5 Middle Grade Trilogies to Binge Read Over Spring Break

The Stranded trilogy, by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts
Got a kid who thinks she could be the next castaway on Survivor? The tribe has spoken, and host Jeff Probst’s adventure series is a must-read, especially for fans of the show. Co-authored with Middle School series writer Chris Tebbets, the trilogy follows the story of four kids—Vanessa and her brother, Buzz, and their new stepsiblings, Carter and Jane—who are on a family sailing trip that goes horribly awry. A storm strands the foursome on an island without any adults, leaving them to fend for themselves. For extra credit, check out the first two books from Probst’s Stranded: Shadow Island companion trilogy.

The Wildwood Chronicles series, by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis 
Have a hankering to venture into a magical forest in the hipstery Pacific Northwest during your vacay? Join 12-year-old Prue and her classmate Curtis as they venture into the Impassable Wilderness to rescue Prue’s baby brother, Mac, who has been kidnapped by crows. Prue and Curtis quickly learn that all is not well in this dark parallel world. Can Prue free her brother and ignite a revolution? Author and lead singer of the Decemberists, Colin Meloy, weaves a tale reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ magical series The Chronicles of Narnia. Extra credit: Get back to Meloy’s musical roots by checking out his playlists for each book, curated with his wife and book illustrator Carson Ellis, who also illustrated The Mysterious Benedict Society series.

The Keepers Trilogy, by Lian Tanner
“An impatient child is an unsafe child … [and] an unsafe child puts all other children at risk.” Imagine a world in which impatience and boldness are punishable crimes. Welcome to the oppressive city of Jewel, where children are literally kept on leashes to keep them safe. Just as 12-year-old Goldie Roth is about to get her first taste of freedom on the city’s Separation Day, tragedy strikes and all Separations are cancelled—indefinitely. Rosie, fed up with the tyranny, runs away, eventually ending up at the mysterious Museum of Dunt where she meets a boy named Toadspit. Can Goldie and Toadspit free their city from its deceptive ruler? Extra credit: Keep your eyes peeled for Icebreaker, the first book in Tanner’s Hidden trilogy, which hits U.S. bookshelves in August.

The Mysterious Benedict Society series, by Trenton Lee Stewart
“Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” Who would place such an advertisement in the newspaper? Only after passing a series of puzzling tests do four uniquely talented children find out the answer—Mr. Nicholas Benedict. The self-dubbed Mysterious Benedict Society consists of Reynie, Kate, Constance and Sticky, all highly gifted kids. But can their collective wits prevent Mr. Benedict’s evil twin from taking over the world? If your kids love the Lemony Snicket books and have somehow missed out on this fantastic series, have these books waiting for them by the time the final bell rings before spring break. Extra credit: Get the backstory on Mr. Benedict with The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.

The Half Upon a Time trilogy, by James Riley
Trying to tear the kids away from their Netflix catch-up of Once Upon a Time? Swap out the remote for the Half Upon a Time books. In this fractured fairy tale series, Jack is the son of another infamous storybook Jack—the one who has been missing ever since that whole beanstalk fiasco. Now in the care of his grandfather, the junior Jack is failing miserably at his princess-rescue training, but luckily for him, a “Punk Princess” (at least that’s what her shirt says) falls right out of the sky one day. May, who comes from another dimension, swears she’s not royalty, but she does need Jack’s help. May’s grandmother has been kidnapped, and a huntsman is now after her. Could May’s grandmother be the long lost Snow White? Is the Wicked Queen behind her disappearance? And will May and Jack find their happily ever after? Extra credit: Check out Riley’s latest book, Story Thieves, the first in a fanciful new series.
What will you be reading over spring break?