6 Books & Series to Occupy Your Middle Schooler During Spring Break

Pax, by Sara Pennypacker
Pax is a heartwarming story that is well on its way to becoming a classic. When a young boy named Peter rescues a baby fox, he names the little guy Pax and the pair quickly develops a solid bond. And when Peter’s father forces him to release Pax back into the wild, their determination to find each other leads each on an epic adventure. Pax is a beautiful tale of growing up and of the spirit of love and friendship.

The Descendants series, by Melissa de la Cruz
This series has a dynamite premise that even non-Disney fans will find intriguing: The first book, The Isle of the Lost, focuses on a girl named Mal, who just happens to be the daughter of Maleficent, the villain from Sleeping Beauty. And Mal’s friends are all descendants of the most evil villains to come out of Disney, as well. Who among us can resist this concept?? The sequel, Return to the Isle of the Lost, is set to release this May, so spring break is the perfect time to get your kid hooked on this hot new series.

The Goosebumps Most Wanted Special Edition series, by R.L. Stine
Spook-master R.L. Stine has modernized your favorite classic stories with his Goosebumps Most Wanted Special Edition series. The books are just as scary as you remember, and they’re easy to devour during a week of spring break.

The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, by Rick Riordan
The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series is perfect for fans of the Greek-myth based Percy Jackson series or the Egyptian-themed Kane Chronicles, all by the same author. Based on Norse legends, The Sword of Summer tells the story of Magnus Chase, a seemingly ordinary boy who discovers that he is actually the son of a Norse god. Adventures ensue, fascinating ancient legends are brought to life, and Magnus finds himself thrown right in the middle of it all. The sequel, The Hammer of Thor, is due to be released this fall.

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix series, by Raina Telgemeier
You didn’t think the most perfect book series ever written could get better, did you? Turns out, it can. The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix series is the perfect way to introduce your kids to your favorite members of The Baby-Sitters Club. These iconic characters have been perfectly captured in Telgemeier’s gorgeous, expressive illustrations, so your kid will get a whole new look into the world of Stoneybrook (and you can borrow it when they’re done, and relive spring breaks of yore).

The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
It doesn’t exactly scream “spring breaaak!”, but hear us out: The War That Saved My Life was included on the Wall Street Journal‘s list of Best Children’s Books of 2015. It tells the story of Ada, a little girl who has never left her apartment because her deformed foot embarrasses her mother. When her younger brother is shipped out of London as World War II looms, Ada escapes along with him, and learns what love and trust is from Susan, the woman who reluctantly takes the siblings in. This story is a great way to start a dialogue about what it was like for children in war-torn London, as well as the power of unconditional love, and the strength of the human spirit. See? You can learn even when school isn’t in session!
How are you keeping your young readers busy this spring break?