Holiday Gift Guide #2

Middle grade books every reader needs

Don’t be fooled by the category, middle grade books are for everyone. I whole heartedly stand by this statement. Middle grade authors are the unsung heroes of the literary world. The good ones are masters at taking complex emotions or real-life situations and present them in a story that is custom catered to fragile developing minds, using carefully crafted words to gently hold the young reader’s hands through the process. Which is why these are often books that stand the test of time and are long held on pedestals in our adult reader’s hearts.

Oddly enough, I found this category the hardest to pick just 5 books for this gift guide. There are far too many that I hold dear. In fact, I changed the line up about 7 times in the last week as I prepared to sit down and create this post. But here they are, at least in this exactly moment, the five middle grade stories that will forever hold the warmest place in my heart.

1. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

If you’re a fan of middle grade fiction already or have kids you’re picking books out for you already know about Kate DiCamillo from her long list of amazing titles. Tale of Despereaux tells the tale of a tiny mouse living in a castle who falls in love with the princess and speaks to her. As speaking to the humans is forbidden, Despereaux is sent to the dungeons to die. What follows is an intricate fairy tale weaving themes of love, loss, desperation, and honor. The Tale of Despereaux won the Newbery Award in 2004 and has been one my favorite books to read chapter by chapter aloud to my kids each night before bed.

2. Matilda by Roald Dahl

I have forever been a fan of Roald Dahl and Matilda was the first chapter book I ever read by myself. Matilda Wormwood has always been an iconic character for me. She’s smart, book loving, and finds out that she has magical powers. What’s not to love for any grade school girl trying to find their place in a large confusing world. While I have gone on to read and fall in love with just about Roald Dahl’s entire catalog, Matilda has always been a first love.

3. The Girl who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This book is a beautiful story that made me fall hopelessly in love with Kelly Barnhill’s writing. The story contains a witch, a swamp monster, a tiny dragon, an orphan overflowing with uncontrolled magic, hidden secrets, and a brave man determined to save his people. This reads like the most fantastic of fairy tales and I have loved this book so much I’ve already bought more than one copy for myself and gifted many others. Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal, The Girl who Drank the Moon will forever be story held close to my heart.

4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Honestly, I don’t think that this book needs much explaining. The winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, A Wrinkle in Time has been a favorite story for generations and I don’t think any kid should grow up without being introduced to Meg, Calvin, Charles Wallace and the perfectly strange Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which who take them on a time traveling adventure to save Meg’s father and stop an evil force spreading across the universe. As an avid fantasy and science fiction reader for most of my life, I can honestly say that A Wrinkle in Time was the science fiction gateway for how I read today.

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Yet another Newbery Medal winner (are you sensing a trend here?) The Giver is actually not a book that I read when I was in the middle grade age myself. When I did pick it up as a young mom, I realized quickly that had I read this book in grade school, the deeper meaning of the book would have rolled right over the top of my head. And while I’m well aware that this happens with so many stories, appreciation growing as you get older and wiser, I do believe that The Giver came to me when I was ready and needed it. This is a book everyone needs to read at some point in their life.