School’s back in session, but that doesn’t mean kids will be looking to take an incomplete in Reading for Fun 101. And with favorite characters like Percy Jackson, Smile’s Raina, Captain Underpants, and Wonder’s Auggie—along with a slew of awesome newbies—on this month’s honor roll, kids will be stoked to hit the books.
Young readers had a great reading year in 2015—and so did those of us who know that books for young readers are awesome for readers of all ages. From a long-awaited new book in the Dork Diaries series to a memoir by baseball star Mo’ne Davis (and a semi-autobiographical novel by baseball star Derek Jeter!), not to mention another installment in Stuart Gibbs’s wickedly funny Spy School series, the hits just kept on coming. And for that, we are grateful. If you’re looking for a terrific book or two for your middle schooler, look no further than the titles below.