Let’s face it. There are a lot of middle-grade books out there, and you can’t read them all. How do you find books that you (or your young reader friends) want to read? Here are some places to start looking. We’ve listed some sites that review middle-grade books, new and classic, fiction and nonfiction. If you have some favorites that we haven’t listed here, please let us know in the comments!
Aggregate sites, with links to many other sites:
Kidlitosphere Central: A collection of links to reviews from numerous sites: fiction, nonfiction, biography, graphic novels, fantasy, and poetry
Somewhere in the Middle: Weekly roundup of all things middle-grade, including reviews
Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays: Another weekly roundup
Middle Grade Mania: A directory of book blogs that promote and/or review middle-grade fiction.
Reviews by kids:
Reading Tween: Reviews by kids for kids
Novel Novice Middle Grade Book Reviews: Reviews by a middle-grader and a grown-up
National Geographic Kids: DogEared: Reviews by kids
A Book and a Hug: An easily searchable site with books of many different subjects and categories, and kids can submit their own reviews
This Kid Reviews Books: Erik reads 2-3 middle-grade books a week and reviews them here.
Sites with special focus:
Slatebreakers: Reviews with an emphasis on female characters who stand up for themselves and make a difference in the world
The Happy Nappy Bookseller: Emphasizes diversity, noting authors and characters of color
Compass Book Ratings: Lets you search for books by age range and genre, as well as its level of violence, profanity, or sexuality
Book and a Garden: Has a separate section for Jewish children’s book reviews
Mother-Daughter Book Club: Has book lists and reviews especially for mothers and daughters to read together
Bookends: Two middle school librarians review middle-grade and young adult titles, often including Common Core Connections
Good Books for Kids: Book lists and reviews, including word counts and reading levels
The Middle Grade Science Project: Book reviews and associated science activities
Book review sites
Some review middle-grade only. Some review a range of children’s/young adult books. You can often refine your search by clicking on tabs or tags along the top or side of the page. Some have search functions. Many also have links to other sites
BookDads: Reviews of books for third through sixth grade (Age 9-12)
Ms. Yingling Reads: Books for middle school students, especially boys: Adventure, fantasy, historical, humorous, sports
Through the Looking Glass: Children’s book reviews in a wide range of ages and genres
The Well-Read Child: Middle-grade book reviews
Book Twirps: Middle-grade reviews
Great Books for Kids and Teens: A variety of ages and genres
Mundie Kids Children’s Book Review Blog: Includes both picture books and middle grade
Bookalicious: Reviews picture books, young adult, and middle-grade, but one click, and you’ve got middle-grade
Jean Little Library: Everything from board books to young adult, but check the tags on the right for middle-grade fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction