Award category archive

Kirkus Best Books of the Year – Middle-Grade Fiction Winners

Browse Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction winners and nominees by year. This archive follows one award category across the full Kirkus Best Books of the Year history.

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction Cross-year archive

2025

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2025 award year.

View full 2025 awards

Adi of Boutanga

Dzotap, Serge

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Coach

Reynolds, Jason

Track Series · Book 5 · General Fiction

Oct-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Displaced

Ochieng, Patrick

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Finding Lost

Sloan, Holly Goldberg

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Freedom Seeker

Gupta, Ruchira

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

How the Word Is Passed

Smith, Clint

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze

Barnes, Derrick

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda

Tak, Bibi Dumon

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

No Purchase Necessary

Marianayagam, Maria

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Pocket Bear

Applegate, Katherine

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Reel Wish

Mendez, Yamile Saied

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Rick Kotani's 400 Million Dollar Summer

Brown, Waka T.

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Weird Sad and Silent

McGhee, Alison

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Xolo

Higuera, Donna Barba

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2025 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

2024

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2024 award year.

View full 2024 awards

Deer Run Home

LeZotte, Ann Clare

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Drawing Deena

Khan, Hena

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Fairy Tale Fan Club

Ayoade, Richard

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

A Gallery of Rogues

Lincoln, Beth

The Swifts Series · Book 2 · Mystery

Aug-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Girls of Skylark Lane

Benway, Robin

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Jamie

Lapinski, L.D.

Standalone · Romance

Apr-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Kicked Out

Dassu, A.M.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Lola

Valenti, Karla Arenas

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

Miller, Chanel

Standalone · Mystery

Apr-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Read at Your Own Risk

Lai, Remy

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Still Sal

Henkes, Kevin

Miller Family Series · Book 4 · General Fiction

Oct-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Take It from the Top

Swinarski, Claire

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Underdogs of Upson Downs

Silvey, Craig

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2024 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

2023

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2023 award year.

View full 2023 awards

The Book That No One Wanted to Read

Ayoade, Richard

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

A Dictionary of Scoundrels

Lincoln, Beth

The Swifts Series · Book 1 · Mystery

Feb-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Dreamatics

Cuevas, Michelle

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Eyes and the Impossible

Eggers, Dave

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Flying Up the Mountain

Irene-Baitie, Elizabeth

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

How to Make a Movie in 12 Days

Hardy, Fiona

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

How to Stay Invisible

Rudd, Maggie C.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Notorious Scarlett and Browne

Stroud, Jonathan

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Pine Island Visitors

Horvath, Polly

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow

Dimopoulos, Elaine

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Salsa Magic

Marrero, Letisha

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Tiger Daughter

Lim, Rebecca

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Treasure Island

Rhodes, Jewell Parker

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2023 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

2022

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2022 award year.

View full 2022 awards

Holler of the Fireflies

Moore, David Barclay

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

How to Catch a Queen

Cole, Alyssa

Runaway Royals Series · Book 1 · Contemporary Romance

Dec-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Iveliz Explains It All

Arango, Andrea Beatriz

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Language of Seabirds

Taylor, Will

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Lolo's Light

Scanlon, Liz Garton

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Merci Suarez Plays It Cool

Medina, Meg

Merci Suarez Series · Book 3 · General Fiction

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Nikhil Out Loud

Pancholy, Maulik

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Real Dada Mother Goose

Scieszka, Jon

Standalone

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Roll for Initiative

Formato, Jaime

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Shine On, Luz Veliz!

Balcarcel, Rebecca

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Storm

Skinner, Nicola

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

They Call Her Fregona

Bowles, David

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

What the Jaguar Told Her

Mendez, Alex V.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Wildoak

Harrington, C.C.

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Worser

Ziegler, Jennifer

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2022 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

2021

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2021 award year.

View full 2021 awards

Boy Meets Ghoul

Milano, Birdie

Boy Meets Hamster Series · Book 2 · Contemporary Romance

Oct-2019 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Can You Whistle, Johanna?

Stark, Ulf

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-1999 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Cold-Blooded Myrtle

Bunce, Elizabeth C.

Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Series · Book 3 · Mystery

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The House That Wasn't There

Arnold, Elana K.

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Knight of the Cape

Jennings, Terry Catasus

Definitely Dominguita Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Mar-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Mailbox in the Forest

Hara, Kyoko

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Maya and the Robot

Ewing, Eve L.

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Merci Suarez Can't Dance

Medina, Meg

Merci Suarez Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

Apr-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Temple Alley Summer

Kashiwaba, Sachiko

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Used-to-Be Best Friend

Quigley, Dawn

Jo Jo Makoons Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

May-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Ways to Grow Love

Watson, Renee

A Ryan Hart Novel Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

May-2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

2020

Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction results for the 2020 award year.

View full 2020 awards

Accidental Trouble Magnet

Mian, Zanib

Planet Omar Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Feb-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Before the Ever After

Woodson, Jacqueline

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Boy Meets Hamster

Milano, Birdie

Boy Meets Hamster Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Brother's Keeper

Lee, Julie

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Canyon's Edge

Bowling, Dusti

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Efren Divided

Cisneros, Ernesto

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Everything Sad Is Untrue

Nayeri, Daniel

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Fighting Words

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Fly on the Wall

Lai, Remy

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Flying Over Water

Senzai, N.H.

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Marks, Janae

Standalone · Mystery

Jan-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

In the Role of Brie Hutchens...

Melleby, Nicole

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Land of the Cranes

Salazar, Aida

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Mananaland

Ryan, Pam Munoz

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Maps of Memory: Return to Butterfly Hill

Agosin, Marjorie

Butterfly Hill Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Martin McLean, Middle School Queen

Zaczek, Alyssa

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Music for Tigers

Kadarusman, Michelle

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Only Black Girls in Town

Colbert, Brandy

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Rick

Gino, Alex

Rainbow Spectrum Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Hernandez, Carlos

Sal and Gabi Series · Book 2 · Science Fiction

May-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Santiago's Road Home

Diaz, Alexandra

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Serena Says

Davis, Tanita S.

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

The Ship We Built

Bean, Lexie

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Skunk and Badger

Timberlake, Amy

Skunk and Badger Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Sep-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Small Mercies

Krone, Bridget

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Something to Say

Ramee, Lisa Moore

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

Kim, Jessica

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

What Lane?

Maldonado, Torrey

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

When Stars Are Scattered

Jamieson, Victoria; Mohamed, Omar

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

When You Trap a Tiger

Keller, Tae

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Yara's Spring

McKay, Sharon

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2020 Kirkus Best Books of the Year Middle-Grade Fiction *

Browse Award Categories

YA Fiction Archive Middle-Grade Fiction Current page Debut Fiction Archive YA Fantasy and SF Archive Picture Books Celebrating Family Archive Book Club Fiction Archive Short Fiction Archive Middle-Grade Fantasy and SF Archive Middle-Grade Graphic Fiction Archive Mysteries and Thrillers Archive Historical Fiction Archive Romance Archive

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