Summer Series for Middle Grade Readers
Woo-hoo, it’s summertime! Time to kick back and do some serious reading and when I say “serious” I mean seriously fun.
The only thing better than a great new book is a great new book that’s part of a series. When I make friends with a new character, one book just isn’t enough. I want to spend more time hanging out with them and tagging along on their adventures. I made a list of 10 series that are perfect for summer reading. Fantasy, mystery, mermaids, restaurant critics, dogs…you’ll find it all here. There’s a link to the first book in each series so you can start at the beginning. Or start at the end and go backwards, if you want. You do you!
And if you don’t get through them all by the end of summer, don’t worry: they’re great for fall/winter/spring reading, too.
1) The High-Rise Mysteries by Sharna Jackson (2 books)
This series only has 2 books (so far) but it’s set in a high-rise apartment building in London, so reading them is kind of like a vacation where you solve mysteries at the same time!
The High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
Start Here: High-Rise Mystery
Summer in London is hot, the hottest on record, and there’s been a murder in THE TRI: the high-rise home to resident know-it-alls, Nik and Norva. Who better to solve the case? Armed with curiosity, home-turf knowledge and unlimited time, until the end of the summer holidays anyway.
2) Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger (10 books)
If you love Harry Potter (and who doesn’t?) check out this award-winning series.
Start Here: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Twelve-year-old Sophie has a secret—she’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. One day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, and learns she’s not alone.
He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death and time is running out.
Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger
3) The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall (5 books)
Don’t let the title of the first book fool you. This New York Times-bestselling series is not just for girls.
The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall
Start Here: The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate with sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Bonus: Jeffrey Tifton, son of the estate’s owner, quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures. Will they manage to stay out of trouble? Maybe…but either way, it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.
4) Peter and the Starcatchers by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry (5 books)
You know the story of Peter Pan…or do you? This series explains so much, like how Tinkerbell got her name and why Peter keeps losing his shadow…
Start Here: Peter and the Starcatchers
This fast-paced adventure starts in an old English orphanage and sets sail in a rickety ship called the Never Land. On board is an orphan boy named Peter, his mysterious new friend named Molly, and a trunk of magical stuff that can change the world. There are pirates, cannibals, a flying crocodile, biting mermaids, talking porpoises…what more could you possibly want?
Peter and the Starcatchers by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry
5) The Devlin Quick Mysteries by Linda Fairstein (3 books)
Nancy Drew fans, this one is for you. Devlin is smart, strong and on the case, even if she is only twelve.
The Devlin Quick Mysteries by Linda Fairstein
Start Here: Into the Lion’s Den
Someone has stolen a page from a rare book in the New York Public Library. At least, that’s what Devlin’s friend Liza thinks she’s seen, but she can’t be sure. But who is this thief? And what could the page (an old map) possibly lead to? With her wits, persistence, and the help of New York City’s finest (and, okay, a little bit of help from her police commissioner mother, too), Dev and her friends piece the clues together to uncover a mystery that’s bigger than anyone expected and more fun, too.
6) Theodore Boone by John Grisham (7 books)
A legal thriller for kids! Theo Boone may only be thirteen years old, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a lawyer…does it?
Start Here: Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much (maybe too much…) he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.
Theodore Boone by John Grisham
7) The Gaither Sisters Trilogy by Rita Williams-Garcia (3 books)
Did you know that “trilogy” means “a group of three”? Each book in this trilogy follows the Gaither sisters as they grow up during the 1960’s.
The Gaither Sisters Trilogy by Rita Williams-Garcia
Start Here: One Crazy Summer
Eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. She’s had to be, ever since their mother, Cecile, left them seven years ago for a radical new life in California. But when the sisters arrive from Brooklyn to spend the summer with their mother, Cecile is nothing like they imagined. The girls hope to go to Disneyland and meet Tinkerbell, but their mother sends them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern learn much about their family, their country, and themselves during one truly crazy summer.
8) Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and Brett Helquist (4 books)
Fans of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will love this series that sends friends on art-based adventures. Bonus! There are codes hidden in the illustrations.
Start Here: Chasing Vermeer
Three mysterious letters carry a warning; a young girl stumbles onto an old book; a young boy finds messages in 12 puzzle pieces. Seemingly unconnected events weave together and catapult 12-year-old friends Petra and Calder into a mystery so tangled, it’s stumped the art world for centuries. Now the duo must rely on each other and trust in themselves, the future of a priceless piece of art (and their very safety) depend on it.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and Brett Helquist
9) The Theodosia Series by R. L. LaFever (4 books)
Theodosia’s father may be head curator at the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London, but only Theo can see all the black magic and ancient curses that cling to the artifacts in the museum.
The Theodosia Series by R. L. LaFever
Start Here: Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos
When Theo’s mother returns from her latest archaeological dig bearing the Heart of Egypt (a legendary amulet belonging to an ancient tomb) Theo learns that it comes inscribed with a curse so black and vile that it threatens to crumble the British Empire from within and start a war too terrible to imagine. Theo devises a daring plan to put things right. But even with the help of her younger brother, a wily street urchin, and the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers, it won’t be easy…
10) The Vork Chronicles by Gracie Dix (3 books)
What’s better than one superhero? TWO superheroes…who are twins!
Start Here: Journey to Superhero School
Imagine four-year-old twins…with superpowers! Once their family realizes little Jessica and Oliver Fletcher have powers, their lives will never be the same. This prequel to Welcome to Superhero School follows little Jess and Oliver as they try to hide their powers at school, battle living room décor, and so much more. Our young heroes through it all with family support, love for each other, and their own unique brand of sibling sarcasm.
The Vork Chronicles by Gracie Dix
Is there a series you love that’s not on the list? Don’t keep it to yourself! Stop by my Instagram page and share your fave!