Middle Grade Goes Back to School

Ready or not, September means it is time for heading back to school. As an adult, the phrase “back to school” triggers a spectrum of feelings and behaviors. For teachers, it signals classroom preparation season and team meetings. Parents take “back to school” time as their cue to ready school supplies, new shoes and school clothes, and meal prep.

But for the kids who read middle grade books, going back to school means far more than to-do lists and shopping. School life is a monumental part of kids’ life experience. It’s no surprise, then, that school plays a substantial part in a large number of middle grade works.

Does your work in progress involves scenes at school, about school, or reflecting about school? You may want to read a few of these middle grade titles. Each of these authors incorporate school life in different ways.

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom! by Louis Sachar

A poignant tale of a “troubled” boy and the counselor who sees him for who he is. Sachar has a knack for revealing the inner life of a character.

Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt

Heart-rending depiction of struggles with dyslexia aside, Hunt builds a delightfully relatable ragtag crew of sixth grade girls.

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

The first book of this series introduces readers to seven fifth grade students in Mr. Terupt’s class who must learn how to get along despite their differences. Buyea develops authentic characters, relatable problems, and maintains an engaging pace.

As a new school year begins, I cannot help but wonder whether the effects of a certain virus might linger in how kids experience school. Will we read stories whose main characters wear matching face shields? Will plexiglass dividers be incorporated into epic cafeteria food fight scenes? Time will tell.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.