Best Middle Grade Books of the Century So Far

The 2000s have been a phenomenal century for youth literature. Not only have we seen young adult books grow and adapt. We’ve seen middle grade literature come into its own, distinguishing itself from books for children and books for teen readers. Socioculturally, the tween demographic became a more distinct group; so, too, have the books that speak to and help define this group that’s not quite children and not quite teenagers. What makes a book a middle grade book? The first is the target readership, of course. Middle grade books serve a wide range of readers between third and eighth grade, with most falling in the center, reaching readers between ages eight and twelve. Some books meet the interests and needs of the younger end of this spectrum, as well as books that meet those needs and interests of the older end (this is especially true of nonfiction, which can often straddle a line between middle grade and young adult readers when published for ages 10 and up or ages 12 and up). Beyond target readership, middle grade literature explores the themes and questions this age group is curious about: Who am I in the world? Middle grade books explore friendship and families, as well as...