my top ten underrated middle grade novels

Hello!

Another week means yet another Top Ten Tuesday post from The Broke and the Bookish, and today’s topic is a great one! I am a HUGE fan of giving support for overlooked authors and novels, so when we were asked to name our ten most underrated books, the list was already forming in my head. I decided to stick within the middle grade audience, as I could go on for days if I opened it up to YA too :) What hidden book gems do you recommend?

Psst. If you want another list {and who wouldn’t?!}, be sure to check out my list of underrated authors that deserve love and support here!

Rocky Road would have easily escaped my attention if I hadn’t found it at my local library, and given how much I liked it, I’m glad it didn’t! This is a realistic fiction done right, so don’t let the little hype surrounding it stop you from grabbing it for yourself.

I, like any book blogger, am constantly judging books by their covers, but it was actually the title of David Pogue’s novel that first caught my eye. The attention-grabbing name and promising premise lived up to my expectations, so much so that I hope to give it a second look again soon. You, on the other hand, should try it out for the first time!

I don’t know about you, but I think mysteries make up some of the best of middle grade. Case in point? The Ruby Redfort books by Lauren Child. With a spot-on combination of thrills, adventure, and humor, I don’t know why you wouldn’t be rushing out to buy the first book. {review 1 and 2}

If that gorgeous blue cover isn’t enough to make you pick up this book, the well-written {I crack myself up :)} story should do the trick! I have heard near nothing about this novel since I last read it a few years ago – underrated it definitely is – but I am determined to find it at my library to revisit it.

Nan Marino brings small-town charm, quirkily personalities, and a sprinkle of fantasy with Hiding Out at Pancake Palace, so I am disappointed that it is so often overlooked! Realistic fiction fans should totally add it to their TBR list. {review}

With it’s adorable title and oh-so cute cover, I am shocked that The Clueless Girl’s Guide to Being a Genius has not been featured more. While I wouldn’t call it perfect, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it, as I am sure you will be too. {review}

Julia DeVillers was one of my go-to authors as a kid because I knew her books would never fail to keep me entertained! While I have since altered my favorite authors list, I will still happily pass along praise about her books, especially Liberty Porter, First Daughter. {author’s other books: 1 and 2}

I remember minimal information about Stephanie Watson’s cute middle grade, Elvis and Olive, except for the fact that it features an awesome and empowering friendship. MG realistic fiction stories are usually about friend drama, so this was a refreshing change of pace.

While I am a fan of Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek, both by Messner, I realized that they weren’t the first of her books that I had read and enjoyed! There’s no better time than now, as it is the autumn season, to give The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. a try. {author’s other books: 1 and 2}

Finally, although I haven’t looked at a copy of The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls in years {I’m long overdue in re-reading it}, I can confidently recommend it just as much now as I did back then! It’s an unusual, yet very interesting, story, and Elise Primavera works her magic to make it all come together.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Bella