8 Entertaining Middle-Grade Reads: Better Reading 2022 Top 50 Kids’ Books

Our 2022 Top 50 Kids list has so much to offer for middle grade readers! There are long-time favourites and plenty of new reads that made the list for the first time this year. From fantasy adventures to hilarious comedies, here are 8 middle-grade reads from the list:

The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

We were thrilled to see The Grandest Bookshop coming in at #5 on the list! The Bookseller’s Apprentice (a prequel to The Grandest Bookshop) has just been released, so now’s the time to get stuck into Mellor’s wonderful world of Melbourne’s grandest bookshop.

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of The Grandest Bookshop in the World here.

Nevermoor #1: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

At #7 on the list this year, the first book in the Nevermoor series has been capturing the imaginations of middle grade readers for a few years now! Australian author Townsend has built a marvellous fantasy world beginning with this book.

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of Nevermoor #1: The Trials of Morrigan Crow here.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

Skandar caused a storm of excitement when it was released earlier this year, so it’s fantastic to see this debut fantasy novel on our list! Featuring elemental magic, fierce sky battles, ancient secrets and bloodthirsty unicorns, it’s a wild ride and we can’t wait for book #2.

Ages 9+

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief here.

The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton

This book is a firm favourite at BRK, as is the rest of Griffiths’ and Denton’s hilarious treehouse series. With a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of man-eating sharks and a giant catapult, this is the coolest treehouse we can imagine!

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of The 13-Storey Treehouse here.

Eliza Vanda’s Button Box by Emily Rodda

The new middle grade read from the powerhouse author Emily Rodda delighted readers this year. It’s a sparkling mystery about things and people turning up when you least expect them.

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of Eliza Vanda’s Button Box here.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Keeper of the Lost Cities is back on our Top 50 this year! It’s the first in an exciting series about twelve-year-old Sophie Foster. She is a Telepath, and has the power to hear the thoughts of everyone around her.

Ages 7+

Buy a copy of Keeper of the Lost Cities here.

Wolf Girl #1: Into the Wild by Anh Do

Anh Do features on our list twice this year, with WeirDo #1 and Wolf Girl #1: Into the Wild. This book is the first in an awesome series about Gwen – when disaster separates Gwen from her family, she must fend for herself, all alone in the wilderness.

Ages 8+

Buy a copy of Wolf Girl #1: Into the Wild here.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

There’s good reason that Diary of a Wimpy Kid places on our Top 50 list year after year! This well-loved children’s book is a funny and relatable story of Greg and his friends who are doing their best to get through school.

Ages 6+

Buy a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid here.