September 8, 2020
Top Ten Tuesday: Books For My Younger Middle-Grade Self
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: Books For My Younger Self
Is there a book you’ve read that you know you would have enjoyed when you were younger?
As an adult, I love Middle-Grade books, and I wish that the following ten middle-grade titles had been available for my younger self! (I could list more, but these came first to mind.)
What Middle-Grade books have you read that you know your younger self would have enjoyed?
One of the book series I enjoyed when I was younger was The Bobbsey Twins. This is an old copy I acquired. While some youngsters like stories about animals, adventure, or fantasy, I remember loving stories about family. Even today, I love a wonderful multi-generational family drama like A Place For Us.
I certainly wish there was more diversity available in reading material for my younger middle-grade self!
*Titles are Amazon affiliate links.
The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going
The story is inspired by Jane Austen‘s writing.
More to the Story by Hena Khan
The story is inspired by Little Women.
Merci Juarez Changes Gears
Grandfather/granddaughter friendship.
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (series) by Karina Yan Glaser
Family dynamics.
Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
Grandmother/granddaughter relationship and “found family” theme. (my brief review in this post)
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
A bit of magical realism and themes of tolerance and acceptance.
The War That Saved My Life (& sequel) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
WW11 from a child’s perspective.
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Vietnamese refugee story. (my brief review in this post)
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
Racism and prejudice through a child’s experience.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Childhood memoir. (my review here)
QOTD!
What is one book you would want your younger self to read?
Have you read any of my favorite MG books?
RELATED: Middle-Grade March
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I also have been historically reviewing my childhood. And with my autobiography completed yet to publish, my teen years are waiting. Nice work.
I absolutely love this list. Middle grade fiction has come so far and I’m glad I’m still reading it as an adult.
Thanks! And I love it too….especially the diversity! It’s my go-to if I’m in a slump or need a lighter comforting read! I love that there’s always that theme of hope! 🙌
Lovely children’s books. I really enjoyed your list. Looks a little different from my TTT.
Thanks! I’m hopping over now to look at yours!
Yes, I wish there had been more diversity in stories when I was a kid, too. I’m glad today’s kids have so many more options. It’s good for all of them.
My post .
Yes, all kids should be able to see themselves in books! I’m hopping over now to look at your post!
My daughter read several of these a couple of years ago and really loved them — especially The War that Saved My Life. These are definitely a hit with middle grade readers.
Has she read the sequel? I liked it even more! I’m happy to hear your daughter has loved a few of these! So good! Thanks for stopping in and commenting!
Yes, I think she did.
👍
I love MG books as an adult, too. When I was growing up, there just weren’t that many books out there for kids and the ones we did have weren’t anywhere near as varied and diverse as they are now. Kids these days are so lucky!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yes! So many great choices for readers today! Thanks for commenting!
Excellent list! I knew of most of these but it’s such a nice, diverse list. Well done.
Thank you so much! These are among my favorites!
Definitely checking out The Next Great Jane! It looks like just my thing!
It’s a sweet story! Enjoy! 🙌
I have never heard of any of these but they all sound like great books. Thanks for your list.
Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.
You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting!👍
Hallo, Hallo Carol,
I love the theme you took with your TTT this week! I went a different way with mine as I was participating on a special library book drive’s blog tour wherein all the stories could be for younger readers or read at different stages of a reader’s life but the overall theme of mine was to encourage everyone to read more diversely and by not limiting themselves to traditionally published stories. You can see my full list of recs and let me know if any of them whet a thirst of curiosity.
You have a lot of new authors/stories on your list for me to explore – loved how you gave the reasons why you were recommending them by theme/interest in the heart of the stories themselves!! Love that! Plus, I’ve had Woodson on my TBR for ages! The one based on Jane Austen & Little Women – those are crafty because I love seeking out sequels, retellings or after canon stories for the original stories I loved reading. Bless you for including those! The rest I must look into further and sort out which ones I can read through my libraries.
Have a very lovely week.
Thank for your lovely comment! I hope you enjoy Woodson and the Austen and Little Women inspired selections! I’ll check out your link! 🙌
I tried to get my 10 year old to read some of these books with no luck. She’s super picky, and rejects almost everything. She just reread Wimpy Kid over and over.
It’s important to let them read for joy too! I wonder if your 10 year old would like Roller Girl? It’s a newer graphic novel and I think it’s engaging!
I could try it. I’ll keep an eye out for it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504701
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