Even though both of our kids can read to themselves we still take the time to read to them before bed. I really enjoy this quieter time together. It is a time when they ask questions before bed and calms everyone down for a good sleep.
When I transitioned my tween from reading pictures books to chapter books I started with the Harry Potter series. I have read it multiple times myself but it was great to read it with her start to finish. Yes there were complaints of no pictures but that is when I stress to use your imagination!
Once we were done Harry Potter where did we go from there? Some stories have been forgettable but these 5 books I really enjoyed reading with my tween.
- Aru Shah and the End of Time– Aru Shah has two books in the series (with a third on the way). At the time I am writing this we are three quarters through the second book. Rick Riordan is known for his stories bringing Greek Mythology into modern time for teens. Roshani Chokshi is doing the same for Indian mythology. I find the stories really fast paced and fun. Growing up in Canada we have alot more exposure to Greek and Roman mythological stories but the Indian stories are all new. We follow Aru as she finds out that she has the reincarnated soul of one of the Pandava Brothers and what that means after she causes the mysterious Sleeper to escape her mother’s Museum in book one. If you like magical quests than you will like the Aru Shah series.
- The Lunar Chronicles – What if Cinderella wasn’t a beautiful blonde girl but a cyborg mechanic from the future? What if Little Red Riding hood was a farm girl in France and the wolf was a genetically enhanced super solider from the moon? A bunch of the classic fairy tales you know have been re-imagined in this series including the ones mentioned as well as Rapunzel and Snow White. There is tyranny and conspiracy to over come and a rebellion against the Evil Lunar Queen. Full confession I read this series on my own before I read it with my tween daughter. And she loved it as much as I did.
- The Fog Diver – This is another dystonia novel with the setting in the highest elevations in the world. The fog, which is actually full of nanites has taken over the world. Kids are sent to dive down into the fog to salvage what is left over from civilization. There is an evil dictator type and a rag tag group of kids trying to get to a better world. We also have the follow up novel to get through in this series.
- Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic – In this novel time has broken down where the past, present and future coexist. Dinosaurs and robots live amongst cultures from throughout history. But there are those that want to reset time and are fighting against those who know that they can’t go back. Diego is trying to rescue his father before something terrible happens. We are anxiously awaiting the second book! Also the author is also an award winning artist so this is a great book for kids who still want to see some pictures.
- Time Castaways: The Mona Lisa Key – Unlike Timeless where history is coexisting in the present, the kids in Timeless go on a time travel adventure. Time pirates and a ship that can turn into anything you need depending on the time you are in and a mystery of the Hudson family makes this a must read. This is another one that is a trilogy. We have the second book on our nightstand.
If you are buying tweens books for Christmas these should all be on your radar. They are great to read together or your tween to read on their own.
I should throw a 6th series in for good measure and this one is written by Neil Patrick Harris (yes NPH has a book series for middle graders). The Magic Misfits is another one we have been reading. My daughter actually took this one to school to read on her own but we have read the first book together. It is a fun read, the tone is lighter than a few of the ones on the main list. Again mysteries to solve and this isn’t Harry Potter magic but stage magic that is at the center of the series.
Have you got any books to recommend for middle graders?