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Check out these illustrated books for middle schoolers ages 8-12! 
Dork Diaries 16

Tales from a Not-So-Bratty Little Sister

Nikki Maxwell’s diary enters her bratty little sister’s clutches in this sixteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

Speaking of America

United States Presidents and the Words That Changed History

Illustrated by Vivian Shih

From New York Times bestselling author Jared Cohen comes an encouraging and engaging debut children’s book that brings United States history to life through forty-five compelling presidential quotes, demonstrating the power of words and inspiring hope for the future of America.

The Queens' English

The Young Readers' LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases

This young readers adaptation of The Queens’ English is a nonfiction illustrated reference guide to the LGBTQIA+ community’s contributions to the English language.

Looking Up
Illustrated by Stephan Pastis

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Timmy Failure series comes a quirky and heartwarming middle grade novel about a girl struggling with loneliness and the curveballs of life—featuring black and white illustrations throughout!

Stuntboy, In-Between Time
Illustrated by Raúl the Third

From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes the sequel to the hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel Stuntboy, in the Meantime about the greatest young superhero you’ve never heard of, jam-packed with illustrations by Raúl the Third!

Dork Diaries 15

Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure

Nikki Maxwell deals with the trials and triumphs of middle school in this fifteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

The Bellwoods Game
Illustrated by Celia Krampien

Perfect for fans of Small Spaces and Doll Bones, this spooky, highly illustrated middle grade novel follows a girl who hopes to fix her outcast status through a game in the haunted woods, only to discover that some legends shouldn’t be played with.

The Sea of Terror
Illustrated by Stacy Curtis

Join Tim and his friends on a treacherous journey across the seas in the laugh-out-loud funny, highly illustrated third book of the New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Tim series from Spy School author Stuart Gibbs.

Dungeoneer Adventures 2

Wrath of the Exiles

Illustrated by Ben Costa

The Last Kids on Earth gets a fantasy twist in this high-stakes second book in the highly illustrated middle grade Dungeoneer Adventures series following Coop and his friends as they face dangerous rivals looking to get revenge on the academy.

Dungeoneer Adventures 1

Lost in the Mushroom Maze

Illustrated by Ben Costa

The Last Kids on Earth gets a fantasy twist in this exciting first book in a new, highly illustrated middle grade series about the adventures of a boy who’s the only human student at an academy for future explorers.

Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

This fourth wall–breaking middle grade collection of spooky, scary, and spoopy stories for fans of Lemony Snicket and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark might just help you survive the night in a house full of vampires.

F.A.R.T.

Top Secret! No Kids Allowed!

When a young teen discovers a top-secret parenting manual, it’s kids versus grown-ups in this kooky, illustrated middle grade thriller with nonstop, seat-of-your-pants action that will delight fans of Jarrett Lerner and Stuart Gibbs.

Revenge of the Beast

Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this riotously funny, deliciously macabre, and highly illustrated sequel to The Beast and the Bethany in which Bethany and Ebenezer try to turn over a new leaf, only to have someone—or something—thwart them at every turn.

Once Upon a Tim
Illustrated by Stacy Curtis

Join New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs in this first book in a hilarious, highly illustrated new middle grade series about a peasant boy who wants to be a knight, perfect for fans of Max & the Midknights.

Hardcourt

Stories from 75 Years of the National Basketball Association

Illustrated by James E. Ransome

Celebrate seventy-five years of the NBA in this exciting and beautifully illustrated middle grade account of the legendary athletes, coaches, and teams that changed basketball forever and created a national phenomenon enjoyed by millions today.

Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Illustrated by Raúl the Third

From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel about the greatest young superhero you’ve never heard of, filled with illustrations by Raúl the Third!

Black Ballerinas

My Journey to Our Legacy

Illustrated by Salena Barnes

From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes an illustrated nonfiction collection celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage.

Pizazz
Illustrated by Sophy Henn

Discover the annoying side of being a superhero from snarky, reluctant hero Pizazz in this hilarious and highly illustrated new series for young middle graders—perfect for fans of Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Pizazz vs. the New Kid
Illustrated by Sophy Henn

Snarky, reluctant caped crusader Pizazz butts heads with another superhero kid in this hilarious and highly illustrated new novel—perfect for fans of Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu, and You
Illustrated by Jess Bradley

Packed with comics, diagrams, and “secret diaries,” this book is a wondrous, encyclopedic glance at a dizzying host of different things—from hearts to farts to coconuts—and makes a hilarious and informative guide for curious young readers.

The Beast and the Bethany

Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this riotously funny, deliciously macabre, and highly illustrated tale of a hungry beast, a vain immortal man, and a not-so-charming little girl who doesn’t know she’s about to be eaten.

Kenny & the Book of Beasts
Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

In this highly anticipated sequel to New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor–winning author Tony DiTerlizzi’s Kenny and the Dragon, Kenny must cope with many changes in his life—including the fear that he’s losing his best friend.

Beetle & the Hollowbones
Assisted by Kristen Acampora and Natalie Riess / Illustrated by Aliza Layne

A Stonewall Honor Book

An enchanting, riotous, and playfully illustrated debut graphic novel following a young goblin trying to save her best friend from the haunted mall—perfect for fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time.

Gridiron

Stories from 100 Years of the National Football League

Illustrated by James E. Ransome

This accessible, informative, and beautifully illustrated book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the NFL and is the perfect keepsake for football fans of all ages.

Katarina Ballerina
Illustrated by Sumiti Collina

A young girl lives out her big ballerina dreams in this graceful start to a new series from New York City Ballet principal dancer and international prima ballerina Tiler Peck and Broadway and television actor Kyle Harris.

Journey under the Arctic

Dive into the world’s coldest ocean in search of one of the rarest creatures on the planet​ in this second story in a series of graphic adventure novels.

Becoming RBG

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Journey to Justice

Illustrated by Whitney Gardner

From the New York Times bestselling author of I Dissent comes a biographical graphic novel about celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Galactic Hot Dogs 1

Cosmoe's Wiener Getaway

Created by Max Brallier / Illustrated by Rachel Maguire and Nichole Kelley

From the creator of the bestselling series The Last Kids on Earth, this hilarious middle grade adventure follows a young boy thrust into the world of selling hot dogs in space!

The Okay Witch

Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything!

Fake Blood
Illustrated by Whitney Gardner

A middle schooler comes head-to-head with his vampire slayer crush in this laugh-out-loud funny graphic novel that’s a perfect coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt too young, too small, or too average.

Herstory

50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World

Illustrated by Sarah Walsh

Move aside history—it’s time for herstory.

Celebrate fifty inspiring and powerful women who changed the world and left their mark in this lavishly illustrated biography compilation that’s perfect for fans of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and She Persisted.

Dork Diaries 14

Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever

Nikki Maxwell’s summer is packed with drama in this fourteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

Dear Sister
Illustrated by Joe Bluhm

What do you do when you have an incredibly annoying little sister? Write her letters telling her so, of course! From New York Times bestselling author Alison McGhee comes a wickedly funny, illustrated, heartwarming, and searingly honest collection of letters from an older brother to his little sister.

Dork Diaries 1

Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

Meet Nikki Maxwell! She’s starting eighth grade at a new school—and her very first diary packed with hilarious stories and art in this SUPER SQUEE updated edition of Book One of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

Straw into Gold

Fairy Tales Re-spun

Illustrated by Sarah Gibb

“Ten old yarns cleverly ‘re-spun.’” —The Wall Street Journal
“Abundantly magical.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Award-winning author Hilary McKay reimagines classic fairy tales with humorous and heartfelt twists in this illustrated collection of short stories that Booklist calls “a real delight.”

The Field Guide

The Grace children discover the faerie world is closer than you think in this repackage of the first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles.

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Forget naughty or nice—this is a battle of good vs. evil.

Discover the origins of St. Nick and follow along as the Guardians start their quest to rid the world of nightmares in the first Guardians chapter book from Academy Award winner William Joyce that inspired the beloved film, The Rise of the Guardians.

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1

Locker Hero

A brand-new series from #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries author Rachel Renee Russell! Introducing Max Crumbly!

Max Crumbly is about to face the scariest place he’s ever been: South Ridge Middle School.

Great White Shark Adventure

Two young explorers join Fabien Cousteau and his team to get up close and personal with great white sharks in this start to a series of graphic adventure novels.

Limitless

24 Remarkable American Women of Vision, Grit, and Guts

Illustrated by Leah Tinari

In the spirit of She Persisted, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, and Rad American A-Z, acclaimed artist Leah Tinari offers a spectacular collection of portraits, celebrating iconic, inspirational, and groundbreaking American women.

Herstory

50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World

Illustrated by Sarah Walsh

Move aside history—it’s time for herstory.

Celebrate fifty inspiring and powerful women who changed the world and left their mark in this lavishly illustrated biography compilation that’s perfect for fans of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and She Persisted.

Kidstory

50 Children and Young People Who Shook Up the World

Illustrated by Sarah Walsh

Learn about fifty amazing kids who changed the world in this beautifully illustrated collection of inspiring short biographies sure to empower and motivate in equal measure.