Even reluctant readers in middle school can get hooked on a great book series!
Over the years, some of my students’ favorite middle school books have been part of engaging series that keep them coming back for more. One of the great advantages of series books is that they build excitement and motivation for reading. With these books, students can’t wait to dive into the next installment.
Adding these top middle school book series to your classroom library keeps students engaged and helps foster a love of reading. This is ideal even for those who typically struggle to find books they enjoy.
These series offer consistency, character development, and growing complexity, making them perfect for readers at different levels. Plus, they provide a great way to address the common challenge of finding books that students will actually want to read.
The Impact of Series Books in Middle School
Just like popular movie franchises, book series are guaranteed to be a hit among readers. Here are some key ways series books make a significant impact in middle school classrooms:
- Increased Engagement and Motivation: Series books grab students’ attention, making them eager to pick up the next installment and fostering a love for reading.
- Development of Predictive Skills: Unlike standalone books, series give students a chance to continuously build on their knowledge of characters and storylines. With each new installment, students can refine their ability to anticipate plot twists and character decisions based on what they’ve already read. This ongoing practice strengthens critical thinking. It helps them draw deeper connections, which is harder to achieve with a single book.
- Enhancing Social Skills: Discussions about a series of books encourage meaningful conversations among students. This promotes collaboration and the development of social skills.
- Fostering Emotional Connections: Series often feature relatable characters and situations, helping students navigate their own emotions and experiences.
- Sustained Character and Plot Development: The intricate plots and deep character development in series books teach students patience and delayed gratification as they await the next book.
These elements make series books invaluable in supporting literacy and fostering a positive reading culture in middle school!
Top Middle School Books
Whether you’re trying to reach reluctant readers or challenge more advanced students, these book series belong in every middle school classroom!
1. The Crossover Series by Kwame Alexander
Start your book series list with these powerful verse novels! Kwame Alexander’s Newbery Medal-winning book, The Crossover, tells the story of two brothers, Josh and Jordan.
One is a basketball superstar, and the other is a passionate artist. As they grow up, they learn to navigate the ups and downs of life.
The next book, Booked, tells the story of 12-year-old Nick Hall, a talented young soccer player facing some tough choices about his future. Finally, Rebound, the prequel to The Crossover, explores the story of Josh and Jordan’s father, Chuck.
This series is a great addition to any classroom. The unique verse format makes it accessible and engaging for reluctant readers, while the themes of family, sports, and self-discovery resonate with students on a personal level. Middle schoolers can relate to the challenges of growing up, dealing with grief, and navigating relationships.
These books provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop empathy and connect with authentic, real-life struggles while enhancing their appreciation for poetry as a narrative form.
2. The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner
Next on the list is The Maze Runner series. This is a thrilling set of middle school books with a popular movie adaptation!
Written by James Dashner, the series follows the story of Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in a lift and arrives in a mysterious place called the Glade.
Which is surrounded by an enormous, ever-changing maze.
Each day, a new boy is brought to the Glade. Thomas soon discovers that every night, terrifying creatures roam the maze. As he learns more about his situation, Thomas begins to suspect that he might be the only one who can lead the group to safety.
This gripping series is perfect for middle school students because it offers high-stakes action, mystery, and teamwork. All of these things will keep readers engaged from start to finish. The series encourages problem-solving, as students can put themselves in Thomas’s shoes, thinking through complex challenges alongside the characters.
Additionally, The Maze Runner books help students explore themes of leadership, friendship, and resilience.
3. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Stiefvater
For fans of Twilight, The Wolves of Mercy Falls series is a must-read among middle school books! Maggie Stiefvater’s captivating series, which began with the release of Shiver in 2009, follows 17-year-old Grace as she grapples with her werewolf curse. She has growing feelings for her childhood friend, Sam, who also happens to be the alpha wolf.
As their relationship deepens with each book, Grace and Sam face new and intense challenges. These challenges are both together and apart, making the series an emotional rollercoaster.
This series is a fantastic choice for middle school students because it blends romance, fantasy, and adventure in a way that appeals to young readers. The well-developed characters and intricate plotlines keep readers engaged. The deeper themes of identity, belonging, and transformation resonate with middle schoolers navigating their own changes.
Additionally, discussions around identity and transformation are particularly valuable in this book. Students can explore how the physical changes Grace and Sam go through mirror the internal changes teens often experience. These relatable emotional struggles make The Wolves of Mercy Falls series a meaningful addition to any classroom library.
The Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu
Marie Lu’s Legend Trilogy is a middle school favorite! The series starts with Legend, where we meet June, a brilliant fifteen-year-old soldier drafted to fight for the Republic of America.
When she crosses paths with Day, a notorious criminal accused of treason, everything she thought she knew is challenged.
The second book, Prodigy, follows June and Day as they team up to stop the ongoing war. However, their conflicting ideas about how to achieve peace create tension and drama, pulling readers into the complexity of their relationship.
Finally, in Champion, June and Day must face their biggest challenge yet—saving their world from destruction. The action-packed plot and emotional stakes keep students on the edge of their seats!
This dystopian series is a hit in middle school classrooms, as it combines fast-paced action, strong characters, and thought-provoking themes of justice and sacrifice. It’s perfect for sparking discussions on government, loyalty, and responsibility.
Engaging Classroom Activities for Middle School Books
I hope this list helps you find the perfect middle school books to enrich your classroom experience! Not only do book series like these engage students with their captivating stories, but they also offer a variety of activities you can use to enhance learning in your classroom:
First Chapter Fridays: A weekly event where I read the first chapter aloud to the class. It’s a great way to get students hooked on something new!
I choose books with exciting first chapters and offer students the chance to borrow a copy afterward—there’s always a huge waitlist.
They are also great for middle schoolers because they introduce a variety of genres and authors. Therefore, this helps students discover what resonates with them while building listening skills and fostering an engaging reading culture. Interested in trying First Chapter Fridays in your classroom? Click here to learn more!
- Track Character Development: Students can follow the growth of characters throughout a series. They will note how their personalities, motivations, and relationships change over time.
- Predict Plot Twists: I encourage students to make predictions about upcoming events or character decisions based on what they’ve read. This will enhance their critical thinking and inference skills.
- Compare Themes Across the Series: I guide discussions on how themes evolve across the books. This helps students understand deeper messages and recurring motifs.
- Creative Writing Prompts: Students can write alternate endings or create their own short stories inspired by the series’ world and characters.
- Debates on Moral Dilemmas: I stage classroom debates on the tough choices characters face. This allows students to explore different perspectives and defend their viewpoints.
These activities build critical thinking skills and foster a love of reading, making these middle school book series an exciting and enriching part of the classroom!
Extended Learning
If you want to take your teaching to the next level, consider joining my ELA Content Hub Membership. You’ll gain access to hundreds of resources, including Doodle Notes, Bell Work, 5th-8th Grade Grammar Resources, Seasonal Resources, Digital Activities, and Standards-Based Assessments.
These materials will perfectly complement your book series and help engage your students in their reading journey.