Best Middle Grade Books 2021

Across the Desert - Dusti Bowling

What if you are the only witness to a plane crash and no one believes you? Do you go and try and rescue the teenage pilot? Jolene risks everything to help.

From the publisher:
While using a public library computer to find help for her mother who is addicted to pain medicine, twelve-year-old Jolene witnesses a friend's live-streamed crash-landing in the Arizona desert and embarks on a journey to rescue her.

The Beatryce Prophecy - Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Sophie Blackwell

The most stunning of novels, about friendship, loyalty, and love. I just don’t have words for how perfect this book is.

From the publisher:
In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Gentle Brother Edik finds the girl, Beatryce, curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood, and holding fast to the ear of Answelica the goat. As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, he uncovers her dangerous secret, one that imperils them all--for the king of the land seeks just such a girl, and Brother Edik, who penned the prophecy himself, knows why.

And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories--powerful tales-within-the-tale of queens and kings, mermaids and wolves--ventures into a dark wood in search of the castle of one who wishes her dead. But Beatryce knows that, should she lose her way, those who love her--a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword, and a goat with a head as hard as stone--will never give up searching for her, and to know this is to know everything.

Clues to the Universe - Christina Li
A story of resilience and friendship with two students bonding over the loss of their fathers while working together on a science project to send rockets into space.

From the publisher:
The only thing Rosalind Ling Geraghty loves more than watching NASA launches with her dad is building rockets with him. When he dies unexpectedly, all Ro has left of him is an unfinished model rocket they had been working on together. Benjamin Burns doesn't like science, but he can't get enough of Spacebound, a popular comic book series. When he finds a sketch that suggests that his dad created the comics, he's thrilled. Too bad his dad walked out years ago, and Benji has no way to contact him. Though Ro and Benji were only supposed to be science class partners, the pair become unlikely friends: Benji helps Ro finish her rocket, and Ro figures out a way to reunite Benji and his dad. But Benji hesitates, which infuriates Ro.

Finding Junie Kim - Ellen Oh

Junie Kim is bullied every day and she doesn’t know what to do. When her grandparents tell her stories of what happened to them during the Korean War she is able to find a way to deal with her own tough situation. I loved learning more about the Korean War in this book.

From the publisher:
A tale based on true events follows the coming-of-age of a girl who is motivated by an act of racism at school to learn about her ancestral heritage and her grandparents' experiences as lost children during the Korean War.

The Genius Under the Table - Eugene Yelchin

The true story of Yelchin’s childhood growing up in the Soviet Union where anyone could be a spy for the government, even your own family. Told with humor and with his signature quirky illustrations.

From the publisher:
Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents' dream that he become a national hero when he doesn't even have his own room? He's not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything.

Ground Zero - Alan Gratz

Dual stories from the World Trade Center on 9/11 and present day Afghanistan that are woven together in an unforgettable way. Details from 9/11 will be difficult for some to read. I couldn’t put this one down.

From the publisher:
Brandon is visiting his dad on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 when the attack comes; Reshmina is a girl in Afghanistan who has grown up in the aftermath of that attack but dreams of peace, becoming a teacher and escaping her village and the narrow role that the Taliban believes is appropriate for women--both are struggling to survive, both changed forever by the events of 9/11.

Paper Heart - Cat Patrick

For those who loved Tornado Brain [this would be me], this is a continuation of twins Frankie and Tess’ story, told from Tess’ perspective. Tess just wants to be seen and heard for herself, without worrying about Frankie and her needs. Just once.

From the publisher:
Companion to: Tornado brain. Mere months after her best friend's death, thirteen-year-old Tess spends a summer with family in Wyoming, making friends at art camp while being haunted by Colette and her own anxieties.

Red, White, and Whole - Rajani LaRocca

A novel-in-verse about finding your true home, friendship, identity, and unconditional love. I cried so hard with this one. Beautiful.

From the publisher:
Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she's the only Indian American student, and home, with her family's traditions and holidays. But Reha's parents don't understand why she's conflicted--they only notice when Reha doesn't meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked--Reha means 'star' and Punam means 'moon'--but they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can't stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She'll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma's life.

The Sea in Winter - Christine Day

When ballet dancing is your life, what happens when an injury prevents you from dancing? This is the story of how Maisie finds strength to move forward from unexpected places.

From the publisher:
After an injury sidelines her dreams of becoming a ballet star, Maisie is not excited for her blended family's midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up.

Starfish - Lisa Fipps

A story of one girl’s struggle to use her words and express herself to own her rightful space in this world. Heartbreaking and essential reading.

From the publisher:
Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules--like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." And she's found her safe space--her swimming pool--where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It's also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life--by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

Unsettled - Reem Faruqi

Does living in a new country mean that you have lost the ability to stand up for yourself? A lush and beautiful novel in verse.

From the publisher:
When her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah's accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts. And in the water Nurah doesn't want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais'who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates. Ultimately Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and find her place.