Top Ten Books for Middle Grades

Summer is here and kids usually have more time for reading. My boys do not mind reading but like a lot of kids, Wii, TV, computer games compete for their time. We have instituted a rule to the effect that their technology time will be allotted to a ratio of 1.5 to 1 of  reading time to technology.

But, what will they read? The middle grades ( Anywhere between 9 and 11 to 14) are transitional grades. It can be hard to figure out what to choose. A lot depends on the child's reading level, which can be above or below their age range.  Both my boys read above grade level, the issue then becomes content and maturity. We are classical homeschoolers, so classics have a big place in our reading list, but some more modern books make it to the list too.

Here is a list of top 10 books they have enjoyed, and that I am putting on their current reading list (in no particular order):

1 . Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn

2. Kingdom series books (more upper elementary but good for struggling middle grades)

3. Trumpeter Swan

4. The Hobbit (Enjoyed by both of my boys)

5. The Lord of the Rings

6. Hardy Boys series (my husband highly promotes the old series and these are the ones my youngest reads)

7. Chronicles of Narnia (favorites around here)

8. Brixton Brothers Series (favorite of my oldest - even got a copy autographed. How cool is that?)

9. Heidi

10. Anne of Green Gables 


 And just because it is hard to stay within a limited list here are a few extra:

Biography series: Who is series 











Historical fictions:  I survived .... series