I finally finished this list! I have been working on it for a couple weeks. I meant to get it out sooner, but ‘life happens’ as they say. I wanted to highlight all the great books I’ve read this year, at a time when many people may be wondering what book to gift this holiday season. Now is the time to get your shopping done early by ordering from your favourite local indie bookstore!
As noted above, I’ve read each book on this list and heartily recommend them all. I’ve written bite sized descriptions to give you a feel for each title. If the bullet points pique your interest, I encourage you to learn more about the book to determine if it would make the right kind of gift you’re looking for. Titles link to my reviews where available.
Contemporary Fiction
While compiling this list, I was surprised to find I had an equal number of contemporary and speculative titles. I don’t read a lot of contemporary, so you know a book has to be special to catch my attention. The books below tackle important subjects that are a part of kids’ lives today.
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- Sisters in foster care looking out for each other (the new caregiver is better than the last)
- First person narrator with sharp wits and a compelling voice
- Deals frankly with sexual assault
- Read it yourself before gifting
That’s What Friends Do by Cathleen Barnhart
- A friendship between a girl and a boy dramatically ruptured by the arrival of a new student
- Dual narrative
- Nuanced look at harmful notions of consent, masculinity, and misogyny
- Jewish representation
Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone
- Pushing back against unfair dress code enforcement
- Student activism via podcast and protest
- A lighter read than the two above (focus on feminism and double standards, not assault)
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
- Zoe connects for the first time via letters with her imprisoned father
- Baking competition subplot – is she responsible enough?
- Gracefully explores the topic of wrongful imprisonment
- #ownvoices for Black American representation
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
- Sudden death of older brother leaves King grieving and conflicted – is it bad to be gay?
- A broken friendship repaired
- Relatively introspective and somber
- #ownvoices for queer Black American representation
Rick by Alex Gino
- Slice of life: starting middle schools, making new friends, learning about yourself
- Conversations with grandpa prove more enlightening than anticipated
- Accessible to younger MG readers
- Questioning/asexual representation
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
- Kind and optimistic Efrén does his best to help out after mom deported
- Running for school council subplot
- Plot less predictable than you might think
- #ownvoices for Mexican-American representation
Speculative Fiction
Now onto my bread and butter – middle grade speculative fiction. I read a variety of books for kids and adults, but if you ask my favourite genre, this is what I’ll say. 2020’s been a rough ride. Give the gift of a fantastical read with one of these tales.
The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf
- Ultimately a story about the growing pains of friendship
- Some dark and unsettling scenes
- The most beautifully written book on this list
- #ownvoices for Malaysian representation
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
- Portal fantasy: Cree girl and boy (one connected to their culture, one not) travel to winter world populated by talking animals
- Quest story to end the winter
- Great introduction to new series
- #ownvoices for Cree representation
Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon
- Starts off creepy enough
- Kicks up into fast paced scares – kids’ fears come to life
- Based on the timeless kid’s game
- #ownvoices for Black American representation
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
- Friendship and found family
- Mostly fun, not too scary
- Supporting characters incl. a cool grandmother and an unusual cat
- #ownvoices for Dominican-American representation
Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
- Second book in Sal & Gabi duology
- Different from other RRP: less action/adventure, more character-driven0
- A little more scifi than the first book (more talking robots, more multiverse) but mostly contemporary vibes
- #ownvoices for Cuban-American representation
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
- Les Misérables retelling -explores structural poverty and social inequity
- Distinct magic/power system in the form of coloured glowing orbs
- Dual perspective, third person narrative
- Thai analogue world written by Thai-American author
Bloom by Kenneth Oppel
- Sci-fi thriller – invasive plants rapidly spread around the globe
- Unique immunity and abilities emerge in the three protagonists
- Compelling, edge-of-your-seat narrative
- First in a trilogy (book two, Hatch, also available now) by a well-regarded Canadian author
Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker (Seanan McGuire)
- Portal fantasy
- Two protagonists who seem like mirror opposites
- McGuire’s signature style, à la the Wayward Children series
- MG status debatable but I’m sticking it on this list (suitable for kids, possibly better enjoyed by adults who love Middlegame)
If you didn’t see your favourite 2020 middle grade release here, there’s a solid chance I haven’t read it yet. Watch for next week’s list of 2020 MG titles I should read ASAP. And do leave your recommendations in the comments!
Do you have any kids in your life that you buy books for? Will you be gifting yourself any MG titles this year?
I’m very excited to check out these titles for myself! haha
Certainly nothing wrong with gifting books to yourself 😀
Lovely post! With COVID around I am completely out of tune with middle grade reads as the school library was closed for more than half the year. Your selection can give me a few more new choices!
Thank-you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! There are a lot of great reads that may have been overlooked given everything else going on this year, so I’m happy to spread the word.
I really want to read Fighting Words and A Wish in the Dark! I admit I wasn’t too impressed by Ghost Squad, though. The plot didn’t make a lot of sense to me. :/
Yes, I think you would enjoy both of those titles a lot more than Ghost Squad…
If only the library would process some books, haha.
I’m even more excited for many of these after seeing your longer reviews, a great gift guide!
Thank-you so much! 🙂
Thank-you so much! 😊 I feel like I’ve been on a roll with reviews this year, haha – it’s easier when I’m reading so many good books.
Oh my gosh, I have added so many books to my TBR from this list. I adored King and the Dragonflies so I trust your judgement! I always find something special in the gentle way hard-hitting middle grades weave their stories.
Thank-you so much! It’s true, middle grade is one of my favourite ‘ages’ to read because it often strikes a perfect balance between harmful experiences and hopeful outcomes.
These books sound amazing. How I wish there had been so many great choices when I was young!
Right! I still love a few middle grade titles I read when I was that age, but there’s so much more variety now.