Awesome Books for Middle Schoolers 2019

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh creates an annual booklist encouraging middle school students to read for the fun of it!

The 2019 Awesome Books for Middle Schoolers booklist includes diverse books in a variety of formats and genres selected by CLP Teen Specialists. These books are great for middle schoolers.

Akissi: Tales of Mischief

Akissi is a true adventurer with a knack for mischief. She’s always getting into trouble! Follow her along hilarious escapades through the streets of her West African city.




Betty Before X

Raised by her aunt until she is six, Betty, who will later marry Malcolm X, joins her mother and stepfamily in 1940s Detroit, where she learns about the civil rights movement. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Hoopla


Breakout

From multiple perspectives, tells of a time capsule project and the middle schoolers who contribute, including future journalist Nora Tucker and newcomer Elidee Jones, whose brother is in the local prison. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.




Front Desk

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams? You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.


Ghost Boys

A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a police officer, drawing connections through history, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.


The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 1

In a land far away, there were two kingdoms: the Outside, where twisted beasts roamed that could curse with a touch, and the Inside, where humans lived in safety and peace. The girl and the beast should never have met, but when they do, a quiet fairytale begins. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.




Last Day on Mars

While waiting to leave Mars before it burns up like the Earth before it, Liam and his friend discover some facts about time and space and realize that the human race is just one race trying to survive in space. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.


The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Vol. 1

After a fateful meeting, Link sought out the anonymity and peace of life in a small village. But danger and adventure always find heroes to set things right, and when the dark minions of the King of Shadows threaten his new home, Link answers the call! 


Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1

As the only student at Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy to come from a non-magical family, Akko finds herself surrounded by prodigies from around the world, but giving up isn’t in her vocabulary. Whether it’s making friends, proving the doubters wrong, or just flying on a broom, Akko is going to make her dream a reality!


Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish

After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus’s mother takes him and his younger brother, who has Down syndrome, to Puerto Rico to visit relatives they do not remember or have never met. While there, Marcus starts searching for his father, who left their family ten years ago and is somewhere on the island. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.


The Only Road

Twelve-year-old Jaime makes the treacherous journey from his home in Guatemala to his older brother in New Mexico after his cousin is murdered by a drug cartel.You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.


The Parker Inheritance

In 2007, Abigail Caldwell, the first female and African American city manager for the town of Lambert, South Carolina, was forced to resign after covertly digging up the municipal tennis courts in search of buried treasure. Now, a decade later, the late Abigail’s twelve-year-old granddaughter Candice is following the same arcane clues, hoping to uncover the Parker inheritance. But who was Parker? You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.



The Prince and the Dressmaker

Prince Sebastian has a secret. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia. Sebastian’s secret weapon, and best friend, is the brilliant dressmaker Frances, but how long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.


Sci-Fu

Meet Wax, a young mix-master who scratches the perfect hip hop beat and accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend, and current crush to the robot-dominated planet of DiscopiaNow Wax and his crew must master the intergalactic musical martial art of Sci-Fu to fight the power and save Earth. 



Star Scouts

Accidentally abducted by an alien named Mabel, Avani joins Mabel at Camp Andromeda, a camp for Star Scouts where she has the adventure of a lifetime.