💧 Poignant Middle Grade

Young readers' stories that don't shy away from real feeling — books that honor the emotional intelligence of children facing life's harder truths.

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish 91%

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo • 2001

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

3.84

33k+

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

The Tiger Rising 91%

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

by Kate DiCamillo 2001

3.84

33k+ ratings

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

Priklijuoti

by John David Anderson • 2017

A sticky-note war turns Eric's middle-school crew into targets and their words into weapons.

3.90

9k+

🎭 Middle School Drama 🆕 New Kid In School 📝 Power Of Words ⚠️ School Bullying 👥 Friend Group Dynamics

Priklijuoti 90%

A sticky-note war turns Eric's middle-school crew into targets and their words into weapons.

by John David Anderson 2017

3.90

9k+ ratings

🎭 Middle School Drama 🆕 New Kid In School 📝 Power Of Words ⚠️ School Bullying 👥 Friend Group Dynamics

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan • 2013

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

4.14

88k+

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Counting by 7s 90%

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

by Holly Goldberg Sloan 2013

4.14

88k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite

by Pierre Bottero • 2002

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

4.06

136

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite Summary

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite 90%

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

by Pierre Bottero 2002

4.06

136 ratings

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

The Labors of Hercules Beal

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2023

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

4.48

8k+

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Labors of Hercules Beal 90%

A grieving boy named Hercules is assigned the hero's twelve labors as a seventh-grade project.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2023

4.48

8k+ ratings

🏫 School Project Story 💔 Loss Of Parents 📚 Mentor Teacher 🏘️ Small Town 🐕 Boy And His Dog

The Penderwicks at Last

by Jeanne Birdsall • 2018

When the Penderwicks return to Arundel for a wedding, the youngest must find her own rhythm.

4.18

10k+

🏡 Summer Estate 💒 Family Wedding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🎶 Dance And Music 🌅 Bittersweet Goodbye

The Penderwicks at Last 89%

When the Penderwicks return to Arundel for a wedding, the youngest must find her own rhythm.

by Jeanne Birdsall 2018

4.18

10k+ ratings

🏡 Summer Estate 💒 Family Wedding 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🎶 Dance And Music 🌅 Bittersweet Goodbye

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

by Dan Gemeinhart • 2019

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

4.44

33k+

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise Summary

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise 89%

Before a bulldozer destroys her buried family memories, Coyote must trick her dad into driving home.

by Dan Gemeinhart 2019

4.44

33k+ ratings

🚐 Road Trip Adventure ❤️ Found Family 😢 Grieving Parent 🐱 Animal Companion ⏳ Race Against Time

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

by John David Anderson • 2016

Three boys skip school to give their dying teacher the perfect goodbye she deserves.

4.27

9k+

🩺 Terminal Illness 🍎 Beloved Teacher 👥 Best Friend Trio 🪣 Bucket List 😭 Tearjerker

Ms. Bixby's Last Day 89%

Three boys skip school to give their dying teacher the perfect goodbye she deserves.

by John David Anderson 2016

4.27

9k+ ratings

🩺 Terminal Illness 🍎 Beloved Teacher 👥 Best Friend Trio 🪣 Bucket List 😭 Tearjerker

The Dreamer

by Pam Muñoz Ryan • 2010

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

3.98

8k+

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Dreamer 89%

Neftalí collects beetles and scribbles poems in secret. His father demands a practical son.

by Pam Muñoz Ryan 2010

3.98

8k+ ratings

🎵 Lyrical Middle Grade ✍️ Childhood Of A Poet 👨 Stern Father Figure 🌿 Nature As Refuge 🌙 Quiet And Introspective

The Science of Breakable Things

by Tae Keller • 2018

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

4.12

5k+

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

The Science of Breakable Things 89%

To save her mom from depression, a girl enters an egg drop contest chasing an orchid.

by Tae Keller 2018

4.12

5k+ ratings

🧠 Family Mental Health 🔬 Science Project 👫 Friendship Trio 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🌱 Hope And Healing

Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech • 1994

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

4.00

174k+

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Walk Two Moons 89%

Driving west with her grandparents, a girl tells the story of a friend whose mother disappeared.

by Sharon Creech 1994

4.00

174k+ ratings

🚗 Grandparent Road Trip 👩‍👧 Mother Daughter Bond 📝 Mysterious Notes 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🕰️ Frame Story

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper • 2018

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

4.16

20k+

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Blended 89%

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

by Sharon M. Draper 2018

4.16

20k+ ratings

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Room to Dream

by Kelly Yang • 2021

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

4.37

6k+

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Room to Dream 89%

A corporation wants her family's motel. Seventh-grader Mia Tang has a column and something to prove.

by Kelly Yang 2021

4.37

6k+ ratings

🧳 Immigrant Experience 🌏 Cultural Identity 💔 Shifting Friendships 📰 Girl Reporter ✊ Community Resistance

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend

by Michelle Cuevas • 2017

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

4.19

3k+

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend Summary

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend 89%

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

by Michelle Cuevas 2017

4.19

3k+ ratings

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

Falling Short

by Ernesto Cisneros • 2022

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

4.05

2k+

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Falling Short 89%

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

by Ernesto Cisneros 2022

4.05

2k+ ratings

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Auggie & Me

by R.J. Palacio • 2015

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

4.27

42k+

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Auggie & Me 89%

How three kids from Auggie's world confront the hardest thing of all: their own mistakes.

by R.J. Palacio 2015

4.27

42k+ ratings

📖 Short Story Collection 📘 Companion Novel 🔄 Bully Redemption ❤️ Learning Empathy 👀 Differing Perspectives

Forget Me Not

by Ellie Terry • 2017

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

3.91

16k+

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Forget Me Not 89%

A girl with Tourette's hides behind vintage dresses; the class president becomes her secret ally.

by Ellie Terry 2017

3.91

16k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🤝 Bystander To Ally 🚶 Outsider Protagonist 🗣️ School Bullying 🌱 Quiet Courage

Kira-Kira

by Cynthia Kadohata • 2004

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

3.98

28k+

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

Kira-Kira 89%

Katie's sister taught her the world could shimmer. Lymphoma tests whether she can still see it.

by Cynthia Kadohata 2004

3.98

28k+ ratings

💔 Terminal Illness 👭 Sisterly Bond 🫂 Young Caregiver 🏡 Immigrant Family Saga 🌅 Grief And Healing

The New Girl

by Meg Cabot • 2008

Allie Finkle starts a new school with a pirate-costumed brother, and a bully wants to fight.

3.86

3k+

🏫 New Kid 🤝 Bully Redemption 🐱 Pet Adoption 👭 Girl Friend Group 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quirky Family

The New Girl 89%

Allie Finkle starts a new school with a pirate-costumed brother, and a bully wants to fight.

by Meg Cabot 2008

3.86

3k+ ratings

🏫 New Kid 🤝 Bully Redemption 🐱 Pet Adoption 👭 Girl Friend Group 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quirky Family

Les filles au chocolat - Tome 9 Coeur cacao

by Cathy Cassidy • 2024

When fire destroys her home, a young gymnast learns that starting over begins with letting go.

3.84

113

🫂 Found Family 💕 First Crush 🤸 Gymnastics 🧘 Perfectionism 🏘️ Small Town Community

Les filles au chocolat - Tome 9 Coeur cacao Summary

Les filles au chocolat - Tome 9 Coeur cacao 89%

When fire destroys her home, a young gymnast learns that starting over begins with letting go.

by Cathy Cassidy 2024

3.84

113 ratings

🫂 Found Family 💕 First Crush 🤸 Gymnastics 🧘 Perfectionism 🏘️ Small Town Community

Way of the Warrior Kid

by Jocko Willink • 2017

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

4.51

5k+

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

Way of the Warrior Kid 89%

A bullied fifth-grader gets SEAL discipline when his uncle moves in for the summer.

by Jocko Willink 2017

4.51

5k+ ratings

🌱 Coming Of Age ☀️ Summer Transformation 🥋 Martial Arts Training 🤝 Bully Redemption 👨‍🏫 Family Mentor

No Ballet Shoes in Syria

by Catherine Bruton • 2019

A Syrian refugee discovers a ballet class in Manchester and dares to dance again.

4.40

2k+

🩰 Ballet Dreams 🧳 Child Refugee Story 💔 War Trauma Healing 🫂 Found Family 🏚️ Syrian Civil War

No Ballet Shoes in Syria 89%

A Syrian refugee discovers a ballet class in Manchester and dares to dance again.

by Catherine Bruton 2019

4.40

2k+ ratings

🩰 Ballet Dreams 🧳 Child Refugee Story 💔 War Trauma Healing 🫂 Found Family 🏚️ Syrian Civil War

The View from Saturday

by E.L. Konigsburg • 1996

A paraplegic teacher picks four misfits for an Academic Bowl team that wins more than trophies.

3.76

47k+

🏠 Found Family 🏆 Academic Competition 🧩 Interwoven Narratives 🫖 Cozy Gatherings 🏡 Small Town Life

The View from Saturday 89%

A paraplegic teacher picks four misfits for an Academic Bowl team that wins more than trophies.

by E.L. Konigsburg 1996

3.76

47k+ ratings

🏠 Found Family 🏆 Academic Competition 🧩 Interwoven Narratives 🫖 Cozy Gatherings 🏡 Small Town Life

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

4.46

4k+

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman 89%

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

by Gennifer Choldenko 2024

4.46

4k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

Game Face

by Shari Green • 2023

A goalie's anxiety spirals after his best friend collapses, and silence is no longer an option.

4.26

226

📖 Verse Novel 🏒 Hockey Fiction 😰 Anxious Protagonist 👬 Male Friendship 💔 Grief And Loss

Game Face 89%

A goalie's anxiety spirals after his best friend collapses, and silence is no longer an option.

by Shari Green 2023

4.26

226 ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🏒 Hockey Fiction 😰 Anxious Protagonist 👬 Male Friendship 💔 Grief And Loss

The Bridge Home

by Padma Venkatraman • 2019

Protecting her disabled sister, Viji flees their father and builds a family on a Chennai bridge.

4.26

12k+

🫂 Found Family 🌆 Street Children 👧 Sibling Caretaker 💙 Disability In Family ✉️ Epistolary Novel

The Bridge Home 89%

Protecting her disabled sister, Viji flees their father and builds a family on a Chennai bridge.

by Padma Venkatraman 2019

4.26

12k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🌆 Street Children 👧 Sibling Caretaker 💙 Disability In Family ✉️ Epistolary Novel

Just Gus

by McCall Hoyle • 2023

A scarred guardian dog meets a boy silenced by anxiety. Together they learn to heal.

4.31

538

🐾 Animal Narrator 🩹 Healing Dog 👦 Boy And His Dog 💞 Parallel Healing 🫂 Found Family

Just Gus 89%

A scarred guardian dog meets a boy silenced by anxiety. Together they learn to heal.

by McCall Hoyle 2023

4.31

538 ratings

🐾 Animal Narrator 🩹 Healing Dog 👦 Boy And His Dog 💞 Parallel Healing 🫂 Found Family

Everything Sad Is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri • 2020

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

4.30

44k+

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

Everything Sad Is Untrue 89%

An Iranian refugee boy tells family legends to an Oklahoma school that sees only an outsider.

by Daniel Nayeri 2020

4.30

44k+ ratings

📦 Refugee Narrative 🌱 Immigrant Coming Of Age 🌍 Iranian Diaspora 📖 Storytelling As Survival 🏫 Classroom Outcast

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After 89%

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

The Star Outside My Window

by Onjali Q. Raúf • 2019

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

4.31

3k+

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

The Star Outside My Window 89%

A ten-year-old sees her missing mother in a new star and sets off to name it.

by Onjali Q. Raúf 2019

4.31

3k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care Story 🤝 Found Family 👫 Sibling Devotion 🌙 Nighttime Adventure 🌟 Symbolic Stars

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper • 2010

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

4.34

191k+

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

Out of My Mind 89%

Silent and brilliant, Melody finally speaks through a device, but the world still won't listen.

by Sharon M. Draper 2010

4.34

191k+ ratings

🤫 Underestimated Kid ♿ Living With Disability 💔 Toxic Friendship 🧑🏽‍🏫 Mentor Figure 🏆 Academic Competition

The Crimson Skew

by S.E. Grove • 2016

A mapmaker who reads memories must stop a crimson fog before it destroys the last sanctuary.

4.04

2k+

🕰️ Alternate History 🧠 Memory Magic 🫂 Found Family 🔍 Sibling Rescue 🌲 Sentient Landscape

The Crimson Skew 89%

A mapmaker who reads memories must stop a crimson fog before it destroys the last sanctuary.

by S.E. Grove 2016

4.04

2k+ ratings

🕰️ Alternate History 🧠 Memory Magic 🫂 Found Family 🔍 Sibling Rescue 🌲 Sentient Landscape

The Red Pencil

by Andrea Davis Pinkney • 2014

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

3.9

7k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

The Red Pencil 89%

When war steals her home and voice, a Darfur girl draws her way back to hope.

by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2014

3.9

7k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🧳 Child Refugee 🎨 Art As Healing 🕊️ Quiet Resilience 🌍 Darfur

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You 89%

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

The Skin I'm In

by Sharon G. Flake • 2000

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

4.16

17k+

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

The Skin I'm In 89%

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

by Sharon G. Flake 2000

4.16

17k+ ratings

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

Kiki and Jacques

by Susan Ross • 2015

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

3.74

151

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Kiki and Jacques 89%

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

by Susan Ross 2015

3.74

151 ratings

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul

by Jack Canfield • 2005

Friendship, crushes, body changes, mean girls: real stories and coping tools that actually work.

4.13

3k+

🧒 Girlhood Guidebooks 👭 Friendship Advice 💪 Self-Esteem For Girls 🌸 Puberty Stories 🧠 Resilience Building

Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul Summary

Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul 89%

Friendship, crushes, body changes, mean girls: real stories and coping tools that actually work.

by Jack Canfield 2005

4.13

3k+ ratings

🧒 Girlhood Guidebooks 👭 Friendship Advice 💪 Self-Esteem For Girls 🌸 Puberty Stories 🧠 Resilience Building

Wishing Season

by Anica Mrose Rissi • 2023

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

4.32

273

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

Wishing Season 89%

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

by Anica Mrose Rissi 2023

4.32

273 ratings

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass • 2006

Four lost keys, his dead dad's locked box, and one summer to open it before thirteen.

4.02

20k+

🔒 Locked Box Mystery 🌞 Summer Quest 🖤 Grief Journey 👴 Eccentric Mentor 👫 Best Friends Duo

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life Summary

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life 89%

Four lost keys, his dead dad's locked box, and one summer to open it before thirteen.

by Wendy Mass 2006

4.02

20k+ ratings

🔒 Locked Box Mystery 🌞 Summer Quest 🖤 Grief Journey 👴 Eccentric Mentor 👫 Best Friends Duo

Other Words for Home

by Jasmine Warga • 2019

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

4.40

35k+

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Other Words for Home 88%

A Syrian girl flees to Ohio and finds her voice on a middle-school stage.

by Jasmine Warga 2019

4.40

35k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🌏 Culture Shock 🧕 Choosing Hijab 💔 Sibling Separation 🎭 School Play

Because of Mr. Terupt

by Rob Buyea • 2010

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

4.35

46k+

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Because of Mr. Terupt 88%

A new teacher's warmth draws seven guarded fifth graders into a classroom that feels like family.

by Rob Buyea 2010

4.35

46k+ ratings

🏫 School Story 🗣️ Multiple Narrators 👨‍🏫 Inspirational Teacher 🤝 Classroom Community 💗 Bully Redemption

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

by Chanel Miller • 2024

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

4.18

4k+

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All 88%

A laundromat's lost socks send two lonely girls on a summer mystery through New York City.

by Chanel Miller 2024

4.18

4k+ ratings

🔍 Child Detectives 🧐 Neighborhood Mystery 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧺 Immigrant Family ☀️ Summer Adventure

Money Hungry

by Sharon G. Flake • 2001

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

4.10

4k+

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

Money Hungry 88%

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

by Sharon G. Flake 2001

4.10

4k+ ratings

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

The Lifters

by Dave Eggers • 2018

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

3.61

2k+

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The Lifters 88%

An invisible boy learns his crumbling town is held together by children propping up the earth.

by Dave Eggers 2018

3.61

2k+ ratings

🕳️ Secret Underground World 🏘️ Small Town Fantasy 🕵️ Secret Society Of Kids 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🏠 Found Family

The Wednesday Wars

by Gary D. Schmidt • 2007

Wednesdays with Mrs. Baker: Shakespeare, eraser dust, and Holling's certainty she wants him gone.

4.12

48k+

📜 Shakespeare In School 🤝 Unlikely Mentorship 🌅 Bittersweet Coming Of Age 🏘️ 1960s Suburbia 📚 School Year Story

The Wednesday Wars 88%

Wednesdays with Mrs. Baker: Shakespeare, eraser dust, and Holling's certainty she wants him gone.

by Gary D. Schmidt 2007

4.12

48k+ ratings

📜 Shakespeare In School 🤝 Unlikely Mentorship 🌅 Bittersweet Coming Of Age 🏘️ 1960s Suburbia 📚 School Year Story

Unhooking the Moon

by Gregory Hughes • 2010

Two orphans flee to New York seeking their last relative, racing the younger one's dark visions.

3.96

2k+

🧒 Orphaned Siblings 🚂 Sibling Road Trip 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Precognitive Child 🏙️ Gritty Middle Grade

Unhooking the Moon 88%

Two orphans flee to New York seeking their last relative, racing the younger one's dark visions.

by Gregory Hughes 2010

3.96

2k+ ratings

🧒 Orphaned Siblings 🚂 Sibling Road Trip 🫂 Found Family 🔮 Precognitive Child 🏙️ Gritty Middle Grade

Everything on a Waffle

by Polly Horvath • 2004

At sea, her parents vanish. On land, she finds waffles, loses a toe, and waits.

3.71

12k+

🏘️ Small Town Stories 🕊️ Children And Loss 🫂 Found Family 🧇 Food As Comfort 💫 Stubborn Optimism

Everything on a Waffle 88%

At sea, her parents vanish. On land, she finds waffles, loses a toe, and waits.

by Polly Horvath 2004

3.71

12k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Stories 🕊️ Children And Loss 🫂 Found Family 🧇 Food As Comfort 💫 Stubborn Optimism

Aniana del Mar Jumps In

by Jasminne Mendez • 2023

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

4.02

895

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

Aniana del Mar Jumps In 88%

A Dominican American girl hides her swim-team dreams and her pain, until neither can stay hidden.

by Jasminne Mendez 2023

4.02

895 ratings

📝 Middle Grade Verse 🩺 Chronic Illness 💔 Mother Daughter Rift 🌴 Caribbean Diaspora 🌀 Generational Trauma

The First State of Being

by Erin Entrada Kelly • 2024

A twelve-year-old stockpiles for Y2K until a boy from 2199 lands in his apartment courtyard.

4.04

6k+

🧠 Childhood Anxiety ⏰ Time Travel Visitor 💔 Grief And Loss 🏠 Found Family 🌱 Quiet Coming Of Age

The First State of Being 88%

A twelve-year-old stockpiles for Y2K until a boy from 2199 lands in his apartment courtyard.

by Erin Entrada Kelly 2024

4.04

6k+ ratings

🧠 Childhood Anxiety ⏰ Time Travel Visitor 💔 Grief And Loss 🏠 Found Family 🌱 Quiet Coming Of Age

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M