As a former children’s librarian, I have spent many hours around children’s literature, and have picked my favorites over the years. Since children’s literature is a very broad subject, I am limiting this list to middle grade fiction-or books that are written for grades 4-6ish. I would like to say these are in no particular order, but that would be lying. The first book is my favorite. The rest, it depends on the day. How many of these have you read?
Gone-Away Lake
by Elizabeth Enright
This Newbery Honor title published in 1957 has been a favorite of mine since around 1999, when I first read it in a book club between fourth and fifth grade. I fell in love with not only the story but the easy summer vibe. One of the things that I think makes Gone-Away Lake such a special book is that it’s told from the point of view of a young girl who can hold her own with the boys and likes exploring! This book is about friendship and adventure, and is a great story especially if you have children of multiple ages all wanting to read the same story. It also has beautiful pen illustrations interspersed throughout!
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
by Betty MacDonald
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was one of my early favorites. The titular character lives in a house built 100% upside-down, and is extremely knowledgeable about children despite having none of her own. All of the parents call her to help them with their poorly behaved kids, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle happily obliges. Each chapter is a separate child with a separate “cure” which makes this book great for bedtime reading-as each problem gets resolved at the end of the chapter. One of my favorite cures is the “Won’t Take a Bath Cure”, where Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle instructs the parents to let the little girl get as dirty as she wants, and then secretly plant radish seeds into the dirt while she sleeps. We can all guess what happens next.
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
Winner of the 1979 Newbery Medal, The Westing Game was my first real introduction to mystery books. I mean, I had read Nancy Drew, but I wasn’t invested in solving the case the same way. I really love how all the clues are laid out for you if you pay enough attention. I love that Raskin shows a wide range of ages and races, with the protagonist being a tomboyish girl named Turtle. Some people have put this book in the ‘didn’t age well’ pile, but I firmly disagree. The characters do have prejudices, and do make assumptions of others, but that’s just it. It’s the characters making the assumptions not the author. And throughout the short read, these characters learn to overcome their prejudices, learn from their mistakes, and become better people.
When Stars are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Moving away from books published well before I was born, When Stars are Scattered is a semi-autobiographical fictionalization of Omar Mohamed and his brother Hassan’s time in a Kenyan Refugee Camp. Published in 2020, it’s also a graphic novel, which makes a topic that could easily be depressing and overwhelming much more palatable for young readers. While this title is much longer than the previous ones, its format makes up for the size. With beautiful illustrations, and an even more beautiful message, When Stars are Scattered will pull at the heartstrings of all who read it.
In My Father’s House
by Ann Rinaldi
While only mentioned one time on this list, Ann Rinaldi was, hands down, my favorite author during my middle grade years. A historical fiction writer whose main characters were always young women, her stories spoke to the budding historian in me to learn more about American history. In My Father’s House follows Oscie Mason through the entire Civil War. Oscie is a proud southern girl who knows little about the politics that are about to change her life. A beautiful coming of age story, I will always have a copy of this title on my bookshelf.
Jenn V. Reads 