Ben Guterson
World-Famous Nine
A fast-paced, funny middle-grade adventure that captures the chaotic energy of school life without relying on heavy exposition.
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How to Write Really Badly
by Anne Fine
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L
A genuinely clever premise (kid tries to write badly, accidentally learns to write well) that keeps the humor sharp without slowing down; rewarding for kids who feel self-conscious about writing.
A Long Way from Chicago
by Richard Peck
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 730L
A beautifully constructed episodic novel that uses humor and warmth to teach Depression-era history and the particular resourcefulness of rural American women—the kind of book that makes kids actually want to know more about their grandparents' lives.
Snoop
by Gordon Korman
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2025
Korman's reliable formula — fast-paced, funny, and genuinely clever mystery plotting that makes reluctant readers want to keep up with the clues.