Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is “Ten Books Every X Should Read (up to you! Examples: every history nerd, memoir lover, ballet lover, feminist, college student, etc etc.).” Am I the only one that had trouble coming up with a list for this week? I jumped from one topic to another before deciding that I really wanted to highlight some of my favorite middle grade books. I mostly read YA, but I am not immune to the charm of a good MG read and if you’ve never had the pleasure, I highly recommend the following. Covers are linked to Goodreads.
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling – HP will forever hold the permanent number one spot on a favorite middle grade book list. Magic, bravery, friendship. HP teaches valuable lessons that aren’t just good for children.
“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”
2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – This book is a children’s classic, a classic that took me until I was an adult to read. I picked this up and immediately fell in love. I can’t help but think my twelve-year-old self would have found this book to be magical.
“My child, do not despair. Do you think we would have brought you here if there were no hope? We are asking you to do a difficult thing, but we are confident you can do it.”
3. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – This is another book I wished I had picked up when I was younger. Anne is a fiery little thing with a wonderful imagination. She gets into a lot of mishaps, but you love her for it. Even if you haven’t read the book, you must at least see the classic adaptation:
4. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke – There’s something about this book that feels irrevocably like home. It’s a book about books and it just captures the magic of the written word.
“The books in Mo and Meggie’s house were stacked under tables, on chairs, in the corners of the rooms. There where books in the kitchen and books in the lavatory. Books on the TV set and in the closet, small piles of books, tall piles of books, books thick and thin, books old and new. They welcomed Meggie down to breakfast with invitingly opened pages; they kept boredom at bay when the weather was bad. And sometimes you fall over them.”
5. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan – Why did I not pick up this series sooner? I still need to finish this series, but this first book was so much fun. It’s perfect for kids (and adults) looking for an adventurous story with plenty of laughs.
“I’d love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death, et cetera.
The truth? My only thought was: Aaaaggghhhhh!”
6. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen – This may be the cutest middle grade read I’ve ever read. If you remember the time when boys (or girls) were no longer “icky”, this book is sure to resonate with you.
“Get beyond his eyes and his smile and the sheen of his hair — Look at what’s really there.”
7. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen – I didn’t really realize this series was a middle grade series until recently. I personally feel that it reads more like a YA novel. The protagonist Sage is about as cheeky a character as I’ve ever come across, but I love him anyway.
“Valuable lessons were code words for pain that no one apologized for.”
8. The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch – This book is hilarious. It had me smiling from the very first page, it’s so darn charming, I can’t even put it into words.
“Generally speaking, books don’t cause much harm. Except when you read them, that is. Then they cause all kinds of problems.”
9. Savvy by Ingrid Law – Because I think we all secretly wish we had some kind of superpower, even if you’re not a kid anymore.
“You never can tell when a bad thing might make a good thing happen.”
10. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – If you were like me when I was a kid, you liked creepy stories. And if anything like me now, you still like creepy stories.
“It’s only death. I mean, all of my best friends are dead.”
What are some books you recommend to those who are young at heart? Are you a fan of any of the books on this list? What topic did you choose this week? Let me know in the comments and be sure leave a link to your own TTT post, so I can visit.
What an awesome list! I 100% agree with your choices. My topic was different, but I put A Wrinkle In Time on my list this week, too. Great post. 👍
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Thank you so much. I love A Wrinkle in Time, so you’re list must be good!
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I also had trouble settling on a theme but I like the one you decided upon. I am quite obviously a child at heart because I really love a good MG read as well. I’ve read, and loved, a number of books on here and would especially like to read The False Prince and The Graveyard Book!
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There are just so many possibilities that I couldn’t think of anything ironically. The False Prince is wonderful and everything Neil Gaiman touches is magical.
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Brilliant list Alicia! I’m definitely going to check out some of these recommendations!
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Thanks, Chrissi, I hope you enjoy!
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Love the quotes. What a nice touch. And now I have some new books to add to my TBR list because I want to young-at-heart. My TTT Award Books
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Thank you, I appreciate that! Yes, I hope you enjoy and that they make you feel like a kid again.
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Great choices! I still need to get to Inkheart. It sounds like it would be right up my alley! 🙂
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Thanks, Lauren! Inkheart is great, I really need to reread it myself.
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Okay so Harry Potter is a no brainer for sure and I’m hoping to finally get to start the Percy Jackson series this month because…well it’s been too long! Great picks I haven’t heard of some of these but now my inner kid is making me want to pick them up as well ;0 like Inkheart. My Top Ten
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HP is always a no brainer. I loved this first Percy Jackson book. I got the box set for Christmas and need to make some time to finish the series. Inkheart is fantastic, I always say it’s a book for bookworms.
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That quote from the Lightning Thief though, hilarious😁 this book never fails to lighten up my mood. Nice post. The graveyard book is still on my TBR. I’ll be posting my TTT later.❤
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It’s so funny, I love this excerpt because it sums up the novel nicely.The Graveyard Book is amazing!
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DEFINITELY HARRY POTTER. I can’t believe I missed out Percy Jackson on my TTT list. UGH!
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Always. We’re all bound to forget at least one important book for lists like this.
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I have not read a lot of these but they all have such magical and beautiful covers! I always wanted to read Inkheart when I was little but never got around to it! The movie is so amazing tho and tied me over! And I probably recommend, the Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter! They were my go to books when I was younger! 😀
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Oh my goodness, Inkheart is so magical. It makes me wish I had grown up in a really bookish environment. I love the Gallagher Girls series! Just a great cast of characters and great female friendships 🙂
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I love that quote from Inkheart, and I want to read Riordan’s new series too.
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I think any bookworm can appreciate that quote. Hope you enjoy his new series!
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I love this week’s TTT. So many awesome topics. This is such a great pick. I haven’t read any of the books but they all seem quite interesting. I guess Middle Grade is pre-teens(sorry we don’t have that education system here), My MG reads would be Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Sweet Valley and Moses Series. They were quite popular in Kenya when I was young.
My TTT for this week is on memoirs: https://dwgitau.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/ttt-ten-books-every-memoir-lover-should-read/
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Yes, middle grade would be the “preteen” age group. I finally got around to reading the first Nancy Drew since I was deprived of it as a child (so tragic!) and really enjoyed it.
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We have 2 books in common. Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.❤ if you’re interested, here’s my list: http://wp.me/p7ksIu-38
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Yay, glad to hear it! I’m checking out your list now.
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i am not sure if i am a kid at heart but i think i am because I loooooove Harry Potter! 😀
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Then you are definitely a kid at heart, embrace it!
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yay! i will! Thanks, Alicia!
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Oh Percy Jackson and harry potter are my favs! 🙂
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I adore HP and I’m a Percy Jackson newbie, but I think it will end up being one of my favorites.
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I love so many of these… Percy Jackson, Inkheart, Flipped, Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables… all books I read when I was younger and still love today! great list!
here’s my TTT!
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Yes, yes, I’m so happy to hear it! These are the books I can’t wait to share with younger generations. Thanks!
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I will still love Harry Potter when I am 80 years old and reading it to my grandchildren! SO many good lessons to be learnt from those books!
I started reading Percy Jackson years and years ago and I still haven’t gotten past the 4th book, I don’t know why because I love it, but there just always seems to be another book that I pick up first. Great choice of topic for this weeks list 🙂
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Yes, I’m pretty sure I’ll still be rereading it when I am old and gray and barely able to see the words in front of me. I know what you mean, I read the first PJO last year and have been meaning to continue for these past few months. Thank you!
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I tried reading Inkheart as an adult and couldn’t get through it. Though The Graveyard Book could be read and loved whenever in life 😀 Happy reading! https://ireadboooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/top-ten-tuesday-audiobook-recommendations/
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Aw, man, that’s too bad 😦 At least we have a similar love for the Graveyard Book! Thanks 🙂
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I’ve read a few of these, but I think Harry Potter will always be my favorite! Great list 😀
Here are my Top Ten!
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Mine as well. HP has the kind of staying power that’s similar to a classic. Thank you!
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Love this list. Added Inkheart to my TBR
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Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear it 🙂
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Lovely to see the Graveyard Book 😀
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I’m so glad it makes you happy 🙂
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ahhhhh the quotes make me want to re-read all of these that I’ve already read! Great list! My TTT
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It made me want to reread all of these when I was putting it together. Thank you!
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Such a cute topic! Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson books are two of my favourite series. I really want to read Inkheart.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/top-ten-tuesday-52/
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Thanks! I’m happy to hear that you have such love for HP and Percy. I’m a big fan of Inkheart!
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I missed A Wrinkle in Time when I was a kid, so I need to go back and pick it up.;)
I need to read all the books on the latter half of your list!
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I did too, but it was still magical reading it as an adult and my only regret is I didn’t pick it up sooner. I hope you do, they are all fantastic!
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Awesome list! I’ve only read the first five on here and now I will be having to check out the others. Some of my students have been reading The Name of This Book is Secret. They seem to enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
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Thanks, Amanda! Yes, please do. The Name of This Book is Secret is so funny, I actually gifted it to my nephew last year and he found it hilarious.
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I haven’t read the majority of these books, but A Wrinkle in Time is forever one of my favorites. I tried to teach it to a young girl I tutor, but her parents vetoed it because of “witchcraft.” I don’t know– I didn’t feel like fighting it. I suppose I definitely shouldn’t try teaching her my actual favorite books…Harry Potter.
My TTT: http://brownbooksandgreentea.com/2016/04/12/clearing-the-shelf-for-arc-april/
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I’m glad to hear that, I love A Wrinkle in Time. Haha, I shouldn’t laugh, but I don’t think I’d consider it a book about “witchcraft”. I have heard that many strict Christian sects don’t approve of the book. That’s too bad, I’m sure she would have enjoyed it. Ha! If they don’t approve of Wrinkle, the odds that they’d love HP are slim 😉
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I wouldn’t consider it a book about witchcraft either! I think her father just googled it and was unhappy and confused with what he saw. That’s such a shame, though, because it’s a good book.
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The Name of the Book is Secret is one of my son’s favorites. I read it to him a few months ago and we’re really excited to read more in that series 🙂
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I actually need to finish the series, but I did read the second one and it was very funny as well.
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Good lis! I’d add other YA series like Artemis Fowl and the Bartimaeus trilogy!
My (belated) TTT: https://bookclubbabe.net/2016/04/13/top-ten-tuesday-literature-you-should-read-if-you-love-ancient-greece-rome/
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I almost added Artemis Fowl to this list! I’ve been recommended the Bartimaeus trilogy several times, maybe this is a sign I should really pick it up.
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Yep, Bartimaeus and the footnotes make it uniquely hilarious!
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Footnotes? That sounds charming, I’m much more intrigues now.
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I ADORED A Wrinkle in Time when I read it in Elementary school, and went on to read more in that series. I should really reread it. And of course I’m a HP fan…though I got onto that fan-train later than most people.
I have The False Prince on my TBR list, I think I need to get to it. I didn’t realize it was Middle Grade either, but it sounded so good!!
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I’ve only read the first two books in the Wrinkle in Time series. Yes to HP and it’s never too late to fall in love with the series! I hadn’t realized it was middle grade until after I read the first two (I still need to read the final book).
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Why does it not surprise me that you would lead this discussion with Harry Potter? 😉 I love MG. And, many of them read a lot like YA as you’ve pointed out with The False Prince, which I love by the way. Great list Alicia!
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Of course I led with Harry, I’m a Potterhead after all. I really should reread the False Prince. I’ve got the final book on my shelf and may have forgotten a bit…Thanks!
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Say whaaa? You haven’t finished the series? 😀 I tease. It ends quite well, so when you have a moment away from world domination, give it a read. He he…
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I really meant to finish it when I bought the final book when it was first released, but I just got sidetracked with all the other books. So many books, so little time!
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I really want to try some Rick Riordan books! I feel like I’ve missed out 😮
Great picks Alicia! 🙂
Here’s my TTT if you would like to check it out! Have a great day 🙂
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I missed out on him for far too long, The Lightning Thief was my first and it was fantastic!
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Considering how much I like the “Anne” movies, I don’t know why I’ve not read the books! Someday I should. Also, I really enjoyed the “Inkheart” film, so picking up the book might be of interest. 🙂 Fun topic, Alicia.
Thanks for visiting Finding Wonderland.
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I actually watch the adaptation before reading the book too, so you’re not alone! Inkheart the book is so much better than the movie, so if you liked the movie, I definitely recommend picking up the book.
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