Yearly, starting with 2012-2013 (and excluding 2013-2014), I have shared the most popular books in my classroom library:
2012-2013 Top Books for Struggling/Reluctant Middle School Readers
2014-2015 Top Checked Out Books by Kellee’s Middle School Readers
In 2012-2013, I taught an intensive reading class with students who had not been successful on the state reading test; however, last year and this year, I switched to teaching advanced reading, but my library is still available for the three intensive reading classes in my school. The books below are the top 15 graphic novels and the top 15 novels checked out from my classroom library.
The most read and loved books of 2015-2016 in my 6th-8th grade classroom library.
**I did combine some series into one if all of the books in the series were high volume check outs.**
Top 15 Checked Out Graphic and Illustrated Novels
15. Maximum Ride Manga #1 by James Patterson
14. Nnewts by Doug TenNapel
13. Cleopatra in Space series by Mike Maihack
12. Sidekicks by Dan Santat
11. El Deafo by Cece Bell
10. Bad Island by Doug TenNapel
9. Sunny Side Up by Jenni L. Holm
8. Explorer series edited by Kazu Kibuishi
Teaching Guide for Explorer 1 & 2
7. Cardboard by Doug TenNapel
6. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel
5. Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan
4. Drama by Raina Telgemeier
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
2. Smile and Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
1. Amulet (series) by Kazu Kibuishi
**By far the most popular book in my classroom since book #1 came out**
Graphic novels are very popular with ALL of my readers. I think there are many reasons why graphic novels are favorites: helps students visualize, fun to read as many of these students have only found reading to be a horrible chore, and colorful! Graphic novels are something I truly believe will help students love reading more and become better readers, and if you look at how much these students are reading and increasing in their reading ability, I think they back me up. (To see more research about the importance of graphic novels, check out my graphic novel teaching guide with Abrams.)
Top 15 Checked Out Novels
15. Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
14. Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
13. Tiara on the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher
Review of Tiara on the Terrace
12. Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
11. Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
10. I, Q by Roland Smith
9. Wake by Lisa McMann
8. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
7. Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
6. The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
5. The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
4. Stung series by Bethany Wiggins
3. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
As you can tell, series are very popular. Students love to be able to keep reading about characters. And Rick Riordan is a middle school rock star! Number 4, 8, 12, and 14 were on our 2015-2016 state award list (Stung won our state award!), and number 5 is on next year’s list.
What books/series do you find to be most popular with your middle school readers?
Have you found success with the books I listed above?
Have you read any of the books I’ve listed? Did you enjoy them?
I hope this list of books helps point you in the direction of some texts that your readers will truly love!
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