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The 2015 Nerdies: Middle Grade Fiction Announced by Colby Sharp
I love middle grade fiction. The odds are that if you are reading this post you probably love it, too. Chances are part of your reading journey included a middle grade book that you read as a kid that you still cherish today. For me it was Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet. It could have easily been Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, or Charlotte’s Web.
The books that you find below spent the last year finding their way into the hearts of young readers all over the world. The future leaders of our great planet will hold some of these great stories in their hearts for the rest of their lives. Just like I have held Hatchet in mine.
Join me in celebrating these amazing books. Count how many you’ve read (I’ve read 17), and figure out which one you want to read next (I need to get my hands on a copy of The Nest).
A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielson
All the Answers by Kate Messner
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
George by Alex Gino
Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams Garcia
Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff
Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
The Detective’s Assistant by Kate Hannigan
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
The Marvels by Brian Selznick
The Nest written by Kenneth Oppel, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Colby Sharp is a third grade teacher from The Village of Parma (Michigan). He is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, The #SharpSchu Twitter book club, and The Yarn. Colby co-hosts the monthly Twitter chat #Titletalk with his pal Donalyn Miller.
Nerdy Book Club 
Omg I love middle grade. I feel like it has got a lot better as I’ve grown up. I don’t know if that has to do with me understanding more or if authors really are targeting their middle grade at YA readers as well but I bloody love it. The thing about Jellyfish and Fish in a Tree are my two faves
I haven’t heard of any of these books but I live in Australia. Thank you very much for sharing them though and I’ll keep my eyes open. My kids have really enjoyed Andy Griffiths Treehouse Series.
xx Rowena
Love this list! I’ve read all but 5 and have loved every one!
Reblogged this on Ethical ELA.
I’ve read 16 if these, with plans to read all of them. And you simply must get your hands on The Nest: hands down, the mist thrilling book I read all year. Here’s to discovering more wonderful reads in 2016!
What a FANTASTIC list. I’ve read many of these. Am currently reading and loving THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. Next up for me? THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH. I’m falling in love with reading all over again this holiday season.
Congrats to all the authors and readers who will now see these books.
I still think about THE TRUTH ABOUT TWINKIE PIE every time I see a lipstick display. I’ve got a bit more reading to do to catch up on this list!!! Thanks for always being such champions of middle grade–some of the best literature out there. 🙂
What ages define middle grade?
That’s a tricky question. I think around 4-8 grades.
Great list, Colby! Still reading – and enjoying – many of them. And oh, my, yes – The Mouse and the Motorcycle!!! *love*
Great list. I’ve read eight of them. All of our Mock Newbery titles are on this list except for Goodbye Stranger. I’m sharing the list with the members of my book club now.
Wonderful list – some of our favorites are here! Circus Mirandus, Fish in a Tree, George, and Stella By Starlight – LOVE!!!!
Super list. Gotta get Crenshaw and the Truth about Twinkie Pie.
I’ve read 14, and I can honestly say I’ve liked all of them. The ones on here that I’ve wanted to get to but haven’t (yet!) are The Marvels and The Truth About Twinkie Pie. I LOVE the Nerdy Book Club! Thanks so much for these awards that help me fill my reading list and classroom library every year!
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Loved Echo and The War that Saved my Life. Really enjoyed Paper Things and Fish in a Tree. Currently reading Listen, Slowly, and all the rest are on order at the library. Great list. Thanks so much!
The Nest is a fabulous novel. Yes, you must get your hands on it. I’m currently thinking about it as a reread!
I just read this book also and found it fascinating. A book worthy of some great conversation. When I was done, I wanted to talk to someone about it.
I’ve read all but 3 titles. I’ve even reread a few of them for our mock and book club! Not sure if I’ll get to the last 3 before next week. I need to pick up The Hired Girl at the library on Monday. 2015 was a great year for middle grade titles!
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WOW. What a list, Colby. Thanks so much for including Fish in a Tree here. I have so much affection and respect for all of the Nerds here so this means a great deal to me; I can’t think of a better way to begin 2016. The other books on this list make me smile as well – many cherished books and friends here. 🙂 Wishing you ALL a phenomenal 2016 full of both books and Nerds!
Gary Schmidt’s Orbiting Jupiter is THE book at my school right now. I love its appeal to boys and girls. Good list!
LOVED The Nest – I’m actually recording a Book of the Week vlog on it today! Ordered a lot of these for our Middle School library, and can’t wait to hear what the students think!
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I love this list. I have read several and heard of so many of the others and checking into them right now. I stumbled across Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Honest Truth, this week and he has another winner. Check it out and be prepared for quite a ride.