Middle School years are exciting and formative. Your young teens are no longer “kids,” but not quite “adults” either, and fast forming their perspectives on what they believe for themselves in life. After your pre-teens have read these books for middle schoolers, take time to discuss them and their life lessons with you.
7 Must Read Books for Middle Schoolers
1. Frindle
by Andrews Clements (Fiction)
A middle schooler invents a new word, against all odds. He talks his classmates and friends into using it, and eventually earns the respect of even his middle school vocabulary teacher as it is included in the newest edition of the dictionary.
Lesson: You can create change. You can do things no one else has done. You may not see immediate results, but they will come.
2. The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs is a Little Perspective
by Andy Andrews (Fiction/ Allegory)
An old man shows up at just the right time to offer a bit of perspective to person after person facing a crossroads in their life.
Lesson: Perspective can change any situation. If you’re still living, your purpose and chance to impact someone else’s life for good is not over.
3. Luke’s Story: The Jesus Chronicles
by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins (Historical Fiction)
Luke, who hadn’t met Jesus, is skeptical of His miracles, until events in his own life irreversibly change him. Pledging himself to Christ, he begins to chronicle the stories of the conversions of believers and interviews with those who knew Jesus best-the disciples who spent three years with him and, most importantly, His mother, Mary.
The author does a great job of filling in cultural details that make the Gospel come alive, giving teens a taste of life in days of the early church.
Lesson: Belief in Christ through faith alone is transformational and powerful.
4. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
by Alex Harris & Brett Harris (Non-fiction/Inspirational)
This book give teens a glimpse of what is possible when teens resist cultural lies that limit their potential.
Contrary to the idea that adolescence is a vacation from responsibility, the Harris brothers use history, biblical insights, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. They also map out five powerful ways teens can take action for personal and social change.
Lesson: You don’t have to wait till you’re an adult to make an impact. Hard things are worth doing.
5. 50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual Giants of the Faith
by Warren W. Wiersbe (Non-fiction/History/Biography)
When faith is weak or the pressures of the world seem overwhelming, remembering the great men and women of the past can inspire us to renewed strength and purpose. Our spiritual struggles are not new, and the stories of those who have gone before us can help lead the way to our own victories. 50 People Every Christian Should Know gives teens a glimpse into the lives of such people as Charles H. Spurgeon, G. Campbell Morgan, A. W. Tozer, Fanny Crosby, Amy Carmichael, Jonathan Edwards, James Hudson Taylor, and many more.
Lesson: If God did great things through them, he can do great things through you.
6. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories
by Robert J Morgan (Non-fiction/History/Biography/Apologetics)
In a generation in which the “old songs” filled with Bible doctrine are being replaced by repetitive emotional phrases, learning the stories behind the rich text and beautiful melodies of the hymns of the faith not only teaches your teen history, but Bible Doctrine as well. Especially good for those middle schoolers interested in music.
Lesson: Knowing WHO God is and seeking to praise him changes your attitude and beliefs about him, yourself and your circumstances.
7. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
by Frank Turek and Chuck Winter (Non-fiction/ Apologetics)
This book will demonstrate that the foundational Christian doctrines are true beyond reasonable doubt, all convincing for you as a Christians to believe, but requiring a leap of negative “faith” if an atheist is to disbelieve them. Combine this with the curriculum study guide and teens will tackle questions about absolute truth, postmodernism, and moral relativism, gaining a solid footing to defend their faith.
Lesson: Absolute Truth does exist, and you can know Him and live by His truths.
It’s important to remember that you’re not raising kids, you’re raising adults. Reading and discussing these books with a trusted adult will help them figure out what they believe and why and be able to articulate it to others.
What books for middle schoolers do you recommend?
Katie Hornor‘s experiences as a wife, teacher, missionary, expat, business owner and homeschool mom of five have given her many opportunities to choose praise – intentionally. Connect with her at ParadisePraises.com for homeschool helps and printables or to get her latest book In Spite of Myself: How Intentional Praise can Transform Your Heart and Home.
