Saturday, October 19, 2024

Spooky Stories for Middle Grade

With Halloween fast-approaching, I thought I'd revisit my Scary Stories for Middle Grade post from two years ago. Spooky stories (horror, ghost stories, scares, and creepy mysteries) continue to be a big hit with my 5th graders. I started a whole bin just for 'Scary Stories,' and students have been grabbing them since school started. 

Get in a spooky mood with any of these incredible Spooky Stories for Middle Grade readers. Want more middle grade? Check out #iLoveMG for more books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Spooky Stories for Middle Grade


(Whenever possible, I like to include author photos along with book covers when sharing books with kids. It helps reinforce the idea that authors are real people!)



  • This Appearing House by Ally Malinenko. The teeth scene. Enough said. (Seriously, so many of my students shoved this book into another unsuspecting-student's hands as soon as they finished with it.)
  • It Found Us by Linday Currie. Honestly, that cover is too much for me, yikes!
  • Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley. This one is the most tame of the bunch but has a strong mystery element to hook readers. Big Westing House vibes.
  • Daybreak at Raven Island by Fleur Bradley. Mystery inspired by Alcatraz. Enough said.




Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite spooky stories for middle grade readers?

Saturday, October 5, 2024

World's Greatest LGBTQIAP2S+ Novels and Graphic Novels

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

World's Greatest LGBTQIAP2S+ Novels and Graphic Novels

Recommended by Anonymous


(Top Left) Melissa: A story of how a young kid comes out to the world 

(Bottom Left) Drama: A young girl find out that she likes to be a set designer 

(Bottom Right) Heartstopper: A story of how 2 young boys find each other 

(Top Right) The Prince and the Dressmaker: The prince of his kingdom discovers he likes dresses and has them made in secret 

(Top middle right half) Laura dean keeps breaking up with me: Is about a kid with her girlfriend who keeps ditching her, then she eventually seeks help 

(Top middle left half) The Girl from the Sea: Is about a girl with a secret

Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?