Good Books for Kids | YA and Kid Reviews Since 2006

Yesterday we posted Shan's list of Best Picture Books of 2010, and today we have her list of Best 2010 Books for Middle-Graders. (Advanced Tweeners might like these as well.)

**Shan is a Children's Librarian in NYC. She loves fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure.

The Storm in the Barn
by Matt Phelan

**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** Booklist
**Starred Review** Horn
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Description: This graphic novel of magical realism in the time of the Dust Bowl and depression gives a slightly fantastical look at a time in history that was all to real for so many. When the young protagonist discovers the storm hiding in the barn, he has to figure a way to confront it and bring rain back to the land. This story isn't for the faint of heart -- one massively grim moment (taken from real history) is particularly shocking, but it makes for a great historical read. (ages 9-14)

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (September 8, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0763636185
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 2,260
Reading Level: 2.3
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.3 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 134356
Lexile: GN430L

The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle
by Deva Fagan

Description: This delightful fantasy adventure features a girl who wants nothing more than to be a wicked villain and a boy whose charm may hide a host of flaws. In this world where nothing is quite as it seems, it takes a bogwitch's courage to decide her own fate to help set things right. (Ages 9-12)

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (May 25, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0805087435
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 55,690
Reading Level: 4.4
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.4 / points: 8.0 / quiz: 137444

When you Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead

**Starred Review** School Library Journal
**Starred Review** Booklist
**Starred Review** Horn
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** Publishers Weekly
**Amazon Book of the Month**

Description: An unusual book with a SF/Fantasy touch to it. This historical fiction peice about friendship, family and love in the 1970s is made more mysterious and startling by the addition of a bit of time travel. Surprisingly good, and I'm an L'Engle fan, so I enjoyed the references to this author! (Ages 9-12)

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Yearling (December 28, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0375850864
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 39,253
Reading Level: 4.5
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.5 / points: 6.0 / quiz: 131144
Lexile: 750L

Drizzle
by Kathleen VanCleve

**Starred Review** Publishers Weekly

Description: Something a bit more magical realism than true fantasy adventure, about a remarkable garden and the family that owns it -- and the people that threaten it. At it's heart though, it's a coming of age story for one young lady as she discovers the secrets of the garden and who she wants to be. (Ages 9-12)

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Dial (March 4, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0803733623
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 67,742
Reading Level: 4.1
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.1 / points: 10.0 / quiz: 136595

Windblowne
by Stephen Messer

Description: The young protagonist lives in a town full of kites and kite flying, but when a strange kite glides him into another world, he must find his courage and confidence in his own abilities to stop a threat that might destroy his and all the worlds. (Ages 9-12)

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 25, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0375861955
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 52,521
Reading Level: 5.3
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.3 / points: 8.0 / quiz: 137842

The Facttracker
by Jason Carter Eaton

Description: An imaginative story of a boy born in a town where facts are generated. Our young protagonist is a foundling in the town, without any facts of his own. But this one small boy may very well be the only one who can save the town when lies threaten to destroy all facts everywhere. A bizarre, funny and imaginative work that was lots of fun to read. (Ages 9-12)

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 29, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0060564342
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Technical Stuff

Word Count: 39,233

Reading Level: 5.5

Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.5 / points: 6.0 / quiz: 120739

A Whole Nother Story
by Cuthbert Soup

**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Amazon Book of the Month**

Description: A madcap adventure tale of some children and their father on the run from a whole range of ridiculous villains. This bizarre book is told in such a charming way that despite the strangeness of the plot, we love being along for the ride! Great fun! (Ages 9-12)

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (September 28, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1599905183
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 57,572
Reading Level: 5.6
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.6 / points: 9.0 / quiz: 134342
Lexile: 900L

The Lost Conspiracy
by Frances Hardinge

**Starred Review** Horn Book
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** Publishers Weekly

Description: A very different sort of adventure tale on an island where beliefs have clashed between natives and settlers. Some magic, much adventure, betrayal, murder, secrets and discoveries. All this packed into a gritty coming of age story of one young island girl who never thought herself remarkable -- until she has to be. (ages 9-14)

Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (September 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0060880414
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Technical Stuff
Word Count: 130,604
Reading Level: 6.8
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 6.8 / points: 22.0 / quiz: 132137
Lexile: 970L

Powerless
by Matthew Cody

Description: What if you were the one kid in town who didn't have any superpowers? What if you wanted to solve the mystery of why those powers vanished when a kid turned twelve and they forgot everything? In this story, that's exactly what our young hero sets out to do, and proves that just because you don't have superpowers, doesn't mean you're powerless. (Ages 9-12)