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Independent book recommendations for young readers ages 0-18.

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Ages 9–12

Middle Grade

Curated books for middle grade readers — sorted by Fern, reviewed by humans.

Alice's Birthday Pig

Tim Kennemore

familysiblings

The empty chair

Bess Kaplan

griefloss

Something lost, something gained

Susan Evans McCloud

familypioneer life

The Seeker

Robert B. Fox, Robert Barlow Fox

self-discoveryadventure

Anyway

Arthur Salm

self-acceptancematuration

If Only

Sue Vyner

familyabsence and loss

Standing against the wind

Traci L. Jones

self-confidencefamily conflict

Last Badge, The

George Mcclements

scoutingperseverance

Evie Brooks is marooned in Manhattan

Sheila Agnew

adjustmentfamily

Walking Mary

James VanOosting

family relationshipstoleration

Gilda Joyce, psychic investigator

Jennifer Allison

mystery and investigationfamily secrets

Saddled with chances

Deb Loughead

horsesresponsibility

Dear Alien

Carole Marsh

friendshipimagination

The little woods

McCormick Templeman

friendshipmystery

There's no base like home

Mendoza, Jessica (Sports analyst)

familysisterhood

Elsie at Ion: Book 19 (Elsie Dinsmore: the Original Elsie Classics)

Martha Finley

faithfamily

Move over, Beethoven

Julia First

musicfamily

Just peachy

Jean Ure

self-discoveryidentity

When Ratboy lived next door

Chris Woodworth

familyfriendship

Foundling

Ruthie Pearlman

identityfamily

Elsie at the Raymonds

Martha Finley

christian faithfriendship

Stardust and moonbeams

Brigitte Gutsche

emotionsfamily relationships

The cow-pie chronicles

James L. Butler

sibling rivalryfamily

The Hemingway Tradition

Kristin Butcher

grief and lossfamily relationships

Other age groups

Baby & Toddler (0-2)Preschool (3-5)Early Readers (6-8)Young Adult (13-18)