Middle Reader Book Suggestions

Margaret & the Moth Tree

Local Authors!

By Brit & Kari Trogen

The Concerned Ladies Club (a name we loved) sends Margaret to the Hopeton Orphanage, where things are not as Margaret had hoped. In an orphanage with a hateful Matron, Margaret and the rest of the dregs (what Miss Switch calls the orphans) must try and endure life's cruelties. But then, Margaret makes a small, new friend and things begin to look up. This book has been very accurately described as a cross between A Series of Unfortunate Events and Charlotte's Web; it has the dark humour of Lemony Snicket's work, but at the heart of this story is the power of friendship. We confess that the touching and uplifting end had us tearing up.

The Dagger Quick

By Brian Eames

We're hoping everyone is going to pick up this truly spectacular pirate adventure! After losing his father, a young man named Kitto must sail the world in order to save himself and his brother and mother. Despite his club foot, he goes in search of a great treasure and winds up growing into both a man and a hero by the end of the story. Heroism, danger, and more swashbuckle than any book has a right to have. Not to be missed!!

The Cabinet of Curiosities

By Paul Dowswell

Adventurous historical fiction in the city of Prague. Inspired by Guiseppe Arcimboldo's famous fruit and vegetable portrait of Rudolphe II, author Paul Dowswell attempts to show us a glimpse into the weird and wonderful, and tolerant and open-minded, culture of Prague in 1598. Lukas is a young man who has been summoned to work for Emperor Rudolph II and to help him with his Cabinet of Curiosities. Admidst the eccentricities of both the collection and the man, Lukas senses that danger is afoot.

This Can't be Happening at Macdonald Hall

By Gordon Korman

The novel that launched Gordon Korman's career is now being reissued for a new generation of fans! Bruno and Boots are always in trouble. So the headmaster, a.k.a. "The Fish," decides it would be best to separate them. Bruno must now room with ghoulish Elmer Drimsdale, plus his plants, goldfish and ants. And Boots is stuck with nerdy, preppy, paranoid George Wexford-Smyth III. Of course, this means war. Because Bruno and Boots are determined to get their old room back, no matter what it takes. And the skunk is only the beginning...

The Big Splash

By Jack Ferraiolo

Matt, a young but hardened detective sits in the dark basement of his apartment building, with his reporter friend dropping by with news hot off press, while dames and mob bosses pressure him to sniff out the criminal. The “mob boss” is a previously bullied kid who decides to take control of his situation by turning the school ground into a place where he and his empire control everything. Someone crosses him and one of his men either gets rough with that person, or gets a squirt gun of yellow liquid to the pants. The bullied become the bullies. We get into the story at a time where even though everyone knows the targets have not actually wet their pants, it’s the symbolism that matters – once you are squirted, you are on the Outs and no one will speak to you.When someone unexpected gets squirted, it’s up to Matt to figure out whoddunnit.

Horton Halfpott

By Tom Angleberger

Just to let readers know, there are many addendums to the title of this book. It may also be known as "The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor" or as "The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset." This little book is very well written, contains great turns of phrase, and is also full of laughs and craziness. It all starts when one fateful morning, M'Lady Luggertuck's decides she doesn't need to tighten her corset quite so much, and then continues to decide that all these rules and regulations are for suckers. Shelves go undusted! Lunch is lukewarm! Amidst the madness, an heirloom goes missing and everyone begins to suspect honest Horton Halfpott. Could the lowly kitchen boy who never lies be a thief? Find out in this quirky mystery.

Small Persons With Wings

By Ellen Booraem

Mellie Turpin once declared to her kindergarten class that she had a fairy living in her bedroom. But when she wants to bring him to show and tell, he gets very offended and leaves Mellie forever, leaving Mellie to be mocked for her belief in fairies. Years later, Mellie is still trying to recover socially from being the weird fairy girl. So when they move into her grandfather's house in a new town, she is convinced she will be able to put the fairy business behind her. But when the basement is found to be full of fairies, she discovers that she and her family are part of a long line of fairy-caretakers, who must care for fairies even when they are being very annoying. Mellie goes down the not-so-smooth road to overcoming her social awkwardness after years of being a loner and learns what it takes to be a good friend while duking it out with magical creatures.This book has great characters, lots of laughs, a fabulous family mystery and is a must-read for anyone who really believes that fairies are among us.

Season of Secrets

By Sally Nichols

Molly and Hannah have just lost their mother, and while Dad "figures things out," they're sent to stay with their grandparents in a quiet country town. A new home. A new school. A new set of kids who think Hannah is mean and Molly is too much of a dreamer. And the girls aren't sure when, or even if, their dad will be back for them. Then Molly makes an unexpected friend, and magical things start to happen. Her friend can make a flower blossom in the palm of his hand; he can make a sapling grow in the dead of winter. This a beautiful story of grief, loss, beauty and recovery. We highly recommend it.