The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (2019) by Dan Gemeinhart

Told from a girl’s point of view, this mid-grade novel deals with a parent and child also dealing with unresolved grief and finding new friends in creative, outlandish ways.

• The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise on SuperSummary

Hello Universe (2020) by Erin Entrada Kelly 2020

This illustrated mid-grade novel touches on several pertinent elements of Middle School, including students with disabilities, friendless preteens, dealing with bullies, and accepting outside help.

• Hello Universe on SuperSummary

Restart (2018) by Gordon Korman

This mid-grade novel concerns a former bully who wakes up from a head injury with amnesia and cannot understand why fellow students fear and loathe him; he struggles to create a new life while dealing with the leftover debts of his previous wrongdoings.

• Restart on SuperSummary

Finding the Magic in Middle School (2022) by Chris Balme

Describing middle school children as the “ultimate underdogs,” the author presents a handbook for transforming the often painful tween years into an age of empowerment.