#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Middle-Grade Fiction Reads

diverse fiction tweens teens

Is there anything better than relaxing in your favorite reading spot, lost in a book? Exactly! If you follow us on Twitter, you know that we often tweet about books that are soon or just newly released. BUT! Before you put the hold on that shiny new book – and wait your turn in line! – why not enjoy some great books that are pretty durned awesome in their own right?

We’re kicking off our Backlist Book List Summer with some recommendations for middle-grade readers. In addition to being a Cybils 2019 finalist, Maybe He Just Likes Youย by Barbara Dee garnered lots of awards. Which made us think hmmm, do readers know about these other great books that are similar?ย 

What is really cool about this list is how it illustrates that books can cross genres and still be similar. In this collection, you’ll find nominees and finalists in three Cybils Awards categories: Middle Grade Fiction, Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction, and Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novel. The other cool thing? The list works in both directions! If you read Class Act by Jerry Craft, you might like Free Lunch by Rex Ogle!

ย If you liked …

2019 YA fiction finalist

Maybe He Just Likes You
by Barbara Dee

2019 Finalist
Middle Grade Fiction

Check out these other books!

Chirp
by Kate Messner

2020 Nominee
Middle Grade Fiction

Class Act

Class Act
written and illustrated by Jerry Craft

2020 Finalist
Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel

Clean Getaway
by Nic Stone

2020 Nominee
Middle Grade Fiction

Free Lunch
by Rex Ogle

2018 Finalist
Middle Grade Non-fiction

Genesis Begins Again
by Alicia D. Williams

2019 Nominee
Middle Grade Fiction

I Can Make This Promise
by Christine Day

2019 Nominee
Middle Grade Fiction

Halfway Normal
by Barbara Dee

2017 Nominee
Middle Grade Fiction


The Cybils Awards has an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com and Bookshop.org.
Purchases made through the links on this page can provide income to our organization.