Today I’m bringing you a list of middle-grade novels (for ages 7-12) to gift the children in your life.

A book is always a good idea, don’t you think?

This list is based on the New York Times Bestseller List for middle-grade books.

But before I get to those, I have to recommend a book I’m reading now that is full of whimsy and magic and HOLIDAYS.

It’s The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle, published in 2020.

The story, images, and Doyle’s writing style are enchanting with lots of references to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (my all-time favorite).

Miracle is about moving on in the face of loss.

Now for the NYT list:

Wonder by R.J. Palacio. (371 weeks on the NYT list.) Published in 2012.

Auggie Pullman is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face who shows readers that kindness brings people together no matter how far apart they are.

This book inspired the Choose Kind movement.

The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling. (16 weeks.) Published in 2021.

How far will Jack go to find his most beloved and treasured childhood toy?

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston. (12 weeks.)

Published in 2022. (This is a sequel to Amari and the Night Brothers.)

The Great Game is both mysterious and deadly.

But the magic rewards for winning include ridding Amari’s brother of his curse.

Odder by Katherine Applegate. (9 weeks.) Published in 2022.

A lyrical tale about a California sea otter.

Inspired by the true story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and its program to pair abandoned baby otters and surrogate otter mothers.

Two Degrees by Alan Gratz. (7 weeks.) Published in 2022.

Four kids fight for their lives in three climate-change disasters: fire, ice, flood.

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander. (5 weeks.) Published in 2022.

The first book in a trilogy about an African boy and his harrowing journey across land and sea that begins when the unthinkable happens in his village.

In addition to these titles, you can’t go wrong with anything by Gary Schmidt or Barbara O’Connor.

You can also go to your local bookstore and talk to the children’s books buyer.

They are a wealth of information.

Feel free to ask me questions in the comment section.

Books are fun…so have fun with them.

~ Gail

Before you go, don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list, below: