Picture Books | Beginning Readers and Primary Grades | Intermediate | High School

Middle School

Suggested grade level for all entries: 6–8

Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson (Dlouhy/Atheneum)

After the Siege of Boston, thirteen-year-old maid Elsbeth finds herself in a precarious situation when British troops — and her Loyalist employer — depart the city and her father goes missing. She lies her way into the employment of a Patriot spy. What she doesn’t count on: the smallpox epidemic that ravages Boston in 1776. Anderson’s return to historical fiction highlights her mastery of the genre, with well-rounded characters, detailed storytelling, and timely subject matter that make it a must-read. 416 pp.

The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song [Tales of the Feathered Serpent] by David Bowles; illus. by Charlene Bowles (Cinco Puntos/Lee & Low)

This graphic novel tells the story of Mayan demigod twins Hunahpu and Xbalanke. Forced to compete with their older twin half-brothers for the attention of their grandmother, the goddess of the cornfields, the younger twins concoct a musical plan to trick their older brothers and get them out of the way for a bit. Straightforward and humorous language paired with clear, eye-catching comics-style illustrations make this an engaging retelling of a selection from the Mayan Popol Vuh. 80 pp.

Westfallen by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares (Simon)

Contemporary twelve-year-olds Henry, Frances, and Lukas dig up an old radio and find themselves speaking with three children in 1944. Their seemingly heroic actions mess with history in serious ways: the 2023 U.S. changes to a new reality in which the Nazis won WWII and now control the country. The six kids must team up to undo the colossal damage. Fascinating time-travel theories collide with historical fiction to set the scene for a suspenseful, complex story. 384 pp.

The No-Brainer’s Guide to Decomposition by Adrianna Cuevas (Harper/HarperCollins)

Twelve-year-old Frani feels like she has a metaphorical “spider that lives in my brain web” and jumps from thread to thread. But studying cadavers with her forensic anthropology professor father fascinates her, and she is able to focus. Frani and the son of another professor come across some DUDs (“Definitely Undead Dudes”), even befriending and helping one. A heartwarming story — even with its nefarious schemes, zombies, and gross-out components — for readers who love adventure and a bit of horror. 256 pp.

The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox (Simon)

Stuck for the summer on a Montana ranch, twelve-year-old Becca befriends Jon, who is determined to track down an outlaw’s bounty rumored to be on nearby Mystic Mountain. Becca and Jon embark on a thrilling, sometimes haunting journey involving a treasure map, bank heists, ghosts, and family secrets that will change both their lives. Fox has crafted a multifaceted mystery with even more to the story than clues and riddles. 288 pp.

Black Girl Power: 15 Stories Celebrating Black Girlhood edited by Leah Johnson (Freedom Fire/Disney)

Common early adolescent issues and those particular to Black girls are covered with depth and heart in this short story collection by fifteen authors. The protagonists of these stories — some realistic, some featuring fantasy or magical realism — are all in middle school, and many are struggling to fit in with their peers. Renée Watson’s prose poem sums up the theme: “Your birthright is brilliance and creativity… / Be Black girl. Be.” 320 pp.

Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen (Clarion/HarperCollins)

Longtime loner Quagmire’s mother is “spinning” again the summer before ninth grade. Quag finds himself trapped in the car with her, many states west of home and going too fast. His abrupt exit from the YMCA’s ArtCamp (and his crush, Cassie) adds frustration to the rapidly escalating tension. Interspersed throughout are descriptions of audio files collected at pivotal moments and interesting facts about birds that help develop the plot in thought-provoking ways. 240 pp.

Who Owns the Moon?: And Other Conundrums of Exploring and Using Space by Cynthia Levinson and Jennifer Swanson (Quinlin/Peachtree)

Approximately fifty years after Apollo 17, Americans are planning to return to the moon. This time the goals are different: landing a diverse crew of astronauts; establishing a base from which to launch deep-space exploration; and studying the moon’s resources. But how will these goals be managed? Beginning with a concise history of the space race, the authors outline the accomplishments and tensions inherent in occupying space. Sidebars, diagrams, and photographs enhance the conversational nonfiction text. 208 pp.

The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen (Quill Tree/HarperCollins)

Ada worries that without proper training and guidance, the magical energy building up within her younger sister, Safi, could become deadly. The story takes an exciting and mysterious turn when an outcast magician alerts Ada to the dark side of one of Safi’s new mentors, and the two team up to save her. This lushly illustrated graphic novel, set in a world reminiscent of early nineteenth-century Europe (with airships), is a family story — including chosen family — through and through. 224 pp.

The Last Dragon on Mars [Dragonships] by Scott Reintgen (Aladdin/Simon)

Mars-born orphan and salvager Lunar Jones discovers a cave containing a young dragon, which would be a game-changer for his struggling colony. The dragon chooses Lunar as his dragoon, the point person to lead his crew and starship. This innovative adventure draws readers into a story line rich with interpersonal rivalries and loyalties. The action builds realistically from training exercises to real-life emergencies as the dragons’ political conflicts become deadly, making for a compulsive page-turner. 384 pp.

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (Putnam)

Seventh grader Kareem dreams of becoming the first Syrian American NFL player. He must learn to stand up against a football player and for his new friend Fadi, a recent Syrian refugee. Then Kareem’s mother travels to Syria to bring her parents to America and the “Muslim ban” goes into effect, trapping them in the country. Set during the 2016–2017 school year, this verse novel is heartfelt and personal, with characters to care about and a solid resolution. 336 pp.

On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum/HarperCollins)

Great-Grandfather Bat, humans Ray and Mel, and Ray’s Grampa Halfmoon travel from Chicago to attend a rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game in the Southeast Lands of Turtle Island. Their road-trip adventure is filled with friendly talking animals and goofy run-ins, as well as reflections on both kids’ Indigenous heritage. A jovial narrator carries the story along and weaves in Native storytelling elements along with plenty of joy and humor. 240 pp.

Candle Island by Lauren Wolk (Dutton)

Lucretia and her mother move to an island off the coast of Maine. Their first summer there is full of activity, from tensions between locals and summer people to new friendships and a suspicious fire. Lucretia is a child prodigy in painting, and Wolk believably inhabits a gifted character who experiences the world in distinctive and specific colors. The examination of a highly original mother-daughter relationship, with a unique power dynamic, is intriguing and thought-provoking. 352 pp.

From the April 2025 issue of Notes from the Horn Book: Summer Reading. For past years’ summer reading lists from The Horn Book, click on the tag summer reading.