|
|
New & Coming Soon Books for Middle Schoolers October 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dasia (Forever) by Nic StoneAfter nineteen days of induction chemotherapy, Dasia Monae Riley knows no one else should be in her hospital room... But there she is: Jameson Jimmy Jeffs. Another cancer patient who's seemingly everything Dasia is not: rich, well cared for, and a smidge childish (in Dasia's opinion). However, Dasia soon discovers that their commonalities go beyond a random, incurable disease... like older brothers who are gone, baby brothers who need them, and struggles with friends at school. As Dasia and Jimmy chat, Dasia's memories unfold in the unsent letters (read: poems) Dasia wrote to her incarcerated older brother. And over the course of one life-changing night, two girls who are at their lowest fight to keep each other uplifted. When you hit rock bottom, what does it take to survive and allow yourself to hope again? In a spin-off to the Dear Martin series, New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone delivers a heart-wrenching story of resilience, connection, and the fight to stay alive.
|
|
|
|
Tree Dog
by Margarita Engle
Climbing trees is how Tiana finds peace. Every time she touches the sky she feels strong and free. After moving from Cuba to Montreal to Florida to California, peace is something Tiana needs now more than ever. But with the summer ahead full of camping in La Sierra Nevada while her biologist parents help conduct a wildlife survey, peace seems like more and more of a distant fantasy. It's not until finding Tree Dog nestled at the top of a towering aspen that she realizes a little bit of chaos might just be worth the trouble...
|
|
|
|
Realmsweep
by H. E. Edgmon
In a fantastical version of the United States filled to the brim with magic and dragons, the tween prince of Texas must compete in a notoriously dangerous scavenger hunt.
|
|
|
|
Trunk No. 3by Allie MillingtonYou can tell a lot about a person by what they pack inside a trunk.
|
|
|
|
Rowan and Gemma
by Sally J. Pla
.Rowan Monahan has lived in the town of Friendship Prairie forever. He knows everyone, and they know him. Some folks judge him, too, for being a slow learner. But Rowan knows in his heart that he's capable of more than people think. Gemma Caplan is new in town. Back in the city, people understood she used her assistive device (AAC) to speak. But here in tiny Friendship Prairie, she's afraid she won't fit in. When Rowan and Gemma meet, they form an instant, magic bond. But just as the two are growing close, their mothers start a feud: they're running terribly nasty campaigns against each other for school board. Since their moms detest each other, Gemma and Rowan feel they must keep their connection a secret. When they're discovered and punished, Rowan and Gemma decide it's time to take a stand -- and show their families what a place called Friendship Prairie is supposed to be about.
|
|
|
|
This Is a Door
by Daniel Nayeri
A young boy, a mouse, and a dog set out to find their purpose in this fairy tale adventure told in an innovative visual format that offers a one-of-a-kind reading experience. This is the tale of a boy named Nothing the Younger, who lives in a city on the mountaintop of a far-off and long-lost country. Everyone calls him Ing, and while he has no parents, he does have two friends: a dog, P ppy, and a mouse, mOmO. When King Cyrus calls for a hero to find and defeat the Giantess ravaging the countryside, the king's son, the Wander Prince, answers the call and Ing decides to follow. Along the journey, Ing (and his friends) must traverse the Land of the Dead, survive an encounter with the terrifying wimmelworm, and discover the truth of his mother and father... so that he may find what he's been seeking all along--his best purpose. The text on each page snakes, climbs, jumps, and explodes into shapes and forms that unravel the story. This Is a Door is full of fun surprises and poignant musings that flip the classic hero's journey on its head--all in an artistic and inventive package that is a wonder to behold.
|
|
|
|
Boo!: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Fear (But Were Afraid to Ask)
by Clive Gifford
Join this fascinating thrill-ride to discover everything you ever wanted to know about fear, but were too afraid to ask. What are you afraid of? Maybe it's heights, public speaking, spiders, or the things that go bump in the night. Whatever makes your stomach flip, have you ever wondered why it affects you so much? Boo answers that question and many more. Across thirteen chapters discover: Historical figures with surprising phobias, such as Emperor Augustus and his fear of lightning. Some of the eeriest real-life hauntings ever reported, from the ghostly Roman legions of York's Treasurer's House to the vengeful spirits of Ireland's Leap Castle. The long history of telling scary stories, with tips on how to craft your own featuring insights and quotes from some of the best storytellers. How your favourite horror films work, and the techniques that make them so effective. Some of the most common modern fears, from FOMO to everyday anxiety. Clear, practical advice for identifying, managing, and overcoming your fears, helping you build confidence in day-to-day life. From the depths of the human brain to the voices from beyond the grave, and tackling the fears familiar to us all, Boo is a must-have guide to this endlessly interesting yet little understood topic. Whether you're after a dose of psychology, pop-culture, folklore, mental wellbeing tips, or just a good old-fashioned scare, this is the book for you Part history, part guidebook to the world of scary.
|
|
|
|
An Excellent Encyclopedia of Your Senses: Think You Have Just Five Senses? Think Again!
by DK
Get ready to put your senses to the ultimate test with this wildly fun visual encyclopedia, featuring a 3D illusion cover that follows your every move From sensing temperature and maintaining balance to knowing when you need to pee, your body is constantly sending messages to your brain about the world inside and around you. Backed by a leading neuroscientist, this entertaining guide breaks down complex anatomy and STEM concepts into engaging, accessible lessons. Full of quirky illustrations, fab photos, and mind-bending optical illusions, kids aged 9-12 will uncover exactly how their brains process their surroundings. Find answers to weird and wonderful questions about the quietest place on Earth, the science of ASMR, and why some people absolutely hate broccoli. Kids will also learn what part culture plays in the way they literally see the world, and how, in turn, their personality, thoughts, and relationships are shaped by the way they perceive their surroundings.
|
|
|
|
Last One Picked
by Audrey Meeker
Will Annabeth learn to enjoy volleyball, or will she be left at the mercy of a sport she never wanted to play?
|
|
|
|
Fast Break
by Shawn Pryor
Growing up is a team effort in Fast Break, a contemporary middle-grade graphic novel about hoops, family, and friendship.
|
|
|
|
Game on: (A Graphic Novel)
by Sina Grace
Being an all-american boy means a few things: hanging out with the cool kids, looking the part, and of course, staying up to date on all the newest video games. Too bad life has other plans in book one of this hilarious and poignant graphic novel series debut about friends, family, and celebrating Persian American culture. Delightful and heartfelt. -- Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese Sasan has middle school figured out: cool friends, decent grades, and enough of an allowance to hang out on the weekends. The only thing that seems to trip him up is balancing his mom's Persian culture with his goal to be just like everyone else. When all the other boys start playing the latest video game, Sasan realizes his hold on fitting in is slipping right through his fingers. Determined to not stand out for the wrong reasons, Sasan goes to his mom. She's happy to help but she wants something in return: Sasan has to do the one thing he's been avoiding for years--learn Farsi.
|
|
|
|
Mixed Signals: A Graphic Novel (Mixed Feelings #2): Volume 2
by Sara Amini
Getting thrown for a loop What is the best part of seventh grade? A: The cutest boy in school messages you on AIM. B: You've made the volleyball team and nailed your drama club audition. C: Your parents recognize how responsible you are and treat you like an adult. D: SIKE None of this turns out the way you expect it to Seventh grade started out strong, but now Sara is struggling... Because of her volleyball schedule, she may not be cast in the play. And due to her commitment to drama club, she could be benched during the big game. To make matters worse, her crush only seems to talk to her when he needs help in math class. And to top it off, her parents pick and choose when to treat her like a kid or a grown-up.Sara's finding herself caught in a strange in-between space. Is she an actress or an athlete? A crush or a calculator? An adolescent or an adult? With so many mixed signals, will Sara ever be able to find her place?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|