Favourite 2020 Middle Grade Reads

Orphans of the Tide by Strain Murray

Starting off my list, this is a new favourite book for sure! Set in a city that is slowly being swallowed by the sea, a boy arrives out the body of a whale, bringing magic and adventure with him! The main character is an inventor, and I loved every page!

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A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

There was absolutely no way this book wasn't going on this list. An incredible novel about Addie who is determined to create a memorial to witches burned in her village. She battles the village, and their views of her autism in a moving and hopeful middle grade novel!!

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The Castle of Tangled Magic by Sophie Anderson

One of my favourite Middle Grade authors brought out a new book, and obviously it made it onto the list!! This novel is a magical adventure story based on Russian folktales about a girl who has to save her family home, and the nearby villagers from a dangerous magic!

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Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens

This is a series I have been meaning to start forever. A murder mystery set in a boarding school in the early 1920s, what's not to love? The characters are excellent, and the mysteries and puzzling indeed!

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The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D Lapinski

I read this book early in 2020 and it has been on this list ever since. An amazing fantasy adventure story about suitcases that take you to different worlds, it is perfection! 

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The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard & Sam Sedgman

I do love a middle grade mystery! This is the first in a wonderful series where every mystery is set on a train! This story is so good, the adventure is fast-paced and exciting, and the mystery is a tricky one to solve!

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Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick

A slightly spooky addition to the list, this is a very fun middle grade horror, about a school trip that goes *slightly* wrong! Featuring aliens and a terrible affliction that takes you over while you sleep, its great fun all round!

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Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

This is an action-packed adventure novel about a group of kids who get sucked into their favourite video game! Packed full of different levels to complete, this book is just so much fun to read!

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The Mask of Aribella by Anna Hoghton

This is a book that had caught my eye on the shelves a few times, it has a beautiful cover, and the setting of historic Venice had me so intrigued. I am so glad to say that when I finally grabbed a copy it did not let me down. The characters are fun, and the magic system is so cool!

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Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

This was the final book I read in 2020, and it immediately went on the favourites list! This is a mind-blowing sci-fi/fantasy book about Amari who joins a secret world of aliens and magic, and discovers she's a fairly powerful magician too!!

Pre-order from Waterstones here