There comes a moment in every young reader’s life—somewhere between the ages of ten and fourteen, when the world of picture books has grown rather too small—when one is ready for stories of genuine consequence. Adventures that quicken the pulse. Characters who feel as real as one’s own best friend. Books that, once finished, leave one staring at the ceiling, wondering how such magnificence could exist between two covers.
This, dear reader, is that reading list.
Whether you seek magic that crackles through ancient castles, heroes who discover extraordinary destinies, or tales of courage that shall stay with you forever, these are the very finest books for advanced middle grade readers in 2025 and 2026. Each has been chosen with the utmost care, for there is nothing quite so important as placing exactly the right book into exactly the right hands at exactly the right moment.
Shall we begin?
The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown
Here is a truth that must be told: if you have ever dreamed of adventure upon the high seas, of sword fights and daring escapes, of proving yourself against all odds when the world insists you cannot—then The Wendy is the book you have been waiting for.
This is not your grandmother’s Peter Pan (though grandmothers shall love it equally well). Set in 1780s England, it reimagines the classic tale with Wendy Darling as the hero she was always meant to be. An orphan with dreams of becoming a ship captain in an age when women were expected to dream only of matrimony and motherhood, Wendy trains in secret—learning navigation, swordplay, and marksmanship—until she joins England’s covert Home Office to battle the mysterious Everlost.
The writing sparkles with wit and charm, narrated in a style that echoes classic fairy tales while remaining wonderfully fresh. Wendy herself is fierce yet tender, clever yet kind, with expressive eyebrows and a mouth that hides a secret kiss depending on her mood. Captain Hook proves a deliciously complicated adversary, and Peter Pan himself remains gloriously unpredictable.
Reviewers have called it “better than the original” and “a classic in its own right.” One reader declared, “I stayed up until 4:40 in the morning because I simply could not stop.” Another noted it was “the best YA fiction I’ve read in years.” The complete trilogy—The Wendy, The Navigator, and The Captain—is now available, so you needn’t wait for the adventure to continue.
For readers aged 10-14 who crave strong heroines, swashbuckling adventure, and magic that tastes like pickles, this is perfection itself.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson was having a perfectly ordinary terrible day—expelled from yet another school, certain that his ADHD and dyslexia meant something was fundamentally wrong with him—when he discovered the truth. He was half-god. Son of Poseidon. And someone had stolen Zeus’s master lightning bolt, with Percy looking very much like the thief.
Thus begins one of the most beloved middle grade fantasy series of our time. Mr. Riordan transforms Greek mythology into a rollicking modern adventure, with gods dwelling atop the Empire State Building and monsters lurking in New Jersey (where else?). Percy is wonderfully relatable—imperfect, loyal to a fault, and perpetually bewildered by the chaos surrounding him.
Perfect for readers who enjoy mythology, unlikely heroes, and humor that arrives precisely when needed most.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman
Forget everything you believe about unicorns. These are not the gentle, sparkly creatures of greeting cards. These unicorns are ferocious, bloodthirsty, and magnificent—and thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has dreamed his entire life of becoming a unicorn rider.
When mysterious circumstances grant him passage to the secretive Island, Skandar discovers a world where riders bond with wild unicorns and compete in deadly aerial combat. But darkness threatens the Island, and Skandar carries a secret that could destroy everything.
A thrilling addition to modern middle grade fantasy that will satisfy readers who’ve devoured every Percy Jackson book twice.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow was cursed the moment she was born. Blamed for every misfortune in her town, she faces certain death on her eleventh birthday—until a peculiar stranger named Jupiter North whisks her away to Nevermoor, a magical city where wonders never cease.
To stay, Morrigan must compete against hundreds of extraordinary children in four dangerous trials. The problem? She possesses no special talent whatsoever. Or so she believes.
Readers who adore Harry Potter will find a kindred magic here—imaginative world-building, a heroine discovering her true worth, and friendship forged through impossible circumstances.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
In Jonas’s world, there is no pain. No war. No color. No choice. Everything is perfectly controlled, perfectly ordered, precisely the same. When twelve-year-old Jonas is selected for a rare assignment—to become the Receiver of Memory—he begins receiving the truth about what his community has sacrificed for peace.
This Newbery Medal winner asks the most important questions: What makes us human? What is worth fighting for? It remains as powerful today as when it was first published, a book that changes how readers see everything.
Ideal for thoughtful readers ready to grapple with big ideas wrapped in an unforgettable story.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Before The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins created Gregor—an eleven-year-old boy who tumbles through an air duct in his New York City apartment and discovers a vast underground world populated by giant talking bats, rats, and spiders, and by pale humans who have lived beneath the surface for generations.
Gregor wants nothing to do with the prophecy that names him as the Underland’s warrior. But his father has been missing for years, and the only clues to his whereabouts lie below. The five-book series delivers breathless adventure, moral complexity, and characters who will haunt your heart.
For readers who appreciate courage tested in darkness.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Robot Roz wakes alone on a wild island with no memory of how she arrived or what she is meant to do. To survive, she must learn from the animals who want nothing to do with her. When she accidentally destroys a goose nest, leaving one surviving egg, everything changes.
This tender, action-filled story—now a DreamWorks film—explores what it means to belong, to love, and to find family in the most unexpected places. Peter Brown’s elegant prose makes every chapter shine.
Perfect for readers who love adventure with heart.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Deep underground, the city of Ember has protected humanity for over two hundred years. But now the generator is failing, the storerooms are nearly empty, and the lights flicker ever more frequently. Twelve-year-old Lina Mayfleet dreams of the sky she has never seen. When she and classmate Doon Harrow discover fragments of an ancient message, they begin to wonder: is there a way out?
A gripping dystopian mystery that celebrates curiosity, courage, and the determination to seek truth even when authorities insist there is nothing to find.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Meg Murry’s father has vanished. Government agents claim he abandoned his family, but Meg knows better. When three mysterious beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which—offer to help, Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin O’Keefe embark on a journey across space and time itself.
This Newbery Medal winner has enchanted readers for over sixty years, blending science fiction and fantasy with themes of love conquering darkness. L’Engle proved that women could be the heroes of cosmic adventures long before it was fashionable.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
When Kendra and Seth Sorenson visit their mysterious grandparents, they discover the estate is actually a secret sanctuary for magical creatures—fairies, trolls, satyrs, and far more dangerous beings. Ancient laws maintain fragile peace, but when curious Seth breaks the rules, terrifying forces awaken.
Five books of fantasy adventure await, praised by Christopher Paolini (author of Eragon) as so entertaining he read the first three in a single sitting. Perfect for readers who love magical creatures and siblings who must learn to work together.
Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Will has always been small for his age, overlooked and underestimated. When the mysterious Ranger Halt chooses him as an apprentice, Will discovers that Rangers are not the dark sorcerers villagers believe them to be—but rather elite warriors who protect the kingdom through skill, stealth, and unshakeable courage.
With over five million copies sold in the United States alone, this series has earned comparisons to Tolkien and remains a favorite for readers who love medieval adventure, archery, and heroes who prove their worth through determination rather than birthright.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that has prevented him from attending school—until now. Starting fifth grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants only what everyone wants: to be treated as ordinary. But becoming extraordinary is sometimes unavoidable.
Told from multiple perspectives, this deeply moving novel about kindness, friendship, and choosing to see people for who they truly are has become essential reading for this generation. The simple precept Mr. Tushman shares with students—”When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind”—echoes long after the final page.
How to Choose Your Next Adventure
With such riches before you, selection may prove difficult. Allow these questions to guide your choice:
Craving swashbuckling adventure with a fierce heroine? Begin with The Wendy—there is simply nothing else quite like it.
Love mythology and humor? The Lightning Thief awaits.
Ready for darker themes and moral complexity? The Giver or Gregor the Overlander shall satisfy.
Want pure magical wonder? Nevermoor or Skandar will transport you completely.
Seeking something tender and thought-provoking? The Wild Robot or Wonder will fill your heart.
The truth is this: every book on this list has earned its place through the simple magic of being absolutely wonderful. Choose any one, and you cannot go wrong.
Now then—what are you waiting for? Adventure calls. Turn the page.
