The Top Summer Reading List For Middle Schoolers

Summer is the perfect season to encourage reading in your home. If you are homeschooling a child in the middle years, this summer reading list for middle schoolers has everything you need for a wonderful summer of reading.

The Ultimate Summer Reading List For Middle School Students

This year, we asked Sonlight families to share all of their favorite books for summer reading. As always, please review any book recommendations yourself and confirm they are in-line with your family's beliefs and needs.

Take a look at all the amazing books we have on our list and download a printable PDF copy below!

Titles that are part of a series are indicated with an asterisk (*). See below for the complete list of series recommended by Sonlight families.

Sonlight Titles Recommended By Parents For Summer Reading

Many of the top book recommendations from homeschooling parents were the very same titles we use as part of Sonlight’s literature-based approach to learning. It’s no surprise that these highly recommended books are among the very best for middle school readers.

• City Spies*
• Cosmic
• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library*
• Ginger Pye*
• Mara, Daughter of the Nile
• Rules
• The Adventures and the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
• The Giver
• The Horse and His Boy*
• The Phantom Tollbooth
• The Unteachables
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street*
• The War that Saved My Life*
• The Wednesday Wars
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

The Top Books Recommended By Parents Of Middle School Readers

These are just a few suggestions, of course. There are many great books out there to choose from, so find something that interests you and enjoy your summer reading!

This list of highly recommended titles has everything your middle schooler needs for a fabulous summer of reading. 

• American Murderer: The Parasite that Haunted the South (Medical Fiascoes)
• Anne of Green Gables
• A Little Princess
• A Monster Like Me
• A Place to Hang the Moon
• A Tangle of Knots
• Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows
• Birdie's Bargain
• Bronze & Sunflower
• Circus Mirandus
• Dumb Witness
• Enchanted Glass
• Esperanza Rising
• Everything Sad is Untrue: A True Story
• Explorer Academy: the Nebula Secret*
• Framed*
• Half Magic*
• Hatchet*
• Hazardous Tales
• Heart of a Samurai
• Howl's Moving Castle*
• Island of the Blue Dolphins*
• Little Women
• My Lisbeth, My Loretta, My Mercy: A Christmas Novel
• My Own Lighting
• My Side of the Mountain
• Nessie Quest
• Nowhere Boy
• Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes*
• Preacher's Boy
• Princess Academy*
• Princess Ben
• Seacrow Island
• Secret of the Shark Pit*
• Spirit Fighter*
• Stormbreaker*
• SummerHill Secrets*
• Summer of the Monkeys
• Sweet Home Alaska
• The Bark of the Bog Owl*
• The Beggar’s Bible
• The City of Ember*
• The Doll People*
• The Green Ember*
• The Guardian Herd: Starfire*
• The Faithful Spy
• The First Fowler*
• The Hobbit
• The Last Archer*
• The Lord of the Rings
• The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
• The Mysterious Benedict Society*
• The Secret Keepers
• The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods
• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
• The Wild Robot*
• The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor*
• The Yearling
• Thrilling Escapes by Night
• Treasure of Green Knowe
• Treasures of the Snow
• Trial by Poison*
• Tuck Everlasting
• Two Peas in a Pod*
• Where the Red Fern Grows
• Winnie's Great War
• Wolf Hollow
• Wonder
• Words on Fire

A Place to Hang the Moon is, by far, the best kids book I’ve read in a long time. — G. Family Sonlighters

Keeper of the Lost Cities is one of my favorite series of all time! It's action-packed with an incredible heroine, and full of heart amidst the epic cast of characters and jaw-dropping plot twists. It's 9 full books and a novella so far and still going, so it makes a great summer reading series for both boys and girls ages 10+ (but adults and teens can also enjoy it!) — M. Family Sonlighters

Book Series For Middle School Readers

Does your child have a favorite author? Summer is a great time to tackle an entire series. These multi-book series recommendations are perfect for your middle school reader.

• Alex Rider (12 book series)
• Anatomy (8 books)
• Brian's Saga (5 book series)
• Christian Heroes: Then & Now (48 books)
• Chronicles of Narnia (7 book series)
• City Spies (4 book series)
• Crown and Covenant Series (3 book series)
• Dragons in Our Midst (4 book series)
• Explorer Academy (7 book series)
• Five Kingdoms (5 book series)
• Framed! (3 book series)
• Green Ember Archer (3 book series)
• Howl's Castle (3 book series)
• Island of the Blue Dolphins (2 book series)
• Keeper of the Lost Cities (9 book series)
• Little House on the Prairie (9 book series)
• Mr. Lemoncello's Library (5 book series)
• Patricia St John Series
• Pegasus (6 book series)
• Peter and the Starcatchers (5 book series)
• Peter Nimble Adventure (2 book series)
• Princess Academy (3 book series)
• Son of Angels, Jonah Stone (4 book series)
• Summerhill Secrets (2 book series)
• Tales of Magic (7 book series)
• The City of Ember (4 book series)
• The Doll People (4 book series)
• The Green Ember Series (4 book series)
• The Gryphon Chronicles (8 book series)
• The Guardian Herd Series (4 book series)
• The Ladd Family Adventure Series
• The Mysterious Benedict Society (4 book series)
• The Pyes (2 book series)
• The Tillerman Cycle (7 book series)
• The Vanderbeekers (7 book series)
• The War That Saved My Life Series (2 book series)
• The Wilderking Trilogy (3 book series)
• The Wingfeather Saga (4 book series)
• Whatever After (15 book series)
• Wild Robot (3 book series)
• Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour (2 book series)

And the #1 most recommended books/series for middle school students...

Make The Most Of Your Middle Schooler's Summer Reading

Now that you've selected some amazing books, here are some tips for making the most of your child's summer reading:

• Set aside some time each day to read. Even if it's just for 30 minutes, making a commitment to read every day is a wonderful way to keep summer reading on track.
• Find new places to comfortably read. This could be your child's favorite chair with a cozy blanket, at the beach, or in your backyard. Encourage your middle schooler to find a place that is all their own.
• Help your child try new things. For example, if they always read read fiction, try encouraging them to try reading a non-fiction book this summer, or vice versa.
• Schedule a regular trip to your local library. Your child will find new books to read, have access to reading clubs for kids, and can borrow audiobooks and e-books for summer reading.
• Free summer reading programs are available online and in many commuities. Both for kids and adults, free summer reading programs are a great way to stay motivated all summer long!

There are are best recommendations for middle school summer reading. Looking for other ages as well? Check out our complementary guides for elementary and high school readers.