Middle school comes with a whole slew of learning and developmental milestones. Reading-wise, your seventh grader’s new capacity for longer dialogue and more complicated narratives opens up all sorts of possibilities in stories. They’ll develop greater problem solving skills, expand their vocabulary, and begin to connect what they read to personal experiences.
Fantastic books for seventh graders can be found in various genres and formats, but with so much to choose from, it can be hard to distinguish good books from great ones. Now that your reader may be finding the genres they truly love, and taking on an entire series at a time, it’s important to introduce a variety of top-tier choices. Here are some of Literati’s picks for the best books for seventh graders:
Ocean!
Every seventh grader needs awesome fiction adventures, but sometimes the most fascinating reads are 100% factual. In this stunning encyclopedia of everything ocean, readers can dive into our planet’s largest and least explored world. From whales, to waves, wrecks, and more, Ocean! is a fact-filled addition to the bookshelf that can answer your reader’s ocean-related questions for years to come.
Middle School Misadventures
This graphic novel follows the story of Newell—a middle schooler who doesn’t exactly have it all together. When our clumsy protagonist learns that his only way out of summer school is to enter the Talent Show, it’s going to take a miracle for things to go even ok. This hilarious, relatable main character is perfect for seventh grade readers who might feel a little unsure of themselves while navigating the trials and tribulations of seventh grade.
A Wolf Called Wander
After a rival wolfpack breaks his family apart, Swift is left to find his way back home—wherever that may be. The only things standing in his way? The treacherous Pacific Northwest coast and the ticking of time. Based on a true story, A Wolf Called Wander will suck your child into its gripping tale of survival and hope. Young readers will pour over each cliffhanger and twist, as well as Rosanne Parry’s detailed sketch illustrations. For the adventurous student, it’s a sure-fire, unputdownable novel.
Escape at 10,000 Feet
In this installment of the Unsolved Case Files graphic nonfiction series, readers can dive into the riveting true story of D.B. Cooper: the only unsolved hijacking case in U.S. history. The graphic nonfiction format—complete with maps and diagrams—makes this book especially engaging for visual learners, while the minute-by-minute breakdown of events makes this mystery tough to put down, even for reluctant readers. Seventh graders will love digging into the secrets of this unsolved case, while learning to relate true moments in history to the present day.
The Explorer
This epic survival story will have your seventh grader asking themselves “What would I do if I crash-landed in the Amazon?” Rundell’s book offers readers a fantastic opportunity to fall in love with fiction, thanks to highly immersive descriptions and heightened character complexity. At the same time, introspective moments are perfectly-suited for the seventh grade sensibility, prompting readers to think deeply about complicated situations.
Whether your seventh grader has an endless appetite for books, or is just getting started, the right stories can lead their way to a lifetime of learning. Of course, no two middle schoolers are the same, and those just-right books are going to be very different between readers. Luckily, with Literati book clubs, you never have to worry about choosing perfectly: Literati’s curation expects will do it for you!
Start with the quick personalization quiz, and Literati will send your family a curated box of books designed to excite and engage your reader. Our titles are chosen based on your reader’s interests and reading level—books that support and challenge them academically, while instilling a true love of reading.
