Julie Nicole
Jayla and Kayla's Awesomely Bad Adventures
Middle gradeages 7–10grades 2–5550L2022
A fun, low-stakes romp for kids who love chaotic best-friend dynamics, though it lacks the narrative depth of top-tier middle grade titles.
Read this next
All picks after this →The Bridge Battle
by Jacqueline Davies
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 750L · 2022
A breezy, low-stakes adventure that works well for reluctant readers who want action without heavy emotional weight.
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.
Adventures of Little Miss Mckenzie
by C. M. Loch
Middle grade · ages 7–10 · 550L · 2021
A lighthearted slice-of-life that works well for reluctant readers who prefer low-stakes humor over plot-driven adventures.