Favorite Middle Grade Chapter Book Read-Alouds

“Can you recommend a good chapter book to read aloud?”

This is the question I receive more than any other. It’s also a question that I take very seriously. Tackling a chapter book read-aloud in the middle grades (typically grades 3-5) is not just a major time investment, but also an investment in your students’ long-term memory bank.

But the ROI is second-to-none.

These novels have been time-tested and kid-approved year after year after year and for good reason. They have memorable characters, enticing plots, brilliant, sophisticated writing, and that little something extra I just can’t put my finger on that makes kids beg you to keep reading.

And, perhaps most importantly, is that they are fun to read aloud. These are books I can’t wait to pull off the shelf and dive into with my class because I know with absolute certainty that they will be ingrained in their minds as childhood favorites.

One note before we dive in: It’s definitely beneficial to read the book in its entirety before sharing it with your class. You know your audience and its dynamics and will be able to tell right away if the book will be a good fit or not. It also puts you one step ahead in terms of discussion topics and prompting thoughtful questions— and also in censoring any content that may be questionable for your age group.

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Best Middle-Grade Chapter Book Read-Alouds!

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Genre: Historical Fiction

What you need to know: Turtle in Paradise takes place in 1935 in Key West. The setting is awesome and Jennifer Holm does an incredible job of teaching her readers about the Great Depression without even knowing they are learning about history. The characters are funny and have wild names that students will love (i.e. Beans, Slow Poke, Too Bad, Pork Chop). There’s an old family mystery, a gang of diaper-changing ruffians, and a search for pirate treasure during a raging hurricane—what else could you ask for in a book?

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Genre: Fantasy

What you need to know: The Wild Robot is a survival tale about a lovable robot, Roz, who is deserted on an island. In order to survive she must learn the ways of the animals and keep her mysterious past from coming back to haunt her. Kids will love the science-y, nature-y vibe and will be rooting for Roz and her animal friends. There’s also a sequel that I admittedly haven’t read, but my students beeline for a copy in the library as soon as we finish TWR and seem to enjoy it just as much. AND I was informed that Peter Brown is releasing a third book in September 2023!

Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise

Genre: Mystery

What you need to know: Regarding the Fountain is utterly unique as it is told entirely in letters, memos, faxes, and other forms of written correspondence. Dry Creek Middle School needs to replace a leaky fountain and hires whimsical fountain designer Florence Waters to complete the job. Little do the students know that they will uncover the biggest mystery in Dry Creek history while assisting Florence in her fountain creation.

Note: Students very much need their own copy of the book so they can notice and explore every written detail and hidden clue within the pages.

Download my Regarding the Fountain Cast of Characters List to keep the many characters from getting mixed up and a really fun “Fountain Fantasies” Writing Prompt—both are found in the Freebies Vault!

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Genre: Realistic Fiction

What you need to know: Save Me a Seat is told over the course of one week in fifth grade from alternating points of view. Joe and Ravi are two students who initially dislike one another because they assume they have nothing in common, but as the story develops, they become united over a common enemy —bully Dillon Samreen. Hearing the story events told from Joe and Ravi’s very different viewpoints keeps students inferring, predicting, and talking all the way to the high-five ending.

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney

Genre: Realistic Fiction

What you need to know: Annie is a shy fifth grader with a remarkable memory and penchant for writing lists. When her family is uprooted from their life in Brooklyn and relocates to Clover Gap, a small town upstate, she must navigate new friendships and learn to stand up for herself. My students nominated Clover Gap as one of their favorite story settings during our end-of-year “Bookies” awards and the

Note: The list format makes it fun for students to follow along, so procuring a class set would be a big plus! It also lends itself well to rich discussions about the intricacies of friendship, standing up for oneself, small-town life, and family dynamics.

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Genre: Historical Fiction

What you need to know: A newer alternative to Bud, Not Buddy or Lemony Snicket’s A Bad Beginning but with the same parentless, protagonists-on-a-hunt-for-safety-and-guardianship type vibes. Set against the backdrop of World War II, A Place to Hang the Moon centers around three orphaned siblings who are evacuated to the English countryside to find a guardian and protector from the war. In doing so, they overcome hardships such as hunger, cruel trickery from foster siblings, and the ever-present fear of German attack. Although it was published in early 2021, it feels as if you’re reading a classic. Speaking of, many classic books are referenced (Mary Poppins, A Little Princess, a character named Edmond!) which makes it fun for the budding bibliophile.

Poppy by Avi

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

What you need to know: Poppy is a tiny, timid deer mouse living amongst a large mouse family in Dimwood Forest under the tyrannical rule of the almighty owl, Mr. Ocax. When he refuses to grant permission to the family to move to a different part of the forest where there is food aplenty, Poppy must embark on a dangerous quest to defeat Mr. Ocax and lead her family to food and safety. Armed with her expanding courage and her new friend Ereth, a cranky but lovable porcupine (and also one of my all-time favorite characters!), Poppy is a delightfully descriptive and adventurous tale of bravery and humor that students always adore.

Note: Poppy’s “boyfriend”, Ragweed, is killed by Mr. Ocax in the beginning of the book but it’s written in a way that isn’t traumatizing to young readers. It’s also the second book in the seven-book series, but you don’t have to have read the first one, Ragweed, before reading Poppy. In fact, students will be even more inclined to read Ragweed’s story after learning about his tragic demise.

 Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Fantasy

What you need to know: Ready for a break from Edward Tulane, Despereaux, and Winn Dixie but want to remain loyal to Kate DiCamillo? Enter kitchy, quirky, witty Flora and Ulysses. It’s ridiculously funny, the characters are undeniably eccentric (a poetry-writing-super-hero squirrel?), and your vocabulary will grow exponentially just by soaking in the pages. The (weird and wacky) plot centers around ultra-cynic Flora Belle Buckman and a squirrel named Ulysses, who develops super-hero abilities after being sucked into the neighbor’s vacuum cleaner. In bonding with Ulysses, the guarded Flora learns to discard her cynicism and let love in. The comic-style illustrations add to the fun and your students will be looking for opportunities to yell, “holy unanticipated occurrences!” And “Malfeasance!”

 Note: The movie version on Disney+ gets two thumbs up! Be sure to serve sprinkle donuts!

Anything by Roald Dahl

My very best elementary school memories are of chapter book read-alouds, and ever since Danny Champion of the World was read aloud by my fourth grade teacher, I’ve been a passionate member of the Roald Dahl Fan Club. Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and Fantastic Mr. Fox have all been read aloud at various points during my career and they are always beloved. But my very favorite Roald read aloud is The Witches. It’s especially fun at the start of October. If you’re short on time then make sure you read the chapter “How to Recognize a Real Witch” as close to Halloween as you can. Their eyes will bug out as they beg you to tell them more. And isn’t it curious that every single one of those books has a movie version?  How whoppsy-wiffling!

Note on Roald Dahl: Some of my absolute favorite and most successful books to hook reluctant readers are The Twits, Esio Trot, and The Giraffe and the Pelly, and Me. Likewise, one of my very favorite beginning-of-the-year read alouds is George’s Marvelous Medicine. All are super funny and super short— a winning combo for reluctant readers.

What are your favorite middle-grade chapter book read-alouds?? I’d love to add to the list!

yours in reading,
rawley