11 Classic Middle Grade Books We Should Still Teach
Title: Charlotte’s Web
Author: E.B. White
Summary: The timeless tale of a friendship between a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur, who together try to save Wilbur from becoming the farmer’s dinner.
Title: The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C.S. Lewis
Summary: This fantasy series takes readers to the magical land of Narnia, where children go on exciting adventures, meet talking animals, and battle evil forces.
Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Summary: Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe set off on a journey through space and time to rescue Meg’s father from an evil presence.
Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Summary: In a seemingly perfect dystopian society, a young boy named Jonas discovers the disturbing truth hidden beneath the surface and embarks on a mission to bring change.
Title: Matilda
Author: Roald Dahl
Summary: Matilda Wormwood is a young girl with exceptional intelligence and telekinetic powers who uses her abilities to stand up against her neglectful parents and oppressive headmistress.
Title: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Author: Scott O’Dell
Summary: Based on a true story, this novel follows the adventures of Karana, a Native American girl who is stranded alone on an island and must survive using her wits and resourcefulness.
Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Summary: After the orphaned Mary Lennox discovers a hidden garden, she brings it back to life and, in the process, seeks solace and healing from her own troubled past.
Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katherine Paterson
Summary: Jesse Aarons forms a deep friendship with Leslie Burke, and together they create an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia, where they escape the challenges of their real lives.
Title: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Summary: Stanley Yelnats is sent to a juvenile detention center, where he and his fellow inmates are forced to dig holes every day. Through this experience, Stanley uncovers a hidden treasure and learns valuable life lessons.
Title: The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster
Summary: Milo embarks on a whimsical journey through a magical tollbooth and discovers the power of words and knowledge in a fantastical and pun-filled world.
Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Summary: Percy Jackson finds out he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and goes on a quest to prevent a war among the Greek gods while facing mythical creatures and solving puzzles.