There’s nothing quite like middle school. It’s a time of major change, anxiety, and lots of awkwardness—and no one knows that better than middle grade writers! Luckily for the middle schooler in your life, there are some great stories about navigating the ups and downs of friendships, family, first crushes, big changes, and so much more. We’ve collected 15 of the best audiobooks that focus on the unique experience of being a kid in middle school to help young listeners feel less alone during this exciting and confusing time.
Troublemaker follows the events of the LA Riots through the eyes of 12-year-old Jordan as he navigates school and family. This book will highlight the unique Korean American perspective.
Twelve-year-old Jordan feels like he can't live up to the example his older sister set or his parent's expectations. When he returns home from school one day hoping to hide his suspension, Los Angeles has reached a turning point. In the wake of the acquittal of the police officers filmed beating Rodney King, as well as the shooting of a young Black teen, Latasha Harlins, by a Korean store owner, the country is at the precipice of confronting its racist past and present.
As tensions escalate, Jordan's father leaves to check on the family store, spurring Jordan and his friends to embark on a dangerous journey to come to his aide and come to terms with the racism within and affecting their community.
Narrated by Guy Lockard, Ghost is the first book in the Track series. It follows a middle school track team as its members confront challenges, both on and off the track. Ghost is a fast sprinter—he's been running ever since the day something terrible happened at home. But if he wants to win the race, he’ll have to learn how to follow the rules and be a team player.
Yumi wants to be a stand-up comedian. Her parents want her to win a scholarship to an elite middle school—their Korean BBQ restaurant isn't doing so well, thanks to gentrification, but they want the best education for their daughter—and sign her up for a test prep course. Instead, she begins taking stand-up lessons from her comedy idol—after she is mistaken for someone she’s not. Yumi is torn between doing what her parents expect of her and following her dreams. Will she stand up and be herself? Greta Jung narrates this hilarious novel, with excellent comedic timing.
In this powerful novel-in-verse, Josh and his brother Jordan are basketball players trying to do what they can to make their dad proud. But as the basketball season heats up, Jordan seems more interested in girls than playing, and Josh faces a tough choice. Corey Allen narrates this Newbery Medal winner about family, tragedy, and the bonds of brotherhood.
In this extraordinary full-cast audio production, six middle schoolers are pulled from class once a week and given space in an empty classroom to meet and talk, no adults allowed. Although they feel like they're all different and can't relate to one another, they’ll soon open up about their very real challenges, from incarcerated parents, worries about parental deportation, racial profiling, and money. From National Book Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson, this is a powerful middle grade novel about the friendships that are forged when middle schoolers have the space to be open and honest with each other.
Hazel is a brainy kid about to go into eighth grade who is feeling pretty anxious about the future. Studying encyclopedias doesn't give her the answers to the things she really wants to know—like how eighth grade will go, or if her mom, who's pregnant again after miscarrying twice, will be okay. Kathleen McInerney narrates this Lambda Award winner about how to cope with big changes, with some much needed LGBTQ+ representation.
Mia's family lives in a motel, where the owner is awful to the managers: her immigrant parents. Mia helps out whenever she's not in school, running the front desk and coming up with ingenious solutions to all the challenges her family faces. When it becomes apparent that they're not the only immigrants dealing with people who want to take advantage of them, Mia comes up with a daring plan to help others—but she risks getting her parents in big trouble if the motel owner ever found out. Sunny Lu brilliantly narrates this audiobook about a girl juggling school with big issues at home.
Acclaimed trans actress Jamie Clayton narrates Alex Gino’s wonderful novel about George, who knows that she identifies as a girl but hasn't worked up the courage to tell anyone else. When she finally confides in her best friend Kelly, they come up with a plan to win George the role of Charlotte in the school's production of Charlotte's Web. Surely, when everyone sees how amazingly George plays Charlotte, they'll understand she's really a girl. But things don't go exactly as planned...
Zoe has never spoken with her father, who’s in prison. But on her 12th birthday, she receives a letter from him with startling news: he insists that he never committed the crime that put him behind bars. Uncertain of the truth but determined to get to the bottom of it, Zoe begins investigating her father's crime. She does this while also trying to balance her passion for baking and convincing her family she can try out for a major baking competition. Audible Hall-of-Famer Bahni Turpin narrates this compelling novel about searching for the truth, family, and figuring out what's right.
After a school suspension, Scoob hits the highway—with his G'ma. They’re taking an unconventional road trip to the American South, where she has some unfinished business to attend to. Along the way, Scoob, who is Black, and G'ma, who is white but was married to his Black grandfather, learn hard truths about the history of racism in America's past, and the painful legacy of segregation that persist to this day. Dion Graham narrates Nic Stone's powerful and important middle grade debut.
Ally is a very, very smart kid—but all anyone sees is a disruptive class clown. The truth is, reading never clicked with her, and she doesn't know how. But when she moves to a new school and starts a new grade, it becomes even more difficult for her to hide this—until her teacher figures out her secret. As Ally learns from Mr. Daniels, dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. With a little extra help and new ways of thinking, he shows her that she can do anything she puts her mind to. Kathleen McInerney narrates this listen about the life-changing impact teachers can have.
Tabitha, Bridge, and Emily are three best friends trying to navigate the unexpected changes that seventh grade brings, and they have a strict no-fighting rule to help them get through it. But that rule is challenged as Valentine's Day approaches and conflicts, secrets, and new relationships all come to a head. Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead has written an incredible novel about dealing with change and the meaning of friendship, narrated by Kimberly Farr, Meera Simhan, and Kirby Heyborne.
Amal wants nothing more than to continue her studies so she can one day achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. There's nothing she loves more than learning and tutoring the other kids in her small Pakistani village. That dream suddenly seems impossible when she accidentally offends the richest man in the village and is forced to work as his indentured servant. But with some bravery and help from some new friends, Amal learns how to stand up to the people who imprison her, never giving up hope that she can one day achieve her dreams. Priya Ayyar narrates this powerful and moving middle grade novel.
Candace Thaxton narrates this humorous story about Ellie, who uses a wheelchair and is very outspoken. She loves to cook and is always trying out new recipes, but she finds her life thrown for a loop when she and her mom have to move to take care of her grandparents, who live in a trailer park in a small town. Even though the change is tough, Ellie begins to make her first friends—and she has to convince her mom to make this move permanent!
Malu loves music, creating zines, and the punk scene, but when she has to move for her mom's job, she sticks out like a sore thumb in her new school—not to mention, she gets in trouble for silly dress code violations. To fight back, Malu forms a band with some other misfits. They come up with a plan to play at a school event, even though the school unfairly bans them...with some unexpected results! Trini Alvarro narrates this delightful and funny listen about punk and standing up for yourself.
Imogene is trying to survive starting middle school—her very first time attending public school—which is a lot easier said than done, when her parents work for the local Renaissance Faire. She's eager to start training as a squire, but she's finding that middle school is a whole different battleground. Girls are mean and make fun of the way her family lives, and Imogene finds it hard to stand up to them. But part of her knight training is being brave, so Imogene has to find the courage and strength to do what's right. This full-cast production is full of talented voices to bring this graphic novel to life!
Tirzah Price is a librarian, writer, and contributing editor at Book Riot. If she's not reading, she’s usually knitting and listening to an audiobook.