BLOGS > OCTOBER 9, 2024
Looking to stock up on the hottest titles? These novels for maturing readers explore themes relevant to their middle school experience while sharpening their literacy skills with longer sentences and more involving narratives.
View the 5 top-selling middle school classroom novels below, and see the full list here:
Shop Top-Selling Middle School Book Collection Get a Quote
By Pedro Martin
Pedro Martin's grown up in the US hearing stories about his legendary abuelito, but during a family road trip to Mexico, he connects with his grandfather and learns more about his own Mexican identity in this graphic memoir.
“The vibrant, action-packed panels offer plentiful details for readers to pore over, from scenes of crowded family chaos to the sights of Mexico. A retro yet timeless story of family and identity.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
2. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
By Rick Riordan
Percy, expelled from six schools for being unable to control his temper, learns the truth from his mother that his father is the Greek god Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half Blood where he is befriended by a satyr and the demigod daughter of Athena who join him in a journey to the Underworld to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt and prevent a catastrophic war.
“The sardonic tone of the narrator's voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship, and loyalty.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
3. The Giver
By Lois Lowry
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives. Now a major motion picture. Includes interviews with cast members of the movie based on the novel.
“Lowry is once again in top form – raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.” – Publishers Weekly
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book 1)
By J.K. Rowling
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
“This hugely enjoyable fantasy is filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons' eggs hatched on the hearth. It's slanted toward action-oriented readers, who will find that Briticisms meld with all the other wonders of magic school.” – Kirkus Reviews
By Linda Sue Park
When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
“Based on a true story, this simple yet compelling tale will leave a lasting and reverberating impact. Highly recommended.” – Library Media Connection
Do you need help with finding books to support your ELA Curricula?
The Follett Content team can help you discover the best collections for core literacy programs, phonics instruction, classroom libraries, and top-selling novels to help your students meet their literacy goals.
Complete the form to contact a rep!
Bilingual STEAM Books Your Youngest Learners Will Love
May 29, 2026
STEAMWORKS from Charlesbridge is an engaging way to introduce young learners to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through story, character, and entertaining problem-solving. These books feature children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific, mathematical, and creative thinking to solve everyday problems and...
Read more
Follett Content is now serving public libraries – here's what you need to know.
May 25, 2026
You may know Follett Content as a trusted partner for K-12 school libraries. But we’ve expanded our reach, and public libraries are at the center of that growth.If you’re a public librarian evaluating vendors, exploring options for adult book fulfillment,...
Read more
Graphic Novels Your Students Will Love from Annick Press
May 21, 2026
The intricately crafted worlds and dynamic characters of graphic novels capture the imagination of students of all ages, no matter where they are in their literary journey. These worlds foster deeper cultural understanding while the narratives hone critical thinking skills crucial to...
Read more
Best-Selling SEL Professional Development from Norton Books in Education
May 19, 2026
Cutting-edge research continues to confirm that teaching students social and emotional skills provides enduring behavioral and learning benefits for academic and lifelong success. These hands-on professional development titles from Norton provide school leaders and classroom teachers in Grades K-12 with SEL tools and strategies grounded...
Read more
The Adult Title Fulfillment Gap in Public Libraries – and What It Means for Collection Development
May 18, 2026
For decades, a major player in the public library space was one of the most relied-upon sources for adult print titles.When that leading library book vendor exited the public library distribution market, it created a gap that collections professionals are...
Read more
Long hold queues for new releases? Here's how libraries are solving it.
May 11, 2026
It’s one of the most visible measures of patron satisfaction in a public library: the holds list. When a highly anticipated adult title is released and dozens – sometimes hundreds – of patrons are waiting for a handful of copies,...
Read more