifer Maschari

Recommended by @secondarysara

View it on Amazon

3. Walking Home by Eric Walters

Recommended by @addiewilliams_tpt

View it on Amazon

4. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Recommended by @nouvelle_ela

View it on Amazon

5. Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Recommended by @hansonhallway

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

6. Ghost & Patina by Jason Reynolds

Recommended by @2peasandadog

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

7. Something in Between by Melissa De La Cruz

Recommended by @toocoolformiddleschool

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

8. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Recommended by @mrsspanglerinthemiddle

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

9. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Recommended by @studyallknight

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

10. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Recommended by @missbertels_

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

11. The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

Recommended by @prestoplans

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Recommended by @thesuperheroteacher

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

13. The Madman of Piney Woods and Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Recommended by @helloteacherlady

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

14. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Recommended by @thedaringenglishteacher

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

15. Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai

Recommended by @theliterarymaven

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

16. Refugee by Alan Gratz

Recommended by @readitwriteitlearnit

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

17. Slider by Pete Hautman

Recommended by @literarysherri

View it on Amazon

18. Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds

Recommended by @kelseynhayesblog

View it on Amazon and Common Sense Media

What other books do you suggest?

Tell us in the comments!