NYT - Middle Grade Paperback

Created on July 3, 2022, 7:28 am

Last Updated November 7, 2025, 7:15 am

New York Times - Middle Grade Paperback
Copyright (c) 2025 The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.

Last Updated by New York Times on Nov 16, 2025

1) Impossible creatures

Author

Rundell, Katherine

Notes

#1 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Summary

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Christopher discovers the Archipelago, a world where mythological creatures were secreted away by magic long ago, but those creatures are now dying, and it is up to Christopher and Mal, a girl from the Archipelago, to save both of their worlds.

2) A long walk to water: based on a true story

Author

Park, Linda Sue

Notes

#3 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Summary

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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.

3) Restart

Author

Korman, Gordon

Notes

#4 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Formats

Book, Audiobook CD, Playaway, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Summary

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Chase does not remember falling off the roof, in fact he does not remember anything about himself, and when he gets back to middle school he begins to learn who he was through the reactions of the other kids--trouble is, he really is not sure he likes the Chase that is being revealed, but can he take the opportunity amnesia has provided and restart his life?

4) Wish

Author

O'Connor, Barbara

Notes

#5 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Summary

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"A story about a girl who, with the help of the dog of her dreams, discovers that family doesn't always have to be related--they are simply people who love you for who you are"-- Provided by publisher.

5) The Bad Guys 2: movie novelization

Author

Howard, Kate

Notes

#8 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Summary

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"It takes a Bad Guy to catch a bad guy! ... Fresh out of prison, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, Ms. Tarantula, and Mr. Piranha struggle to make it as good guys. That is, until a fresh wave of crime sweeps the city. Can the Bad Guys help catch these dastardly foes?"-- Provided by publisher.

6) The last dragon on Mars

Author

Reintgen, Scott

Notes

#10 on the Middle Grade Paperback list.

Formats

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Summary

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"A boy living on Mars unexpectedly becomes a dragon rider in this “ىْ-ِفُْىْهَ” (ذقىٌٱومٱْ طمم”ًٌ، ٱٰفمْْل مْىم) نىٱْٰ ق ًُُى َٰوم ٱكى-نى فلَ نفَٰفٱ” فٍٱو- ِشوم ؤفْهٱَُوىٱِ ٱمىْمٱ، ٱمْ ٰ ُلمىٌهوٰ نفٱَ نُ سفًلَف ْفلَ إفْه.َُ ثمم ِ”ُ ْم”مٱ لُ َفلَ ”ُ ْنممٰ...