Order History
Premium Membership & Rewards
Help Center / FAQ
5 Middle Grade Novels With Older Siblings Off to College
As summer nears its end, many children not only face the anticipation of a new school year, but they also face the anticipation of their siblings’ new school years. For some, that might mean an older sibling making the jump into a different school and, for others, it might mark a larger milestone: an older sibling going away to college. While some kids might only be cheering that they get their own rooms (finally!), others might find the separation a little tougher. Here are five novels that tackle the tricky topic of an older sibling going away to college, some with humor and others with hard truths, but all of them with honesty and heart.
[ean1]Jessica Darling’s It List, by Megan McCafferty
When Jessica’s sister, Bethany, goes off to college, she leaves Jessica with an IT list to start seventh grade. It’s a guaranteed guide to popularity, prettiness, and perfection. As long as Jessica follows it, she’ll not only survive middle school, but flourish. As Jessica tries to navigate friendships, classes, and after-school cheerleading tryouts, she gradually discovers that Bethany’s idea of the perfect middle school experience might be a little different than her own. This hilarious, witty, and charming story of Jessica Darling’s awkward middle school years is perfect for those young readers discovering they might want to make a different mark than their older siblings.
The Seventh Wish, by Kate Messner
Kate Messner’s latest novel takes a more serious look at an issue facing many younger siblings: an older sibling’s drug addiction. Like many twelve-year-olds, Charlie feels like she doesn’t have much control over the things in her life, especially when her normally close relationship with her sister becomes oddly tense and distant when her sister goes off to college. So, when Charlie goes ice fishing and discovers a fish that grants wishes in exchange for its freedom, she decides a little wishing can’t hurt. This book is a heartbreaking but beautiful and important look at a growing epidemic in our country and the effect it has on families and younger siblings.
Sealed With a Secret, by Lisa Schroeder
Phoebe and her older sister, Alice, used to be close, but as they both anticipate Alice leaving for college, it feels like Alice wants nothing to do with her younger sibling. So, when Phoebe finds a “spell”, a list of clues in an old letter for bringing people closer together, it feels like she’s found exactly what she needs. She embarks on a scavenger hunt through London that sends her closer to the magic she’s looking for at every stop. Her wish to be closer to an older sibling who is pulling away is something that many young siblings face, and this novel handles it with realism and hopefulness in equal measure.
Lea Dives In, by Lisa Yee
The 2016 American Girl of the Year, ten-year-old Lea Clark, is also dealing with the estrangement of an older sibling. Her older brother, Zac, has been away at college, but she gets to spend an unforgettable visit with him in Brazil, where he’s been studying the rainforest for the past year. Lea is more than ready to explore the world, just like her intrepid grandmother, but she also struggles with a fear of the ocean, and wishes that her brother didn’t treat her like such a child. Lea learns how to face her struggles and fears head-on in this light-hearted adventure.
Ships in 1-2 days.
The Penderwicks in Spring, by Jeanne Birdsall
In this fourth novel from the much-loved Penderwicks series, the sisters are a bit older than when we last left them in book three. Oldest sister Rosalind has been away at college and returns with a boyfriend no one seems to like, and, in her trademark charming and classic style, Birdsall continues to explore the dynamics and adventures of these hilariously flawed but big-hearted sisters as they evolve through all of life’s transitions and phases.
What books would you recommend to a younger sibling who is facing this transition?