Middle grade books are generally considered to be books written for readers ages eight to twelve, falling somewhere between children's literature and YA. In 2017, there were plenty of middle grade books published, and we've selected some of our favorites for our Best Books for Kids list. Some took on real life figures like Jackie Robinson. Others were distinctly fantastical. All are great choices for the growing reader in your life. Have other middle grade reads you love? Make sure to share them in the comment section below.

42 Is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American Hero by Doreen Rappaport
A fun, fast read that gives deeper insight into the background and motivation of the groundbreaking icon.

American Pharoah: Triple Crown Champion by Shelley Fraser Mickle
Racehorse history is made in this winning book that gives an insider's view of a whole team that raised a champion.

Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank
Brought together by desegregation in the 1970s, two middle-schoolers unexpectedly form a friendship in this heartfelt and comical coming of age story.

Bats: Learning to Fly by Falynn Koch
A fast-paced introduction to the world of bats, perfect for those who love science along with their laughs.

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk 
Curious and loving Crow is determined to discover the truth about her birth, but will her search lead the family and home she loves into danger? Higher-level readers will appreciate the engaging and atmospheric writing.

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner and translated by Joe Johnson
What's a fox to do when he can't catch a chicken for dinner? Hatch his own, of course! But this is a lot harder than he thought, especially when they think he is Mom.

The End of the Wild by Nicole Helget
Will fracking destroy Fern’s beloved forest, or will it bring industry back to a tired town? In clear, heartfelt prose, this narrative raises difficult questions and offers no easy answers.

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
A new crush, an ailing abuela, and a villainous real estate developer threaten Arturo's relaxing Miami summer.

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
Malú isn't the señorita Mom wants her to be. But a new school and new friends push the boundaries of her creativity and redefine her world.

Fish Girl by David Wiesner & Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by David Wiesner
A budding friendship helps a young mermaid test the boundaries of her manmade prison.

Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter
With the help of their adoptive mother, two siblings go on a quest to find their origins. In the process, they learn to trust in their forever home.

The Goat by Anne Fleming
When Kid catches a glimpse of a goat on her NYC rooftop, she embarks on a quest that involves her entire quirky community, leading them to face their fears and take a leap of faith.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
A psychic, a bully, and a crush help a young Filipino boy find his inner bayani (hero).

It All Comes Down to This by Karen English
In the midst of the racial tension of 1960s Los Angeles, Sophie—a 12-year-old African American girl—grows closer to her college-bound sister as her family begins to fall apart.

The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge
In a quest to find a dimension where his mother is still alive, can the Quantum Banana Theory help Albie travel to alternate realities?

Me & Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King
As developers encroach upon his family farm, a nature-loving boy discovers a creature whose very existence threatens the environment.

The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius
Sally Jones—author, first engineer, loyal friend, and gorilla—finds herself in the middle of a page-turning mystery of daring, wit, and intrigue.

Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Simone Shin
No one but Niko understands his art, until a young girl recognizes the meaning of his abstract style. 

One Trick Pony by Nathan Hale
In a future where all technology is under attack, a robot pony may be the key to saving humanity.

Posted by John David Anderson
A sticky-note war at Branton Middle School leads students to confront the power of their words. Can Frost and his friends survive the war, or will it tear them apart?

Refugee by Alan Gratz
Alternating narratives chronicle the harrowing journeys of a Jewish boy in 1938, a Cuban girl in 1994, and a Syrian boy in 2015 as they all search for new homes.

 

The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel
Join Oona Lee and her ragtag crew as they embark on a mission to save 5 Worlds in this thoughtfully designed space opera.

Scar Island by Dan Geimenhart
After a freak accident frees them from adult supervision, boys at a reformatory school fend for themselves in this action-packed adventure about power struggles and redemption.

The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
In an alternate history of New York, three kids try to solve a modern-world puzzle and complete a treasure hunt laid into the streets and buildings of the city.

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
Two sisters, a large bear, a pair of scissors, and a whole lot of courage save an enchanted forest in this retelling of a little-known fairy tale.

Thornhill by Pam Smy
A wrenching, chilling ghost story told in two voices: one through diary entries, the other through black-and-white illustrations.

Train I Ride by Paul Mosier
Transient but meaningful relationships turn strangers into family aboard a cross-country train.

When My Sister Started Kissing by Helen Frost
Claire must deal with a summer of changes in this sweet and appealing coming-of age-novel told in verse from three distinct perspectives.

A Whisper of Horses by Zillah Bethell
In a post-apocalyptic Great Britain, after her mother's death Serendipity, about twelve, leaves Lahn Dan and teams up with an orphan, Tab, hoping to find horses surviving somewhere.

The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found by Martin Sandler
The wild tale of a 19th-century slave ship, its second life commandeered by pirates, and the quest to find its sunken remains and legendary bounty.