BookRank
Where to start

Middle grade books to read

Not sure which middle grade books to read? We ranked 144 of them using 125,025 reader ratings; the average is 8.0/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, and classics.

If you read only one, make it The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (8.6/10). If you prefer a series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians starts with The Lightning Thief.

Start here

Three middle grade books that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.

  1. The HobbitJ. R. R. Tolkien · 1937 · 310 pages8.6/10 · 8,321 ratingsMiddle Earth · book 1 of 3
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneJ. K. Rowling · 1997 · 303 pages8.6/10 · 11,902 ratingsHarry Potter · book 1 of 8
  3. Where the Sidewalk EndsShel Silverstein · 1974 · 176 pages8.6/10 · 1,051 ratings

Short reads: under 300 pages

For a weekend or a commute. 67 of the rated middle grade books are this short; these score best.

  1. Winnie-the-PoohA. A. Milne · 1926 · 159 pages8.4/10 · 511 ratingsWinnie-the-Pooh series · book 1 of 2
  2. Falling UpShel Silverstein · 1996 · 176 pages8.3/10 · 169 ratings
  3. Dealing with DragonsPatricia Wrede · 1990 · 223 pages8.2/10 · 261 ratingsEnchanted Forest Chronicles · book 1 of 4
  4. PetAkwaeke Emezi · 208 pages8.1/10 · 157 ratings

Series worth starting

The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.

  1. The Lightning ThiefRick Riordan · 2005 · 384 pages8.2/10 · 4,133 ratingsPercy Jackson & the Olympians · book 1 of 7 · Reading order →
  2. The Amulet of SamarkandJonathan Stroud · 2003 · 462 pages8.0/10 · 583 ratingsBartimaeus Sequence · book 1 of 4 · Reading order →
  3. Howl's Moving CastleDiana Wynne Jones · 1986 · 455 pages8.3/10 · 1,213 ratingsHowl’s Moving Castle series · book 1 of 3 · Reading order →
  4. My Side of the MountainJean Craighead George · 1959 · 177 pages8.1/10 · 198 ratingsMountain · book 1 of 3 · Reading order →

Classics from before 1976

Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.

  1. A Christmas CarolCharles Dickens · 1843 · 116 pages8.1/10 · 1,402 ratings
  2. Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryRoald Dahl · 1964 · 176 pages8.1/10 · 1,416 ratings
  3. The Secret GardenFrances Hodgson Burnett · 1912 · 216 pages8.0/10 · 1,189 ratings
  4. The Railway ChildrenEdith Nesbit · 1906 · 168 pages7.9/10 · 97 ratings

Liked this? Try that

Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.

If you likedtry
EragonChristopher PaoliniMore like this in “Find a book” →RedwallBrian Jacques · 8.0/10
The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesSuzanne CollinsMore like this in “Find a book” →UnWindNeal Shusterman · 8.0/10
Artemis FowlEoin ColferMore like this in “Find a book” →The Amulet of SamarkandJonathan Stroud · 8.0/10
Howl's Moving CastleDiana Wynne JonesMore like this in “Find a book” →Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneJ. K. Rowling · 8.6/10

How long are the rated middle grade books?

Under 300 pages67
300–499 pages48
500 pages or more18

133 of 144 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: under 300 pages.

Narrow it down with “Find a book”

“Find a book” holds 81 middle grade books. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:

Middle grade books in a series51Standalone middle grade books30Short middle grade books (under 220 pages)38Middle grade books, mood: adventurous52Middle grade books with a film or series14Award-winning middle grade books13
All middle grade books in “Find a book” →

Questions readers ask

What middle grade books should I read first?

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien: 8.6/10 from 8,321 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Where the Sidewalk Ends.

What is a good middle grade book under 300 pages?

Winnie-the-Pooh (159 pages, 8.4/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.

Which middle grade book series should I start?

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: begin with The Lightning Thief, the first of 7 books. The reading order page lists every volume.

How are these books chosen?

Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.

Go further

Other genres: where to start

Young adultChildren’s booksBooks to read →