Reading aloud to children is one of the most important things you can do in your classroom. When adults read to children, kids learn to love reading for their own sake and start to develop a love for books. Even middle schoolers love read-alouds! There are many great read-alouds for middle school. Here are five that are especially well-suited for this age group.
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Restart by Gordon Korman
One of my favorite authors to read aloud to students is Gordon Korman. In Restart, Korman introduces a high school senior named Owen. A few weeks before graduation, Owen learns that he has to repeat his final year of high school. Of course, Owen is not happy about this news, but he wants to make the best of the situation. First, he makes friends with some of his classmates and starts to get involved in extracurricular activities. Owen also begins to think about his future and what he wants to do with his life. Owen is the first-person narrator in Restart. This makes it an engaging and fun book to read aloud to middle school students. Korman’s fun novels and short stories are perfect read-alouds or independent reads!
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Next, Pax is a heartwarming story of a boy and his fox. When Peter’s father goes to war, he lives with his grandfather in the country. Peter feels alone and sad until he meets Pax, a wild fox who has been living in the woods near his house. Of course, the two become friends and spend their days playing together. Unfortunately, he must leave Pax behind and can only hope that he will be able to find him again one day. The artful writing and thoughts from Peter and fox make this read-aloud a hit with middle schoolers!
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Another read-aloud for your class comes from Jordan Sonnenblick. Sonnenblick’s novel, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie is the story of Steven Alper, a 12-year-old boy who is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Told from Steven’s point of view, the story has strong voice and draws your middle school readers in immediately! I love reading this and Sonnenblick’s other novels aloud to my students.
In the story, Steven’s older brother is a drummer in a band and Steven’s interests include music and girls. But the biggest challenge for Steven is that he has cancer and only has a few months to live. With this middle school read-aloud, your students will be on the edge of their seats.
Dry by Neal and Jordan Shusterman
Dry is a novel written by Neal and Jordan Shusterman about a world where water is scarce and society has crumbled. The story follows a teenage girl, Alyssa, as she attempts to survive in this new world and find her brother. Alyssa must make difficult choices to stay alive, including whether to trust the people she meets. Dry is an intense and suspenseful read. Read aloud to your middle school students, stopping at the right parts to make them want more!
Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Watsons are a black family who is going on a road trip from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement. The story follows “juvenile delinquent” Byron, his younger brother, nerdy Kenny, and their young sister Joetta. Each chapter reads like a fun, laugh-out-loud story culminating in a serious ending reflective of the times.
Overall, reading aloud to middle schoolers is important to help them with their literacy skills. It can also help foster a love of reading, which will carry with them throughout their lives. Plus, it’s just plain fun to hear new, exciting stories! Check out these books to read aloud to middle schoolers to use in your classroom.
Looking for some fun First Chapter Friday Ideas? Check out this post!
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-Alisha
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