Middle Grade Reading Trends Over the Years

50 Years of Middle School Book Trends

Over the past 50 years, the reading tastes and trends of middle-grade students have undergone a fascinating evolution. From the timeless allure of fantasy adventures like “Harry Potter” to the emergence of graphic novels such as “Smile,” the landscape of middle-grade literature has continually shifted to reflect the changing interests and preferences of young readers. Dystopian fiction like “The Hunger Games” has captured the imagination with its tales of survival and rebellion, while stories emphasizing diversity and representation, like “The Hate U Give,” have sparked important conversations. Series fiction remains a beloved staple, while non-fiction books offer engaging educational opportunities. This dynamic evolution underscores the importance of providing a diverse range of reading materials to inspire and engage middle-grade readers, fostering a lifelong love of literature. (This blog post contains affiliate links, at no cost to our readers, to keep the lights on at PurdyBooks.)

middle grade reading trends
Reading Tastes Have Changed Over the Years

Middle Grade Reading Trends Over Half a Century

antique books
The books may change, but students still like the universal themes.

Over the past 50 years, several book trends have emerged and evolved for middle school and junior high students. Here are some notable ones:

  1. Fantasy Adventures: Fantasy novels have always been popular among middle-grade readers, with series like “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan captivating young imaginations.
  2. Dystopian Fiction: Dystopian novels gained popularity with series like “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, exploring themes of survival, rebellion, and social justice.
  3. Realistic Fiction: Stories depicting real-life struggles and challenges faced by young protagonists have resonated with readers, such as “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio and “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.
  4. Graphic Novels: The rise of graphic novels has provided visually engaging storytelling experiences for middle-grade readers, with titles like “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier and “Amulet” by Kazu Kibuishi.
  5. Diversity and Representation: There’s been a growing emphasis on diverse characters and perspectives in middle-grade literature, with books like “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and “George” by Alex Gino addressing important social issues.
  6. Series Fiction: Series have long been popular among middle-grade readers, offering ongoing adventures and character development across multiple books, such as “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis and “Goosebumps” by R.L. Stine.
  7. Science Fiction: Sci-fi books, including futuristic and space-themed adventures, have captivated readers with series like “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner and “Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer.
  8. Non-Fiction: Engaging non-fiction books covering a wide range of topics, from history and biography to science and technology, have provided educational and entertaining reading experiences for middle-grade students.

These trends have shaped the landscape of middle-grade literature over the past five decades, reflecting the evolving interests and preferences of young readers.

What Have Middle Schoolers Been Reading for the Past 50 Years?

Books from 1970s:

  1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White – A timeless classic about friendship, loyalty, and the circle of life, featuring a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur.
  2. “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson – A poignant story about the friendship between Jess and Leslie, and their magical adventures in the woods.
  3. “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume – The first book in the beloved “Fudge” series, following the humorous misadventures of Peter Hatcher and his rambunctious little brother, Fudge.
  4. “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster – An imaginative and whimsical tale about a boy named Milo who embarks on a fantastical journey through the Kingdom of Wisdom.
  5. “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg – A captivating story about two siblings who run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and uncover a mystery involving a statue.

Books from 1980s:

  1. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl – Follow the story of a young girl with extraordinary abilities who stands up against her cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
  2. “The Chronicles of Prydain” series by Lloyd Alexander – Join Taran, an assistant pig-keeper, on his epic adventures in the magical land of Prydain, filled with dragons, wizards, and quests.
  3. “The Babysitters Club” series by Ann M. Martin – Follow the lives of a group of friends who start a babysitting business and navigate the ups and downs of adolescence together.
  4. “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen – Experience the thrilling survival tale of Brian Robeson, a young boy stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash, armed only with a hatchet.
  5. “Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks – Discover the magical journey of a young boy named Omri, who discovers that his toy figures come to life when placed in a mysterious cupboard.

Books from the 1990s:

  1. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (also known as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the US) by J.K. Rowling – The first book in the beloved series follows the adventures of Harry Potter as he discovers his magical heritage and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
  2. “Holes” by Louis Sachar – Delve into the mysterious and interconnected stories of Stanley Yelnats and the boys at Camp Green Lake as they unearth buried secrets and confront the curse of bad luck.
  3. “Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer – Enter the world of Artemis Fowl, a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, as he hatches a plan to steal fairy gold and restore his family’s fortune.
  4. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry – Explore a seemingly perfect society where emotions and memories are suppressed, and follow Jonas as he discovers the truth behind his community’s secrets.
  5. “Animorphs” series by K.A. Applegate – Join Jake, Rachel, Cassie, Marco, and Tobias as they battle against alien invaders known as the Yeerks by morphing into animals and engaging in thrilling adventures.

Books from the first decade of the 21st century:

  1. “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan – Join Percy Jackson, a demigod son of Poseidon, on his epic adventures as he battles monsters, navigates the world of Greek mythology, and discovers his destiny.
  2. “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan – The first book in the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series introduces readers to Percy’s world, where he learns about his true identity and embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
  3. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney – Follow the hilarious misadventures of middle schooler Greg Heffley as he navigates the ups and downs of adolescence, friendships, and family life.
  4. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins – Immerse yourself in the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen volunteers to compete in the brutal Hunger Games arena to save her sister and ignite a rebellion against the oppressive Capitol.
  5. “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman – Journey into the eerie and fantastical world beyond the secret door in Coraline’s new home, where she discovers an alternate reality with sinister consequences.

Books from the second decade of the 21st century:

  1. “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio – Follow the story of Auggie Pullman, a young boy with facial differences, as he navigates the challenges of attending school for the first time and teaches others the true meaning of acceptance and kindness.
  2. “The Maze Runner” series by James Dashner – Join Thomas and his friends as they navigate the mysterious maze and uncover the secrets of their dystopian world, filled with deadly creatures and powerful adversaries.
  3. “The School for Good and Evil” series by Soman Chainani – Enter the enchanting world of the School for Good and Evil, where ordinary children are trained to become fairytale heroes and villains, and follow Sophie and Agatha on their extraordinary journey of friendship and self-discovery.
  4. “Dork Diaries” series by Rachel Renée Russell – Follow the humorous and relatable adventures of Nikki Maxwell as she navigates the ups and downs of middle school, friendship dramas, and crushes, all while documenting her life in her trusty diary.
  5. “A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) – Follow the misadventures of the Baudelaire siblings as they unravel the mysteries surrounding their parents’ death, evade the nefarious Count Olaf, and uncover the truth behind the secret organization V.F.D.
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